Shedding light on al-Qaida and Islam with Mary Habeck

Mary Habeck, associate professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University, was the guest lecturer Thursday night for the fifth annual Crader Humanities Lecture Series. The lecture was titled "Al-Qa'ida and Islam: What's the Real Connection?" and addressed the differences between al-Qaida and Islam.

"Since Sept. 11, Americans have been involved in a debate," Habeck said. "One that is generally private and at times public, about the nature of religious beliefs that carried out in that terrible attack that day."

Habeck asked whether al-Qa'ida had nothing to do with Islam or everything to do with it, and whether there is some other explanation to the relationship between the "first world" and Islam.

"This debate has been complex and further complicated by three factors," Habeck said. "First of all, most Americans are not Muslims. Secondly, most Americans, therefore, do not have much exposure to Islam and are twisted by the media. Thirdly, our public figures and the media are, for the most part, not Muslim, and have been reluctant to engage in this debate for fear of getting their facts wrong and being viewed as bigoted or hateful."

Habeck said that this has caused a silence about the issue that has created more anxiety and confusion than is necessary about terrorists and Islam.

"I believe that it is necessary to have a real discussion about Islam, about al-Qaida's religious claims and about the extremist relationship with Islam, if any, in order to end this debate and answer the questions of anxiety American's have about both religion and Muslims in general," Habeck said.

Habeck explained that al-Qaida is only less than one percent of the entire Islam religion and that they are strictly extremists. They believe in violence over persuasion, whereas Muslims believe in persuasion over violence.

"Al-Qa'ida believes that they need to take action against anyone who does not share their same beliefs," Habeck said. "They believe that it is okay to kill 50 Muslims in order to kill one non-Muslim because they believe Muslims should not even be in the vicinity as non-Muslims anyway."

Al-Qaida consists of Sunni Muslims who practice Wahabism, which is considered to be the most extreme form of Islam. Al-Qaida wants to establish Islamic rule and that all governments should be replaced by Islamic leaders. It is important to know that Islam is a peaceful religion, whereas al-Qa'ida is not, Habeck said.

"It was a very good lecture with very positive information," attendee Sarah Mallik said. "This education is very important. We might not be very educated in your culture and that is the same with you and our culture."

Habeck was appointed by George W. Bush to be on the council of the National Humanities and also served as a special advisor for strategic planning on the National Security Council.

Wayne Bowen, professor and chair of the Department of History, said the next lecture will be in September of 2014. "The topic is yet to be decided on," Bowen said. "We do try to encourage students and the community to think outside the box with all of our lectures, so it will be something that will really encourage people to think differently."

The lecture was funded by the Crader Family Endowment for American Values, which is devoted to increasing the knowledge and appreciation of political, religious and economic issues for Southeast students and the community.