Neither Alturistic Suicide, nor Terrorism but Martyrdom: a Muslim Perspective

The objective of the present article is to elucidate specific Islamic & psychological aspects of martyrdom in the light of one example, Palestinian martyrs in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The author explores the historical roots of the conflict, arguing that the soil has become fertile ground for the growing phenomenon of martyrdom, & has given rise to a culture of resistance based on the Islamic principles of Jihad (holy war) & the right to resist the Israeli colonizer. The author suggests that martyrdom does not count as suicide of any kind. (35 refs)