Several months ago, TIME published an article, "Inside the Mind of a Suicide Bomber"; i read it with much interest and it confirmed many of my assumptions about the type of person who blows himself up to kill.
For the deeply pious Marwan, his colleagues in Attawhid are now closer to his heart than his family or former friends. "The jihadis are more religious people," he says. "You ask them anything--anything--and they can instantly quote a relevant section from the Koran." Like them, Marwan works Koranic allusions into his speech. He has also embraced the jihadist worldview of one global Islamic state where there is, in Marwan's words, "no alcohol, no music and no Western influences." He concedes that he has not thought deeply about what life might be like in such a state; after all, he doesn't expect to live long enough to experience it. Besides, he says, he fights first for Islam, second to become a "martyr" and win acceptance into heaven, and only third for control of his country.
Make no mistake, suicide bombers are very religious -- they believe absolutely in their Faith, the believe absolutely that suicide is permissible in Islam (i.e. killing your enemy even if it means your own death). While some may argue entrance to Heaven is their main motivation, i think it goes deeper than that: their main motivation is the belief of their right to remove a wrong.
Suicide bombers feel they have been wronged, their society has been wronged, and that a war is being engaged. In times of war (real war, i mean, and not the pussy footing no-collateral-damage "surgical engagements" we've had in recent times), everything goes. Hitler gassed millions. The firebombings of Germany by the Allied forces wiped out whole cities, killing hundreds of thousands (civilians). War is rarely about mercy, regardless of what the Swiss say. And suicide bombers, self-proclaimed terrorists, have no mercy. When you're fighting a war (especially one where your options are limited), are you expected to be merciful?
"I AM A TERRORIST" Marwan seems certain he is on a "pure" path. Unlike many other insurgents, who reject the terrorist label and call themselves freedom fighters or holy warriors, Marwan embraces it. "Yes, I am a terrorist," he says. "Write that down: I admit I am a terrorist. [The Koran] says it is the duty of Muslims to bring terror to the enemy, so being a terrorist makes me a good Muslim." He quotes lines from the surah known as Al-Anfal, or the Spoils of War: "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the enemy of Allah and your enemy."
Zainul Ariffin of the NST was very naive recently when he wrote:
The overwhelming majority of Muslims, even those who might share some kinship to the causes being championed by these suicide bombers, I believe, cannot comprehend the idea of employing acts of war against the innocent.
Acts of war against the innocent? There are no innocents in war; the lessons of the human race and our conduct during wars prove that. What Governments all over have to understand is that terrorists consider their actions military in nature -- the end of military engagements can only happen one of two ways: 1) The enemy is totally wiped out and 2) Negotiation and settlement
The first option will never happen. There are thousands of your Marwans waiting in line for martyrdom. Conversely, even if every single one of them blew themselves up at the same instant, it would hardly dent the Great Satan. So its an unwinnable situation, for either side.
When you consider the second option, its probably never going to happen either. Both sides want something the other is unwilling to give.
So where does that leave us? Expect many more Balis. Be safe, cautious and aware, always.
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