It’s not like there’s any negative connotations associated with it . . . no, wait?
(HNY) — Hussam Ayloush, the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Los Angeles — one of CAIR’s largest and most important local chapters — claims the term “jihad” means something positive and noble. However, the organization he represents, CAIR, and the company he keeps belie the notion that Ayloush is being less than forthright in his interpretation.
On April 8, 2011, Ayloush found himself giving a khutbah [sermon] entitled, “Understanding and Defending ‘The Shariah,'” at the Islamic Institute of Orange County (IIOC). Shariah is the set of religion-based legal rulings originally set out in the Koran and the life of Muhammed {Hadith] and interpreted and enforced by Islamic courts. Shariah — meaning “The Path,” or “The “Way” — deals with everything from crime and politics to economics and sexuality. Shariah law includes such acts as the cutting off of limbs, crucifixion, mutilation, the stoning of individuals, and the death sentence for (even alleged) adultery, death for criticizing the Prophet Muhammed, and death for leaving the religion. It also values a woman as worth half a man in court, and advocates wife-beating.
In the speech, Ayloush stated, “The word jihad now is so demonized that even Muslims are afraid to link to such a noble cause. Striving for justice, striving for the goodness of mankind, striving for good – that’s what jihad is.” Jihad means to struggle, within oneself or against others. Often the term refers to “holy war” against non-believers or non-Muslims.