The Shahids: Islam and Suicide Attacks

Suicide terror has become a fundamental strategic weapon in the confrontation between Fundamentalist Islam and its adversaries and now constitutes a threat to world welfare and security. The Shahids proposes that the nature of this terror changed after the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11. In this first book to be published on the subject, the author offers both an interpretation and an overall picture of a worldwide phenomenon that is not yet fully recognized, even in Israel, which remains a central arena for the perpetration of suicide attacks by terror organizations. The Shahids analyzes the general phenomenon of Islamic suicide attacks, and provides the reader with tools, comparative analyses, and comprehensive information enabling enlightened examination about suicide attacks worldwide. After a review of the historical development of the religious and ideological values legitimating suicide attacks, the volume explores the ways in which all terror organizations are both alike and different. It focuses on the countries that support terror--Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia--discusses suicide attacks perpetrated by women and the suicide attackers' mothers, and shows how various countries have put an end to suicide attacks. It scrutinizes testimony drawn from confiscated documents regarding the approach of terror leaders and the administrative support of various organizations for suicide attacks, while offering descriptions and direction on ways to contend with this challenge. It explores the possibilities and recommendations for an international struggle against suicide attacks through the implementation of recently published, innovative ideas proposed by UN Organizations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. The Shahids maps out the overall phenomenon of suicide attacks, as well as identifies various organizations and central key figures through comparative cross-sections.

Table of Contents:
Glossary of Terms, Foreword, Introduction, 1. Definitions and a Historical Review of the Phenomenon of Suicide Attacks, 2. Suicide Attacks in the Modern Era—The Arab-Israeli Conflict, 3. Suicide Attacks in the Modern Era—Throughout the World, 4. Summary, Appendices, Appendix A: Development of Islamic Suicide Attacks, Appendix B: Trends in the Development of Terror, Appendix C: A List of Suicide Attacks, October 2000-December 2003, Index

About the Author :
Shaul Shay is a research fellow at the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, and heads the Israel Defense Forces' Department of History. Aharon Ze'evi Farkash is a major general and director of the Military Intelligence Department of IDF.

Review :
"Shay's study on "shahids" (Islamic martyrs) is a timely investigation into this subject that should be widely read." "--Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly" -Shay has filled an essential gap in our understanding of suicide bombings as a modern political phenomenon.- --Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly -This historical account of suicide attacks on -enemies of Islam- compares the Hashashin (Assassins) Movement with present-day Muslim suicide bombings. Shay rightly points out that a suicide strategy against enemies is nothing new, given a history that goes back at least one thousand years.- --M. A. Khan, Choice -Shay's study on shahids (Islamic martyrs) is a timely investigation into this subject that should be widely read.- --Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly "Shay has filled an essential gap in our understanding of suicide bombings as a modern political phenomenon." --Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly "This historical account of suicide attacks on "enemies of Islam" compares the Hashashin (Assassins) Movement with present-day Muslim suicide bombings. Shay rightly points out that a suicide strategy against enemies is nothing new, given a history that goes back at least one thousand years." --M. A. Khan, Choice "Shay's study on shahids (Islamic martyrs) is a timely investigation into this subject that should be widely read." --Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly "Shay has filled an essential gap in our understanding of suicide bombings as a modern political phenomenon." --Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly "This historical account of suicide attacks on "enemies of Islam" compares the Hashashin (Assassins) Movement with present-day Muslim suicide bombings. Shay rightly points out that a suicide strategy against enemies is nothing new, given a history that goes back at least one thousand years." --M. A. Khan, Choice "Shay's study on shahids (Islamic martyrs) is a timely investigation into this subject that should be widely read." --Salim Mansur, Middle East Quarterly "This historical account of suicide attacks on "enemies of Islam" compares the Hashashin (Assassins) Movement with present-day Muslim suicide bombings. Shay rightly points out that a suicide strategy against enemies is nothing new, given a history that goes back at least one thousand years." --M. A. Khan, Choice "Shay's study on "shahids" (Islamic martyrs) is a timely investigation into this subject that should be widely read." "--"Salim Mansur, "Middle East Quarterly" "This historical account of suicide attacks on "enemies of islam" compares the Hashashin (Assassins) Movement with present-day Muslim suicide bombings. Shai rightly points out that a suicide strategy against enemies is nothing new, even a history that goes back at least one thousand years." "--"M.A. Khan, Emory University