Islam and the theology of power

The article concludes that:

• the argument that the Islamic concept of jihad is to blame for war and contemporary violence is anachronistic and Orientalism. They project Western categories and historical experiences upon a situation that is very particular and fairly complex
• one can easily locate an ethical discourse within the Islamic tradition that is uncompromisingly hostile to acts of terrorism. One can also locate a discourse that is tolerant toward the other, and mindful of the dignity and worth of all human beings
• one must also come to terms with the fact that supremacist puritanism in contemporary Islam is dismissive of all moral norms or ethical values, regardless of the identity of their origins or foundations. The prime and nearly singular concern is power and its symbols. Somehow, all other values are made subservient. This is an unfortunate element of Wahhabi inspired radical groups