Lesson video

Hello and welcome to this RE lesson today on Islam and issues surrounding conflict.

My name's Mrs. Rawbone and I'm going to be working with you today.

In today's lesson, you'll be able to understand some of the issues raised by conflict and explain Muslim and other responses to them.

Keywords we'll be using today are conflict, peace, terrorism, and violence.

Conflict is the opposition of individuals or groups that may result in aggression or fighting.

Peace is a period of time in which there is no war.

Terrorism is the use of violence or threat of violence in the pursuit of political aims, religious or ideological change.

Violence is behaviour that aims to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy.

Our lesson today will take two parts.

We'll be looking at issues raised by conflict and at responses to issues raised by conflict.

So let's get started on issues raised by conflict.

Although conflict may just start as a disagreement, it can become more serious.

It can lead to violence.

For example, a 2020 Bristol protest over tree removal turned violent with clashes between protesters and police.

It can lead to war.

So World War I began when political tensions between countries turned into war.

And it can lead to terrorism.

ISIS emerged from political and sectarian conflicts using terror tactics to advance its aims. Conflict raises many ethical concerns.

So thinking about violence, this dehumanises the victim and the aggressor and it often leads to a cycle of retaliation.

Thinking about war, this often involves innocent people and it makes unacceptable actions suddenly somehow legal or acceptable.

And terrorism targets innocent people and spreads fear.

It leads to prejudice and hate.

The word terrorism comes from the Latin word terrere, meaning to frighten.

Terrorism happens when people use or threaten violence in the pursuit of political aims, religious or ideological change.

For example, a radical sect may believe their religion is under threat and they may oppose other beliefs quite strongly.

If you couple this with intolerance for beliefs that are different from their own, then this can lead to the extreme reaction of terrorism.

An example of this is a Klu Klux Klan who promoted white supremacy and used violence to intimidate Black Americans and others seeking civil rights, fueling racial terror and conflict in the US.

So what is terrorism? Take a moment, pause the video, write down your answer, and come back when you're ready to check.

You could have said the use of violence or threat of violence in the pursuit of political aims, religious or ideological change.

Well done if you've got something along those lines.

Terrorism can have religious causes and goals, but this is not always the case.

There are religious terrorist groups.

For example, the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, which existed from 2013 to the present.

Its aim is to establish an Islamic state under strict Shariah law.

Another religious group is the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda, existing from 1987 to the present, and their aim is to enforce their interpretation of Christian fundamentalist rule.

However, there are equally secular terrorist groups.

The Irish Republican Army, known as the IRA, existed from the late 1960s to 1998, and their aim was to achieve Irish independence from British rule.

And the Kurdistan Workers Party, the PKK, existed from 1978 to the present with their aim being to secure greater rights for Kurds within Turkey.

This chart shows what determined the amount of media coverage a terrorist attack received in major media outlets in the US between 2006 and 2015.

These attacks were assessed on whether there was a Muslim perpetrator, whether the perpetrator was arrested, whether the target was law enforcement, so for example, the police or the army, and the number killed in the attack.

We can see that terrorist attacks perpetrated by someone who claims to be Muslim actually receive 758% times more coverage than other attacks.

So we can see a real significant bias in reporting attacks committed by people claiming to be Muslim received far greater media coverage.

So what impact is this likely to have on public perception of the links between terrorism and religion? Take a moment to turn and talk to someone nearby, or you can talk to me, pause the video, come back when you finish discussing.

So what does the fact that terrorist attacks by those claiming to be Muslim receive 758% more media coverage suggest? Does it suggest A, that media gives equal attention to all terrorist attacks? B, that media coverage may be biassed towards attacks linked to Muslims? That C, terrorist attacks by Muslims happen far more often? Or D, the media ignores attacks by Muslims? So take a moment, think about that statistic, jot down your answer, come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put B, it suggests that media coverage is biassed towards attacks linked to Muslims. Someone's right to freely express an opinion is outweighed by another person's right to live in security and safety.

So we have Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person." And Article 19, which states, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression." For this reason, in the UK, it is a crime to plan, support, or promote terrorism.

That is because safety outweighs anyone's right to express their opinion in the way they choose.

Public services must help prevent people being drawn into terrorism, and the United Nations itself tells all countries to make terrorism a crime.

So what is the missing word? When considering terrorism, the right to freedom of opinion and is outweighed by the right to life, liberty, and security? Pause the video if you need to, jot down your answer, come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put expression.

So although a terrorist might argue that they are exercising their freedom to express their opinion in the way they choose, this is considered to be outweighed by other people's right to life, liberty, and security.

For your task on issues raised by conflict, I'd like you to write a paragraph explaining what issues are raised by conflict, what terrorism is, what causes terrorism, and what concerns terrorism raises.

So take your time, pause the video, write your paragraph, thinking about what we've learned so far today, and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said there are many issues with conflict, including use of violence, war, and terrorism.

Terrorism is a use of violence and threats to create fear often to achieve political, religious or ideological goals.

People or groups may turn to terrorism because they feel powerless, want to force change, or believe peaceful methods have failed.

Terrorism raises serious ethical and human rights concerns, including the targeting of innocent civilians and that it may lead to unfair prejudice and hate.

So well done if you've got across the issues involved with conflict and in particular, those issues to do with terrorism.

Moving on to the second part of our lesson, we're going to be looking at responses to issues raised by conflict.

Non-religious responses to issues surrounded by conflict might be guided by the use of reason and human rights.

Muslim responses to issues surrounding conflict are guided by the Qur'an and the Shariah.

Both of these approaches would agree in many ways.

They'd agree on the protection of innocent lives, on support for peace, and on the rejection of terrorism.

Non-religious people might respond to the issues raised by conflict in a variety of ways.

They might focus on respect for human rights, on pacifism, on the use of reason, law, and diplomacy, or they might support military action if they think it's necessary.

Alan is a humanist.

He has been asked about his response to issues raised by conflict.

Alan says, "I believe every person has equal worth and harming innocent people is always wrong.

I reject terrorism because it spreads fear and fails to address the real causes of conflict.

I volunteer with Search for Common Ground, a peace-building organisation that helps communities resolve conflict through dialogue and understanding.

Humanists believe in using reason, empathy, and cooperation to respond to conflict and reduce suffering." Zoe and Zara are both atheists.

They're discussing their responses to issues raised by conflict.

Zoe says, "I believe violence is wrong, whether sanctioned by governments or an illegal act of terrorism.

I worry that if we allow violence in some cases, it makes it easier to excuse it in others.

We should always use peaceful solutions when faced with conflict." Zara says, "I agree that terrorism is wrong, but I think violence can be necessary.

Sometimes it is the only way to protect people or prevent a greater harm.

A good example is using it in a war against terrorist groups who are threatening innocent lives." Is this statement true or false? Non-religious people may disagree on whether military action is an appropriate response to terrorism.

Take a moment, pause the video, have a think about your answer, and also about why.

Come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you spotted that that is true, but why is it true? Well, it's true because while many non-religious people prefer peaceful solutions, some believe military action can be justified as a last resort to prevent further violence and protect people from harm.

The Qur'an is a source of authority on issues raised by conflict.

Surah 10:25 says, "God invites to the home of peace and guides whom he wills to a straight path." Surah 5:32, "If anyone kills a person, it is as if he has killed all of mankind." Surah 2:190, "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress." So we learn first that Islam is a religion of peace, that life is sacred, and that violence can only be used within strict limits.

Malik's Muwatta is one of the earliest collections of Islamic teachings.

It is a respected source of authority in Sunni Islam.

It includes sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, legal rulings of early Muslim scholars, and the practises of the people of Madinah.

According to the collection Abu Bakr, the first caliph, is recorded as saying, "Do not kill women or children or the aged." Applied to the issues of violence, war, and terrorism, this forbids harming the vulnerable and makes it clear that targeting the innocent is wrong.

I'd like you to complete the sentence: Abu Bakr, the first caliph, is recorded as saying, "Do not kill.

." So take your time to think back about what you learned about Malik's Muwatta.

Pause the video.

Come back when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said women or children or the aged.

This is often understood to mean innocent people.

Muslim responses to issues surrounding conflict are based around three principles.

Acting with restraint and justice.

So the Muslim Peace Fellowship encourages peaceful activism and challenges violence carried out in the name of religion.

Many Muslims speak out against extremism, emphasising that such actions go against Qur'anic teachings on justice and restraint.

Forgiving and reconciling.

Initiatives of Change UK supports reconciliation and dialogue in communities affected by tension or violence.

Muslims may also counter extremist narratives by promoting community understanding and social cohesion.

Promoting unity and justice.

Muslims support efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict such as inequality, poverty, and discrimination, and to speak out against extremist groups that create division.

Islamic Relief supports victims of conflict with aid and development work, and CAGE campaigns against injustice and the misuse of counter-terrorism laws.

Andeep is asking Iqbal, who is a Muslim, what he thinks about the link between religion and terrorism.

Andeep asks, "Do you think religion can be linked to terrorism? For example, the terrorist group ISIS claims to represent Islam." Iqbal says, "ISIS actions go against the teachers of Islam and terrorists cannot be called true Muslims. Islam preaches peace and mercy." Andeep responds, "It sounds like Muslims condemn the use of their religion to support terrorism." Tareeq is a Sunni Muslim and an imam.

He's talking about what he does to respond to terrorism.

Tareeq says, "I use the mosque to promote peace and justice through khutbahs, youth sessions, school visits, and community events.

I follow guidance from the Muslim Council of Britain, which encourages imams to speak out against extremism and actively promote peace.

I don't believe violence is the right response to terrorism because it risks harming more innocent people and continuing the cycle of hatred.

For me, it's important that people understand that Islam stands for peace, not violence." Sarah is a Sunni Muslim and a teacher.

She's talking about what she does to respond to terrorism.

Sarah says, "As an RE teacher, I make it a priority to help students understand what Islam really teaches.

We explore the conditions for lesser jihad and I make it clear that terrorism goes against Islamic teaching.

I also explain that responding to terrorism with violence can often make things worse and harm more innocent people.

I work closely with the safeguarding team and help train other staff so they feel confident recognising and responding to concerns." Hassan is a Shi'a Muslim.

He's talking about what he does to respond to terrorism.

Hassan says, "I support the Muslim Peace Fellowship by sharing their peace messages online and contributing to social media campaigns that challenge extremist views.

I also donate to Islamic Relief because they work on peace building in areas affected by terrorism.

Violence is not the right way to respond to terrorism as it leads to more harm and deepens division.

By promoting peace and helping others understand the values of Islam, I hope to play a positive role in preventing extremism." Part of this question has been completed for you.

Outline three ways Muslims may work to counter terrorism.

We have educating others about true Islamic teachings and challenging extremist ideas online and in the community.

I'd like you to finish the answer by adding another way.

So pause the video, take a moment to write down your answer, and come back when you're ready to check what you have written.

You could have said either one of the following, supporting charities that promote peace and help victims of terrorism, or training others to recognise and respond to extremism.

So well done if you managed to get one of those ways in which Muslims may work to counter terrorism.

For part one of our task, I'd like you to complete this table showing how each source or example might influence Muslim responses to the issue of terrorism.

We have the words of Abu Bakr.

"Do not kill women or children or the aged or infirm." The Qur'an teaches that killing one innocent life is like killing all of humanity.

Islamic Relief provides aid and peace-building in areas affected by terrorism.

And Imams preach against terrorism and use the mosque as a centre for peace education.

So take your time to think about how each source or example might influence Muslim responses.

Pause the video, come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said for the first source from Abu Bakr that his words encourage Muslims to reject any act of terrorism as they harm innocent people.

For the Qur'an teaches that killing one innocent life is like killing all of humanity.

This reinforces the sanctity of life, making terrorism, which targets innocent civilians, completely wrong.

For Islamic Relief, providing aid and peace-building in areas affected by terrorism.

This might influence Muslims because it offers a peaceful and practical way to respond to terrorism.

And for the point about Imams preaching against terrorism and using the mosque as a centre for education, this might help guide communities and give religious support for rejecting terrorism.

So well done if you've got some examples of how those different sources might influence Muslims. For part two of our task, Meryem has started to write a conclusion to her evaluation of the statement: Terrorism can never be justified.

She's written, "Terrorism raises serious concerns because Islam clearly shows that terrorism is.

It is unacceptable to argue that terrorism is a way to resist oppression.

Islam allows violence only.

And the most important point is that Islam calls for.

So take the time to complete her conclusion by finishing those sentences that are there to guide you.

Come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said terrorism raises serious concerns because it deliberately targets innocent people.

It spreads fear, and it often misuses religion to justify violence.

Islam clearly shows that terrorism is wrong.

The Qur'an teaches that killing one innocent life is like killing all of humanity.

It is unacceptable to argue that terrorism is a way to resist oppression.

Islam allows violence only under strict conditions, and terrorism completely ignores these limits by spreading fear and targeting innocent people.

The most important point is that Islam calls for justice through lawful and peaceful means.

Terrorism is not part of true Islamic teaching and can never be justified.

So well done if you've managed to develop the points that Meryem was making in her conclusion.

In today's lesson, we have learned that conflict raises issues like violence, war, terrorism, and harm to the innocents.

Terrorism uses violence or threats to achieve political or religious aims and causes fear and division.

Non-religious responses focus on human rights, reason, pacifism, or perhaps justified military action.

Muslim responses are based on the Qur'an and stress peace, justice, and strict limits on violence.

That Muslims counter extremism through education, charity, online campaigns, and promoting peace.

Well done for working through these issues with me today.

Thank you for all of your efforts.