The document discusses different representations of Islam and terrorism between British and American definitions. While both agree terrorism involves political aims, Islam is often stereotyped as directly linked to terrorism. Before 9/11, Islam was not highly profiled but some terrorist attacks were committed by Muslims. After 9/11, stories about Islam, Muslim extremism, and the war on terror made up the majority of media coverage and stereotyped many views of Muslims.

1. The American vs British represenation

2.  The British definition of islam is ”The use of violence &
intimidation in the means of political aims” & the
American definition is ”the unlawful use of force and
violence against persons or property to intimidate or
coerce a government, the civilian population, or any
segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social
objectives”. They both agree that is in the means of
political aims.
 However, it has been stereotyped that terrorism has a
direct link to Islam.
Anyone by any race, religion or nationality can be a
terrorist.

4. The Zeitgest of Islam pre-9/11
 Islam was not a religion of high profile.
However, Islam has been responsible for other
terrorist attacks that took place before 9/11.
 For example when a local imam and Muslim
spiritual leader guns down a deputy sheriff and
injures his partner in 17/3/2000.

5.  Islamists were stereotyped as terrorists in
many people’s eyes.
 The subject of Islam seems to be on a higher
profile than ever before.
 Almost every Islamic terror attack makes the
headlines.

6.  Woman are thought to be oppressed in islam.
 Different sects and denominations have different views
on this. For example Sunni & Shia Muslims believe that
a woman should be respected and not beaten whereas
Muslim extremists (Wahhabis) believe that a man can
and should beat his wife if she disobeys.
 The media is not interested in the positive. The negative
is what makes the headline news.
 /11 raised the profile of Islam due to the amount
of people that died

7.  Terrorism or the war on terror accounting for 36% of
stories overall. This involved stories about terrorism
trials, stories about the ‘war on terror’ and hostage
taking.
 Religious and cultural issues accounting for 22% of
stories overall. This included discussions of Sharia Law,
debates about the wearing of veils, dress codes, forced
marriages.
 Muslim extremism accounted for 11% of all stories.
Stories about Abu Hamza as the single most
newsworthy British Muslim.

8. This has been
fairly classified
as a terrorist
attack since these
men butchered a
soldier in the
pursuit of
political aims.

9. 570 CE Birth of
Muhammad
656 CE Uthman
is murdered; Ali
becomes caliph.
600 CE Ruling
classes in East
and West Africa
convert to Islam.
680 CE
Denominations
of Shias and
Sunnis begin
1100 CE The
Muslim
Population Rises
5% of the world
1400s CE
Islam reaches
the Philippines.
1750 CE
The Wahhabi
Movement
Begins

10. http://www.channel4.com/news/media/pdf
s/Cardiff%20Final%20Report.pdf