Radical Islam is becoming an increasingly volatile catalyst in today's international scene. The problem is not confined to a few hot spots in the Middle East. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism is a global phenomenon. Recently we have been tracking this trend in China, where government officials say they have arrested more than 80 terrorists that were plotting attacks against the Olympic Games.
There are at least 20 million Muslims living in China today, some estimates even indicate there could be as many as 50 million. Many of China's Muslims live in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, sometimes called East Turkestan. The Muslims who inhabit Xinjiang have lived there for hundreds of years. In the past, the Chinese government has clashed with Islamic separatists in the region, in particular, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
The East Turkestan Islamic Movement is considered a terrorist organization by both the United States and the United Nations. Its goal is to establish an independent Islamic state in western China. It is believed to be responsible for multiple bombings and has links with Al-Qaeda. In March, militants from Xinjiang attempted to hijack an airplane. The commercial airline flight was bound for the capital city of Beijing. Fortunately, the would-be hijackers were stopped by the flight crew and the plane was able to make an emergency landing.
Security measures have increased in China leading up the Olympic Games. China has been cracking down hard on suspected terrorists. In recent months China says it has arrested 82 suspected terrorists. According to Associated Press reports, the terrorists' plans included "plots to crash an airliner, carry out bombings, and kidnap athletes and journalists during the games." Earlier this month the Chinese government killed 5 members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement in raids on terrorist cells. In January of last year, 18 suspected terrorists were killed when Chinese officials raided a terrorist training camp in Xinjiang.
Groups like the East Turkestan Islamic Movement pose a credible threat. However it is important to note that China has been accused - by organizations such as Amnesty International - of using anti-terrorism as a pretext to suppress all forms of political and religious dissent.
Islam is the world's fastest growing religion, and it is second in size only to Christianity. Many Americans believe that Islam is a religion of peace and that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. In public schools we teach our children a doctrine of tolerance, and in some schools students are even required to memorize passages of the Koran. In contrast, Islamic children are taught that America is the Infidel. We are the enemy. When the towers came crashing down on September 11, 2001 and thousands of innocent people were killed, Muslims all over the world danced in the streets and praised the hijackers. Islamic terrorists are referred to in the West as radicals and extremists, while in the Middle East they are heralded by fundamentalists as martyrs and heroes, and the families of suicide bombers are rewarded monetary pensions. The disparity between the two perspectives is staggering.
http://www.khouse.org/strategic_trends/china/full_details/
There are at least 20 million Muslims living in China today, some estimates even indicate there could be as many as 50 million. Many of China's Muslims live in the northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, sometimes called East Turkestan. The Muslims who inhabit Xinjiang have lived there for hundreds of years. In the past, the Chinese government has clashed with Islamic separatists in the region, in particular, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.
The East Turkestan Islamic Movement is considered a terrorist organization by both the United States and the United Nations. Its goal is to establish an independent Islamic state in western China. It is believed to be responsible for multiple bombings and has links with Al-Qaeda. In March, militants from Xinjiang attempted to hijack an airplane. The commercial airline flight was bound for the capital city of Beijing. Fortunately, the would-be hijackers were stopped by the flight crew and the plane was able to make an emergency landing.
Security measures have increased in China leading up the Olympic Games. China has been cracking down hard on suspected terrorists. In recent months China says it has arrested 82 suspected terrorists. According to Associated Press reports, the terrorists' plans included "plots to crash an airliner, carry out bombings, and kidnap athletes and journalists during the games." Earlier this month the Chinese government killed 5 members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement in raids on terrorist cells. In January of last year, 18 suspected terrorists were killed when Chinese officials raided a terrorist training camp in Xinjiang.
Groups like the East Turkestan Islamic Movement pose a credible threat. However it is important to note that China has been accused - by organizations such as Amnesty International - of using anti-terrorism as a pretext to suppress all forms of political and religious dissent.
Islam is the world's fastest growing religion, and it is second in size only to Christianity. Many Americans believe that Islam is a religion of peace and that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. In public schools we teach our children a doctrine of tolerance, and in some schools students are even required to memorize passages of the Koran. In contrast, Islamic children are taught that America is the Infidel. We are the enemy. When the towers came crashing down on September 11, 2001 and thousands of innocent people were killed, Muslims all over the world danced in the streets and praised the hijackers. Islamic terrorists are referred to in the West as radicals and extremists, while in the Middle East they are heralded by fundamentalists as martyrs and heroes, and the families of suicide bombers are rewarded monetary pensions. The disparity between the two perspectives is staggering.
http://www.khouse.org/strategic_trends/china/full_details/