This book examines the relationship between jihad and genocide, past and present. Richard L. Rubenstein takes a close look at the violent interpretations of jihad and how they have played out in the past hundred years, from the Armenian genocide through current threats to Israel. Rubenstein's unflinching study of the potential for fundamentalist jihad to initiate targeted violence raises pressing questions in a time when questions of religious co-existence, particularly in the Middle East, are discussed urgently each day.
Jihad and Genocide
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How appropriate that one of the deepest thinkers about the Holocaust turns his attention to the horrors of Islamic sacred war, known as jihad. Rubinstein’s important and fearless study should wake a largely slumbering world to jihad’s true nature and its irreconcilable menace. (Pipes, Daniel )
For fifty years, Richard L. Rubenstein has written courageously and insightfully about crucial issues, including the Holocaust and other genocides. Always on the cutting edge, challenging conventional wisdom repeatedly, Rubenstein’s views often provoke controversy but they are ignored at our peril. Jihad and Genocide, the result of careful research and seasoned reflection, is not only a distinctive milestone in Rubenstein’s distinguished career but also an analysis essential for religious understanding and public policy. (Roth, John K. )
In Jihad and Genocide, Richard Rubenstein extends his previous analyses of group conflict. The book features clear and evocative writing, careful historical research, and above all, the kind of insight that comes from paying attention to the human propensity to clothe the will to power with high ideals. Indeed, Richard Rubenstein's analysis reminds us that we often do our worst when most convinced of the rightness of our cause. Rubenstein's work should be read by all those concerned with the issues presented by the war on terror: Muslims, Christians, Jews; religious and non-religious people alike. (Kelsay, John )
Extremely well-written, but what is written is frightening. Richard Rubenstein has linked extremist Jihad with genocidal intention in a way that readers have suspected, but never directly known. He refrains from opinion and uses the extreme jihadis' own words to make his case. Their message leaves no doubt of their intentions. Compelling and a must read for every informed citizen. (Steven K. Baum )
Richard Rubenstein, who has long been a wonderfully provocative intellectual gadfly among religious thinkers, offers a challenging new study of radical Muslims. Insisting that political threats of terrorists cannot be separated from the religious passions that inflame them, Rubenstein argues that government policy will fail if the religious, totalitarian, and antisemitic dimensions of radical Islam are not understood and addressed. (Susannah Heschel )
Renowned Holocaust scholar Richard Rubenstein views contemporary jihadism through his unique prism. This provocative and courageous work elucidates Islam’s re-emergent Ur-Fascism—epitomized by the modern jihad to destroy the United States and Israel. (Andrew Bostom )
Rubenstein's discussion of the ideological rationale of the Islamists underlines the irreconcilable gap between Western and Muslim political concepts. Rubenstein methodically explores the sources, the ideological connections, and the common policies of Nazi, Fascist and Muslim leaders. Written in a clear style, Rubenstein's book evokes in simple language, the most crucial issues of our time. (Newenglishreview.Org )
Rubenstein's analysis stands the test of time. Thus, attention must be paid to Rubenstein’s new work, Jihad and Genocide, which offers a searing analysis of Islamic thought and bleak predictions of its impact. Even those of us who do not share his pessimism, his sense of the inevitability of the path to genocide and war, or his predilection for the political right, must confront the issues he raises. (Forward Magazine )
Attention must be paid to Rubenstein's new work, Jihad and Genocide, which offers a searing analysis of Islamic thought and bleak predictions of its impact. . . . Now 86, Rubenstein has written yet another powerful and disturbing book. (Purim Newspaper - Arts And Cultures Section )
Jihad and Genocide offers a timely and important contribution to the study of Islamism, one of the most dangerous phenomena of our times. . . . One book will not change the world, but books like this give one hope. (Middle East Quarterly )
Rubenstein (religion, Univ. of Bridgeport), a distinguished scholar of Holocaust and genocide studies, describes how 9/11 caused a shift in his research focus to radical Islam and its genocidal threat. He traces jihadism in the writings of some prominent advocates and practitioners--Sayyad Qutb, Sayyid Abul Al'la al-Mawdudi, Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and bin Laden. Rubenstein presents a case study of the Armenian massacres in Ottoman Turkey (1894-96), which culminated in genocide (1915-23), as an early example of genocidal jihadism. He details the pro-Nazi activities of Hajj Amin al-Husseini against Balkan Jews and plans to liquidate Palestinian Jewry. Recent jihadist threats are seen emanating from the growing Muslim population in Europe, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the possibility of an Iranian-Shiite apocalyptic nuclear confrontation with Israel. While some readers will take issue with aspects of Rubenstein's analysis, his conclusions should be taken seriously: the rage among Islamists against Israel and the US is driven by the shame brought on by successive Muslim defeats since the 1500s; this rage will continue until the shame is erased by genocide, if Islamist threats are taken seriously. Provocative, important reading for all interested in Arab-Israeli peace and religious coexistence worldwide. Highly recommended. (Choice )
For fifty years, Richard L. Rubenstein has written courageously and insightfully about crucial issues, including the Holocaust and other genocides. Always on the cutting edge, challenging conventional wisdom repeatedly, Rubenstein’s views often provoke controversy but they are ignored at our peril. Jihad and Genocide, the result of careful research and seasoned reflection, is not only a distinctive milestone in Rubenstein’s distinguished career but also an analysis essential for religious understanding and public policy. (Roth, John K. )
In Jihad and Genocide, Richard Rubenstein extends his previous analyses of group conflict. The book features clear and evocative writing, careful historical research, and above all, the kind of insight that comes from paying attention to the human propensity to clothe the will to power with high ideals. Indeed, Richard Rubenstein's analysis reminds us that we often do our worst when most convinced of the rightness of our cause. Rubenstein's work should be read by all those concerned with the issues presented by the war on terror: Muslims, Christians, Jews; religious and non-religious people alike. (Kelsay, John )
Extremely well-written, but what is written is frightening. Richard Rubenstein has linked extremist Jihad with genocidal intention in a way that readers have suspected, but never directly known. He refrains from opinion and uses the extreme jihadis' own words to make his case. Their message leaves no doubt of their intentions. Compelling and a must read for every informed citizen. (Steven K. Baum )
Richard Rubenstein, who has long been a wonderfully provocative intellectual gadfly among religious thinkers, offers a challenging new study of radical Muslims. Insisting that political threats of terrorists cannot be separated from the religious passions that inflame them, Rubenstein argues that government policy will fail if the religious, totalitarian, and antisemitic dimensions of radical Islam are not understood and addressed. (Susannah Heschel )
Renowned Holocaust scholar Richard Rubenstein views contemporary jihadism through his unique prism. This provocative and courageous work elucidates Islam’s re-emergent Ur-Fascism—epitomized by the modern jihad to destroy the United States and Israel. (Andrew Bostom )
Rubenstein's discussion of the ideological rationale of the Islamists underlines the irreconcilable gap between Western and Muslim political concepts. Rubenstein methodically explores the sources, the ideological connections, and the common policies of Nazi, Fascist and Muslim leaders. Written in a clear style, Rubenstein's book evokes in simple language, the most crucial issues of our time. (Newenglishreview.Org )
Rubenstein's analysis stands the test of time. Thus, attention must be paid to Rubenstein’s new work, Jihad and Genocide, which offers a searing analysis of Islamic thought and bleak predictions of its impact. Even those of us who do not share his pessimism, his sense of the inevitability of the path to genocide and war, or his predilection for the political right, must confront the issues he raises. (Forward Magazine )
Attention must be paid to Rubenstein's new work, Jihad and Genocide, which offers a searing analysis of Islamic thought and bleak predictions of its impact. . . . Now 86, Rubenstein has written yet another powerful and disturbing book. (Purim Newspaper - Arts And Cultures Section )
Jihad and Genocide offers a timely and important contribution to the study of Islamism, one of the most dangerous phenomena of our times. . . . One book will not change the world, but books like this give one hope. (Middle East Quarterly )
Rubenstein (religion, Univ. of Bridgeport), a distinguished scholar of Holocaust and genocide studies, describes how 9/11 caused a shift in his research focus to radical Islam and its genocidal threat. He traces jihadism in the writings of some prominent advocates and practitioners--Sayyad Qutb, Sayyid Abul Al'la al-Mawdudi, Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and bin Laden. Rubenstein presents a case study of the Armenian massacres in Ottoman Turkey (1894-96), which culminated in genocide (1915-23), as an early example of genocidal jihadism. He details the pro-Nazi activities of Hajj Amin al-Husseini against Balkan Jews and plans to liquidate Palestinian Jewry. Recent jihadist threats are seen emanating from the growing Muslim population in Europe, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the possibility of an Iranian-Shiite apocalyptic nuclear confrontation with Israel. While some readers will take issue with aspects of Rubenstein's analysis, his conclusions should be taken seriously: the rage among Islamists against Israel and the US is driven by the shame brought on by successive Muslim defeats since the 1500s; this rage will continue until the shame is erased by genocide, if Islamist threats are taken seriously. Provocative, important reading for all interested in Arab-Israeli peace and religious coexistence worldwide. Highly recommended. (Choice )
About the Author
Richard L. Rubenstein is President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Religion at the University of Bridgeport. Rubenstein is the author of After Auschwitz, which is widely cited as initiating the discussion of the Holocaust in contemporary religious thought. He is also the author of The Cunning of History, The Age of Triage, and Approaches to Auschwitz.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By J. Henry
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In light of the latest attack on American's traveling by air, one must read this well researched and thought out exploration of historical and contemporary jihad. Dr. Rubenstein writes in a clear and approachable prose and the text is well documented. If Americans think jihad is not relevant to us, that "it's out there somewhere," we are mistaken. Dr. Rubenstein points out, for example, that every time we go to an airport and must submit to invasive, time consuming, and apparently ineffective searches, jihad is there. This book is a comprehensive exposition of radical Islam's intent to wipe out not only Jews, but Americans of every background who do not submit to them. We have to take Islamists at their word when they declare that it is an "individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible" to "kill Americans and their allies--civilians and military." We cannot stay in denial about the aim of jihad that is being waged against us by radical Muslims. An urgently needed book for our times.,
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By bear
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Through out the entire book Mr. Rubenstein presents evidence of the intent of Radical Islam, and evidence that we cannot distinguish where radical Islam ends and Moderate Islam begins. Thess people are dangerouse and there is no good way for the world to deal with the situation. After reading the book, I feel that there is no apeasement that will work. If there was a way to apease then the tiny country of Isreal would have peace as would the rest of the world. The western world must remain strong in our resolve and understand that no agreement can be a true agreement with a radical and maybe even moderate Muslims. Their goal is not peace, but rather to make the whole world Muslim. "Death to Infedels" means "death to Infidels"!
9 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haven't read the book yet, however Dr. Rubenstein is among the best.
January 2, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Professor Rubenstein was my most fascinating and challenging professor at FSU during the 1970s. His range of intellectual inquiry makes him a "Renaissance" man. He has written numerous provocative and important books.
And I am re-reading the books thirty plus years later.
And I am re-reading the books thirty plus years later.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Awful narrative, poorly researched, doesn't argue much
While Jihad and Genocide sets out to connect the two terms in its title, it instead becomes a ranting piece, rife with generalizations and forced comparisons between National... Read more
Published 13 months ago by DC
1.0 out of 5 stars
Likudnik hatemongering
This is hardly a scholarly work. I met Richard Rubinstein at an academic conference at Baylor University and the man was dripping with Likudnik venom. Read more
Published 16 months ago by M. Khan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jihad and Genocide
Dr. Rubenstein excellent volume is an exercise in stark reality. He very courageously elucidates the threat to western society from radical Islam and carefully documents his... Read more
Published on September 23, 2010 by B. Leder
