Daniel J. Pipes

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Reply to Yehya Gouda: The definition of 'Jihad'

Reader comment on item: What is Jihad?
in response to reader comment: Mr. Pipes, I believe you're mistaken about Jihad

Submitted by Larry Sherman (United States), Jan 14, 2003 at 21:59

Yehya eloquently writes about the various non violent meanings that the word "jihad" can have. Unfortunately, commonplace meanings get permanently associated with words based on actions.

The swastika has been in use in the country of India for many centuries, however, when fascist skinheads march under its flag the meaning is rarely to afront Indians.

When people in the U.S. South walk around with white sheets on their heads, it is rarely because they are cold.

Likewise, when the word 'jihad' is used, rarely do thoughts of long haired, bearded hippies espousing peace come to mind.


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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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