Aux racines de l'argumentation théologique qui justifie le terrorisme suicide dans l'ultra-fondamentalisme

In: Maghreb, Machrek: revue trimestrielle = ˜al-œ Maġrib wa-ʾl-mašriq, Heft 186, S. 57-72

Abstract

As far as cults dealing with the extreme (including mass suicides) are concerned, an important literature has shown the insufficient or even the non scientific character of theories which are only making reference to psychopathology or "brainwashing". Moreover, several researches on ultra-fundamentalist "martyrdom" showed how the question of the economic discomfort of the candidate to suicide was not sufficient either. It is thus important to also focus on theology. On the one hand, this paper explores the theological genealogy of this phenomenon in Islam, based on the theories of F. Khosrokhavar (who sees in the post-Khomeinist Shi'ism, the matrix of a theology capable of justifying suicide attacks). There is no doubt about the origin of this matrix, even if the arguments developed by F. Khosrokhavar have sometimes been criticised. On the other hand, unlike the numerous condemnations from recognised Islamic authorities towards al-Qaida, the author shows that the local djihad campaigns are facing little religious or juridical opposition in the Islamic world. Based on the analysis of a fatwa - "Hawa Barayev: suicide or martyrdom?" (2000) - and the document from al-Qaida - "The last night" - a text probably written by Mohammed Atta, the author shows how suicide terrorism is perceived and justified in the ultra-fundamentalist circles. (Maghreb-Machrek/GIGA)