Causes of Islamic Radicalism

Causes of Islamic Radicalism Anastasiya Sernetskaya Problem Solving in a Global Age: Islamic Radicalism Since the 18th century, the Wahhabi movement vied for the rejection of new Muslim ideas, instead reverting back to the original beliefs set by the Prophet Muhammad (Commins 5). From their roots in Arabia, multiple groups that embraced radical beliefs of Islam grew. They now span the whole globe with major groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in the Middle East, the Caucasus Emirate in Russia, Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, and Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram in Africa. However, radical Islam originated from the Middle East (Commins 3), an area with a deep history of poverty (Long 7) and, in turn, a history of religious government institutions that only teach upcoming generations militarism and the Quran (Tavernise). Instead of solving for symptoms of Islamic radicalism, it is important to solve for its root cause (Hamid) and help fund nonreligious private education because of the Middle East’s importance to the global economy and future relations concerning oil (Tà ©treault). The first cause of Islamic radicalism lies in what can be called the ‘Western Grip,’ the strong presence of American and colonial culture. After World War 2, oil resources developed and sent imperialistic powers to the Middle East. This created a dependency on the Middle East and their resources. However, the relationship between major global oil economic powers and local populations in the areas of extraction has not been fostered; instead, an irreconcilable divide between Islam and the West emerged (Tà ©treault). Similar to British imperialism, the United States involves itself in the politics of the Middle East and takes it upon itself to solve the Middle Easts problems, initiating conflict and invasions. As Western influence increased, industry created a connection to Western culture, one that includes provocative clothing, music, and habits- all of which go against the fundamentalist interpretation of the Quran. These directly oppose the ideals of the fundamentalis ts and thus fuel anti-Americanism and further rebellion against modern progression. The reason why such radical religious organizations thrive is by their use of religious persuasion to impose the ‘true’ interpretation of the religious text. They oppose modernity and instead act on Sharia law, which instead of governing by secular laws, only looks toward Muslim rules and regulations based on strict interpretations by the Quran. In addition, when the United States began to occupy Iraq, it created an anti-American sentiment in the area that only grew as Muslims realized a long history of American negligence and indifference towards supporting followers of Islam (Long 1). Conflicts in Bosnia, Chechnya, and Gaza, directly targeted Muslim victims, and these conflicts are â€Å"†¦given as an example of where Western nations have failed to act quickly or effectively to protect Muslim civilians (Baksh 2). Their occupation of Iraq and their refusal to aid Muslims created a strain on the Middle Easts relationship with the United States and further fueled anti- American sentiments while turning to a more radical solution that incorporated their religious values that they place great value onto (Long 201). Another cause of Islamic radicalism in the Middle East is the high poverty rate. Their huge variation in oil wealth across the region drives income disparities (Long 6). Historically, the Middle East has not expanded or modernized along with the rest of the world. Instead, their history shows a reliance to turn to religion whenever they needed consistent governing. This led to the creation of Sharia law and an importance placed on religious education. The poor who live difficult lives were much more susceptible than those who could afford a strong, secular private education (Long 7). It has been stated that countries like Pakistan have never really taken their education seriously, and rely only on the Quran for educational resources. As students learn about the way of the Prophet Muhammad, most either see no value of further schooling and drop out or they further their religious education and learn how to preach as a career opportunity. Many of the organizations that take up teaching young children and organizing preaching groups have been linked as stepping stones to Al- Qaeda or the Taliban (Tavernise). The third cause of Islamic radicalism is the political backing by Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini who had a crucial position in the rise of extremist government. While in power he stressed the spiritual over the material, (Sorenson 45) and implemented Sharia law. As fundamentalists first began to pop up and run for official power, there was a tense struggle between factions. As Khomeini backed the radical Muslims, he in turn increased radicalism in Iran and pushed for the execution of moderates. Radical leftist guerrilla groups sprouted all over the area as they became more organized under a provincial government and gained le gitimacy and power (Long 59). This highly contrasts to the Philippines where Abu Sayyaf, the major Islamic terrorist organization, has not been able to gain such a strong political backing and thus radical Islam has not been able to grow with such vigor (Ankerson 241) The primary cause of Islamic radicalism cannot be the Western influence or the politics of Iran. The Western Grip that was created affects many countries but none have spurred radicalisms like countries in the Middle East have. As scholars Long, Reich, and Gasiorowski stated in their book The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa, The inescapable American influence affects almost every other part of the world with no radical consequences,† (23) so why is the Middle East so unique? To find its primary cause, one must look to the root cause of all problems instead of just looking at symptoms, like the politics of Khomeini, who began his radical backing after a mass influx of broken governments and fundamentalist groups who promised to stay true to the Quran and bring Allahs glory to the area. The Wahhabi movement was another symptom of the people reaching to find stability in their government and life. All of the corruption spurred from the true root cause o f Islamic radicalism- poverty. The poor began to and continue to turn to radical ideas because of fewer opportunities in their society other than ones to preach religious ideas. They are facing a socioeconomic delay behind the rest of the world, and it corrupts their education, which builds a foundation for the upcoming generations in the Middle East, thus progressing the radicalism and turning fundamentalism into a standard in the government (Burhania 16). The most viable solution to Islamic radicalism lies in funding secular education. Other past attempts to go in and fight the groups out has only spurred more violence and backlash against Westerners, pushing the divide between the two regions further and further. Attempts to change the government cause progress but not enough to effect poor areas that radicalism grows from. Instead, it is important to solve their education as †¦ poor public education forces them to turn to Muslim education sources and breeds radicalism (Rasizode 54). Education that is secular creates a more western-positive approach and educates about democracy therefore solving both other causes of Islamic radicalism. Islamic radicalism is a complex problem that is multifaceted. Although there are many proposed solutions, one must look at how radicalism is bred and how it spurred in the Middle East to see that education could help solve poverty and fundamentalism.

Parts Emporium Case

Case 3 MBA_731 John Burkhart 11/21/12 Parts Emporium EG151: Exhaust Gasket DB032: Drive Belt 1. Total costs for EG151; include ordering costs and holding costs. Compare this to the current system costs. You do no need to include the cost of safety stock for this comparison. Actual cost for this part: $4. 16 Ordering Cost: $20. 00 Holding cost: 20% of inventory investment Units on hand: 0 Units on back order: 11 Units scheduled receipt: 150 Total Cost: $624 + $20 + $125 = $769 2.Total costs for the DB032; include ordering costs and holding costs. Compare this to the current system. You do not need to include the cost of safety stock for this comparison. Actual cost for this part: $4. 27 Ordering Cost: $10. 00 Holding cost: 20% of inventory investment Units on hand: 324 Total Cost: $1,383. 50 + $10 + $277 = $1670. 50 3. Proposed system for EG151; determine both Q and R. 2. 86 x 52 = 149 4. Proposed system for DB032; determine both Q and R. 1. 76 x 52 = 92 5.For EG151 proposed system, calculate the cost of both safety stock and stock outs. Calculate the cost of stock outs for the current system. Does the safety stock pay off?6. For BD032 proposed system, calculate the cost of both safety stock and stock outs. Calculate the cost of stock outs for the current system. Does the safety stock pay off?Resources: Krajewski, L. , Ritzman, L. , & Malhotra, M. (2010). Operations management process and supply chains. (10th ed. ). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Homosexuals Coming Out of the Closet in Angels in...

Coming out of the closet is an essential for homosexuals to develop their personal identity. Coming out of the closet is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peoples to tell others about their homosexuality or bisexuality where previously this had been kept secret. Framed and debated as a privacy issue, coming out of the closet is described and experienced variously as a psychological process or journey; decision-making or risk-taking (Wikipedia). Author Steven Seidman writes that â€Å"it is the power of the closet to shape the core of an individuals life that has made homosexuality into a significant personal, social, and political drama in twentieth-century America â€Å"(38). Those that are†¦show more content†¦He does not believe that he is gay, just that he seldom has the desire to be satisfied by a man. His political power and religious beliefs will affect how others view him. He is not well liked and if the truth about him ever went pub lic, he would be ruined. Prior is another homosexual in Angels in America. He is different from Roy because he is not a professional. Prior is also affected by the AIDS virus, and is close to passing away. Joe Pitt is the prime example of a homosexual man coming out into a society that doesnt accept gay relationships. Joe is the only person in the play who undergoes the process of coming out of the closet. Joe is married to Harper, a woman who is addicted to drugs. He is like Roy in that he is a well-respected person whose career would be affected if it came out that he was gay. Joes circumstances are different from Roys because he is a married and on a daring path towards love. He is experimenting with his sexuality, not really sure of what path to take. Joe tells two people who are important to him that he is gay, his mother, Hannah, and his wife, Harper. Hannah is furious and does not believe him. Her son is a homosexual, a hard concept for her to understand. He is scared to reveal his secret life to society for the fear of resentment. This is true in society that we criticize those who are in a homosexual relationship. Harper, who, already suspected Joe’s sexuality;Show MoreRelatedTony Kushner s A Gay Fantasia2126 Words   |  9 PagesAmerican playwright Tony Kushner’s momentous two-part production Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes documents the varied lives of five men residing in New York City throughout the 1980s AIDS epidemic. A truly unique aspect, which pertains to Kushner’s dramatized narrative, is that each focal male character is homosexual. Although these men may share a collective sexual orientation, they experience their sexuality in their own individualistic ways. Through the lenses of Kushner’sRead More Fear in Tony Kushners Angels In America Essay1101 Words   |  5 PagesFear in Tony Kushners Angels In America    Both parts of Tony Kushners play Angels in America paint a painfully truthful picture of what gay men go through. In most cases, they suffer either inner anguish or public torment. Sometimes they must endure both. Being homosexual in America is a double-edged sword. If you publicly announce that you are gay, you suffer ridicule and are mocked by the ignorant of society; but if you keep your homosexuality a secret, you are condemned to personalRead More Tony Kushners Angels in America Essay2055 Words   |  9 PagesMost of the characters in Tony Kushners Angels in America struggle with their sexuality. Reflected in this struggle, the homosexual characters are flawed to the degree at which they hide their sexuality. Prior, Belize, Louis, Joe, and Roy all deal with this issue in the course of the play. 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A housing boom, that had been influenced by easily affordable mortgagesRead MoreMy Son Christian By Mark Carrasco Essay11672 Words   |  47 PagesOriginally, I tried not to make any political rants within the article, but as the article grew I realized that I would have to speak to the subject of politics and my personal attitude. So I decided to address my political position first and get it out of the way. While the first part of this introduction may seem like a political rant it is not, and as you read you will see what I mean. I fear that one cannot write a book about God and nature without sounding like a liberal. However, I believe inRead MoreSda Manual Essay101191 Words   |  405 PagesFoot-Washing ..................................................... 82 Unleavened Bread and Unfermented Wine .............................. 83 A Memorial of the Crucifixion ................................................. 83 A Proclamation of the Second Coming ..................................... 83 Announcing the Communion Service ....................................... 83 Conducting the Communion Service ........................................ 84 Length of Service ..................................

Pterosaurs - The Flying Reptiles - Evolution

Pterosaurs (winged lizards) hold a special place in the history of life on earth: they were the first creatures, other than insects, to successfully populate the skies. The evolution of pterosaurs roughly paralleled that of their terrestrial cousins, the dinosaurs, as the small, basal species of the late Triassic period gradually gave way to bigger, more advanced forms in the Jurassic and Cretaceous. (See a complete, A to Z list of pterosaurs.) Before we proceed, though, its important to address one important misconception. Paleontologists have found indisputable proof that modern birds are descended not from pterosaurs, but from small, feathered, land-bound dinosaurs (in fact, if you could somehow compare the DNA of a pigeon, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Pteranodon, the first two would be more closely related to each other than either would be to the third). This is an example of what biologists call convergent evolution: nature has a way of finding the same solutions (wings, hollow bones, etc.) to the same problem (how to fly). The First Pterosaurs As is the case with dinosaurs, paleontologists dont yet have enough evidence to identify the single ancient, non-dinosaur reptile from which all pterosaurs evolved (the lack of a missing link--say, a terrestrial archosaur with half-developed flaps of skin--may be heartening to creationists, but you have to remember that fossilization is a matter of chance. Most prehistoric species arent represented in the fossil record, simply because they died in conditions that didnt allow for their preservation.) The first pterosaurs for which we have fossil evidence flourished during the middle to late Triassic period, about 230 to 200 million years ago. These flying reptiles were characterized by their small size and long tails, as well as obscure anatomical features (like the bone structures in their wings) that distinguished them from the more advanced pterosaurs that followed. These rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs, as theyre called, include Eudimorphodon (one of the earliest pterosaurs known), Dorygnathus and Rhamphorhynchus, and they persisted into the early to middle Jurassic period. One problem with identifying the rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs of the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods is that most specimens have been unearthed in modern-day England and Germany. This isnt because early pterosaurs liked to summer in western Europe; rather, as explained above, we can only find fossils in those areas that lent themselves to fossil formation. There may well have been vast populations of Asian or North American pterosaurs, which may (or may not) have been anatomically distinct from the ones with which were familiar. Later Pterosaurs By the late Jurassic period, rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs had been pretty much replaced by pterodactyloid pterosaurs--larger-winged, shorter-tailed flying reptiles exemplified by the well-known Pterodactylus and Pteranodon. (The earliest identified member of this group, Kryptodrakon, lived about 163 million years ago.) With their larger, more maneuverable wings of skin, these pterosaurs were able to glide farther, faster, and higher up in the sky, swooping down like eagles to pluck fish off the surface of oceans, lakes and rivers. During the Cretaceous period, pterodactyloids took after dinosaurs in one important respect: an increasing trend toward gigantism. In the middle Cretaceous, the skies of South America were ruled by huge, colorful pterosaurs like Tapejara and Tupuxuara, which had wingspans of 16 or 17 feet; still, these big fliers looked like sparrows next to the true giants of the late Cretaceous, Quetzalcoatlus and Zhejiangopterus, the wingspans of which exceeded 30 feet (far larger than the largest eagles alive today). Heres where we come to another all-important but. The enormous size of these azhdarchids (as giant pterosaurs are known) has led some paleontologists to speculate that they never actually flew. For example, a recent analysis of the giraffe-sized Quetzalcoatlus shows that it had some anatomical features (such as small feet and a stiff neck) ideal for stalking small dinosaurs on land. Since evolution tends to repeat the same patterns, this would answer the embarrassing question of why modern birds have never evolved to azhdarchid-like sizes. In any event, by the end of the Cretaceous period, the pterosaurs--both large and small--went extinct along with their cousins, the terrestrial dinosaurs and marine reptiles. Its possible that the ascendancy of true feathered birds spelled doom for slower, less versatile pterosaurs, or that in the aftermath of the K/T Extinction the prehistoric fish that these flying reptiles fed on were drastically reduced in number. Pterosaur Behavior Aside from their relative sizes, the pterosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods differed from one another in two important ways: feeding habits and ornamentation. Generally, paleontologists can infer a pterosaurs diet from the size and shape of its jaws, and by looking at analogous behavior in modern birds (such as pelicans and seagulls). Pterosaurs with sharp, narrow beaks most likely subsisted on fish, while anomalous genera like Pterodaustro fed on plankton (this pterosaurs thousand or so tiny teeth formed a filter, like that of a blue whale) and the fanged Jeholopterus may have sucked dinosaur blood like a vampire bat (though most paleontologists dismiss this notion). Like modern birds, some pterosaurs also had rich ornamentation--not brightly colored feathers, which pterosaurs never managed to evolve, but prominent head crests. For example, Tupuxuaras rounded crest was rich in blood vessels, a clue that it may have changed color in mating displays, while Ornithocheirus had matching crests on its upper and lower jaws (though its unclear if these were used for display or feeding purposes). Most controversial, though, are the long, bony crests atop the noggins of pterosaurs like Pteranodon and Nyctosaurus. Some paleontologists believe that Pteranodons crest served as a rudder to help stabilize it in flight, while others speculate that Nyctosaurus may have sported a colorful sail of skin. Its an entertaining idea, but some aerodynamics experts doubt that these adaptations could have been truly functional. Pterosaur Physiology The key trait that distinguished pterosaurs from land-bound feathered dinosaurs that evolved into birds was the nature of their wings-- which consisted of wide flaps of skin connected to an extended finger on each hand. Although these flat, broad structures provided plenty of lift, they may have been better suited to passive gliding than powered, flapping flight, as evidenced by the dominance of true prehistoric birds by the end of the Cretaceous period (which may be attributed to their increased maneuverability). Although theyre only distantly related, ancient pterosaurs and modern birds may have shared one important feature in common: a warm-blooded metabolism. Theres evidence that some pterosaurs (like Sordes) sported coats of primitive hair, a feature usually associated with warm-blooded mammals, and its unclear if a cold-blooded reptile could have generated enough internal energy to sustain itself in flight. Like modern birds, pterosaurs were also distinguished by their sharp vision (a necessity for hunting from hundreds of feet in the air!), which entailed a bigger-than-average brain than that possessed by terrestrial or aquatic reptiles. Using advanced techniques, scientists have even been able to reconstruct the size and shape of the brains of some pterosaur genera, proving that they contained more advanced coordination centers than comparable reptiles. Pterosaurs (winged lizards) hold a special place in the history of life on earth: they were the first creatures, other than insects, to successfully populate the skies. The evolution of pterosaurs roughly paralleled that of their terrestrial cousins, the dinosaurs, as the small, basal species of the late Triassic period gradually gave way to bigger, more advanced forms in the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Before we proceed, though, its important to address one important misconception. Paleontologists have found indisputable proof that modern birds are descended not from pterosaurs, but from small, feathered, land-bound dinosaurs (in fact, if you could somehow compare the DNA of a pigeon, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Pteranodon, the first two would be more closely related to each other than either would be to the third). This is an example of what biologists call convergent evolution: nature has a way of finding the same solutions (wings, hollow bones, etc.) to the same problem (how to fly). The First Pterosaurs As is the case with dinosaurs, paleontologists dont yet have enough evidence to identify the single ancient, non-dinosaur reptile from which all pterosaurs evolved (the lack of a missing link--say, a terrestrial archosaur with half-developed flaps of skin--may be heartening to creationists, but you have to remember that fossilization is a matter of chance. Most prehistoric species arent represented in the fossil record, simply because they died in conditions that didnt allow for their preservation.) The first pterosaurs for which we have fossil evidence flourished during the middle to late Triassic period, about 230 to 200 million years ago. These flying reptiles were characterized by their small size and long tails, as well as obscure anatomical features (like the bone structures in their wings) that distinguished them from the more advanced pterosaurs that followed. These rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs, as theyre called, include Eudimorphodon (one of the earliest pterosaurs known), Dorygnathus and Rhamphorhynchus, and they persisted into the early to middle Jurassic period. One problem with identifying the rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs of the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods is that most specimens have been unearthed in modern-day England and Germany. This isnt because early pterosaurs liked to summer in western Europe; rather, as explained above, we can only find fossils in those areas that lent themselves to fossil formation. There may well have been vast populations of Asian or North American pterosaurs, which may (or may not) have been anatomically distinct from the ones with which were familiar. Later Pterosaurs By the late Jurassic period, rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs had been pretty much replaced by pterodactyloid pterosaurs--larger-winged, shorter-tailed flying reptiles exemplified by the well-known Pterodactylus and Pteranodon. (The earliest identified member of this group, Kryptodrakon, lived about 163 million years ago.) With their larger, more maneuverable wings of skin, these pterosaurs were able to glide farther, faster, and higher up in the sky, swooping down like eagles to pluck fish off the surface of oceans, lakes and rivers. During the Cretaceous period, pterodactyloids took after dinosaurs in one important respect: an increasing trend toward gigantism. In the middle Cretaceous, the skies of South America were ruled by huge, colorful pterosaurs like Tapejara and Tupuxuara, which had wingspans of 16 or 17 feet; still, these big fliers looked like sparrows next to the true giants of the late Cretaceous, Quetzalcoatlus and Zhejiangopterus, the wingspans of which exceeded 30 feet (far larger than the largest eagles alive today). Heres where we come to another all-important but. The enormous size of these azhdarchids (as giant pterosaurs are known) has led some paleontologists to speculate that they never actually flew. For example, a recent analysis of the giraffe-sized Quetzalcoatlus shows that it had some anatomical features (such as small feet and a stiff neck) ideal for stalking small dinosaurs on land. Since evolution tends to repeat the same patterns, this would answer the embarrassing question of why modern birds have never evolved to azhdarchid-like sizes. In any event, by the end of the Cretaceous period, the pterosaurs--both large and small--went extinct along with their cousins, the terrestrial dinosaurs and marine reptiles. Its possible that the ascendancy of true feathered birds spelled doom for slower, less versatile pterosaurs, or that in the aftermath of the K/T Extinction the prehistoric fish that these flying reptiles fed on were drastically reduced in number. Pterosaur Behavior Aside from their relative sizes, the pterosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods differed from one another in two important ways: feeding habits and ornamentation. Generally, paleontologists can infer a pterosaurs diet from the size and shape of its jaws, and by looking at analogous behavior in modern birds (such as pelicans and seagulls). Pterosaurs with sharp, narrow beaks most likely subsisted on fish, while anomalous genera like Pterodaustro fed on plankton (this pterosaurs thousand or so tiny teeth formed a filter, like that of a blue whale) and the fanged Jeholopterus may have sucked dinosaur blood like a vampire bat (though most paleontologists dismiss this notion). Like modern birds, some pterosaurs also had rich ornamentation--not brightly colored feathers, which pterosaurs never managed to evolve, but prominent head crests. For example, Tupuxuaras rounded crest was rich in blood vessels, a clue that it may have changed color in mating displays, while Ornithocheirus had matching crests on its upper and lower jaws (though its unclear if these were used for display or feeding purposes). Most controversial, though, are the long, bony crests atop the noggins of pterosaurs like Pteranodon and Nyctosaurus. Some paleontologists believe that Pteranodons crest served as a rudder to help stabilize it in flight, while others speculate that Nyctosaurus may have sported a colorful sail of skin. Its an entertaining idea, but some aerodynamics experts doubt that these adaptations could have been truly functional. Pterosaur Physiology The key trait that distinguished pterosaurs from land-bound feathered dinosaurs that evolved into birds was the nature of their wings-- which consisted of wide flaps of skin connected to an extended finger on each hand. Although these flat, broad structures provided plenty of lift, they may have been better suited to passive gliding than powered, flapping flight, as evidenced by the dominance of true prehistoric birds by the end of the Cretaceous period (which may be attributed to their increased maneuverability). Although theyre only distantly related, ancient pterosaurs and modern birds may have shared one important feature in common: a warm-blooded metabolism. Theres evidence that some pterosaurs (like Sordes) sported coats of primitive hair, a feature usually associated with warm-blooded mammals, and its unclear if a cold-blooded reptile could have generated enough internal energy to sustain itself in flight. Like modern birds, pterosaurs were also distinguished by their sharp vision (a necessity for hunting from hundreds of feet in the air!), which entailed a bigger-than-average brain than that possessed by terrestrial or aquatic reptiles. Using advanced techniques, scientists have even been able to reconstruct the size and shape of the brains of some pterosaur genera, proving that they contained more advanced coordination centers than comparable reptiles.