The Terrifying Part of Religion
This novel has introduced me to many different topics of religious views, figures, traditions, and organizations. Previously, I had very little knowledge of the religion of Islam and its practices. I've felt grateful reading this book to have learned so much that I feel I should have known. However, one topic that has really sparked my interest when reading is the terrorist group Parvaiz joined. I have very little knowledge of current terrorist groups other than Al-Queda and the Taliban. England must also have a completely different set of terrorist organizations with totally different motives as well and I'm interested in discovering where their anger stems from. Also, what these groups actually do. In the novel, Parvaiz works in the recording/film department, so I assume they some of their crimes are uploaded for public viewing. In another scene, Parvaiz witnesses a beheading. Why did they want to kill that man? What did killing him so gruesomely accomplish? Where were they during this in which they couldn't be caught? I have always been interested in the ideas of cults and many aspects of Parvaiz's experience when joining the terrorist group reminded me of young, naive recruits of American religious cults. Understanding the emotional and gullible minds of these people and understanding the lust for power and authority recruiters crave over these vulnerable people, will always interest me and I would love to dive deeper with research into how organizations like these are ran and continue to grow.
I'm excited to start this research excursion and find out more about this group. I feel like it will help me understand Parvaiz's character much better and the appeal he feels to join the community. It will also help explain their father's past and the depth of how his actions affected the lives of their family forever.
Hi, Eloise! I think that the topic of radical terrorist groups is one with a lot of depth to it. I think one thing to keep in mind is bias. Terrorism is rarely made purely out of a lust for power. Exploring what circumstances led to the creation of groups like Al-Queda, especially internationally, would be an important part of their history and motives.
ReplyDeleteI agree that being religious will allow you to be more gullible towards ideas spread by religious elders, but I think that mainly comes to things that are not that important such as giving a 10% tithe to the church. I do not think this applies to joining a group where essentially everyone could die at any time. I think that in order to join such a group, a person needs feel pushed into a corner by society or the people close to him such as how Parvaiz did because Isma and Aneeka both "betrayed" him. I think most terrorists become terrorists because of what people do to them during their life.
ReplyDeleteHey Eloise! I like your idea to research terrorist groups. I've always been curious what these groups' motives are for their actions. Being a US citizen, I've never paid much attention to anything that is happening outside of the country. It would be interesting to discover what these groups do because of their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteResearching the motivations of terrorist groups is very interesting. Indoctrination in the youth is a big reason as to why some young people are motivated in the way of terrorism, and that's a big point that may inform your research even more.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic--Parvaiz is part of the media team of ISIS in the novel. You could even focus specifically on the media team if you wish!
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