This year there have been more suicide attacks in Afghanistan than in all previous years combined – about 85 to date, compared with 17 in 2005. Here are some ways Afghans are being brainwashed into carrying out suicide operations, including being shown videos of “women in the West wearing bikinis while walking in public and going to nightclubs” (from Jamestown Foundation’s Terrorism Monitor):

Al-Qaeda and their allies in the Taliban have published books for their followers in which they call upon men to join the Taliban, al-Qaeda and Hekmatyar’s Hezb-e-Islami—groups that are based on Sharia law. A series of books in which they argue for the legitimacy of their actions is called “Zad al-Salam,” or the “Muslim Provision.” These books are used in military training centers and give justifications for every military tactic based on statements from the Quran, Hadith and the Sunna. The fourth series of the “Muslim Provision,” titled “Al-Amaliyat al-Istishhadiya Fil Islam Wa Hukm Aawan al-Tawaghiet Wa Junudahum,” specifically focuses on suicide attacks. The 158-page book bases the legitimacy of suicide attacks in Buruj, a chapter of the Quran, which focuses on jihad, bravery and the toleration of difficulties. The author references suicide attacks to a part of Buruj which states that Allah prefers those Muslims who fight against threats to their religion. The author additionally links encouragement for joining jihad to committing suicide attacks. For example, he quotes a story about one of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions who asked the Prophet whether a person would be martyred if he was slain fighting infidels. The Prophet answered, “He would enter Paradise.” In response, his companion went to the scene of the war and fought until his death (Payam-e-Mujahid, September 27).

These factors make clear that there are religious reasons driving the attackers to sacrifice themselves for the “benefits of others.” The majority of Afghans who have attended religious schools in Pakistan or in other Muslim countries are easily indoctrinated by the religious propaganda issued in these madrassas. Unfortunately, many begin their studies at a young age and therefore their knowledge of Islam is confined to the often misguided teachings they receive.

Sociological Landscape of Afghan Suicide Attacks

Motivating an Afghan to perform a suicide attack is no simple task. The leaders of the Taliban and Hezb-e-Islami motivate insurgents in the name of “Afghanistan’s occupation” and the obligation to perform jihad (Terrorism Focus, October 10). The creation of a Sharia-based Islamic government is the motivation that extremists use to rally the support of insurgents. They argue that infidels dominate the secular government of Karzai and are not properly pursuing Sharia (Afghan National Security Intelligence Report, October 4). One such way that insurgent leaders recruit fighters is by saying that the West is decadent and completely opposed to the implementation of Sharia. One Afghan intelligence agent reported that in many madrassas for Afghan students, videotapes are played that show women in the West wearing bikinis while walking in public and going to nightclubs (Azadi Radio, October 4). Students at these seminaries are taught that Afghan girls employed by NGOs are sexual bait for the Western male employees. By pushing these views about the United States and European countries, extremist groups motivate Afghans to engage in conflict against the coalition. Many of the people in the seminaries want to see Sharia implemented, at least outwardly such as in the national dress code (http://www.armans.info, September 29).

What, no lying in graves for a taste of peaceful dead feeling? No “Martyr’s Wedding” to the virgin awaiting the lucky fella in Paradise? No respect for tradition, these new Jihadists.

There is no question that the religious propaganda needs to countered. How are we going to explain the bikinis and nightclubs though?