Introduction
Al Qaeda ideological origins mainly take their root in the Sunnistic views. The key principle of these views state that the Muslim people should constantly struggle for their welfare, and be ready to die for the Muslim ideals and principles. The factors that forced Osama Bin Laden to attack the pride and dignity of the USA also take their origins in the Muslim visions of the world, and the fact, that the USA had self-appointed itself as the world policeman and aims to spread democracy by the means of the weapons.
Al Qaeda
This organization was created in Afghanistan, and was led by Osama bin Laden. Its main aim was to defend the Islamic ideals and principles, and not to permit the violation of the freedom of the Islamic nations. Nowadays, it is considered, that Al Qaeda is not a simple terroristic organization, but the whole ideology, that makes it much more dangerous. Currently, the structure, that was created in Afghanistan is destroyed. Bin Laden and his followers are dwelling in different countries, and some of them are arrested or killed. The Islamic extremism does not have the core, but the view, formed by Al Qaeda is spreading, and is getting stronger. This radical international ideology, supported by anti-American, anti-Zionist and anti-Semite views, is popular among people and groups, who do not have contacts with Osama bin Laden currently. They just follow his concept, models and methods. They act in the style of Al Qaeda, but they are not the members of this organization. The fact is that, the ideology of Al Qaeda is similar to the ideology of Jihad, consequently it is close to most Muslims, and supported by the widest stratums of Islamic population (Wright, p. 25).
Aspects
Actually, the principles and the ideological origins of Al Qaeda partly include the reasons that forced Osama bin laden to attack the USA. There are three aspects, that are generally emphasized when explaining the reasons of the attack. The first and the most essential is the wish to get rid of the political, cultural and economic influence of the United States. The origin of this aspect is clear, as Islamic region, previously highly developed culturally, economically and scientifically experiences significant western influence, as the USA aims to dictate to the whole world the American principles of life. Islamists, with Osama bin Laden are not going to bear it, and the 9/11 attack was planned to weaken the American potential, and violate the pride and dignity of the United States.
Another aspect is the devotion to the Islamic traditions, that state: the offender should be punished. The conflict between the Islamic and Western civilizations was escalating since the XII century, but the peak was reached in the XX. The proclamation of the State of Israel, the presence of American troops in Afghanistan, the Desert Storm, the attempt to impose the American way of life within the Islamic region… All these factors reasoned the escalation of the displeasure, and ended up with the attack on the pride, dignity and safety. This was not an attack to weaken the opponent, but to show, that innocent people may suffer in the USA, as they suffered during the military operations in Iraq, Iran and Palestine (Wright, p. 48).
The third aspect of the assault was the wish to prove the world, that Islam is starting the Jihad against the Western world. If the western leaders go on supporting Israel, send the military contingents to the Islamic states. Also to demonstrate, that the people, struggling for the single idea, are able to overcome any borders, and any safety systems in order to achieve their aim.
As for the retrospect blame in the creation of Takfir and Islamic Fundamentalism, it is necessary to mention, that the US politics and international behavior can not be regarded as the reason of appearing these directions in Islamite Extremism. However, the US politics of democracy spread, and struggle with terrorism (which is led without strict definition of terrorism) has reasoned in the aggravation of the dissatisfaction, and appearing of the groups, that support Takfir and Islamic Fundamentalism. Unfortunately, the USA leads the struggle with world terrorism as it is advantageous for the US, but not for the world safety (Somali pirates do not threaten the world safety from the American point of view). (Wright, p. 123).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is necessary to emphasize, that in spite of the fact, that Islamic extremism is rather dangerous for the safety of the citizens of western countries, nevertheless, the countries may feel safe, if the leaders of the states do not interfere into the internal affairs by the Islamic states. This is the key principle, chased by the terrorists, as their aim is not to destroy the world and eliminate non-Islamic society, but to struggle for the welfare o their countries, as the peaceful means were not successful.
References
Wright, L. The Looming Tower. Knopf Publishing, 2006