"Muslim fundamentalism is fast becoming the chief threat to global peace and security as well as a cause of national and local disturbance through terrorism. It is akin to the menace posed by Nazism and fascism in the 1930s and then by communism in the ‘50s." (The New York Times/ International Herald Tribune 9/9/93).

According to the Reader’s Digest Universal Dictionary "fundamental" means "having to do with the foundation; elemental; basic", and "fundamentalism" an "unswerving belief in a set of basic and unalterable principles of a religious or philosophical nature". The term was traditionally used for Christians who believed the Bible to be the literal truth even when it was found in conflict with modern scientific discoveries.
"Fundamentalist" soon became a derogatory term. What purpose does the term serve when used in connection with Muslims?

Western science is built on the foundation of scientific discoveries of Muslim Spain before the inquisation, and unlike the Bible, the Qur’an has never yet been proven to contradict reality. The Qur’an encourages scientific research. Somebody believing the Qur’an to be the fundamental or elemental and basic truth, can hardly be accused of being irrational. Nor can there be anything wrong with firmly holding on to "basic and unalterable principles".
Modern secular society, for example, has agreed on a Universal Declaration of Human Rights to establish such "basic and unalterable principles". To try and frighten people of Muslim fundamentalism, therefore, makes little sence. Still it is being done every day.

When democratic elections were cancelled in Algeria or when Muslim campaigners for democracy in Egypt were hung without proper trail, it was enough of a justification to brand them as Muslim fundamentalists. No further questions needed to be asked.
Fundamentalist meant terrorist. Terrorist meant danger. Danger justified eliminating those responsible. On the other hand, when Israel bombed civilian areas in Lebanon or when Serb militia massacred innocent Muslim men, women, children in Bosnia, the term Jewish, or Christian fundamentalists was never used to refer to them.

In his book Pity the Nation on the long conflict in the Lebanon, Robert Fisk, one of the longest serving British Middle East correspondents, spells out how emotional and ambiguous this use of language is. He says: "But ‘terrorism’ no longer means terrorism. It is not a definition; it is a political contrivance.
‘Terrorists’ are those who use violence against the side that is using the word. The only terrorists whom Israel acknowledges are those who oppose Israel. The only terrorists the United States acknowledges are those who oppose the United States or their allies. The only terrorists Palestinians acknowledge - for they too use the word - are those opposed to the Palestinians.
To adopt the word means that we have taken a side in the Middle East, not between right and wrong, good and evil, David and Goliath, but with one set of combatants against another. For journalists in the Middle East, the use of the word ‘terrorism’ is akin to carrying a gun."

Yet, The Times he worked for, and The Independent he now writes for still happily "carry a gun" and shoot at "Muslim fundamentalists" or "Muslim terrorists" instead of objectively reporting the news.
Prejudice against Islam is deep seated, because nobody bothers to find out what Islam really means and what code of conduct the Qur’an prescribes for a Muslim.

Here, then, are some of the "fundamentals", "basic and unalterable principles" of the Qur’an, Muslims believe in:

["Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things." (Qur'an 2:256)]

["we bestowed (in the past) Wisdom on Luqman: "Show (thy) gratitude to Allah." Any who is(so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul: but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, Worthy of all praise."
"Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: "O my son! join not in worship (others) with Allah. for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing."
"And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did hismother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal."
"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast noknowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did."
"O my son!" (said Luqman), "If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were(hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them) [Allah is subtle and aware]."
"O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong: and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee (whatever afflicts you); for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs."
"And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster."
"And be moderate in thy (your) pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass." (Qur'an 31:12-19)].

["O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you intonations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." (Qur'an 49:13)].

["Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worshipnone but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah.s Will)." (Qur'an 3:64)]

["Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed toAbraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." (Qur'an 3:84)].

["Say: Will ye dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?" (Qur'an 2:139)].

["Say: "Will ye worship, besides Allah, something which hath no power either to harm or benefit you? But Allah,- He it is that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 5:77)].

["Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and theChristians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Qur’an 2:62)].

These then, are the fundamentals of Islam. Do you find anything fundamentally wrong with them? Do they make you feel afraid? Do you feel endangered by someone who follows them? Surely not.
So next time, somebody talks about "Muslim fundamentalists" or "Islamic fundamentalism", laugh at them, because you know better, and they don’t know what they are talking about. Let no-one frighten you about Islam, which literally means "a religion of peace through submission to God".

By Sahib Mustaqim BLEHER. S. M. Bleher was born in Germany into a protestent Christian family, and took a career in journalism and book pulishing. He embraced Islam in 1980, and later moved to Britain. Currently he holds the position of general secretary of the Islamic Party of Britain.
To know more about the teachings of Islam, please read:- "Towards understanding Islam" by Sayyid Abul A’la Mawdudi.