Marwan, a Man of Fatih
Marwan Abu Ubeida, a pseudonym for the real terroist, is a Sunni al-Zarqawi terrorist. He started as just an average student in Iraq specializing in Koranic studies and possessing a hatred of Saddam Hussein. He was filled with joy as the Americans destroyed the Saddam Hussein regime and started the process of creating a new Iraq. His base views changed though, after U.S. soldiers fired upon a crowd of demonstrators at an Iraqi school, killing twelve. His life of terror began as he raided an old Iraqi military base and stole grenades and weapons. With these weapons, Marwan attacked patrols of American troops. Soon Marwan decided he wanted to make the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs and become a suicide bomber. His parents opposed his decision but Marwan decided to go through with process anyway. Marwan eagerly hopes for the moment when he can attack the Americans and become a martyr. In heaven Allah will ask him, “how many infidels have you killed” and Allah will seek forgiveness from any innocent civilians that became collateral damage from the blast. Until then, Marwan stays in a safe house, purifying himself and studying the Koran as he awaits his orders to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Through his dedication and beliefs, Marwan helped exemplify the seven meanings of faith for me. Faith is a grace: Marwan’s faith is a gift from his god, Allah, and through this grace he holds steady in his beliefs. Faith requires a human response: Marwan gives a human response to his faith by declaring jihad on the American ‘invaders’ threatening Islam. Faith is a risk: Marwan takes great risk in his faith because if he is wrong about Allah being the one true god then his sacrifice will be seen as murder and not martyrdom. Faith is reasonable: Marwan acquires reasoning and evidence for his faith through his years of Koranic studies, which he excelled in took great interest in. Faith seeks understanding: Marwan tries to understand Allah better through his years of Koranic study and purifying period before his attack. His quest for understanding leads his excitement for the purifying period and chance to meet Allah sooner. Faith is a virtue: Marwan’s faith is a virtue to those who share the same radical beliefs as he does. Though others may see his action as murder, terrorists and radical Islamic extremists see Marwan’s faith in defending Islam with force as a noble quality. Through Marwan, I have achieved a better understanding of Faith.
Sources:
Bomber, Time article
Religion Textbook
By,
Brian Lickenbrock
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