Why Does Ramadan Inspire More Terror?

Mordechai Kedar interviewed in Arutz Sheva:

Kedar noted that during Ramadan, the rituals of fasting and prayer bring many Muslims to feel closer to Allah.

This is in stark contrast, he said, to how many rulers of Islamic countries took power, conducted themselves, or treated their people – and the leadership’s lack of adherence to religious law or lack of merciful rule often led to a sense of righteous indignation during Ramadan.

As a result, he said, there have been tensions between Muslims and leaders of Arab countries during the month-long holiday in many different periods of history. 

“This is why, by the way, the Ottoman Empire in many places and at many times would announce the start of Ramadan in the morning, or at dawn, by the shot of a cannon,” Kedar noted.

Not only was it to notify the people of the beginning of the fast, he said, but “also to remind the people who is behind the cannon – and that they should be very careful not to say something against the ruler or especially to do something against the ruler.” 

Kedar added that, today, Ramadan “adds to the religious adrenaline” of Muslim holy wars in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, as well as the fervor of terror groups who vow to increase attacks on the West – and this “definitely motivates people to launch more attacks against the infidels and all those who are viewed as enemies of the Islamic world.” 

He also related to recent tensions in the Sinai, where Islamic State (ISIS) launched a coordinated attack on the Egyptian Army earlier this week which left at least 50 soldiers dead. 

“In Sinai there is a war, there is an all-out war,” he reflected, noting “this is not a new thing.” 

“Sinai became a vacuum of lawlessness, and many jihadists came from Egypt and from other parts of the world into Sinai, found there a safe haven, and they are acting against the regime big-time,” he said. “The regime tried to ignore this for a long time – but when you ignore small problems, they become big problems.”