Lecture on “Terrorism and Peace”: Understanding the Nature of the Conflict and the Vision of Confrontation
“We must not allow matters to change and truths to be inverted so that the Quranic concept of jihad disappears and is replaced by the American term terrorism.”
“We are currently in a battle of terminology; If we allow them to prevail in this battle, we will be defeated not only in the realm of words but also in the battlefield of fire.”
– Martyr Leader Sayyid Hussein Badruldeen al-Houthi (may Allah’s mercy be upon him)
Today, it is undeniable that the free peoples of the world face a comprehensive and aggressive war on all fronts—military, media, political, economic, cultural, and scientific—waged by the forces of arrogance, led by the United States and the Zionist entity. The U.S.-Zionist conflict with the free nations has become existential, touching every sphere of life.
The classification of Yemen’s free people as part of the so-called “terror lists” by the U.S. underscores its hostile policies toward the nation’s freedom-seeking people. This move is not unprecedented; it follows similar designations of Hezbollah, Palestinian resistance groups, Iraqi movements, and others opposing U.S. hegemony. Driven by its belief in unipolar dominance, the U.S. imposes sanctions even on major powers like China and Russia, enforcing its global agenda. Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population is subject to American sanctions, highlighting this aggressive strategy.
The late Martyr Leader Sayyid Hussein Badruldeen al-Houthi (may Allah be pleased with him), the founder of the Quranic movement, with his far-sighted Quranic perspective, extensively discussed the nature of this conflict and the all-encompassing war against the Muslim nation in his lectures [From the Guidance of the Holy Quran]. His teachings addressed the necessary qualifications required to face such a struggle. One notable lecture, “Terrorism and Peace,” provides a profound analysis of the nature of the struggle with the U.S.-Zionist enemy and offers a Quranic vision for confrontation.
Why Have Truths Been Inverted?
The lecture, delivered during his visit to the people of Hamdan, occurred approximately six months after the events of September 11, 2001. The U.S. exploited the attacks to declare its so-called “War on Terror.” After acknowledging the historical role of the people of Hamdan, the Martyr Leader reflected on the dire state of the Muslim nation. Despite being described in the Quran as “the best nation brought forth for mankind” (Aal Imran: 110), the nation faces division, weakness, and vulnerability, making it an easy target for its enemies.
He asks:
“What is happening now? This nation, entrusted by Allah with a message for all of humanity, is being told to sit idly like women in their homes. It is told to remain silent, to not speak the truth, nor curse those Allah cursed in His Book and through His prophets: {Those of the Children of Israel who took to unbelief have been cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary, for they rebelled and exceeded the bounds of right} (Al-Ma’idah: 78).”
This imposed silence and subservience remain the tools America uses to suppress any voice or movement that rises against its hegemony.
The State of the Nation: Where Should It Be?
The Martyr Leader condemned the state of submission and humiliation that has overtaken the Muslim nation, which should instead be carrying the responsibility of leading the world. He remarked:
“This nation, which was meant to sail the seas, stand on the shores of Europe and America, is now ordered to sit in disgrace and submission. Meanwhile, those cursed by Allah’s prophets roam freely across the world spreading hegemony with their military forces, equipped with the most lethal weapons. Is this not the inversion of truths? Is this not the distortion of facts?”
He continued:
“Allah intended for this nation to be a guiding force for all humanity, enjoining good and forbidding evil. But here it is, sitting idly, while others move to spread corruption, oppression, and injustice across the earth, especially targeting the Arabs. These are painful truths we witness today.”
The Nature of the Conflict and the Battle Over Terminology
In his book “A Reading in the Quranic Project,” researcher Fadel Al-Sharqi highlights how the Martyr Leader provided a critical description of the nature of the conflict and the necessity of standing firm. He stated:
“The nation is engaged in an intense battle with its enemies, including a battle over terminology. The term jihad in the path of Allah is under severe attack by the enemies of Allah.”
The Martyr Leader emphasized that the Quranic concept of jihad is deeply connected to the nation’s dignity, identity, and the vitality of Islam. However, this concept is under attack by the Americans and Jews, who seek to distort it, replace it, and strip it of its true meaning. He explained:
“This sacred jihad, this vital Quranic term, is linked to the nation’s honor, existence, and identity. Yet, they aim to transform jihad into a term of disgrace that we ourselves repeat in an American context, legitimizing any American aggression to anyone .”
Replacing the Word “Jihad” with “Terrorism”
The martyred leader explains that the Americans seek to remove the term jihad from our lives and replace it with the term terrorism. They aim to pave the way for America to strike and target whoever they want, whenever they want. He says: “The word jihad is replaced with the word terrorism, and anyone who is a mujahid fighting for his rights in the name of Allah is labeled a terrorist. Being labeled a terrorist means that America has the legitimacy to strike them, and an agent of America has the legitimacy to attack them. And we are the ones who applaud those attacks!”
The martyred leader considers that the term jihad in the path of Allah is what grants us the legitimacy to act and move forward in establishing Allah’s religion, giving our nation dignity and strength in the face of enemies.
In the face of the war against the term and concept of jihad, the martyred leader urges everyone to consistently and repeatedly discuss the term jihad in the path of God until it becomes firmly rooted in the mindset and reality of the nation. This is essential to confront the fierce war waged against it by the enemies of God. He says: “Brothers, we must always talk about jihad. Even those who have no spirit of jihad must speak about the word jihad because the word itself—its meaning—is under attack.”
The Comprehensive War
The Martyr Leader described the multifaceted nature of the war waged against Muslims, targeting individuals, lands, economies, cultures, and even the language itself. He remarked:
“We are being attacked as individuals, as nations, in our ideas, economies, cultures, ethics, and values. Even our language and terminology are under assault.”
He cautioned against neglecting this ideological and cultural war, which seeks to erase Quranic terminology from the collective consciousness.
A Call for Comprehensive Action
The Martyr Leader urged cultural, political, and media efforts to prevent the American meaning of “terrorism” from taking root in the minds of people. He said:
“We must speak out constantly to ensure that the American definition of terrorism does not dominate our discourse because if it dominates our minds, it sacrifices our religion, dignity, and everything we hold dear.”
He proposed a practical vision for countering this narrative: educating people about the true sources of terrorism—America and Israel—and their corruption and destruction policies which are spread worldwide.
The Importance of Victory in This Battle
The Martyr Leader emphasized the critical importance of winning this ideological battle, as losing it would lead to defeat in the broader struggle. He declared:
“We are now in a battle of terminology. If we allow their definitions and meanings to prevail, we will not only lose this battle but also the military confrontation that follows.”
This cultural war demands vigilance and proactive efforts to preserve Quranic values and terminology. As he concluded:
“If we fail to act now, the losses will be immense, and the sacrifices required will be even greater.”