Jihad: A Term with a Clear History of Violence

Rashid’s and other Muslims’ portrayal of “jihad” as merely a benign “inner struggle” is not just misleading—it’s a dangerous and most deliberate obfuscation. The term has historically and repeatedly referred to holy war in the context of expanding Islamic supremacy. Islamic texts, particularly the Quran and Hadiths, emphasize jihad as a form of warfare meant to spread Islam by force. Quranic verses exempting only the weak or disabled from jihad (4:95, 9:91) illustrate that jihad has consistently been a physical, often violent, effort. By portraying jihad as an exclusively personal or introspective struggle, apologists ignore this broader context and obscure the truth.

Unlike the sanitized version popularized in modern discourse, the concept of jihad historically is categorically a militant struggle. The writings of the most reliable Hadith compilers, such as Sahih Bukhari, reference jihad in terms of warfare over fifty times. These interpretations, embedded in Islamic jurisprudence and doctrine, provide a clear picture: jihad is intrinsically linked to the spread of Islam through force.

Media’s Complicity: The Role of Left-Wing Outlets in Obscuring the Threat

By echoing narratives from Islamic supremacists, left-wing media outlets like The New Republic are complicit in a campaign that distorts the true nature of jihad. Allowing writers like Hafiz Rashid to misrepresent jihad as harmless, they shield dangerous ideologies from scrutiny and portray legitimate security concerns as “Islamophobia.” By recasting Lutnick’s call for vigilance as a “bigoted swipe at Muslims,” they attempt to silence critical debate and label any concern over jihadist violence as prejudice.

Recognizing the Reality: Islamic Jihad as a Threat to National Security

Lutnick’s call to action is not about targeting a religion but about confronting a violent ideology, albeit a major component of a religion. Jihadists have been responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide, including those on 9/11. By failing to address this head-on, media outlets enable the spread of an ideology that stands in direct opposition to American values of freedom, security, and democracy. The reluctance to name jihadist extremism for what it is—a militant ideology bent on undermining the West—is an abandonment of the media’s duty to inform the public truthfully.

The Path Forward: Confronting Jihadist Terrorism with Clarity and Resolve

Howard Lutnick’s message at the Madison Square Garden rally is a reminder that America cannot afford to be complacent in the face of ongoing jihadist threats. The tragedy of 9/11 and the numerous Islamic attacks across the West should serve as a constant reminder of what can happen when this ideology is allowed to thrive unchecked. By downplaying jihad and labeling calls to action as “bigoted,” media outlets fail in their responsibility to protect American lives and uphold American values.

The United States deserves leaders and media willing to confront Islam with clarity and courage, rejecting euphemisms and half-truths. The first step toward a safer nation is recognizing the threat for what it is and holding accountable those who try to hide it.