Inside Story

ISIL ideology: In the name of Islam?

Attacks in Tunisia and Kuwait further complicate the complex combination of religion, conflict and extremism.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kuwait and Tunisia, which killed at least 65 people.

Tourists were gunned down as they relaxed on a beach, while worshipers were killed in a suicide attack on a Shia mosque.

The attacks have prompted more promises from the international community to fight what’s referred to as the “scourge of terrorism”.

ISIL had earlier called on followers to turn the month of Ramadan – considered holy by Muslims – into “calamities for non-believers”.

But is religion at the heart of the armed group’s violent ideology? Is the end game more about politics and power?

And how will this shape the fight against ISIL’s message, its violence and its broader ambitions?

Presenter: Martine Dennis

Guests:

Abdullah Baabood, director of the Gulf Study Centre at Qatar University.

Jakob Sheikh, Investigative Reporter for the Danish newspaper Politiken who has interviewed ISIL fighters.

Abdassamad Clarke, dean of the Muslim Faculty of Advanced Studies and Imam of the Ihsan Mosque in Norwich, UK.