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• Mujahideen is an Arabic term derived from the word jihad. It means, literally, "thouse who fight a jihad."Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Mujahideen The term gained common usage during the conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was used to refer to the Afghani fighters. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the term has been used by numerous terrorist groups and organizations.Britannica Online Encyclopedia: Mujahideen

  Like the word jihad, mujahideen has a peaceful religious meaning as well as a militant one, although, in the Western world, the term mujahideen is almost always used in the context of war and fighting.DanielPipes.org: What is Jihad? According to some Islamic scholars, the only time war is permitted is if it is the will of God and there are very strict rules on how fighters must behave when at war. These rules include not attacking civilian non-fighters and treating prisoners of war humanely.HWeb: The Rules of War and Jihad According to Islam (June 13, 2006)

  In 2008, a group calling themselves the Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the Mumbai terrorist attacks which occurred the weekend of November 28, 2008.National Post: Who are the Deccan Mujahideen? (November 28, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Also spelled mujaheddin , mujahedeen, mujahadeen, mujahadein, mujahadin, mujahedin and mujahidinMerriam-Webster Dictionary: Mujahideen The Free Dictionary: Mujahideen
  2. First English usage: 1922Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Mujahideen
  3. Can refer to a religious or militant struggleDanielPipes.org: What is Jihad?
  4. Singular: MujahidMerriam-Webster Dictionary: Mujahideen

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Jihad | Arabic | Mumbai Terrorist Attacks | Deccan Mujahideen | Indian Mujahideen

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