Islamic terrorism is quite apparent in our time. Numerous articles, books, films, television programs, video clips, etc. have been produced on the topic. They have helped us understand the phenomenon which has been noticed worldwide. Yet one aspect of it seems to have been left out, or rather not given due consideration. It is the question pertaining to the individuals who indulged in such terrorist activities. Who are they? Why do they resort to such extreme behavior to promote their cause? Was there something in their upbringing which led them to such violent attacks? This paper would like to address this issue. Indeed, clear-cut answers cannot easily be found, but a better knowledge of the youngsters who decide to become jihadi, either in their country or in another one, would help us understand their motives and allow us to find ways and means to prevent them from joining such criminal organizations.

Though the term terrorist was coined only after the French Revolution, in reference to the period of Terreur (1793-1794), actually terrorism existed much before that. We can mention, for example, Julius Caesar’s assassination by Brutus and others in 44 CE1 and the murder which occurred in Moscow, near the high walls of the Kremlin on Friday, February 29, when Boris Nemtsov was shot dead. As a matter of fact a famous British journalist called our period ‘The Age of Terror’.

The term terrorism has been widely used and many definitions have been suggested. Among those several explanations, terrorism has been described as “warfare by external means”3 or “the use or threatened use of force designed to bring about political change.”4 Therefore, terrorism is always associated with politics and, as we are going to see later, not so much with religion. It has also been described as “murder on the cheap”5, or “the use of violence for political ends.”6 Another precise definition of terrorism is given by Richardson: “Terrorism is a tactic that will continue to be exploited as long as it is deemed to be effective.”7 Another definition by the same author is: “Terrorism is, above all, a game of psychological warfare.”

International Relations Journal, Understanding, Islamic terrorism, French Revolution, The Age of Terror, Terrorism , Terrorist’s Mind.