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Militant jihadists are inspired by night dreams, suggests research

Durham University press release 6 June 2008 The inspirational night dream, or ruya, is a fundamental, inspirational and even strategic part of the militant jihadist movement in the Middle East and elsewhere. This is the conclusion of a study of the reported dreams of many of the best-known al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders carried out by Dr Iain Edgar a social anthropologist at Durham University. Edgar identified four key themes from his research: Militant jihadists are inspired by night dreams Militant jihadists legitimize their actions partly on the basis of night dreams The inspirational night dream can be more ‘real’ than reality, connecting the individual to a mythical past Militant Jihadism can be directly authorized by dream content Speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival today (Friday 6 June) on the cultural significance of sleeping and dreaming Edgar said: “Islam is probably the largest night dream culture in the world today...continue to full post

Full post as published by Terrorism Research News on September 24, 2008 (boomark / email).