Saturday, March 7, 2015

Sex and the Single Jihadist

Sex is the missing ingredient in combating Islamic extremism.  Conservatives and Liberals agree, although with different emphasis, that radical Islamic ideology and the lack of economic opportunity breed terrorism.  But by leaving out sex, both are blind to a fundamental drive behind Jihad, and possible solutions.

Woman rarely participate in premarital sex in the Arab world because of the spectre of post coital public stoning.  Upending a sexist saying, men must buy the cow because the milk is never free.  Place strong emphasis on buy.  Throughout the region heavy dowries are mandatory.  Most single men must wait years, if not their entire lifetime, to raise the bridal bounty.

Sometimes members of the community help raise the dowry, often through the local mosque.   But a large pool of men have sperm swimming vigorously with no where to go.  Many extremist groups including Boca Haram and ISIS promise relief for recruits.

Boca Haram kidnaps women.  ISIS conquest includes rape and sexual slavey for the conquered.  It is easy to believe you are on the right hand of Allah if you no longer need your left hand.  On the subject of masturbation, that is also prohibited under most interpretations of the Koran.

The solution in many countries such as Iraq would be a dowery subsidy, probably conditioned on military service.  Perhaps it would take the form of an interest free long term loan commencing after basic training and some short period of service.  Small deductions could be made from military pay.  Perhaps after a certain period of  military service the debt is waived.

This approach has multiple advantages.  It limits a recruiting tool for extremists, and  provides recruitment for the Iraqi army.  Further, proper basic training builds loyalty through esprit de corps.

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