Compassionate Counterterrorism

Islamist terrorism is not about religion, says Leena Al Olaimy, an Arab Muslim, Dalai Lama Fellow, and social entrepreneur. She identifies the economic, social, and political factors that are its true driving forces and offers innovative strategies to address them that have proven far more effective than military interventions alone.


Sixteen years ago during Ramadan, Leena Al Olaimy was a senior at New York University volunteering at Ground Zero. Ironically, she, a practicing Muslim, was assigned to distribute food to the rescue workers. Angered by what her religion had come to represent, and at those brandishing their perverted version of it, she embarked on lifelong research into the root of extremism.

While terrorism experts are unlikely to reach a consensus on the instigators, nor discover an algorithm explaining violent extremism; there is one common thread present through the narratives of terrorists. In some shape or form, they have all suffered from social, economic, or political exclusion. Most critically, this creates an inner turmoil, resulting in the delusion that martyrdom can bring glory. Yet throughout history, many marginalized peoples have not retaliated with such senseless violence, so what inner and outer enabling conditions drive individuals who have radicalized in the name of Islam? And more importantly, what solutions lie in our personal power to address them? This book examines these questions through a spiritual lens, reflecting on absolutism, moral humility, and the potential ‘fundamentalist' in all of us, including the perils of justifying a “noble pursuit” using immoral means; and the parallels between interpretations of scripture to justify violence, with interpretations of scripture to vilify religion. Current counter-terrorism measures are counterproductive. This book offers creative, evidence-based solutions to remedy the consequences of counter-terrorism policies that exacerbate exclusion. Al Olaimy argues there is a way to better invest in peace as individuals, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and civil society.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• PART I
• PART II
• PART III
• Notes
• Index
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author

“This book brings a refreshing alternative to the fiction that state force is the long-term solution to terrorism. A thoughtful, personal, and impressive analysis of why a broader approach to the challenge may yield more effective long-term outcomes.”
-Sir Hugh Orde, OBE, QPM, former Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland

“In a refreshing and candid style that goes far beyond conventional analyses and commonly suggested solutions, Al Olaimy delivers a powerful counterargument on how to deal with terrorism. Insightful and persuasive, her book should be required reading for those in policy circles who routinely deal with strategies to combat terrorism.”
-Prof. Dirk Vandewalle, Dartmouth College

“As we face a global crisis of increased intolerance and exclusion, Leena makes a compelling case for a radical nonviolent approach to defeating terrorism that transforms our current oppressive measures into opportunities for greater peacefulness. Full of unorthodox approaches like invoking the use of religion as an antidote for violent extremism; exploring untapped collaboration between civil society, business, and the military; and even using love to demobilize a terrorist group-this is an important contribution and fascinating read that defies disciplines!”
-Kavita N. Ramdas, Director, Women's Rights Program, Open Society Foundations; Strategy Advisor, MADRE; cofounder of KNR Sisters; and former Strategic Advisor to the President, Ford Foundation

"A brilliant and fresh analysis of one of the most misunderstood global problems of our age – if you read one book on terrorism, choose this one.”
- Lisa Schirch, PhD, Editor of The Ecology of Violent Extremism: Perspectives on Peacebuilding and Human Security, and Senior Policy Advisor, Human Security at Alliance for Peacebuilding

“A provocative and concise examination of why we cannot bomb our way to ending terrorism. While the author is careful not to advocate for the absence of a hard security approach, she does a masterful job at highlighting many innovations that have proven effective in reducing and transforming political violence in various parts of the world and challenges the world to do much better and to have higher aspirations.”
-Craig Zelizer, PhD, founder and CEO, Peace and Collaborative Development Network; former Associate Director, Conflict Resolution Program, Georgetown University; and cofounder of Alliance for Conflict Transformation and TEAM Foundation

“An honest, comprehensive, and thoughtful critique highlighting and challenging stereotypes and assumptions about terrorism and violent extremism. A must-read for anyone involved in peace building and conflict resolution.”
-Eva Grosman, CEO, Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, and Director for Public Affairs, Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, University of Oxford

“This is an insightful book. Compassion is not a word generally associated with terrorism, but the message needs to be heard. Bravo, Leena!”
-John Marks, coeditor of Common Ground on Terrorism and founder and former President, Search for Common Ground

“It could easily be argued that compassion is the number one leadership skill. Leena's suggestion of leading with compassion provides possibility for bringing opposing forces together. It is more than time for the world to recognize our shared humanity and Leena inspires us to do just that!”
-J'Lein Liese, PhD, Managing Partner, Equanimity Leadership Solutions, and President, Foundation for Global Leadership, Inc.

"Intelligent and intrepid work. Leena's effort to unearth a critical societal faultline is the first step towards building a post-fundamentalist future for our next generation."
-Tariq Cheema, Founder, World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists