A while back, I wrote that I would no longer employ words such as "jihadist", "mujahadeen", or "caliphate" because the Muslim world sees these as words as a reward, or justification of the bad behavior of terrorists.  Instead I would use "mufsidun" to describe thugs who would kill innocent non-combatants.  It means they are "evil doers".  The DoD's paper on this seems to have been roundly ignored.  No one in the drive-by media has called the evil doers by the correct name.  Right.  Sorry, I forgot about their agenda:



[Hat Tip:  Rush Limbaugh]

I have heard the President call them Islamofacists, but he's not been heard to employ this Arab word either.  Why?  It was the Dept. of Defense during his administration who did the research and recommended it's use.

Why is it important?  Why should we be using different terms?  "GroovyLady" doesnt' believe it's important;

"Well, defense experts have determined we've been calling our enemy by the wrong name. They are not really Jihadists they should now be called Hirabahs. Also, apparently Mujahdeen is no longer acceptable and should be replaced with either Mufsidun or Fattan.

Hirabah - "This word specifically refers to those engaged in sinful warfare, warfare contrary to Islamic law.”

Mufsidum - "This refers to an evil or corrupt person."

Also, even though the stated objective of al Qaeda is a Caliphate; apparently, it's more appropriate to call their goal a "global totalitarian state."

I understand trying to not use the terms that are acceptable to our enemy; but, shouldn't this have all be hammered out back in 2003? Jihad, mujahdeen and caliphate are all burned into people's minds now. not sure adopting new phraseology is going to be effective."

"Phraseology"?  Ever hear of a little saying "Words are things"?  How about "As I think, I am"?  Or "Believing is receiving"?  From the Bible to Shakespeare, Buddhism to Shintoism, these are universal principles that are a part of our human psyche.  When an evil doer hears that he is being called the word, "jihadist", or "mujahadeen", it indicates to him, even while he's cutting the head off a woman for teaching school to little girls, he's not bad.  He begins to believe he's a hero!  When suicide bombers hear their struggle being called "jihad", they believe they are warriors for Allah.  Would they be such a hero to their family if media outlets were calling their fight  "hirabah"? 

A Google search revealed that the only ones who are even talking about these terms are bloggers.  Bloggers like me, though.  Not bloggers like Michelle Malkin.  Not even "right wing" talk shows have mentioned these terms when referring to Islamofacists.  Maybe it's just me, but it doesn't seem like "getting the word out" should be this difficult.  But then, I rather prefer to call a spade, a f'ing shovel!  Mike H., I share your frustration.