Islamic terror attacks are not incidents of ordinary crime involving perpetrators who happen to be Muslim. All attacks recorded by CSPII must be reasonably determined to have been committed with Islamic motivation. The influence of Islamic doctrine needs to be a factor, but not necessarily the only one.
Attacks by Groups on Non-Muslims
- A known violent Islamic group (IS, Boko Haram, Fulani Militia, Hamas, etc.) is responsible for the attack.
- In this case, there is no need for further investigation; it is Islamic terror by default.
Attacks by Individuals on Non-Muslims
- The perpetrator must be of an Islamic background, and
- The perpetrator must be connected to a violent Islamic group, and/or
- The perpetrator must shout “Allahu Akbar” before or during the attack, and/or
- The perpetrator’s Islamic motivation was identified in any other way, and/or
- A violent Islamic group proclaimed responsibility for the attack.
- In the cases above, there is no need for further investigation; it is Islamic terror by default.
Attacks by Groups and/or Individuals on Muslims
- The same criteria apply as for attacks on non-Muslims.
- Additionally, we also count the following as Islamic terror attacks:
a. Honor killings (not those committed by a husband, as this could be a crime of passion). CSPII’s position on honor killings is that killing of a woman over “un-Islamic” behavior qualifies as Islamic terror.
b. Sharia executions
c. Suicide attacks
d. Killings of homosexuals
e. Other attacks with clear Islamic doctrinal motivation
Attacks Under Investigation
- These are attacks where affiliation with a violent Islamic group and/or Islamic motivation has yet to be established, but the pattern of behaviour suggests it is likely an Islamic terror attack.
- Such cases will be marked as “Under Investigation” in the moderation system, and:
a. we will wait for the story to develop over several days to obtain proper information about the motive behind the act, and
b. cross-check other sources for more information, and finally
c. involve the whole group of moderators to make an expert decision in cases of uncertainty.