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We’re told “self-radicalization” is why two brothers detonated bombs at the Boston Marathon last week – and reportedly sought to engage in other attacks.

But that term is very misleading.  It implies that the transformation of peaceable Muslims into violent jihadists takes place in a sort of vacuum, with the individual acting in isolation and without encouragement, help or mentoring from others.

In fact, those like the Tsaraev brothers are fulfilling the obligations of shariah – the radical yes, and supremacist but authoritative doctrine of Islam.  And this case reveals plenty of ways in which that practice is encouraged, including in mosques like theirs in Boston, by family members and by prominent imams who preach via the Internet.

We must have no illusions about our jihadist enemies if we are to defeat them.

Frank Gaffney, Jr.
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