What is a jihad?

Jihad literally means "to struggle." In Islam, it has both an inward and outward dimension. An inner jihad is the personal struggle to become a better person and a more faithful Muslim. Outwardly, the struggle can apply from everything to supporting the family to struggling against injustice.

"Fighting is prescribed on you when you are persecuted for your faith," said Yvonne Haddad, who teaches the history of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations at Georgetown University in Washington.

She emphasized that the Koran does not advocate violence against those who do not believe in Islam, rather it advocates violence only as a defense mechanism.

The September 11 terrorism attacks and Osama bin Laden's calls for a "holy war" are irrelevant to the concept of jihad, said As'Ad AbuKhalil, an associate professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus.

"What is more relevant is the political conditions that are creating an environment of militancy throughout the Muslim and Arab world," he said.