For nearly three decades, the world has observed a persistent and troubling pattern of Islamic terrorism, one that governments, academics, and activists often navigate with caution to avoid appearing politically incorrect. However, empirical data necessitate an honest assessment. Between 1998 and 2025, the global community has experienced 100 major terrorist incidents, each and every one attributable to Islamist extremist groups. This statement is not a matter of opinion, but rather an established statistical reality of contemporary terrorism. Despite this, the global discourse tends to obscure this fact beneath layers of selective outrage and constructed narratives of balance.
The intent of this editorial is to illuminate a specific radicalized ecosystem, Islamic terrorism, which has appropriated religious identity and weaponized it on a scale unprecedented in modern history. As we chronicle at least 25 of the most significant attacks from the dataset, the pertinent question for global leadership is straightforward: How long will the world continue to overlook the ideological underpinnings of this violence? Unless the truth is articulated with clarity, the next 27 years are unlikely to differ from the last.
A global ideology the world refuses to confront
The recent car explosion at the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which was subsequently followed by Shashi Tharoor’s endorsement of a press release from five Muslim public figures, exemplifies this selective framing. While expressions of condemnation are appreciated, a more profound inquiry remains unaddressed: why is it necessary for representatives of the community to repeatedly dissociate themselves from acts of violence committed in the name of their faith? Why does this cycle of attack, condemnation, and subsequent silence endure for 27 years without introspection from those who influence national and global dialogues?
An analysis of 100 major terrorist incidents across various continents reveals a deeply concerning trend: one community’s (Islamic) radical factions have consistently been responsible for the most violent attacks, from New York to Nairobi, Mumbai to Manchester, Bali to Brussels, and Colombo to Kabul. These incidents are not isolated occurrences; rather, they constitute a sustained ideological pattern that the global community is reluctant to confront with the seriousness it warrants. When a singular ideological pipeline has resulted in global devastation for nearly three decades, failure to recognize this pattern constitutes an act of intellectual dishonesty.
Islamist terrorism is no longer a series of random attacks, it has grown into a coordinated and self-renewing ideology that spreads across countries and survives every crackdown. Once it takes hold, it moves quietly through schools, charities, religious networks, and online spaces, creating new extremists faster than security agencies can stop them. Unlike other forms of violence that stay local, jihadist ideology operates through global religious messaging, foreign funding, radical preachers, and digital propaganda that keep it alive everywhere at once. If the world keeps ignoring this organized ideological system, Islamist terrorism will continue to expand, threatening not just individual nations but the safety and stability of the entire world.
1. 9/11 Attacks, USA (2001)
The 9/11 attacks were the single greatest demonstration of how far Islamist extremism is willing to go to destroy free societies. Nearly 3,000 innocents were slaughtered in broad daylight, not for land or resources, but for ideology. This one incident reshaped global geopolitics, proving jihadism is a global threat. The brutality and precision showed the world what radical Islamism is capable of.
2. Camp Speicher Massacre, Iraq (2014)
ISIS rounded up 1,700 unarmed military cadets and executed them in cold blood, an act that epitomizes the genocidal nature of Islamist terrorism. No battlefield, no conflict—just ideological cleansing. The massacre exposed how ISIS weaponizes hatred against anyone outside its extremist fold. It remains one of the worst mass executions of the century.
3. Badush Prison Massacre, Iraq (2014)
At Badush Prison, ISIS militants separated inmates by sect and executed around 1,000 Shia prisoners. This attack underscored how Islamist terror groups openly practice sectarian genocide. The brutality here showed that their goal is not political freedom but religious domination. It remains a chilling reminder of the cost of ignoring extremist networks.
4. Karrada Bombing, Baghdad (2016)
ISIS detonated a massive truck bomb in a crowded shopping area during Ramadan, killing 300 people. The attack showed that Islamist extremists consider even their own co-religionists dispensable when enforcing ideological terror. It was an assault on ordinary life, families, children, markets. Baghdad mourned as the world watched the consequences of unchecked radicalism.
5. Mogadishu Bombing, Somalia (2017)
Al-Shabaab carried out one of the deadliest non-nuclear explosions in human history, killing 587. The scale of this attack proved how deeply entrenched Islamist extremism is in East Africa. The blast flattened streets, destroyed families, and left Somalia scarred. Such violence is not political, it is ideological annihilation.
6. Beslan School Siege, Russia (2004)
Chechen Islamist militants held over 1,100 hostages, most of them children. The siege ended with 330 deaths, exposing the moral bankruptcy of jihadist terrorism. No cause can justify slaughtering schoolchildren. This attack remains one of the darkest examples of how extremist ideology erases basic humanity.
7. Easter Bombings, Sri Lanka (2019)
ISIS-linked extremists targeted churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, killing over 290. The attackers chose a holy day to maximize religious shock and civilizational conflict. The scale and coordination showed deep radicalization. Sri Lanka learned how Islamist extremism infiltrates even peaceful nations.
8. Bali Bombings, Indonesia (2002)
Jemaah Islamiyah executed bombings that killed 202 tourists in Bali. The attack targeted the idea of multiculturalism itself. Indonesia paid the price of letting extremist networks flourish in the shadows. It remains one of Asia’s worst terror attacks fueled by jihadist ideology.
9. Mumbai 26/11, Bharat (2008)
Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists carried out coordinated shootings across Mumbai, killing 166. This attack showed the world how Islamist groups can use military-grade tactics against civilians. Bharat endured three days of horror as terrorists hunted people by religion. The attack remains a symbol of Pakistan-backed jihadism.
10. Paris Attacks, France (2015)
ISIS militants unleashed coordinated bombings and shootings across Paris, killing 130. Their goal was to strike at Europe’s heart—its music halls, cafés, and stadiums. France confronted the dangerous reality of homegrown jihadism. This attack changed European security forever.
11. Nice Truck Attack, France (2016)
An ISIS-inspired attacker drove a 19-ton truck into Bastille Day crowds, killing 86. This event showed how Islamist terror adapts to simple, devastating methods. It wasn’t a war, just hatred weaponized against a celebration of liberty. France again saw the high cost of radicalization.
12. London Bombings, UK (2005)
Al-Qaeda-inspired extremists bombed London’s transport system, killing 52. It marked the UK’s worst attack since WWII and revealed the threat of domestic radicalization. Islamist extremism found a home inside Western societies. The attack shattered the illusion of safety in open democracies.
13. Garissa University Attack, Kenya (2015)
Al-Shabaab militants stormed a university and killed 147 students after segregating them by faith. This attack revealed the raw sectarian hatred driving Islamist terrorism. Targeting youth symbolizes a desire to destroy future generations. Kenya learned the price of regional extremism.
14. Peshawar Army School Attack, Pakistan (2014)
The Taliban massacred more than 150 students and staff in one of the most barbaric attacks ever. Children were shot point-blank to send a message. This attack exposed the Taliban’s true nature—anti-human, not anti-state. Pakistan faced the horror created by its own nurturing of extremist groups.
15. Kabul Truck Bomb, Afghanistan (2017)
A massive bomb killed over 150 in Kabul’s diplomatic zone. The Taliban-Haqqani network turned a bustling city into a warzone. It was a reminder that Islamist terror groups thrive on destabilizing nations. Afghanistan bled while the world looked away.
16. Moscow Theatre Siege, Russia (2002)
Chechen Islamists held 900 people hostage in a theatre, resulting in 150+ deaths. Their willingness to kill civilians on such a scale showed the unrestrained violence of jihadist separatism. The siege highlighted how these groups manipulate conflict narratives to justify savagery.
17. Metrojet Flight Bombing, Egypt (2015)
ISIS-Sinai blew up a Russian passenger flight, killing all 224 aboard. The act demonstrated how aviation remains a prime jihadist target. It was an attack meant to project international reach and intimidation. The Sinai insurgency proved it could strike beyond borders.
18. Madrid Train Bombings, Spain (2004)
Coordinated bombings killed 191 and injured thousands. Europe saw Islamist terror executed with military precision on civilian transit systems. The brutality shattered Europe’s security complacency. This attack remains a symbol of European vulnerability to jihadist networks.
19. Sadr City Bombings, Iraq (2006)
Al-Qaeda in Iraq detonated bombs in Shia neighborhoods, killing 144. The attacks aimed to incite full-scale sectarian war. Islamist groups thrive on division, and this bombing was crafted to tear Iraq apart from within. Civilians once again paid the highest price.
20. Ahmadi Mosque Attacks, Pakistan (2010)
Taliban-linked militants massacred over 160 Ahmadi worshippers in Lahore. The attack exposed how Islamist extremists target even their own religious minorities with genocidal zeal. Pakistan’s failure to curb sectarian hatred allowed such massacres to occur. It showed the deadly consequences of state-tolerated radicalization.
21. Mastung Rally Blast, Pakistan (2018)
ISIS targeted an election rally, killing 149 people. This attack showed how Islamist groups weaponize moments of democracy to unleash terror. Pakistan continues to bleed due to the extremism it once empowered. Mastung symbolized the dark merger of politics and jihad.
22. Ankara Peace Rally Bombing, Turkey (2015)
ISIS bombed a peaceful march, killing 97 people. The attack displayed the cruelty of targeting civilians advocating for peace. It deepened Turkey’s internal divisions and exposed the reach of ISIS networks in urban centers. The brutality sent shockwaves across Europe and the Middle East.
23. Mogadishu Zobe Junction Attack, Somalia (2022)
Al-Shabaab carried out a double bombing that killed 121 and injured more than 300. This attack revealed how Somalia remains trapped by jihadist terror. Civil institutions, markets, and families were all turned into casualties. The scale shows how deeply embedded extremist ideology is in the region.
24. Pulwama Attack, Bharat (2019)
A Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber targeted a CRPF convoy, killing 40. The attack highlighted Pakistan-backed Islamist terrorism in Kashmir. Pulwama was an assault on the Bharatiya state, its forces, and its sovereignty. It marked a turning point in regional security perceptions.
25. Crocus City Hall Attack, Russia (2024)
ISIS-K terrorists opened fire and set a packed concert hall ablaze, killing 149 and injuring 609. This attack showed that Islamist extremism is evolving and expanding beyond traditional conflict zones. Russia experienced its worst terror attack in decades, proving no country is immune. It was a brutal display of global jihadist resurgence.
26. Westgate Mall Attack, Kenya (2013)
Al-Shabaab militants stormed Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and killed 67 people in a brutal, hours-long siege. The attack exposed how Islamist groups deliberately target soft civilian spaces. Kenya learned the hard way that radicalization networks operated beyond Somalia’s borders. The massacre symbolized regional jihadism’s growing reach.
27. Lahore Park Bombing, Pakistan (2016)
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a TTP faction, bombed a crowded park on Easter Sunday, killing 75 people. The attack specifically targeted Christian families, exposing the deep religious intolerance embedded in jihadist ideology. Pakistan’s minorities once again became victims of extremist hate. It was an assault on innocence, faith, and coexistence.
28. Cairo Church Bombing, Egypt (2016)
ISIS targeted St. Peter and St. Paul Church during Sunday prayer, killing 29 worshippers. The attack showed how Islamist terror networks aim to erase pluralism from the Middle East. This was not just an attack on Egypt but on the region’s historic Christian communities. The brutality reinforced ISIS’s vision of sectarian cleansing.
29. Jolo Cathedral Bombing, Philippines (2019)
ISIS-linked Abu Sayyaf bombed the Jolo Cathedral during mass, killing 20 and injuring over 100. The attack demonstrated the extent of Islamist extremism in Southeast Asia. Churches have become symbolic targets for jihadist groups seeking maximum sectarian impact. The Philippines faced the reality of homegrown radicalization.
30. Sri Lanka Easter Bombings (Three Cities, 2019)
National Thowheed Jamaath, linked to ISIS, carried out coordinated suicide bombings across Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa, killing over 290. The attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels, aiming to tear the country’s social fabric apart. Sri Lanka witnessed one of the most devastating Islamist attacks in South Asia. It proved how radical ideology could spread even in nations with no prior history of jihadist violence.
The world can no longer afford to ignore the fact that radical Islamist groups draw ideological strength from selective, literalist interpretations of specific Qur’anic passages. Verses originally revealed in the context of 7th-century warfare, such as Qur’an 9:5 (“fight the polytheists wherever you find them”), 8:12 (“strike them on the necks”), and 47:4 (“when you meet the unbelievers, strike at their necks”), are routinely extracted from their historical setting and reapplied by extremists as universal, timeless commandments. Jihadist organizations transform these verses into rallying cries, promoting the idea that violence against those labeled kafirs is not only permissible but divinely mandated. While mainstream Islamic scholarship contextualizes these passages and rejects violence against innocents, extremist factions continue to weaponize them, creating a pipeline of radicalization that has driven global terrorism for nearly three decades.
In stark contrast, Hindu Dharma, deeply rooted in pluralism, non-harm (ahimsa), Manavatha (humanity) and the acceptance of multiple truths, contains no doctrinal imperative to conquer or eliminate non-believers. Christianity, despite its violent medieval history, does not present its warfare-era verses as eternal commands for believers to execute today. This divergence explains why Islamist terrorism remains uniquely persistent on a global scale: it is not fueled by culture alone but by the deliberate ideological reactivation of specific martial verses by radical clerics and groups. Ignoring this pattern is an act of global self-deception. If the world seeks to end the cycle of bombings, beheadings, and mass killings justified through extremist exegesis, it must confront the uncomfortable truth: scriptural misuse, left unchallenged, continues to be the most powerful weapon in the hands of jihadist ideologues.
