Martin Kramer

Martin Kramer is the director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University in Israel. In the following viewpoint, Kramer argues that Islamic fundamentalism—the conviction that Islam is the one true religion—leads to political violence in the Middle East. Islamic fundamentalists believe that the tenets of Islam should govern all facets of life, from private conduct to state and political affairs. Although they often claim that their beliefs do not justify violence, Kramer contends, fundamentalists have resorted to war, assassination, and terrorism in an attempt to spread the influence of Islam throughout the Middle East and the world.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Kramer, what evidence led an Arab critic to compare Sayyid al-Afghani’s thinking to fascism?
2. What is...