Do you know the difference between a supremacist grievance and an egalitarian grievance? This is the key to understanding the widely held claim that Muslim grievances are the source of Muslim violence.
Take the latest Muslim attack on U.S. soil. Last week, Abdul Razak Ali Artan — an 18-year-old Muslim refugee from Somalia, who was receiving aid from Catholic charities — rammed his car into a building at Ohio State University. He then got out and stabbed people with a butcher knife. He was eventually shot and killed by a guard; 13 people were hospitalized.
Why did he do it?
According to the “experts,” Artan — like so many other violent Muslim refugees before him — had grievances. CNN, NBC, the Washington Post, and many others cited a Facebook post by Artan: “I am sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim Brothers and Sisters being killed and tortured EVERYWHERE.”
Yet despite this claim of ubiquity, he only cited one nation: “Seeing my fellow Muslims being tortured, raped and killed in Burma led to a boiling point. I can’t take it anymore.”
The question before us is simple: Was Artan provoked to go on a murderous rampage in America because of grievances concerning the treatment of Muslims in Burma?
For about a decade now, I’ve argued that the “Muslim grievance” narrative is a myth meant to shield Islamic teachings from scrutiny. Its logic goes like this: if Islam is a religion of peace yet Muslims everywhere are behaving violently, then the explanation we must all cling to is that they are really, really “pissed off” about something being done to them.
Most recently in a message to the West, the Islamic State, instead of disseminating and taking advantage of the “grievance” claim, could not have been clearer: no matter what the West does, the true reason ISIS hates and terrorizes it is because we are infidels.
That said, millions of Muslims — including Artan — do harbor strong grievances against the West and others. The problem is that they define “grievance” in a manner incompatible with liberty.
When most Westerners think of the word “grievance,” they think in egalitarian terms: X has a grievance against Y because Y doesn’t treat X with equality. For example, your boss or your teacher treats you worse — without equality — than other employees or students. You then have a grievance which most in the West would say is legitimate: that’s because the people of the West were raised on the unique idea of treating others as they would be treated.
This is not the sort of grievance that animates many Muslims – and certainly not those who resort to terrorism.
Rather, they are animated by a supremacist-based grievance: they get angry seeing infidels on an equal footing with Muslims. And they get murderous seeing infidels actually lording over Muslims.
Islamic doctrine, which persuades Muslims into believing they are superior to non-Muslims — who are even likened to dogs and cattle — imbues Muslims with this sense of entitlement.
For example, in Pakistan, as Christian children were singing carols inside a church, Muslim men from a nearby mosque barged into the church with an axe, destroyed the furniture and altar, and beat the children. “You are disturbing our prayers. … How dare you use the mike and speakers?” explained the enraged Muslims. When a Muslim slapped a Christian and the latter reciprocated, the Muslim exclaimed: “How dare a Christian slap me!” Anti-Christian violence immediately ensued.
Islamic grievances are based on what I call Islam’s “How Dare You?” phenomenon. Remember it the next time media, politicians, and other talking heads tell you that Muslim mayhem and outbursts of violence are products of grievances. Missing from their rationale is the supremacist basis of these grievances.
Consider the Conditions of Omar, a foundational medieval Muslim text dealing with how “infidels” living under Muslim authority must behave, attributed to the second caliph and close friend of Muhammad, Omar.
Among other stipulations, it commands conquered Christians not to raise their “voices during prayer or readings in churches anywhere near Muslims” (hence the axe attack in Pakistan). It also commands them not to display any signs of Christianity — specifically listing Bibles and crosses — and not to build churches. (See Crucified Again: Exposing Islam’s New War on Christians, for my translation of “The Conditions of Omar.”)
If the supremacist nature of Islamic law is still not clear enough, the Conditions literally commands Christians to give up their seats to Muslims as a show of respect. By way of analogy, consider when Rosa Parks, a black woman, refused to give up her bus seat to white passengers in America. Any white supremacist at the time had sincere grievances: how dare she think herself equal?
But were such grievances legitimate? Should they have been accommodated? Similarly, are the endless supremacist-based “grievances” of Muslims legitimate and should they be accommodated?
These are the questions missing from the debate about easily bruised Muslim sensitivities.
One can go on and on with examples from all around the Islamic world:
In Turkey, a Bible publishing house was stormed and three of its Christian employees tortured, disemboweled, and finally murdered. One suspect later said: “We didn’t do this for ourselves, but for our religion [Islam] … Our religion is being destroyed.”
In Egypt, after a 17-year-old Christian student refused to obey his Muslim teacher’s orders to cover up his cross, the teacher and some Muslim students attacked, beat, and ultimately murdered the youth.
These Turkish and Egyptian Muslims were truly aggrieved: As seen, Islam’s Conditions makes clear that Christians must not “produce a cross or Bible” around Muslims. How dare the Egyptian student and Turkish Bible publishers refuse to comply — thus grieving Muslims into murdering them?
In parts of Indonesia, because it is becoming next to impossible for Christians to build churches, they often congregate outside to celebrate Christmas — only to be attacked by Muslims hurling cow dung and bags of urine at them as the Christians pray.
In Egypt, the mere rumor that Christians are trying to build, or even renovate, an existing church sets off mass riots and savage attacks on Christians. The Muslims of Indonesia and Egypt are also sincerely aggrieved: how dare these Christians think they can build or renovate a church when the Conditions forbid it?
In short, anytime non-Muslims dare to overstep their Sharia-designated “inferior” status, supremacist Muslims become violently aggrieved.
From here, one can begin to understand the ultimate Muslim grievance: Israel.
For if “infidel” Christian minorities are deemed inferior and attacked by aggrieved Muslims for exercising their basic human rights, like freedom of worship, how must Muslims feel about Jews — the descendants of pigs and apes, according to the Koran — exercising power and authority over fellow Muslims in what is perceived to be Muslim land?
How dare they?!
Of course, if grievances against Israel were really about universal justice and displaced Palestinians, Muslims would be aggrieved at the fact that millions of Christians are currently being displaced in the name of jihad.
Needless to say, they are not.
Which brings us back to Artan’s “grievances.” Recall his Facebook lament: “I am sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim Brothers and Sisters being killed and tortured EVERYWHERE. Seeing my fellow Muslims being tortured, raped and killed in Burma led to a boiling point. I can’t take it anymore.”… Keep Reading

Angemon says
I want to say “I do”, but maybe I don’t. I hear muslims, “feminists”, LGBTQWTFBBQ+ groups and BLM saying they’re all for equality and social justice, but I look around and what do I see? Muslims killing people on the grounds of their religion, “feminists” talking about putting men into concentration camps, LGBTQWTFBBQ+ groups suing store-owners who won’t cater to their weddings and BLM rioting on the streets, beating people because they’re white, killing police officers and looting stores. I consider that as supremacist actions and unjustifiable no matter what grievances they claim, but the MSM keeps insisting all those groups are for equality, and the MSM wouldn’t lie to me, would they? Maybe I just need to “check my privilege”…
Achmed says
Another exceptionally well written piece by Mr. Ibrahim. Well worth following the link of “read more”. Many thanks.
Cretius says
Obviously any accommodation to Mohammedans reinforces their belief in their supremacy over non-believers. Also in Arab culture accommodation is seen as a weakness that is to be exploited to further the goals of Islam. Also, the teaching that emphasizes that everything belongs to Islam results in large number of Mohammedans living on welfare that is paid for by the taxes of non-believers. Why work when you are paid generously to stay home and breed with multiple wives?
1reader says
I smiled at a Muslim woman yesterday and she scowled at me. Maybe she does not realize she is in the USA now, and in our culture, we smile at one another. I think I will take it upon myself to introduce myself to these Muslims and let them know how we do things here. I can see that they are trying to isolate themselves. We have at least 10 new Muslim “families” in our complex and except for two, they all scowl.
1reader says
*families is in quotes because most of the households are full of military aged men. Mainly Somalis who say nasty things when you walk past them – even though they JUST ARRIVED – like literally, while unpacking their car, coming from the airport and we were probably the first white people they had contact with and they said nasty things!!!!
Mirren10 says
”I smiled at a Muslim woman yesterday and she scowled at me.”
Scowl back. Or better still, a long, contemptuous, cool stare. Let them see not everyone is willing to accomodate these scum.
Cretius says
Islamic teachings do not allow accommodation or assimilation with non-believers. Islam teaches Mohammedans are supreme and the rest of us are animals doomed to Hell.
Ciudadano says
Thank you Raymond for a really insigthful analisis
Mirren10 says
Why in the name of God would you smile at a mohammedan, anyway ?
1reader says
Why in the name of God would you smile at a mohammedan, anyway ?
Good question! Maybe out of respect for my bleeding heart liberal mother. My mother is speechless that I would feel so uncomfortable because of Muslims in my neighborhood, that we bought a treadmill for our walks. So, I think maybe I am not making enough of an effort… Also, I don’t intrinsically have anything against Muslims as I spent many years in love with a Buddhist-Muslim, but he was from the first wave of immigrants and was educated, from a upper crusty family. He was actually the one to warn me about the Muslims.
I don’t have high expectations for any effort at social-outreach on my part. I really GET their hatred. Loud and clear.
gravenimage says
1reader, any “Buddhist-Muslim” is a Muslim apostate. That is probably why he seemed so civilized.
Crusades Were Right! says
The Mohammedan “grievance” case, in a chant:
“What do we want?”
“Supremacy!”
“When do we want it?”
“Now!”
Now there’s victimhood for you!
; ¬)
Cretius says
Well said. That is what we see time and time again.
jewdog says
The claim that Muslim violence is a result of Western provocation finds resonance with Marxist thought in that the violent actions of Muslims are alleged to be the result of an unfavorable environment created by Western discrimination or historical colonialism. It’s no wonder that Western Muslims flock to leftist parties since they provide convenient excuses for them.
gravenimage says
Very true, jewdog.
Charles says
Fascinating!
This Satanic scum of the Earth, thinks that they (muslims) are somehow better then everyone else?
I believe that your local Head Docters have a name for this “illness” . It’s called being a PSYCOPATH! There is no treatment for it. Most victims of this “disease” find peace only in Death!
I suppose mercy killing is off the table?
maghan says
Like a mad man thinking he is sane and normal people mad. How can Muslims feel that they are “better” than everyone else. Muslims embrace a very primitive religion–much of which is just very blatant plagiarism from Judaism and Christianity–founded by a violent and criminal desert bandit.
How can any sane person feel that adherence to such such primitive nonsense could make one feel superior? Unless one is stark, raving mad.
dave says
yes sir! when one considers a PSYCHOPATH, it fits what we see is going on. explosive violence & death, which seems out of balance for the event in question. the SUPERIORITY COMPLEX fits perfectly. they act out in an extreme level for some minor slight. thank you.
eduardo odraude says
Raymond Ibrahim knows the Arab and Muslim world in depth.
gravenimage says
Yes–he is a vital contributor here at Jihad Watch.
Mockingjay says
Great, great explanation of what muslim “grievances” are REALLY about.
I would only like to add that these “supremacist grievances” are also evidence of VERY immature, narcissistic “I am so much better than you” – personality structures.
Not only does islamic culture – and upbringing – creates huge numbers of these sort of personality types (especially in men) – they are also ENCOURAGED to behave according to what is in reality a psychological deviation.
And this is the great difference with people of other cultures/religions.
Every culture of course has its share of problematic personalities, but Western culture as a whole, and religions like Christianity and Buddhism, encourage people to go BEYOND their psychological shortcomings and strife for emotional maturity.
Islam is truly unique in the way it keeps its people trapped in the lowest levels of emotional development.
ibrahim itace muhammed says
stupid raymond(sorry i cannot call filthy man-god worshiper ibrahim),the main muslim grievances against you filthy christians are heaps of lies you have been concocting against islam.if you can stop it you will be our best friends.i know you cannot stop it because your filthy christianity cannot survive without lies against islam.you fear that if you tell the truth about islam people will desert your filthy pagan religion inspired by the devil the father of liars and join islam
billybob says
Ibrahim – care to enlighten us on this “heaps of lies” Raymond Ibrahim has “been concocting against islam.”?
We would certainly appreciate it if you could show us where the columnists on JihadWatch are lying. We haven’t found any lies, in spite of the fact we are a diverse and generally very literature group here. In fact, just about any article here on JihadWatch comes with references from Islamic texts which we can and often do verify for ourselves.
In this current article, Raymond Ibrahim tells us “The Ugly Truth about Muslim Grievances”, that they spring from Islamic supremacism. It is very clear from the Quran that “Muslims are the best of people” while “Infidels are the vilest of creatures.” The supremacism is clearly implied in just this quote alone.
Could you please explain to us where we got it wrong? Thanks
gravenimage says
Appalling Muslim thug ibrahim itace muhammed wrote:
stupid (sic) raymond(sorry (sic) i (sic) cannot call filthy man-god worshiper ibrahim (sic)),the main muslim (sic) grievances against you filthy christians (sic) are heaps of lies you have been concocting against islam.if (sic) you can stop it you will be our best friends
…………………………………
What claptrap. The Qur’an is full of insults against Christians and calls to brutalize them.
What “lies” are Christians supposedly telling about Islam? It is indeed a violent creed.
More:
i (sic) know you cannot stop it because your filthy christianity (sic) cannot survive without lies against islam (sic).
…………………………………
Surely even the profoundly ignorant muhammed understands that Christianity predates Islam by 600 years?
More:
you (sic) fear that if you tell the truth about islam (sic) people will desert your filthy pagan religion inspired by the devil the father of liars and join islam (sic)
…………………………………
Well, this is particularly pathetic–is muhammed claiming that the only reason all Christians fail to decamp for Islam is because Christians are saying bad things about them? How would that even work?
Ultimately, the only “grievance” Muslims have against Infidels is that they are not Muslim. As such, they may oppress, rape, enslave, and murder them, *Ugh*.
don vito says
O enlightened one, please tell this kufr what would keep my life and property safe from your prophet?
1reader says
Note: To The Brainwashed Killers: My ex never said a single disparaging word about Allah’s true believers. (Nor did I for that matter). I intuited that I needed to look further into this subject. Being a free person, I am allowed to question. Unlike the people of the cult, who are threatened with apostasy/death for questioning (one of the many things I learned).