Global terrorism is a subject all of humanity should be concerned about. In the last two decades terrorism caused by Muslim extremist has been on the up rise as well as consistent. The center of Islam is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the nation is in territorial control of the faiths two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Therefore to understand the force influencing global Islamic terrorism, it is imperative to study and analyze Saudi Arabia and its impact on the religion of Islam and its followers. Since its founding in 1932, Saudi Arabia has emerged as an economic power house in today's global stage.1 As well as playing a significant role in global economics, Saudi Arabia plays another significant role in that it is the western world's strategic ally in the region2. Saudi Arabia helps stabilize the region for the interest of the international world and itself. After the September 11 attacks, the initial evidence were Saudi Arabian passports found at the scene. The United States became suspicious of its strategic ally though Saudi Arabia controverted these allegations. Wahhabism is an ascetic form of Sunni Islam and is practiced in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is the center of Wahhabism and Wahhabism is the center of Saudi Arabia.3 Although Saudi Arabia is a key ally of the United States, the question of whether or not Wahhabism has played a role in causing Islamic terror around the world is a topic of much controversy. This paper will attempt to prove the common belief "Wahhabism has played a role in influencing Islamic terrorism". It is important to study Wahhabism over other traditional Islamic beliefs and sects because Osama Bin Laden has been linked to Wahhabi political thought.4 If Wahhabism does in fact cause and encourage Islamic terrorism, then there should be a common link between terrorist organizations and their ideologies with Wahhabi theology.
What is Wahhabism?.
