The religion of Islam attracts a lot of attention. Many believe it is a violent and backward religion. Since September 11, “Islamic reform” has become a catch-all phrase: both a Western impulse to protect against Muslim violence and a humanist notion aimed at helping voiceless Muslims (Eteraz1). Extreme manifestations of the Islamic faith, such as the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, have generated negative stereotypes about Islam as a religion. These stereotypes of violence and backward thinking have been further perpetuated by even more recent examples of extremism by Muslim terrorists. Although most Muslims are peaceful and do not approve of violence by their fellow Muslims, some believe it is their responsibility to punish those who do not adhere to Islam. This religion is no stranger to God-motivated wars. Islam was founded on the belief that it is excusable to harm others in the name of Allah. The terrorist group Al-Qaeda shares many of these beliefs. Al-Qaeda's modern origins can be traced back to Wahhabism, named for the revivalist movement founded by Muhammad Ibn'Abd al-Wahhab in 1744. Wahhab called for a return to a pure, pure form of Islam, closer to the ideals of Prophet (Blond 3). Recently, a movement has been created to reform and reinterpret Islam not only as a religion, but also as a culture. Reform of Islam by its religious authorities will result in a more passive interpretation of Islam, thereby deterring Islamic extremism and producing a more diplomatic faith. Although Islam has made substantial progress, many would say that Islam is incapable of change. Understanding Islam's past is imperative to understanding its future. Since its inception, Islam has been a mid-paper religion and a stable religion. Reforming Islam will alter the philosophies of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and others who continue to devastate and hurt under the dated teachings of the Quran and render the ferocity of the Muslim faith obsolete. Works Cited Solway, David. “The Question of Islamic Reform.” FrontPage Magazine. Front Page Magazine, July 13, 2013. Web. November 19, 2013. Pipes, Daniel. "Can Islam be reformed? History and human nature say yes." Can Islam be reformed? : History and human nature say yes. Np, July-August. 2013. Internet. November 19, 2013. Blonde, Phillip and Adrian Pabst. “The Roots of Islamic Terrorism.” The New York Times. The New York Times, July 28, 2005. Web. November 19, 2013. Eteraz, Ali. “The Roots of Islamic Reform.” The Guardian. The Guardian, September 25, 2007. Web. November 19, 2013. Lewis, James. “Can Islam reform itself? American thinker. Np, December 18, 2012. Web. November 20. 2013.