jihad

Definition

A holy war undertaken by Muslims.

Etymology

From Arabic جِهَاد (jihād, “struggle; effort”).

Example Sentences

• "Young Iraqis of both sects obeyed the imams' ruling last week by rushing to conscription offices in hot, dirty, dusty Bagdad to offer themselves or their money for the jihad."
• "Small groups of killers, the scent of blood in their nostrils, now fanned out by taxi, bicycle or even on horseback into the surrounding countryside, spreading the word that a general jihad, or ‘holy war’, had broken out."
• "The Jabhat al-Nusra media, with songs about jihad and martyrdom, is extremely influential."

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