Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions in Western Culture about Islamic martyrdom. Nerina Rustjomi has demonstrated in her works that Americans have used a skewed perception of the Islamic "Shahid" and "Houri" to depict Islam as "a religion characterized by sensuality, violence, and irrationality." In addition, recent years have seen many Islamic extremists use the term "Shahid" in their efforts to "legitimate the use of violence, warfare, and terrorism" against Western groups of "unbelievers."
In current Western culture and media there is much use of the term shadeed with respect to Islamic terrorism. However, with respect to suicide bombing attacks as witnessed on September 11, and in postwar Iraq, Islamic teaching has always forbid suicide, for "only God has the right to take the life he has granted." Therefore, one current goal of Islamic education is to discredit the teachings and methods of militant Islamic extremists.
Read more about this topic: Shaheed