When people bring up the term “radical Islam,” they are told that they are intolerant, politically incorrect, islamophobic and looking for a scapegoat for the world’s problems. In the past decade and a half, thousands of innocent civilians have lost their lives to radicals committed to Islamic fundamentalism- people who devote themselves to following Islamic scriptures and reverting society to a state of theocracy under Sharia Law. Fundamentalist groups include Al-Qaeda, Army of Islam, Boko Haram, Taliban, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, among many others

So, what exactly is wrong with the term “radical Islam?” After the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers, an attack orchestrated by Islamic radicals, the term has been coined as taboo. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, after terrorist attacks that killed a dozen people at Charlie Hebdo, declared that we “really shouldn’t use the term radical Islam.” My question for people like Mr. Earnest is this- How do we battle against radical Islam in our world today if our top officials fear offending people more than they do the threat of an Islamic Caliphate?  

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the horrific terror attack in Paris this weekend that left 129 dead and hundreds more injured. At least one American is among the 129 dead, officials said.

In 2006, a poll for the Sunday Telegraph found that 40 percent of British Muslims wanted Sharia Law in the United Kingdom, and that 20 percent backed the 7/7 London bombers. A poll in 2011 showed that 32 percent of Palestinians supported the brutal murder of five Israeli family members, including a three-month-old baby.

There are radicals and fundamentalists in EVERY religion. In no way, shape or form am I even hinting at all people of the Islamic faith being radical. Islam is a religion whose core is based off  peace and tolerance, and their scriptures advocate for just that. However, we DO have to face the fact that radical Islam is increasing exponentially with the growth of groups like ISIS.

Are we to put the ideal of being “politically correct,” ahead of all else- even if it means opening up a vulnerability to the enemy? Let’s all stop being so sensitive and focus on the real problem at hand- the volatile world that we live in.