Unleashing the Beast

104 / U NLEASHING THE B EAST

T HE 72 V IRGINS I have interviewed Muslims in Israel about why some strap on explosives and become a human bomb. From these interviews I've detected three major keys that motivate a handsome young Muslim to offer himself as a martyr on the altar of Allah. 1. Death is better than their present living conditions. Most young suicide bombers live in refugee camps. Living conditions are terrible, and there is little hope for joy in this life. Instead of blaming the rich oil states for not assisting them financially, they put the blame on Israel, which then becomes the target. At the time of this writing, Saddam Hussein is contributing $10,000 in cash to the parents of any child who serves as a human bomb. In the Gaza paper, the family will often thank Saddam directly for his financial gift for the family. 2. Guarantee of heaven for their families. When a young man blows himself up, the mother will often go on television, hail her son as a hero and praise Allah for the great honor of allowing him to die a martyr for the cause of Islam. This puzzles those in the West, especially mothers who cannot imagine a son dying in such a manner. In the mind of the Islamic fanatic, however, he has guaranteed his entire family, as well as himself, entrance into Paradise. There he will be hosted by Islamic leaders, including the prophet Mohammed himself. Recent evidence indicates the families of the bombers are well provided for, with a guarantee of $5,000 to $25,000 for the sacrifice of their child as a martyr.