What are the key reasons to study Islamic fundamentalist's motives?

Question

What is the importance of this topic and why is there such a controversy?

I am writing a paper and would like a different perspective than that of my own. I believe my essay will be stronger if I consider others ideas.

Answer 1

Try this one. a 2000 year old feud. What could possibly keep hate going that long? feud's like in Romeo and Juliet and a few other famous stories lasted generations and when it seemed like there was no end in sight, love conquers all.  A fairy tale.

Those dealt with family feud's.  This one is much much larger. A whole culture with no idea what started the hate, but they keep coming up with new excuses to hate.  I doubt if forbidden love will solve this one.

Answer 2

Unlike the above post, I will actually answer your question.  The above question was (I am guessing) hinting at the rivalry between the two prominent sects of Islam.  This division began with a discrepancy in the decision of the "Mahdi" or the chosen one.  This page helps with that understanding and does a much better job answering that particular question:

http://hnn.us/articles/934.html

To preface my answer:

I do not aim to put down any religion.  I am simply trying to explain the motives behind Islamic fundamentalism.  I will make any edit that is requested if my response is offensive to Muslims (or any other group).  Being that I am a non-Muslim, I cannot say what might be offensive and therefore am willing to concede that I may unintentionally offend.  I appologize in advance if that is the case.

The Islamic fundamentalists you ask of are practicioners of the original form of the faith and all of its doctrine.  This includes a strict adherence to the Sharia (Islamic Law).  This includes women being covered, women differing to men, women not being alone with men outside of their immediate family, contact between men and women before marriage is prohibited, alcohol is forbidden, et cetera.  The motives behind Islamic fundamentalism are much the same as any religion.  They believe that their religious dogma and practice is key to success in this life and the life beyond.  

We must have some level of understanding of these motives if we are to interact with people of another understanding of the world.  We MUST deal with Muslims, there is no if's, and's, or but's about it.  The question that stirs up controversy is whether we should be willing to engage in dialogue with individuals and groups that practice religions that oppress (as very strict Islam might do to women).  Similarly, the use by Islamic fundamentalists of "terror" tactics is controversial and engaging in dialogue with such individuals is hypothesized to be problematic to long term stability and the removal of terror tactics.  However, we must keep in mind that many groups engage in such terror tactics.  In a war, much of the effect is psychological.  The use of "terror" tactics as we have labeled them is not so different as large bombing campaigns used throughout modern history (look at the original use of the term shock-and-awe and you will see the germans used such a term [translated of course] to scare potential combatants).  

Another reason for the controversy and the need to study the motives behind Islamic fundamentalism is that we are currently engaged in armed conflicts with groups of people that are predominantly Muslim, many of which would be labeled as fundamentalists by the outside world.  We need to understand their motives in order to bring a lasting peace to the region and the world.  If we do not understand the motives behind one of the key aspects of their society, we will not be able to understand their demands, their actions, and their beliefs.  These are all critical to a peaceful coexistent that is rooted in mutual understanding, peace, and beneficial trade.  

I hope that sorta answers your question.  I know I bounced all over writing this, but I am not going to go back and edit (unless requested as  noted above).  This was merely me writing and it reflects a scattered thought process on the topic.