Extremist iconoclasm versus real Islamic values: implications for heritage-based tourism development in Iraq

Human civilization has a long cultural history with relics and places telling important stories about life before the advent of modern technology. Ancient artifacts are important contemporary manifestations of enduring human legacies, which humankind values and desires to protect for their historical worth and scientific value. Recently, extremist sects have emerged, destroying countries' tangible heritage under the false guise of purifying the historic landscapes from paganism and atheism. These Islamic sects (e.g. ISIS/Daesh) use Islamic writ to justify their abhorrent behavior, even though their words and actions are incongruous with true Islam. As a result, Islamophobia has increased throughout the world, accompanied by many travel warnings, efforts to discredit Islam, and failed tourism development plans. These disavowed groups have disenfranchized and killed thousands of people, in addition to violating the rights of future generations by destroying and pillaging the archaeological record, including the Assyrian civilization in Iraq. This paper distinguishes between true Islam and the distorted version espoused and propagandized by ISIS.