Wikipedia:Sandbox

72 virgins

See also: Islamophobia § tropes, Antisemitic trope, and 72 virgins (disambiguation)

"72 virgins" is a reference to the heavenly angels in Islamic depictions of heaven, specifically a fairly obscure Hadith describing them as dark-eyed virgin brides waiting for fallen soldiers in heaven. But despite being a very common Islamophobic trope, and prominent in Anti-Arab racism, the story of "72 virgins", sometimes identified as the Houris, does not actually appear in the Qu'ran, and it is mostly a myth about a myth. The most notable appearance of the "72 virgins" meme in the Israel–Palestine conflict was the "72 virgins – uncensored" Telegram channel operated by the IDF.

72 Virgins – Uncensored (Telegram channel)

Further information: Israeli public diplomacy in the Gaza war § 72 Virgins

72 Virgins – Uncensored – The most notable use of this trope was an Israeli militarily psychological warfare unit's covert Telegram channel named "72 Virgins – Uncensored". The channel shared graphic images and videos of Palestinians taken in Gaza. The Telegram channel was run by the Israeli military psychological warfare division starting on 9 October 2023, shared graphic images and videos of Palestinians taken in Gaza. The name is a reference to the Islamophobic trope of Muslim combatants being motivated primarily by rewards in the afterlife, including "72 virgins" in heaven. The channel originally presented itself as independent, but due to its privileged access to videos and images taken by soldiers, it was discovered to be run by the psychological warfare division of the IDF. The channel was shut down for operating against policy by targeting Israelis, with the unit's usual role being to target enemy and other international audiences. The Wire described the channel as "racist", for using language like, "Roaches to Be Exterminated".

Seventy-Two Virgins (Boris Johnson's novel)

Main article: Seventy-Two Virgins

Further information: Islamophobia in the United Kingdom, anti-Arab racism, and Antisemitism in the United Kingdom § Political parties

Seventy-Two Virgins was the title of a novel by UK Conservative Party politician Boris Johnson. Pink News described the novel as having ‘racist, misogynistic, homophobic’ references. Such as describing Arabs with “hook noses” and “slanty eyes”.

Disagreements in counterterrorism research

Further information: Palestinian suicide attacks § 72 virgins

Israeli academic Assaf Moghadam

According to and Assaf Moghadam, and some other Israeli academics such as Ami Pedahzur, Palestinians who are willing to die in attacks on Israelis are motivated by the promise of rewards in the afterlife, that are described in Islamic teachings and various hadiths. These rewards include forgiveness of sins, protection from hell, a crown of glory, marriage to seventy-two virgins (houris), and the ability to extend these privileges to seventy relatives. These promises create a strong incentive for individuals to undertake martyrdom, viewing it as a way to trade their limited earthly possessions for the luxurious rewards promised in paradise. Reports indicate that many are convinced of these rewards, which significantly influences their willingness to undertake martyrdom. Reportedly, there has been at least one case of a suicide bomber taking steps, like wrapping toilet paper around their genitals, to preserve their ability to enjoy these rewards. Assad might. Palestinian media has framed martyrdom in terms of marriage to virgins, further solidifying this expectation.

Disagreeing researchers

According to some researchers the story of the 72 virgins promised to suicide bombers in paradise is a myth with no basis in Islam, and it is an Islamophobic trope. The majority of Palestinian suicide bombers are educated and not driven by economic despair. Furthermore, Jihadi leaders themselves reject candidates who seek self-sacrifice for rewards like virgins, as these individuals are considered unfit for such missions. Instead, suicide bombers are typically selected for their ideological commitment, patience, and planning abilities. The 72 virgins trope is not relevant to Palestinian religious life, and instead has often been perpetuated by western media. Muslim scholars emphasize that it is not part of Islamic teachings.

Scott Atran, a cultural anthropologist researching terrorism, argued against the narrative that suicide bombers are primarily motivated by the belief in rewards such as 72 virgins. In his research and interviews with jihadi leaders, Atran asserts that he has never encountered a case where suicide bombers were driven by such beliefs, emphasizing that if anyone were to approach jihadi leaders seeking martyrdom for the promise of virgins, the door would immediately be “slammed in their face”.

Political scientist Robert Pape stated in a study of over 2,200 suicide attacks carried out over a 30-year period that 95% of these attacks had nothing to do with promises of 72 virgins or heavenly rewards. Instead, they were a response to foreign occupation; 90% of the attacks were anti-American and occurred in regions under U.S. occupation. The study also noted a dramatic decline in suicide bombings in Israel after the country withdrew from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Pape argued that suicide bombing is primarily driven by cultural divides, and the failure of other forms of resistance, with suicide bombing emerging as a last resort.