Al-Qaeda vs the IRA
Al-Qaeda and the Irish Republic Army or commonly called IRA are both militant organisations. Almost all the terrorist groups have many similarities and they are against the establishments. Though Al Qaeda and the Irish Republic Army have many similarities, they differ in many ways.
Al Qaeda is militant organisation that funds and orchestrates the activities of Islamic militants the world over. Al qaeda was born out of Afghan war and it consisted of Afghan war heroes. Osama bin laden is credited with the formation of Al Qaeda and it was formed around 1988.
On the other hand, Irish Republic Army or IRA is the most active militant group in Northern Ireland. The IRA descended from Irish Volunteers, an organisation that staged the Easter Rising in 1916.
While the IRA raised funds through extortion and robbery, Al qaeda traded in drugs.
The main goal of Al qaeda is to establish a Muslim world with imposing the rule of Sharia. They are anti-western and consider America as their prime enemy. On the other hand, IRA’s aim is to create an Irish republic. It also aims to weaken the British government’s commitment to administer Northern Ireland.
While Al qaeda’s activities are spread throughout the world, The IRA activities are restricted only to Ireland.
Al Qaeda is based on religion and the militants are very much obsessed with Quran. On the other hand, the Irish Republican Army are no religious. While the IRA has a clear agenda for freeing Ireland from British rules, the Al Qaeda does not have any fixed agenda.
Summary:
1. Al Qaeda is militant organisation that funds and orchestrates the activities of Islamic militants the world over. The Irish Republic Army or IRA is the most active militant group in Northern Ireland.
2. Al qaeda was born out of Afghan war. Osama bin laden is credited with the formation of Al Qaeda and it was formed around 1988. The IRA descended from Irish Volunteers, an organisation that staged the Easter Rising in 1916.
3. Al qaeda’s goal is to establish a Muslim world with imposing the rule of Sharia. They are anti-western and consider America as their prime enemy. On the other hand, IRA’s aim is to create an Irish republic. It also aims to weaken the British government’s commitment to administer Northern Ireland.