People often look at me funny when I tell them my name is Jihad. In reality, it does not have a negative meaning at all.
Traditionally used, it is a noun that means “struggle”, and is often used to denote the fact that we should struggle to improve one’s self and follow the path of god. It really guides towards self-improvement and is referenced often in the Quran, the Islamic holy book. Read more about it on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jihad
Just as Hitler took the swastika symbol, a very holy, ancient lucky symbol in Hinduism and used it for his purposes causing the swastika to be stigmatized in the west, the actions of a few have created stigma around the word Jihad.
I am proud of my name and its true meaning!
Jihad Salkini
