Contrary to popular belief, the term "jihad", does not translate as "holy war". Some radicals would like to believe that they have some sort of divine sanction from God to murder innocents, and most westerners tend to agree with them.
But the truth is far from it, jihad translates as " (to) struggle". I'll give you an excerpt from an article about it, and i'll post the link to it for anyone who's interested in getting rid of some misconceptions.
"And (2) Sura II: Baqara -"The Heifer" (verse 190): "Fight in the cause of God against those who attack you . But be careful to maintain the limit , since God does not love transgressors. "By "limit" is meant that the force used must be limited to that which is the minimum adequate to restrain the evildoers who attack. The force used must never exceed that limit in order to exact revenge or impose an imperialistic conquest."
http://home.swipnet.se/islam/articles/jehad.htm
Another excerpt from a different source...
" Enemies of Islam would not dare to attack our Jewish faith though all the features of Islam they profess to dislike can be found in Judaism. This goes beyond sexual matters. Jihad is but an Arab translation of the Jewish concept of Milhemet Mitzva, the Commanded (or Preordained) War. These concepts differ in this: in jihad, one is not allowed to kill civilians, but in milhemet mitzvah, one is commanded to do so. Look up your Pentateuch and you will find it there, without an effort. The Messenger, peace be upon him, softened this Message. "
http://www.israelshamir.net/english/maidens.htm
