[TexKat]

In 1996 was the word Jihad very popular?

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Usage in context of a "Holy War" is fairly common since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, more common after WTC-93. Historically it's as old as dirt, but the usage or (misusage I should say) in reference to "Holy War" began in 1979 with the radicals in Iran. Prior to that the meaning was "effort" or "effort to exhaustion(death)", usually in connection with Godly or Islamic pursuits.