C L O S E R

This is London |Terror on the dole

Posted on July 8th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

This is London | London news

Until recently, nobody took the fanatical beliefs of al-Muhajiroun too seriously, believing that a British-based group so brazenly “out there” could not be involved in something as “underground” as terrorism. The group is led by the exiled Saudi, Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammad, from his base in north London. Yesterday, in a magazine article, Bakri warned that several radical groups are poised to strike in London.

For all its inflammatory rhetoric, al-Muhajiroun has never been linked to actual violence. Yet, with the discovery last month of half-a-tonne of ammonium nitrate fertiliser – the same explosive ingredient used in the Bali and Turkey terror attacks – and with the arrest of eight young British Muslims in London and the South-East, including six in Luton, extremist groups such as al-Muhajiroun are under the spotlight like never before.

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London Explosions

Posted on July 7th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism.

Several explosions this morning in London.

London rocked by terror attacks

Firefighters at Aldgate Tube station

TV coverage
At least two people have been killed and scores injured after three blasts on the Underground network and another on a double-decker bus in London.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was “reasonably clear” there had been a series of terrorist attacks.

He said it was “particularly barbaric” that it was timed to coincide with the G8 summit. He is returning to London.

An Islamist website has posted a statement – purportedly from al-Qaeda – claiming it was behind the attacks.

It is still not sure (when i’m writing) what exactly has happened and who is responsible. Therefore: view the BBC-pages for recent updates:

London Rocked by Terror Attacks

Reporters’ Log: London explosions

In Pictures: London blasts

Muslim leaders join condemnation

Also updates on The Muslim News

UPDATE (IN DUTCH):
Er zou een verklaring zijn van een groep die de aanslag namens Al Qaeda opeist. Dit is de tekst van die verklaring (al-Qala’a website):

In de naam van God mag het genadige, het medelevende, vrede is op de vrolijke en de onbevreesde vechter, Profeet Muhammad, is de vrede van God op hem. O natie van Islam en natie van Arabism: Verheug u voor het is tijd om wraak van de Britse zionist gedrevene Actievoerder Regering in vergelding voor de bloedbaden Groot-brittannië te nemen vertrouwt in Irak en Afghanistan toe. De heroische Mujahidin heeft een gezegende overval in Londen uitgevoerd. Groot-brittannië verbrandt nu met angst, terreur en panikeer in zijn noordelijke zuidelijke oostelijke en westelijke kwartalen. Wij hebben herhaaldelijk het Britse regerings en mensen gewaarschuwd. Wij hebben onze belofte volbracht en voerden onze gezegende militaire overval in Groot-brittannië uit nadat onze Mujahidin energieke inspanning over een lange tijdsperiode aanwendde om het succes van de overval te verzekeren. Wij verdergaan met waarschuwen de regeringen van Denemarken en Italië en alle gedrevene Actievoerder regeringen dat zij in de zelfde weg zullen gestraft worden indien zij hun troepen van Irak en Afghanistan niet terugtrekken. Hij die waarschuwt, is verontschuldigd”.

Bron: Deelnemer Marokko.nl

Het is op dit moment niet duidelijk wat precies de status van deze verklaring is. Het verklaart wel, waarom de reacties richting Al Qaeda gaan vandaar dat ik hem plaats. Op dit moment lijken de reacties op verschillende fora vooral richting afgrijzen gaan bijvoorbeeld in reactie op bovenstaande ‘verklaring:

Dit is bezoedeling van de naam van Allah (swt), deze aanslag tegen onschuldige burgers is volledig in strijd met alles waar de Islam voor staat.

Hier past vanuit de gelovigen maar 1 antwoord op: afgrijzen en afstand nemen.

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Protected: Het Parool – Doodstraf terroristen in Marokko

Posted on July 6th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Morocco.

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TIME.com Inside the Mind of an Iraqi Suicide Bomber

Posted on June 29th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism.

In
TIME.com: Inside the Mind of an Iraqi Suicide Bomber

One day soon, this somber young man plans to offer up a final prayer and then blow himself up along with as many U.S. or Iraqi soldiers as he can reach. Marwan Abu Ubeida says he has been training for months to carry out a suicide mission. He doesn’t know when or where he will be ordered to climb into a bomb-laden vehicle or strap on an explosives-filled vest but says he is eager for the moment to come. While he waits, he spends much of his time rehearsing that last prayer. “First I will ask Allah to bless my mission with a high rate of casualties among the Americans,” he says, speaking softly in a matter-of-fact monotone, as if dictating a shopping list. “Then I will ask him to purify my soul so I am fit to see him, and I will ask to see my mujahedin brothers who are already with him.” He pauses to run the list through his mind again, then resumes: “The most important thing is that he should let me kill many Americans.”

During a three-hour interview, he talked freely of his motivations but did not divulge any specifics about a prospective strike. He seemed articulate and candid, though he insisted on being photographed wearing a mask over his face to conceal his identity and chose a pseudonym, using the common Iraqi name Marwan and a historical one, that of Abu Ubeida al-Jarrah, a 7th century general who conquered Syria for Islam. The sincerity of his desire to make himself a “martyr” was attested to by several figures– a member of his organization, al-Qaeda in Iraq; a Baghdad-area commander of an insurgent unit that provides logistical support for al-Qaeda bombers; and a Sunni imam who is sometimes brought in to counsel bombers during their premission spiritual “purification”–whom TIME consulted through Iraqis with contacts inside the insurgency. His account provides a rare glimpse into the mind-set and preparation of one aspiring suicide bomber.

Marwan’s journey toward suicide murderer began just a few weeks after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Before the war, he had been one of Fallujah’s privileged young men: his father’s successful business earned enough–even during the difficult years when the West imposed economic sanctions on Iraq–to provide a good life for Marwan and his six brothers and four sisters. In high school, he was an average student but excelled in Koranic studies at the local mosque.

Unlike many other Sunnis in Fallujah, Marwan had little love for Saddam’s Sunni-led regime. Yet once the dictator fell, he turned against the Americans. “We expected them to bring Saddam down and then leave,” he says. “But they stayed and stayed.” Insurgents approached disaffected Fallujis like Marwan and urged them to join the resistance against the Americans. Many signed up, including one of Marwan’s older brothers.

Like other Iraqis who have joined extremist religious groups during the insurgency, Marwan severed connections with his family when he joined up. He says he will call them once before his suicide mission to say goodbye. Even though one of his brothers fights for another insurgent group and other siblings help the rebels with money and shelter, he says they all believe he has gone too far. “My family are not happy with my choice,” he says. “But they know they can’t change my path.”

Besides the Koran, he says, “I read about the history of jihad, about great martyrs who have gone before me. These things strengthen my will.” One popular source of inspiration for suicide bombers is The Lover of Angels, by Abdullah Azzam, one of Osama bin Laden’s spiritual mentors, which tells stories of jihadis who died fighting Soviet occupying troops in Afghanistan. And Marwan is listening to taped speeches that address subjects like the rewards that await warriors in heaven. In recent months, jihadist groups have also begun showing recruits lurid videos of successful suicide hits. A U.S. official in Baghdad who studies suicide terrorism says some volunteers even visit the sites of previous bombings for inspiration.

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In the Aftermath of the Van Gogh Assassination: The Future of Islam in the Netherlands

Posted on June 17th, 2005 by .
Categories: Important Publications, International Terrorism, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues, Religious and Political Radicalization, Young Muslims.

On ICT – Terrorism & Counter-Terrorism an article of one of my VU co-workers Jeffrey Schwerzel. He cultural anthropologist at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. He is currently working on his PhD thesis.

The assassination of filmmaker Theo van Gogh rocked Dutch society and politics. In the aftermath of the murder, the government has set about a process of fundamentally changing its policies towards Islam, Muslims, and integration. These issues have become issues of national security. Vice Prime Minister Zalm stated that �We will wage war against extremism.�[1] The impact of the new policies will be immense. Other countries in Europe are closely watching the Netherlands, and will likely follow suit with similar policy changes.

The preoccupation with security may skew the resulting policies in ways that may further antagonize groups in Dutch society. For example, the new legislation proposed will only be applied to Muslim extremists and this will confirm to some Muslims that these policies are targeted against them as a group. The processes the government has set in motion are not as predictable as the government may wish; integration can be stimulated but not enforced. The combined effect of the government�s policies may thus serve to speed up the rapid and unpredictable social changes in Dutch society, rather than calm tensions down. Further upheaval awaits us.

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Protected: de Volkskrant – Ronselen voor jihad gaat door in de cel

Posted on June 11th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues, Religious and Political Radicalization.

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Protected: NRC Handelsblad – Binnenland: Kabinet wil haatzaaiende zenders weren

Posted on June 11th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues, Young Muslims.

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spiked-politics | Article | Guantanamo: truth goes down the toilet

Posted on June 10th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Some personal considerations.

Spiked has an article on the recent ‘Guantanamo-events’ by Brendan O’Neill: Guantanamo: truth goes down the toilet
It puts things in perspective, which seems necessary:

Camp X-Ray is a disgrace – but so are unsubstantiated reports of Koran-abuse and other horror stories.

(more…)

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spiked-politics | Article | Guantanamo: truth goes down the toilet

Posted on June 10th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Some personal considerations.

Spiked has an article on the recent ‘Guantanamo-events’ by Brendan O’Neill: Guantanamo: truth goes down the toilet
It puts things in perspective, which seems necessary:

Camp X-Ray is a disgrace – but so are unsubstantiated reports of Koran-abuse and other horror stories.

(more…)

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Dutch police arrest Iraqi men on terrorism charges

Posted on June 9th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism.

Expatica – Dutch police arrest Iraqi men on terrorism charges

AMSTERDAM � Dutch police have arrested two men of Iraqi ancestry on allegations they are members of a terrorist network, one of whom was allegedly involved in aiding the Iraqi resistance against US troops.

A 32-year-old man with a Dutch passport and who has lived in the Netherlands for 10 years was arrested at the start of May in Amersfoort. He is accused of preparing attacks against US military vehicles in the Iraqi city of Falluja.

A spokesman for the national prosecution office (OM) said on Wednesday the other man is a 35-year-old Iraqi immigrant from Amersfoort.

He said a video was found in the Amersfoort home of the Dutch national showing preparations for attacks against US military vehicles in Iraq. The footage dates back to October 2003 and the Dutch suspect can be seen on the video.

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Middle East Online: Radical Islamists use Internet to spread jihad

Posted on June 3rd, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

Radical Islamists use Internet to spread jihad

Experts reckon there are 4,000 radical Islamist websites run by talented people, changing servers every day.

While he calls for a return to the Islam founded in the seventh-century, his communication methods are up-to-the-minute. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of al-Qaeda in Iraq, turns to the Internet to spread his message of jihad, or holy war.

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'Misbruik' van internet

Posted on May 24th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Multiculti Issues, Religious and Political Radicalization.

In de Tweede Kamer morgen een Publieksbijeenkomst over misbruik van Internet onder leiding van Francisco van Jole

Deelonderwerpen van dit thema zijn: het voorbereiden van terroristische activiteiten, het verspreiden van kinderporno, hacking, islamitisch-extremisme, etc. Deskundigen uit diverse betrokken sectoren gaan tijdens deze bijeenkomst met elkaar en met Kamerleden in debat over aard en omvang van dit probleem.

De bijeenkomst wordt georganiseerd door de themacommissie Technologiebeleid. Deze heeft als taak (mogelijke) toekomstige politieke, economische en ethische vragen die gerelateerd zijn aan technologische ontwikkelingen in samenhang te inventariseren en te behandelen.

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‘Misbruik’ van internet

Posted on May 24th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Multiculti Issues, Religious and Political Radicalization.

In de Tweede Kamer morgen een Publieksbijeenkomst over misbruik van Internet onder leiding van Francisco van Jole

Deelonderwerpen van dit thema zijn: het voorbereiden van terroristische activiteiten, het verspreiden van kinderporno, hacking, islamitisch-extremisme, etc. Deskundigen uit diverse betrokken sectoren gaan tijdens deze bijeenkomst met elkaar en met Kamerleden in debat over aard en omvang van dit probleem.

De bijeenkomst wordt georganiseerd door de themacommissie Technologiebeleid. Deze heeft als taak (mogelijke) toekomstige politieke, economische en ethische vragen die gerelateerd zijn aan technologische ontwikkelingen in samenhang te inventariseren en te behandelen.

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The 'Virtual Hand' of Jihad

Posted on May 21st, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

In the Jamestown.org Terrorism Monitor an article on The ‘Virtual Hand’ of Jihad

The presidential commission on WMDs and the 9/11 commission have condemned the status quo mentality of the intelligence community, which they see as being preoccupied with today’s “current operations” and tactical requirements, and inattentive to tomorrow’s far-ranging problems and strategic solutions. Both commissions call for steps to improve analysis and encourage diversity, including routine critiques of finished intelligence and alternative assessments by outside experts. But the overriding emphasis in both commissions’ reports is on further vertically integrating intelligence collection, analysis, and operations. Such proposals to centralize intelligence and unify command and control are not promising given recent transformations in Jihadist networks in the wake of al-Qaeda’s operational demise.

[…]

But radicalization usually requires outside input from, and interaction with, the larger Jihadist community. Radicalization is proceeding apace with exponential growth in internet connections (in the last five years active Jihadist websites has increased from 14 to over 4000). Personal bonds formed without physical contact on the internet appear to generate solid reputations for trustworthiness [6] and all the deep commitment that physical intimacy does, but often faster and over a wider set of personal relations.

It is written by Scott Atran, director of research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, and Professor of anthropology and psychology at the University of Michigan.
(more…)

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The ‘Virtual Hand’ of Jihad

Posted on May 21st, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

In the Jamestown.org Terrorism Monitor an article on The ‘Virtual Hand’ of Jihad

The presidential commission on WMDs and the 9/11 commission have condemned the status quo mentality of the intelligence community, which they see as being preoccupied with today’s “current operations” and tactical requirements, and inattentive to tomorrow’s far-ranging problems and strategic solutions. Both commissions call for steps to improve analysis and encourage diversity, including routine critiques of finished intelligence and alternative assessments by outside experts. But the overriding emphasis in both commissions’ reports is on further vertically integrating intelligence collection, analysis, and operations. Such proposals to centralize intelligence and unify command and control are not promising given recent transformations in Jihadist networks in the wake of al-Qaeda’s operational demise.

[…]

But radicalization usually requires outside input from, and interaction with, the larger Jihadist community. Radicalization is proceeding apace with exponential growth in internet connections (in the last five years active Jihadist websites has increased from 14 to over 4000). Personal bonds formed without physical contact on the internet appear to generate solid reputations for trustworthiness [6] and all the deep commitment that physical intimacy does, but often faster and over a wider set of personal relations.

It is written by Scott Atran, director of research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, and Professor of anthropology and psychology at the University of Michigan.
(more…)

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The Islamist Movement in Morocco

Posted on May 21st, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Morocco, Religious and Political Radicalization.

In the Terrorism monitor of Jamestown.org an article on The Islamist Movement in Morocco

Prior to the Casablanca attacks of May 2003, Morocco appeared to be relatively immune to the type of home grown Islamic militancy experienced by other North African countries. The Moroccan monarchy, which claims direct descent from the prophet, appeared to have successfully contained its political Islamists, either by co-opting them into the system or by limiting their space for manoeuvre. Traditionally Moroccans had prided themselves on being part of the moderate Maliki school of Islam embodied in the figure of the King as “Commander of the Faithful”. However, the Casablanca attacks, as well as those in Madrid in March 2004, were to shatter this image and to uncover a complex and diverse array of militant Islamist groups and ideologies that had been operating in the Kingdom for at least the past two decades.

[…]

It seems that all of these groups have no overarching formal structure as such. Instead these militant cells are made up from small numbers of individuals who have grouped around the teachings of a particular Sheikh and who may or may not have links and contacts with those in other cells both inside the country and abroad. Whether the Moroccan regime has succeeded in its recent campaign to eliminate these radical Islamist trends has yet to be seen. However, the underlying problems that gave rise to militancy in the first place continue to fester. This is something that the Moroccan authorities will not be able to blame on outside forces.

It is written by Alison Pargeter, a Research Fellow at the International Policy Institue, Kings College London.
(more…)

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Religion not a cause of violence: scholar -DAWN – National; 29 April 2005

Posted on May 4th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Misc. News, Religious and Political Radicalization.

Religion not a cause of violence: scholar -DAWN – National; 29 April 2005

Prof John Esposito has received Pakistan�s highest civil award, Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam, on Tuesday. He used the award ceremony at the Pakistan Embassy for pointing out how the two worlds viewed each other with suspicion and fear.

A report on DAWN: (more…)

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Middle East Online: Saudi Al-Qaeda branch makes Internet comeback

Posted on May 4th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

Middle East Online
Saudi Al-Qaeda branch makes Internet comeback

Sawt Al-Jihad online magazine publishes editorial of Otaibi who denies Saudi authorities have eliminated jihad. DUBAI – Al-Qaeda’s Saudi branch posted its Sawt Al-Jihad online magazine Wednesday after a hiatus of several months, dedicating it to clashes earlier this month between militants and security men in the kingdom.

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Samir A.

Posted on April 6th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Murder on theo Van Gogh and related issues, Religious and Political Radicalization, Young Muslims.

Samir A. gaat vrijuit in de aanklacht voorbereiden van terroristische aanslagen wegens gebrek aan bewijs:

(Novum) – Samir A. is vrijgesproken voor het voorbereiden van terroristische aanslagen. Dat heeft de rechtbank van Rotterdam woensdag bepaald.

De 18-jarige terreurverdachte kreeg wel drie maanden voor verboden wapenbezit, maar die straf heeft hij in voorarrest al uitgezeten. Samir A. werd vrijgesproken voor het plegen van een overval op een supermarkt en het voorbereiden van een terroristische aanslag.

Volgens de rechtbank waren de voorwerpen die bij Samir A. thuis werden gevonden los van elkaar niet gevaarlijk, maar kan de combinatie wel gevaarlijk zijn. Bij hem thuis in Rotterdam werden patroonhouders, een geluiddemper, munitie, een kogelvrij vest en een nachtkijker gevonden. Maar het kan volgens de rechtbank niet bewezen worden dat A. hiermee aanslagen wilde plegen. Wel stelt de rechtbank dat A. – op basis van de informatie die op diskettes van hem zijn gevonden – een bovengemiddelde interesse heeft voor ‘religieus extremistsche geweld’.

De rechtbank gaf aan dat evenmin bewezen is dat A. betrokken was bij een overval op een supermarkt vorig jaar. Wel is duidelijk dat hij een rolluik heeft opengedaan op de dag van de overval. Ook is bekend dat hij een van de overvallers kende.

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Fatwa against Bin Laden

Posted on March 11th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism, Misc. News.

One year ago Spain was shocked by the attacks on trains in which many innocent people were killed. Today is an official day of mourning and Spanish Muslim leaders have announced they would issue a fatwa against al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. I haven’t seen it myself but some excerpts from the message can be found here:

The fatwa said that, according to the Koran, “the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his organisation al-Qaeda… are totally banned and must be roundly condemned as part of Islam�.

And indeed, a fatwa is not a death sentence or a call to kill some one. It is a religious advice and not all of them have the same status.

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ABC News: Koranic duels ease terror

Posted on February 15th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism.

ABC News: Koranic duels ease terror

SANAA, YEMEN When Judge Hamoud al-Hitar announced that he and four other Islamic scholars would challenge Yemen’s Al Qaeda prisoners to a theological contest, Western antiterrorism experts warned that this high-stakes gamble would end in disaster.

Seated amid stacks of Korans and religious texts, Hitar explains that his system is simple. He invites militants to use the Koran to justify attacks on innocent civilians and when they cannot, he shows them numerous passages commanding Muslims not to attack civilians, to respect other religions, and fight only in self-defense.

For example, he quotes: “Whoever kills a soul, unless for a soul, or for corruption done in the land – it is as if he had slain all mankind entirely. And, whoever saves one, it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” He uses the passage to bolster his argument against bombing Western targets in Yemen – attacks he says defy the Koran. And, he says, the Koran says under no circumstances should women and children be killed.

“Before the dialogues began, there was only one way to fight terrorism, and that was through force,” he says. “Now there is another way: dialogue.”

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A possible end to Egypt’s Islamic jihad

Posted on February 15th, 2005 by .
Categories: International Terrorism.

A possible end to Egypt’s Islamic jihad

A possible end to Egypt�s Islamic jihad

The decline of the militant Islamic movement in Egypt has ironically boosted the strength of the broader international movement coalescing around Osama Bin Laden.

By Khalil Gebara for The Jamestown Foundation (14/02/05)

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A possible end to Egypt's Islamic jihad

Posted on February 15th, 2005 by martijn.
Categories: International Terrorism.

A possible end to Egypt’s Islamic jihad

A possible end to Egypt�s Islamic jihad

The decline of the militant Islamic movement in Egypt has ironically boosted the strength of the broader international movement coalescing around Osama Bin Laden.

By Khalil Gebara for The Jamestown Foundation (14/02/05)

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De lokroep van terreur: Zembla over radicale moslimjongeren

Posted on February 10th, 2005 by .
Categories: Internal Debates, International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization, Young Muslims.

VARA/NPS: Zembla zendt vanavond een documentaire uit over radicale moslimjongeren: De lokroep van de terreur.

Jonge moslims gaan op zoek naar een islam die hun frustraties en woede weerspiegelt. Dat maakt hen tot een gemakkelijke prooi voor rondreizende leermeesters van de Takfir wal Hijra, een stroming binnen de islam die geweld predikt tegen iedereen die anders denkt dan zijzelf.

Of het nou helemaal over die organisatie gaat of ook over de ideologie dat weet ikniet (denk het wel). Imam Fawaz (den haag) en imam Salam (tilburg) komen aan bod evenals Sybrand Niessen van de AIVD en prof. Rik Coolsaet.

De rol van internet zal ook besproken met onder andere Albert Benschop.

Verder verwacht ik (gezien de hoeveelheid opnamen) dat enkele jongeren uit Gouda en ondergetekende ook nog wel voorbij zullen flitsen.

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Islamic tradition and the Web

Posted on February 8th, 2005 by .
Categories: Internal Debates, International Terrorism, Religious and Political Radicalization.

The Saudis are using a combination of traditional Muslim processes and modern technology to combat Islamist terrorism. One of the strategies the spread of reformed Islamist militant sympathisers through the internet. Read: Saudis ‘reform militants’ on web. This strategie is combined with ‘re-opening the gates of Ijtihad’ more traditional Islamic processes of hermeneutics, to help moderate Muslims combat terrorism. ‘Ijtihad’ allows for expanded dialogue and changes within Islam. The use of ‘ijtihad’ was stopped in Sunni Islam centuries ago. However, there is a growing movement among academics to revive ‘ijtihad’ or, “re-open its gates.” Read:
Analysis: Islamic tradition and the Web – (United Press International)

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