Special Dispatch Series - No. 1307
October 5, 2006 No.1307
The Islamist Websites Monitor No. 1

The Islamist Websites Monitor, which focuses on the major jihadi websites, is a new initiative of MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Studies Project. It will be regularly releasing translated news, analysis, and videos from these websites. The URLs of the sites will be available upon request.

The following is the first release of the Islamist Website Monitoring Initiative:

The Dean of the Shari'a Academy of America Dr. Al-Sayed Al-Seely [1] Praises Those Who Carried Out the September 11 Attack

On October 4, 2006, an Islamic website published an interview with the dean of the Shari'a Academy of America in which the latter avoids condemning the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, instead, depicts those who carried out the attacks as "brave geniuses" and suggests that they should be esteemed. According to him the attackers were not terrorists, but rather people who, by their actions, "took revenge or claimed [their] right." America should not expect people which it provoked to sit idle and not respond furiously to its provocation, he claims, adding that "What transpired in America stems, most importantly, from America's support to the Jews…a fact that infuriated many [Muslims]."



Iran Supports Muqtada Al-Sadr in Iraq: Visual Evidence
On September 28, 2006, a group identifying itself as Jama'at Ansar Al-Sunna announced, via Islamic websites, that it had obtained evidence proving that Iran was supporting Muqtada Al-Sadr's army in Iraq. According to the group, a few days prior to September 28, mujahideen from Ansar Al-Sunna had come to the rescue of the Sunni residents of Khan Bani Sa'd, a small village east of Baghdad, who were attacked by Al-Sadr's army Jaysh Al-Mahdi. When the latter retreated they left behind electronic devices and weaponry bearing the official emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which, according to the source, "constitute proof of Iran's direct support of the Shi'ites in Iraq." The message contains photos of the devices (below), clearly showing the official emblem of Iran.














Outside Assistance to Muqtada Al-Sadr
On September 23, 2006, an organization identifying itself as The Lions of God's Unity (tawhid) announced, via Islamic websites, that its members had intercepted in Iraq several Shi'ites of Indian and Pakistani origin on their way to Syria. Upon interrogating them, the organization's members learned that the travelers had been sent on a special mission to the forces of Muqtada Al-Sadr and were now on their way home via Syria. The announcement ends with the following warning: "He who wishes to enter Iraq to cooperate either with the American forces or with the Iraqi government should know that the mujahideen hold observation posts and will sentence him to death…"





[1] According to the Academy's website, its Dean is Dr. Al-Sayed Al-Seely, http://www.shariaacademy.com/spage.php?id=pHE.

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http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD130906


Special Dispatch Series - No. 1309
October 6, 2006 No.1309
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 2: Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir: American Military Bases are an Ideal Environment for Trying Out Biological and Dirty Bombs
On September 28, 2006, Islamist websites posted an audio recording by commander of Al-Qaeda in Iraq Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir, which included a number of messages. Addressing the Muslim 'ulama, Abu Hamza called on them to join the jihad, and to follow the example of the blind Sheikh 'Ali 'Abd Al-Rahman, who is currently imprisoned in the U.S. Abu Hamza also urged the jihad fighters to make a special effort to capture Westerners in order to exchange them for the imprisoned sheikh. Next, he congratulated the tribal chiefs who supported the cause of jihad in Iraq, and invited those who had sided with the Americans to publicly declare their repentance and join the forces of jihad. His final call was to scientists and experts in various technological fields, whom he invited to try out their biological weapons and dirty bombs on American military bases.

The following are excerpts from the recording:
Jihad Fighters in Iraq Must "Make Special Efforts..." to Capture "Some Byzantine [i.e. Christian] Dogs Whom We Can [Use] To Release [Sheikh Abd Al-Rahman]"


"...On the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of jihad and martyrdom, I pray to Allah that [this Ramadan] shall be a month of glory, power and victory for all Muslims.


"My first message is to Allah's elect [i.e. to the Muslim 'ulama], whom Allah has set as an example and model for all Muslims in [matters of] religion. Honorable 'ulama,... today we face questions of life and death, of properties and of [women's] honor, which [are so grave that], had the Four Imams [1] come together to pass judgment on them, they would have stood perplexed - and we are obliged to issue fatwas about them.


"Oh, honorable 'ulama,... we are winning. I hope [that our victory] is near, [and will even] occur during the lifetimes of many of you. We shall never abandon you,... for you are a source of illumination and guidance. If one of you strays due to lust or error, we will refrain from criticizing him and preserve his honor... Honorable 'ulama, we are not rebels [attacking the Islamic community]. We are not people of [dubious] innovation, nor do we call for [such innovation]. Rather, we are men who have witnessed the [rapid decline] of religion, [which has] dragged the Islamic nation into the depths of ignorance, and we have therefore built a barrier out of our own bones and skulls to protect your religion and your honor. And now this barrier has risen high and become strong enough to withstand the wave of heresy...


"We have shed much blood in Iraq: [We have lost] more than 4,000 volunteers from outside [the country], and a much greater number from among the supporters [of Islam within Iraq]. [2] Distinguished 'ulama,... [we hope you will join the ranks of jihad]. I cannot refrain from reminding you of the blind religious scholar and jihad fighter 'Umar 'Abd Al-Rahman, who is incarcerated in an American jail and is being subjected to the worst kinds of torture and to physical and psychological harm... To our teacher ['Umar 'Abd Al-Rahman], I say: Do not grieve, for Allah brings relief after hardship... Your loyal children remain as you left them. They haven't changed, and, if anything, have only become more aware of the true nature of the forces of disbelief...
"I call upon every free jihad-fighter in Iraq to make special efforts during this holy month of Ramadan. Perhaps Allah will grant us [the privilege of] capturing some Byzantine [i.e. Christian] dogs, whom we can [use] to release our teacher from the darkness of prison, out of our recognition, loyalty and love [for him]."



We Pardon Those Who Sided With the Americans, Providing That They Declare Their Repentance and Join the Forces of Jihad
"My second message is addressed to those who have made great sacrifices... to the heads of the tribes who supported us openly and secretly, and provided us with money and men. I say to them: may Allah reward you... The day will come when we shall carry you on our shoulders...


"But as for those who sided with the occupier and with his traitorous allies, and became his eyes and ears - they have betrayed their religion, honor and country, believing that they would derive some material benefit or [improve their] social status. They are now huddling together in fear inside their military camps, or are fleeing from the country. [They are] leaving their homes, their property and their families behind, pursued by Allah's curse and by the wrath of the people. To them, I say in this holy month of forgiveness and pardon: we are now declaring a general amnesty, and pardoning them for all the lives [of our men] that they have taken with their own hands or through their treachery. We once again invite them [back into the fold]. Come back! Come back to your religion and your homeland... You will not be harmed in any way, providing that - before you are defeated - you declare your sincere repentance publicly before your tribe and your families, and [providing that] you inform us [of your repentance] so that there will be no mistake. Join forces with your brethren and sons who are waging jihad... The period of pardon will end at the close of this holy month..."



We Have Urgent Need of Experts in Advanced Technologies, Particularly Nuclear Scientists


"My final message is [addressed] to those who have special skills and qualifications amongst the experts in [the fields of] chemistry, physics, management, electronics, communications and all the advanced specialties, particularly nuclear scientists and [experts] on explosives. I say [to them]: we have urgent need of you. The front of jihad will suit your aspirations. The American military bases, with their large areas, are an ideal environment for trying out your non-conventional bombs: the biological [bombs] and the so-called 'dirty' bombs..."



[1] The founders of the four legal schools of Sunni Islam.


[2] Abu Hamza uses the term muhajirun ('immigrants') for fighters who came to Iraq from other countries, and the term ansar ('helpers') for Iraqis involved in the fighting. By this he evokes the two groups within the early Muslim community of the Prophet's time: the fighters who emigrated from Mecca to Medina with Muhammad and the people of Medina who joined Muhammad's camp.

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http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD131006

 No.1310
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 3
Mullah Omar Names a New Majlis Shura
On October 5, 2006, an Islamic website posted a new message by Mullah Omar. According to the website, the message was delivered in a public address in Kandahar. In the address, Mullah Omar warned that "the Afghani nation will never accept foreign rule… and that Afghanistan will be rendered a graveyard for [the Americans and Europeans]." Mullah Omar also announced the establishment of a new Shura Council (majlis al-shura) and named its new members: Haji Lale, Gul Agha Khan, Mullah Barodar, Mawlawi Akhtar Muhammad, Mawlawi Abd El-Kebir, Mawlawi Aminullah Amin, Mullah Muhammad Hasan Rahmani, Haji Muhammad Sadeq, Mawlawi Muhammad Ibrahim Aref Sadr, Seif Al-Rahman Mansur, Al-Qayed Al-Mullah Dhadallah, and Al-Mullah Ahmad Jan. He also said that the advisors to the new Shura Council were appointed: Mullah Jalil, Mullah Abd Al-Razeq, and Mawlawi Abd Al-Ali.

Sunni Al-Bubaz Tribe Joins Shura Council of Jihad Fighters in Iraq
On October 5, 2006, an Islamist website reported that the Al-Bubaz tribe, which is Sunni, had announced the establishment of its own Shura Council, which included tribe members from Diyala, Samarra, and Baghdad. The new council announced a reconciliation between the tribe and the Shura Council of the Jihad Fighters in Iraq - which includes eight organizations and is headed by Al-Qaeda - and declared allegiance to the mujahideen, with all their factions, saying it would permit the tribe's youth to join whichever faction they wished.




NOTE:

AS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE ISLAMIST WEBSITES MONITOR PROJECT WILL INCLUDE FOUR TYPES OF INFORMATION FROM ISLAMIST WEBSITES: NEWS ITEMS, TRANSLATIONS, ANALYSIS, AND VIDEO EXCERPTS. AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2006, ALL WILL BE REGULARLY DISPATCHED EXCEPT NEWS ITEMS WHICH WILL ONLY BE POSTED @ WWW.MEMRI.ORG