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Two years ago we released a research paper at Demos about Islamist terrorists in Europe. What we found was that they were not attracted to al-Qaeda by religion or ideology alone - but also by the glamour and excitement that al-Qaeda purports to offer. In fact, the behaviour of several wannabe Holy Warriors is remarkably similar to those spoofed in Three Lions, Chris Morris' satire of home grown terrorists: In a recent case in Canada, members of the Toronto 18 cell were discussing plans to decapitate the Canadian prime minister - before realising they couldn't remember what his name was.
A cyber-jihadist convicted in Britain in 2006 of incitement to commit acts of terrorism was known by the pseudonym of Irhaabii 007 (Irhaabii means terrorist in Arabic). A womanising, hard-drinking British secret agent is not the role model Osama bin Laden had in mind for his holy vanguard.
Like every anti-establishment movement before it, the al-Qaeda has become cool and recruiters know that and take care to cultivate this image. In our work, we found one terrorist recruiter who urged young male Muslims to join global jihad for "the adventure - it's better than a holiday", while one potential recruit was told that he would get the chance to "shoot a few rounds with a 9mm". For young men raised on a diet of Western culture, this all sound quite exciting.
The case of the three Birmingham based extremists convicted yesterday, Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali seems to fit that trend. At various points they were driving around motorways mimicking Murray Walker: "it's the four suicide bombers, driving around ready to take on England"; Khlad also is recorded having said "this is going to kick them (the infidels) that go the pub, and that... ". Boasting about the size of the attack, and the carnage it would unleash - bigger than 7/7 they thought - is a common trope among these groups.
There is little doubt these invididuals were extremists who had taken on a twisted form of religion, a rapid anti-Westernism, which they used to justify their plan. But to understand and reduce the appeal, such as through 'prevent' work, part of the task is to deglamourise the idea of Jihad and Holy War. Islamist terrorists are not Holy Warriors worthy of immitation; they are often narcissitic, misguided, selfish individuals. If you are angry with the world, there are better ways of changing it. Naseer, Khalid and Ali have done quite a bit of that work for us.
Follow Jamie Bartlett on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JamieJBartlett
UK trial reveals new al Qaeda strategy to hit West – CNN Security ...
al-Qaida | World news | The Guardian
Al-Qaeda's 22 tips for dodging drone attacks: the list in full - Telegraph
Al-Qaida: how great is the terrorism threat to the west now?
They were university students,they use the idiocy as a defence,'look at me,im too stupid to really be a terrorist.......if i get caught'.
High street retail is done, heavy industry long gone, so where are the 'ordinary' young going ?
Nowhere, and they know it. The middle classes have monopolised everything left, and they will cling on to every scrap for themselves, and their privately educated offspring.
The difference between the Muslim young, and the indigenous 'others', is they have a common point of reference ie Islam & the Jihad. There is no easy answer, apart from ending the multi-cultural mess, and ridding ourselves of the free market, winner takes all world economy. Neither will happen, as the elites control the media.
Init? bro…
“the glamour and excitement that al-Qaeda purports to offer”
Lets pray some converts are only joining for the job security and sporting facilities.
“plans to decapitate the Canadian prime minister”
were presumably based on the understandable assumption that, he was the head of government.
“A womanising, hard-drinking British secret agent”
The name’s Bond. Savings Bond.
“join global jihad for "the adventure”
Visit exotic distant lands. Meet new and interesting people, and be Rendered by them.
“the chance to "shoot a few rounds with a 9mm"
The options available are, urban guerilla or franchise sandwich-filler injector.
“There is little doubt these individuals were extremists who had taken on a twisted form of religion”
Well that narrows it down to a not insignificant percentage of the population. As long as they don’t start knocking people up at some ungodly hour of a Sunday morning, we may be able to resist.
“part of the task is to deglamourise the idea of Jihad and Holy War”
Alternatively we could teach our young in school, how to test what they are being told. That way they won’t be deluded into believing that they are unfit for jury service. By those who themselves cannot demonstrate an infallible ability, to differentiate between truth and untruth as presented to them.
“If you are angry with the world”
just remember, it is what we make it. Therefore all the mess and muddle, is probably something we brought here in our minds.
Four lions.
I'm hoping you aren't referring to "democratic" means as that one doesn't hold water anymore, otherwise we'd not have found ourselves in Iraq and Afghanistan for the last ten years, we'd not be part of the EU and we'd have MP's voting their conscience for a fair and just society rather than filling bankers pockets with taxpayer cash. If there was little need for jihad or any form of violence to prompt government reaction these "terrorists" would fade into obscurity, the present system of government ignoring its peoples wishes breeds "terrorism."