Originally posted by Seekerof
The point to asking this is for opinion....but as par, it leans to "credibility" of the poster and the information...........and yet, we can
post threads with the same "vague" information and they go unchallenged....by you MA?
Thanks for the detailed response. The only part that I did not understand was the last para, but I think you are indicating that sometimes my posts go
unchallenged.
Actually I like a level of challenge, it is important to clarify one's own thinking as well as bringing more information to light. As we both know
too often at this site the challenge instead comes as a petty insult from a personbehaving mindlessly who has not even taken the time to digest what
it is that has been said, and then contributes nothing to the understanding.
This doesn't seem to be the case in this topic.
I also lean towards the individual you are discussing being non-credible as an operative in Al Qaeda, but the thinking itself is dangerous and
disruptive and could inspire gullible people to believe it is credible (eg fearful US citizens or easily influenced young Arab men and women).
One of the articles you posted brought this to light:
".... A terrorism research group which monitors al Qaeda's Internet communications has provided The Post with chilling details of the high-tech
recruitment drive in which potential fighters are bombarded with religious decrees and anti-U.S. propaganda as well as training manuals on how to be a
terrorist.
Willing recruits are also being given specific instructions on how to go to Iraq through a maze of secret chat rooms.
In one particularly graphic exchange in a secret al Qaeda chat room on Sept. 3, an unknown Islamic fanatic, with the user name "Redemption Is
Close," writes:
"Brothers, how do I go to Iraq for Jihad? Are there any army camps and is there someone who commands there?"
Four days later he gets a reply from a mystery man with the user name "Merciless Terrorist."
"Dear Brother, the road is wide open for you - there are many groups, go look for someone you trust, join him, he will be the protector of the Iraqi
regions and with the help of Allah you will become one of the Mujahidin."
"Redemption is Close" then presses for more specific information on how he can become a jihad fighter in Iraq.
"Merciless Terrorist" sends him a propaganda video and instructs him to download software called Pal Talk, which enables users to communicate with
each other by voice on the Internet. That will lead him to an impossible-to-monitor "talking chat room," where he can get details on how to sign up
for jihad in Iraq...."
I have seen posts published from some Chat Rooms like that. They are very much un-Islamic. People who follow them have been corrupted and are no
longer following core principles of Islamic faith.
Taking it a level further, it also causes you to have to review who the terrorism research organisation that finds this material is and what they
stand for. The SITE Institute (Search For International Terrorist Entities) is getting increased prominence including with Director Rita Katz getting
a FOX news spot toinight. May be worth watching.
SITE lists the following as the official websites for major terrorist organizations:
AL-QAEDA
www.conrado.net/_vit_inf/
Content: This site is al-Qaeda�s official website. Mostly in Arabic, the site contains official statements from al-Qaeda�s various bureaus and
leadership, including taking credit for several terrorist operations, such as September 11, the USS Cole bombing, and the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings
in East Africa.
AL-QAEDA
www.waaqiah.com
Content: This site took over for the now defunct Azzam.com, the major distributor of al-Qaeda propaganda in English. Azzam.com was shut down several
times for its radical propaganda. The website, in true Azzam.com tradition, contains interviews with top al-Qaeda leadership, like Ayman Al-Zawhiri,
and has propaganda espousing hatred towards the West and glorifying martyrdom.
AL-QAEDA IN CHECHNYA
www.qoqaz.com
Content: Qoqaz.com contains the latest news of the al-Qaeda affiliated Mujahideen fighting in Chechnya. This site of the jihad in Chechnya has several
pictures of injured mujahideen, as well as copious amounts of anti-West propaganda.
HAMAS
www.palestine-info.info
Content: Official website of the designated terrorist group, Hamas. The site issues press releases on behalf of Hamas and contains graphic pictures
and detailed biographies of those �martyred� in their terrorist activities.
HIZBOLLAH
www.hizbollah.org
Content: Official website of the designated terrorist group, Hizbollah. The site espouses terrorist activities for the sake of Jihad, containing
multimedia content such as pictures of people burning American flags and videos of terrorist operations.
PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD
www.qudsway.com
Content: Official website of the military wing of the designated terrorist group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Images, music, and videos all
related to jihad appear on the site, as well as proud proclamations of successful operations.
It is my view that on any and all of those websites there will be a mix of suggestive reinforcement of poor ideals, and complete disinformation. I
also have to wonder how closely anyone that ever visits them would come under the microscope!
Thanks Seekerof. At these places I think you will find dozens of cyberentities broadcasting away, just like the guy referred to in your original post
- and some of them will be real.
[Edited on 23-12-2003 by MaskedAvatar]