ISLAMIC EXTREMISM & INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM Mostly “Borrowed” from JTTF - FBI - SAN FRANCISCO via ILEETA.

ISLAMIC EXTREMISM & INTERNATIONAL

TERRORISM

Mostly “Borrowed” from

JTTF - FBI - SAN FRANCISCOvia ILEETA

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS Upon completion of this block of instruction: 1. Students will possess a basic understanding

of the Islamic faith. 2. Students will understand how the dynamics

of Islam effect all aspects of International Terrorism today.

UNDERSTANDING ARABIC CULTURE

ARABIC TERMS - discussed in this session

JahiliaBarakat - Barakate Jamaat E TableighMahdiAhl El BeitSahabaAnsar

Shi’aSunniWahabiMuslim BrotherhoodMosque - MasjidMohammedAliAbu Bakr

Understanding a Culture

To understand a culture, we must first understand the beliefs and values of the people.

Remember - One of every six people on this planet is a Muslim!

CORRECT PRONUNCIATION

Muslim - “long S & U sound - not a Z sound” Muslim not Muzlim

Islam - the same - Islam not Izlam

Mosque - better word is Masjid or Janeh

Islam

In the name of God, the CompassionateIn the name of God, the Compassionate

Islam 101

Religion of more than 1.6 billion peopleNot violent, but does not separate church

and state.

Islam 101 (continued)

TAHWID—emphasizes monotheism “Oneness of God” Unity of God

Islam 101 (continued)

Islam—“submission” is the religionMuslim—a person who submits to God’s

will

Islam 101 (continued)

Like Western religions—BASED ON REVELATION

ERA BEFORE MOHAMMAD

Paganism - Tribalism“Jahilia” or “al Jahilyya” - defined as the

period of ignorance in the years before the Prophet Mohammed

Incredible cruelty toward female newborns Other abominations

ISLAM - THE ORIGINMECCAThe Prophet Mohammad was born in 570 AD -

Mecca in Saudi Arabia. In 610 AD, Mohammad received the first verses

(God/Allah’s message) now contained in the Koran or Qu’ran from the angel Gabriel.

Over the course of the following 22 years Mohammad received further revelations.

Mohammad died in 632 AD.Muhammad received the verses in Arabic.

Islam 102

Mohammed (570–632) God’s final messenger Gabriel reveals God’s will in

visions

ISLAM - THE ORIGINMEDINA

Mohammad and his followers were forced to flee to Medina

Mohammad continued to receive the Arabic verses

However, beginning in Medina the tenor of the Koran takes on a more Jihadic/warlike/adversarial tone toward the enemies of Islam - Jews and Christians

Islam 102 (continued)

Mohammed—hijra to Mecca in 622

Islam 102 (continued)

Mohammed fought Meccans at Badr in 624

In another battle, the Battle of the Trench, a Jewish tribe changed sides

Mohammed conquered Mecca in 630 and spared its population

Mohammed died in 632

ISLAM - HISTORY

Second only to the Koran is the Sunnah or Ahadith

Composed of Hadiths - Islamic accounts into Mohammad's life

Provides Muslims with a window into Mohammad's life

Division of Islam

The Companions Abu Bakr Umar Uthman

Ali

The Birth of the Shi`ite MovementAli ibn TalibRushidin v. AliCivil WarAssassination of Ali

Shi`ites Begin to Form

 Yemen The Ismailis The Twelvers

Karbala

Ibn Ali Hussein12er Shi`itesHidden imam

Institutionalization of Islam, 632–680

Qur`an codified—114 surahs arranged by length

dar al Islam (House of Islam)dar al Harb (House of War)

Institutionalization of Islam (continued)

Scholars explain the KoranSunnah (becomes Sunni or orthodox)HadithSharia—Islamic lawFiq—interpretations of Islamic

law

SCHISM IN ISLAM

Shi’a Muslims vs Sunni MuslimsShi’a Muslims or Shiites are followers of

Mohammad's cousin/son-in-law Ali.Sunni Muslims follow the teachings of Abu

Bakr, who died in 634.Ali’s sons, Husain and Hassan were killed

by Sunni forces in Karbala, Iraq in 680.

SUNNI SUB-SECTS

Wahabi - Saudi Arabia - Usama bin Laden is a Wahabi Muslim

Mahadi - Sudan; Libya; AlgeriaHanafi - PakistanHanbali - Pakistan

WAHABI SUNNITraditionalists/Conservative - many terrorists

evolve from this sectAnything outside Koran is unacceptable.Wahabi Sunnis control the Koran - UBL

Saudi Arabia is populated primarily by Wahabi Sunni.

Jesus, to a Wahabi, is a general who will someday come and lead them against the infidels.

Christians have elevated Jesus to a god - Muslims believe him to be a prophet.

SHIA’S/SHIITESAlso believe strongly in the tenets of Islam More spin room - believe in the ability of

the Imams to interpret the KoranMore gray areas within the teachings of the

Koran than that which the Sunnis believeLess stringent - more interpretationThe Koran says what the clerics say it says.

Arabic Values

A person’s dignity, honor and reputation are of paramount importance.

It is important to behave at all times in a way which will create a good impression.

Loyalty to one’s family takes precedence over personal needs, but not when it comes to Islam, the religion and the tasking.

Arabic BeliefsAll things in life are controlled by God.Children are the “jewels” of the family. Wisdom increases with knowledge of

Koran.Inherent roles/tasking and responsibilities

of men and women are vastly different. In the Koran, men are tasked to teach daughters to

swim, ride a horse and handle a weapon. Women take care of the next generation of soldier.

Understanding Arabic Culture An Arab is a person who speaks Arabic or

who otherwise identifies with the culture and history of the Arab people.

Arabic culture and the Islamic faith are inseparable.

Islam is the most dominating, single influence in the Arab world , the second largest religion, and the world’s fastest growing religion.

THE ARAB MIND

Formulated by: Language Geography Food & lack of water Attire Customs and traditions Family and tribal affiliation Islam

ISLAMTHE FIVE PILLARS 1. Testimony/confession or “shahadah” - recited once

daily and is the belief in the oneness of God and that Muhammad is his prophet

2. Prayer or “salat” - 5 times a day and must face east toward Mecca, Saudi Arabia

3. Charity or “zakat” - giving of alms. 2.5% of assets 4. Fasting or “sawm” - Behavior during the Islamic holy

month of Ramadan Ninth month of the lunar calender, usually November

5. Pilgrimage or “haj/hajj/hadj” - all Muslims must travel to Mecca once in their lives

MUSLIM NATION - 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide

ARAB SUNNIS 80 % - Saudi Arabia -

majority Sunnis - 1 billion - 9 in 10

ARAB SHI’A/SHIITES 20% of Muslim population Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi

Arabia Shi’as - 170 million

NON-ARAB SUNNIS/AJAMI

Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, other stans, Indonesia - huge population

NON-ARAB SHIITES Iran, Afghanistan Sufi Muslims - 240 million

MUSLIM BREAKDOWN - WORLDWIDE

CIA Factbook lists 234 nationsOf these, Islam is the majority religion in 48Islam is a significant minority religion in 26Therefore, Islam is a powerful presence in

one third of the countries in the world6 million Muslims in the USA

The Islamic World

21 COUNTRIES COMPOSE THE “ARAB WORLD” Mauritania Morocco Algeria Tunisia Libya Egypt Sudan Dijbouti Somalia Palestine

Lebanon Jordan Syria Iraq Kuwait Bahrain Qatar UAE Oman Yemen Saudi Arabia

North Africa

MIDDLE EAST

This refers to a larger area which includes Israel - Turkey - Iran - Afghanistan - Pakistan.

These are not “Arab “ countries.

What Is the Middle East?

The Middle East is not really a region; it is a geographical concept

Alfred Thayer Mahan, USN

The Middle East

Turkey

Iran/Persia

Central Asia

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Southeast Asia, Including Indonesia

Militancy Emerges

The Basis of Militant Theology

Three Sources of the Jihadist Movement

Questions of Palestine/IsraelFuture of revolutionary IslamWho will rule dar al Islam—the Caliphate?

Complaints With U.S. PolicyTwo eyes, two policies, - or - Israel gets a

passU.S. policies exploitive in nature, interested

only in oilForeign troops stationed near Mecca and

other locations in the Middle EastU.S. supports puppet governments and

regimes throughout the region

Palestine/Israel Question

19th-century ZionismEuropean immigrationJewish understandingsArab understandings

PROFILE OF THE FUNDAMENTALIST COMBATANT

Islam united all Muslims and combined: Ideology Law Organizational structure Family and region Theology

Under the banner of globalization of Islam.

PROFILE OF THE FUNDAMENTALIST COMBATANT

Age 8 the combatant begins to read and learn the Koran and the place of women

Age 12 he reads the Koran several hours per day - father indoctrinates him into the faith

Age 18 he has memorized the entire KoranAfter age 18 - he comes to USA - a member

of the Islamic Brotherhood

PARAMILITARY MINDSET

Fundamentalist/extremists interpretation of the Koran: General operational plans Operational goals Organizational structure Sharia (legal) justification for all deadly actions

PARAMILITARY MINDSET

Typical extremist: Attends a Friday sermon at a Masjid Recruited by Jamaat E Tableigh Travels to Pakistan-indoctrinated into extremist

views Travels to Afghanistan to receive military and

paramilitary training Prepares for his Jihad and his TASKING

JIHAD

Basic Definition: Act in a paramilitary or military fashion against

the enemies of Islam, foreign or domestic, and if dying in the process, the combatant will ascend to heaven with all his sins forgiven.

Islamic/Muslim Brotherhood (MB)Family obligations

MAJOR BELIEF OF ALL MUSLIMSMAHDI - will come before Jesus to

liberate Lebanon, Syria, Iraq in route to Saudi Arabia. 2 million man army and await Jesus

MAHDI is described in a Hadeth; tall, thin, bearded with angular features, large forehead, olive color and pointy nose - who will come out from deep hiding - sound familiar ?

USAMA BIN LADENWahabi Sunni MuslimBorn in Yemen - raised in Saudi ArabiaFollowed the teachings of two radical,

fundamental Saudi clerics: Ben Outheimeen Ben Baz Every major Intl. Terrorist subject will have

studied under these two men - both died last year.

They believe that Jihad is to kill Christians.

FEMALES IN ISLAMGreat debate on this topic.Orthodox Muslims argue that women gain

true freedom in Islam.Critics argue that women are in bondage in

Islam; Mohammad was a chauvinist and pedophile

In many chapters in the Koran women are referred to as equals; but in many others they are not

FEMALES IN ISLAM

Women come of age at 14 - stated in the Koran.

A man will always look at a female after age 14 in a sexual nature, according to Koran.

Mothers are the exception.Thus the burqas

MAINSTREAM MUSLIMSMainstream Muslims

Totally disagree with extremist’s philosophy All people of the world are Muslims Non-Muslims are simply “lost” Believe that non-Muslims will “flock back to

Islam” Surah Al-Fatah - spoken to once Historically, mainstream Muslims have been

the silent weak majority of Islam Vulnerable to teachings of extremists

FUNDAMENTALISTS/EXTREMISTS

Use scripture in the Koran to justify terror campaign

Use the Koran to serve their political viewsRely on Sharia LawBen Outhiemeen & Ben BazTypically not vulnerable to the

mainstream-Shi’a ideology

The Modern Jihadist Movement

FUNDAMENTALIST MOSQUESTRUCTURE

1. Cleric/Sheik-highest religious authority2. Imam-not a constant position 3. Theologist/Oulamaa-interpret the Sharia 4. Politicos-PR representatives5. Financiers-show me the money!!!!6. Paramilitary7. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

TERRORIST GROUP &CELL STRUCTURE

Muslim Brotherhood - all terrorists will belong to the MB Large pool of recruits for NGOs

• NGO-Jamaat E Tableigh; Jamaat Egatha; Jamaat Dawa; Lashkar E Taibe

Loosely connected - command and control No real identified leader or figurehead Koran and the strict guidelines guide the terrorist

activities of the MB

CELL STRUCTUREaka’s used

1. Al Awlani - the leader2. Al Jare - Currier; Infantryman3. Al Kannas - Sniper/killer with one shot4. Al Mukabir -

Communications/Intelligence5. Al Hakeem - Medic/doctor

ASSET RECRUITMENT

Identification examine last name for:

• country of origin

• brotherhood affiliation

• tribal affiliation

• sect affiliation

ASSET RECRUITMENTcont.

Other identification considerations family job motivation finances criminal history

VIOLENT TRUE BELIEVERS (VTB)

Motivated by deeply held beliefs that are rigid and completely justified in his eyes

Beliefs based solely on religion - IslamHe will believe that he is an agent of his god.His killing/terroristics acts are sanctioned by

his god. Quite certain of his destiny

THE VTBHe has memorized the Koran from cover to cover.Especially passages and phrases that justify his

suicidal/homicidal intentHe will ignore any passages that are contradictory

to his beliefs.His tightly held rationalizations are not open to

debate or questioning.Critical thinking is forbidden - absolute belief in

righteousness of his cause.

VTBs Will not respect females (GITMO example)Al-Qaeda Training Manual, 17th lesson

teaches the VTB to expect “psychological warfare and intellectual combat.”

Harsh words and torture are also expected.Manual, “the room is ordinary, containing

one or more desks, chairs and torture devices as needed”

VTBsManual - directs the “brother” to memorize

the appearance of the interrogation building and the officers. Concentrate on the route and try to memorize

signs in order to benefit future operations and plan development.

Always count step, measure distances from cell to interrogation room

(They are always collecting intel.)

VTBs“Cognitive dissonance”

Behaving in ways quite different from that which the VTB expects from his manual

May confuse and disorient him Will exert pressure on the VTB Asking to see a medical examiner and that

evidence of the torture be entered in any official report. - - Stall - - classic

Manual familiarity

VTBs

Establish rapport? Pros and cons. Gitmo experiences Smile Listen carefully Find something in common Mirror the interviewee

VTBs and MUSLIMS IN GENERAL

Avoid interview blunders

• Soles of shoes considered great insult

• Cold and unfriendly demeanor considered an insult

• Showing impatience - watch, tapping fingers

• Disrespect Islam and argue religion

• Interviewing the female

VTBs - INTERVIEW TECHNIQUESPatience and flexibilityConducted in 2 to 3 hour time increments

over several daysDo not be predictable - change times.Stare down if necessary.Key to interviewing VTB is to get him to

talk about anything - Islam.With these folks it is all about Islam/Israel.

VTBs/SUNNI/WAHABIAsk the VTB/Sunni, “Are you Muslim?” If he answers “yes, and thank God” and

places his hand on his chest, he is very far to the right, Likely a fundamentalist and very likely

an extremist - Where do you pray? Anywhere - alone - 5 times a day - attend

Mosque to stay within Islamic community

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES3rd pillar of Islam can be important in

interviewing VTB - Charity/”Zakat”.Interviewee is allowed by the Koran to tell

you, if asked, how and where he contributed money to the cause.

Use Islam against him - show him his actions have “hurt” Islam.

His honor lies in defeating you during interview.

TECHNIQUESSmall talk about family with a VTB Muslim

will be superfluous. A martyr will have already tended to his family

as directed by the Koran. He will have made arrangements to provide

money for his family for 2 years and to provide a residence for 2 years.

VTB COUNTERMEASURES(taught during Al Qaeda training)Reveal some secretsAsk to see doctorAsk that evidence of

torture be entered in record

Raise one voice, curse the interrogator

Be patient, resistant, silent and prayerful

Proudly take a firm and opposing stance

Overreact to pain Pretend to be naïve and

ignorant Take advantage of visits

to communicate with brothers outside prison

Shout slogans from prison Be steadfast

COUNTERMEASURES

The most common countermeasure appears to be a cover story that the individual’s behaviors and/or travels are only to teach or study Islam.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONSJamaat E Tableigh - “the group that

reforms”Jamaat Dawa - “the group that calls

someone to their cause”Jamaat Eghatha - “the group that assists and

rescues”Lashkar E Taibe - specific to Pakistan -

similar to above

OTHER CRITICAL TERMS1. “Bayaat” -

allegiance to2. “Barakat” -

Blessings3. “Barakate”

reference to UBL at Gitmo

4. “Ahl El Beit” - The Core, trace their descent to Mohammed

5. “Sahaba” - The trusted company, lesser that Ahl El Beit

6. “Al Ansar” - The supporters, mostly Sunni, non-Arabs

SUMMARYIslam was created beginning in 610 AD.

The values, attitudes and beliefs demanded by Islam, then and now, continue to be the foundation for all that is occurring with regard to terroristic acts.

A terrorist views himself as a loyal soldier for Allah.

He will never give up in his attempt to install Islamic values worldwide.

Key Points1. Jihadists adhere to an extreme version of Islam2. Jihadists are divided3. Terrorism in the Middle East has multiple sources4. The primary struggle within Islam is over which

religious interpretation will prevail5. Large groups, such as HAMAS and Hezballah,

exist in the Middle East6. Locally, small homegrown cells are more likely to

cause problems7. The introduction of jihadist theology will disrupt

the Islamic community and cause dissention8. Evidence of the dissention will be found under

“Warning Signs”

Warning Signs

Dissention in local mosques

Young men living in mosques

People establishing mosques in their homes

Jihadists Are Not United

Variety of theories and doctrinesStrong disagreements

Questions