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Westerners Being Recruited by al-Qaeda
Jamestown Foundation ^ | Dec. 13, 2005 | Murad Al-Shishani

Posted on 12/17/2005 3:32:59 PM PST by FairOpinion

A statement entitled "al-Qaeda's Future Soldier: Rakan Bin Williams," published by a group calling itself "al-Qaeda's Voice on the Internet," indicates that al-Qaeda plans to recruite white European converts to Islam rather than depend on Arabs and Muslims from Middle Eastern or Asian origin (posted on the jihadist forums al-Saha (http://alsaha.fares.net/sahat/.ee6b2ff, and www.la7odood.com; see also the Arabic daily al-Sharq al-Awsat on November 8, 2005).

According to the statement, recruiting Westerners is part of al-Qaeda's strategy to respond to the "war on terrorism" and the resulting restrictions placed on its members. The statement indicates that following September 11, there was a special focus given to Saudi Arabia—or the Land of the Two Holy Mosques (as described by the statement)—in that most of the attackers originated from the kingdom. Later, however, al-Qaeda carried out its next attack in Indonesia by the hand of Indonesian nationals, and followed by a "strategic" threat to Europe by attacking its borders with the Islamic World in the east (Turkey) and west (Morocco). When Europe failed to recognize or react accordingly to the warning, al-Qaeda targeted Madrid—in an attack carried out by North Africans—shifting scrutiny to Arabs in Europe. Then, in what came as a surprise to many, London was targeted in an attack carried out by British-Pakistanis. This attack may well have resulted from Europe's failure—in the eyes of bin Laden—to accept the truce offered in regard to Iraq. (Moreover, al-Qaeda misled Europe, and others, into believing that the next target would be Italy). The statement finishes by vowing that the next al-Qaeda recruits will be "Rakan Bin Williams," which is the name it gives to white Europeans.

Whether the statement was issued by al-Qaeda or not, it is nonetheless reflective of the changes that al-Qaeda has undergone since 9/11, and the new recruitment methods it has adopted. While most original al-Qaeda members were of Arab origin, the 9/11 attacks and the ensuing American-led war on al-Qaeda drove them to become a decentralized organization. This was exemplified by the fact that most attacks led by al-Qaeda in different areas were organized and carried out by local groups, whether in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey, Spain or the UK.

This dependence on local groups is a response to the tightened grip on Salafi-jihadists in the world. The statement describes "Rakan Bin Williams:" "You will not be able to monitor him, limit his movement or stop him." For al-Qaeda, this is what makes the recruitment of white Europeans so appealing.

Two factors in particular give credibility to the new recruitment strategy: al-Qaeda's activities in the West, and its focus on groups that seek to breakaway from their regimes. The Iraq war, by all indications, is providing fuel for recruitment, though mostly of Arab of Asian Muslims to date. French authorities have captured three recruitment networks, such as the "forgers network," which handled preparing forged passports for volunteers in Iraq; the "Afghan Arabs" network, headed by an Islamist called Saeed the Moroccan; and "Morocco's network," headed by Farid Bin Bieo (see the Saudi daily Al-Watan September 21, 2005). Attempts to recruit white Westerners became evident in the first female European suicide bomber in Iraq, carried out by 38 year-old Belgian national Muriel Degauque, who was recruited by her husband, of Moroccan origin, to become the second female suicide bomber in Iraq (on November 9). Additionally, there are also indications that other women are ready to become suicide bombers (al-Hayat, December 2, 2005).

With regard to the Salafi-jihadist focus in the West on marginalized communities that are discontent with their government, it can be noted that Muriel grew up in a blue collar area, which is considered a rich recruitment ground. This raises questions as to the future of al-Qaeda as a whole. Olivier Roy, a French specialist on Islamist movements, maintains that while the Salafi-jihadist way is a religious movement, it can still collaborate with non-Muslim organizations, and can also include members who are not Muslim. The agreement between Salafi-jihadists, particularly al-Qaeda, and groups of violent radical leftists who are "descendants of the Baader-Meinhof gang, Action Directe or the Red Brigades. They have a common enemy: a world order exemplified by U.S. imperialism. Al-Qaeda fascinates people looking for ways of breaking with the established order. And it benefits from the almost complete disappearance of the radical Marxist far-left. Former sympathizers have shifted their attention to building an alternative global market and tend to disregard the worst cases of social deprivation" ("Al-Qaida Brand Name Ready for Franchise," Le Monde Diplomatique, September 2005). Therefore, it appears that al-Qaeda is striving to recruit white Europeans, particularly disgruntled marginalized groups, as a mechanism to survive and adapt to the increasing pressure it faces.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; alqaedastrategy; eurabia; globaljihad; gwot; recruit; terrorism; terrorists; westerners; wot
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And judging by the so many useful idiots, they may succeed.
1 posted on 12/17/2005 3:32:59 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: FairOpinion

All I can say is "Hows that workin out for ya Moohamid?"


2 posted on 12/17/2005 3:36:43 PM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: FairOpinion

This is why we need the country to take a war footing and deal with the useful idiots, including the seditionists in congress.


3 posted on 12/17/2005 3:38:33 PM PST by Steamburg (Pretenders everywhere)
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To: FairOpinion

A year ago a Middle Eastern fellow supposedly from VA tried to pick me up at an airport. Even gave me his number. Had to wonder if he were al-Quaida. I thanked him for his number and went on about my business.


4 posted on 12/17/2005 3:40:01 PM PST by lilylangtree
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To: FairOpinion
This is great news; it may be our very best opportunity to infiltrate Al Qaeda ever.
5 posted on 12/17/2005 3:40:42 PM PST by kublia khan (Absolute war brings total victory)
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To: kublia khan

"This is great news; it may be our very best opportunity to infiltrate Al Qaeda ever."

===

That's an excellent point!


6 posted on 12/17/2005 3:41:58 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: kublia khan

"This is great news; it may be our very best opportunity to infiltrate Al Qaeda ever."

===

That's an excellent point!


7 posted on 12/17/2005 3:42:03 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: mylife

It appears to be working out very well for him here in the USA. He's already sucksessfully recruited Kennedy, Kerry, Reid, Schumer, Dean, Pelosi, MURTHA, et al, and most of the top layers of the Democrat Party.


8 posted on 12/17/2005 3:42:49 PM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson

You forgot Cindy Sheehan.


9 posted on 12/17/2005 3:43:27 PM PST by nwrep
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To: nwrep

Cindy who?


10 posted on 12/17/2005 3:44:02 PM PST by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson

LOL.


11 posted on 12/17/2005 3:45:12 PM PST by nwrep
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To: FairOpinion
..."al-Qaeda's Future Soldier: Rakan Bin Williams,"...

Robin Bin Williams?

12 posted on 12/17/2005 3:45:33 PM PST by edpc
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To: FairOpinion

"Plans" to recruit? The only reason why half the MSM hasn't strapped bombs to their torsos already is because they don't have the technical skills.


13 posted on 12/17/2005 3:46:12 PM PST by Gordongekko909 (I know. Let's cut his WHOLE BODY off.)
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To: Gordongekko909

"The only reason why half the MSM hasn't strapped bombs to their torsos already is because they don't have the technical skills."


===

Not to mention they don't really have the courage of their convictions.


14 posted on 12/17/2005 3:47:50 PM PST by FairOpinion
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To: edpc

my first thought too.


15 posted on 12/17/2005 3:48:13 PM PST by steveo (No Anchovies? You've got the wrong man, I spell my name steveo...)
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To: steveo

They like him as a potential recruit. If things don't go as planned, they know of his love for improvisation.


16 posted on 12/17/2005 3:51:27 PM PST by edpc
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To: Jim Robinson

Yeah, but those guys are all peeons ;)


17 posted on 12/17/2005 3:52:09 PM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: FairOpinion
Honestly, anyone who is taking Al Queda seriously was looking for euro recruits and afro recruits etc 4 years back.

Croatia is swimming with caucasion blue eyed muhajadeen, so is Chechnya
18 posted on 12/17/2005 3:56:43 PM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: edpc

Osama Ben Affleck? (Note writing on the wall behind the table).


19 posted on 12/17/2005 3:57:09 PM PST by msnimje (Political Correctness -- An OFFENSIVE attempt not to offend.)
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To: FairOpinion
Westerners Being Recruited by al-Qaeda

And here are their recruiting HQ's...

This is to be their new Master that will oversee their anti-American actions...

20 posted on 12/17/2005 3:59:55 PM PST by Itzlzha ("The avalanche has already started...it is too late for the pebbles to vote")
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