Posted on 05/01/2003 1:36:17 PM PDT by JohnathanRGalt
Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center THE PROJECT FOR THE RESEARCH OF ISLAMIST MOVEMENTS (PRISM) OCCASIONAL PAPERS Volume 1 (2003), Number 6 (April 2003) Director and Editor: Dr. Reuven Paz. The Project for the Study of Islamist Movements is part of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center. Site: http://gloria.idc.ac.il/islam.html. Email: reupaz@netvision.net.il. Project for the Research of Islamist Movements. Site: http://www.e-prism.org All material copyright Reuven Paz unless otherwise stated. Credit if quoting; ask permission to reprint. GLORIA is part of the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya
___________________________ Abstract: This is a new series of papers that translate and analyze articles, reports, religious decrees, and other documents, written in Arabic by Islamist scholars, clerics, activists, or intellectuals. |
Out of the 225 original founders, 99 are Saudis, 15 are from Australia, 13 are Yemenis, 10 are Pakistanis, 10 are Moroccans, 7 are Kenyans, 5 are Mauritanians, 4 are Nigerians, 4 are Kuwaitis, and two are from the United States. Five of the founders are Saudi women. Since the announcement, as to May 1st 2003, 25 scholars joined the founders, 18 of them are Egyptians, including three senior clerics of Al-Azhar, and one Palestinian.
The secretary General of the forum is the known Saudi Dr. Safar al-Hawali, who is regarded by many scholars as one of the main mentors of Osamah bin Laden. The campaign is not limited by time, and according to its founders "The Campaign will continue as long as necessary to achieve its goals. Any projects or committees issuing from it will only be endorsed or developed after consultation with and study by the thinkers and scholars of the Islamic World."
The web site of the new forum (IP 198.169.127.203) is registered through Innovation Place, 15 Innovation Blvd. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan CANADA, S7N 2X8, Tel. (306) 933-9825. The servers are: ns1.amanah.net and ns2.amanah.net.
Following is the original founding declaration (*1):
MAKKAH ANTI-AGGRESSION CAMPAIGN
The Muslim Ummah has been subjected to vicious aggression at the hands of the forces of tyranny and oppression, especially the Zionists and the American administration led by right-wing extremist, that are working to expand their control over nations and peoples, loot their resources, to destroy their will, and to change their educational curricula and social system.
This aggression is comprehensive in nature and has taken the form of falsifying facts, ridiculing Islamic values, attacking the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad Allah's blessing and peace be upon him, deceptive media campaigns, and economic extortion. One of the worst forms it has taken has been armed attacks on peaceful countries and peoples such as the American and British invasions we have seen in Iraq and Afghanistan which have destroyed industrial facilities and infrastructure, killed women, children and the elderly, and destroyed cities over the heads of their occupants in an insult to the concept of human dignity which are protected by all laws and religions, and in violation of treaties and conventions. This is besides what the Zionists are doing through occupying Palestine, expelling unbending people infringing their rights, and defiling Islamic holy places.
This sinful aggression has caused humanity to revert to the hateful days of colonialism when the imperial states violated the inviolability of weak peoples - exploiting their resources and fiddling with their values- when the law of jungle reigned supreme.
In rejection of this aggression the signatories to this Declaration summoned to proclaim (The Global Anti- Aggression Campaign), as a framework in which to unite the efforts of members of the Ummah in alerting the community concerning its right to self-defense and resistance to the aggression of its enemies in all possible legitimate and effective means.
The founding of this campaign shall be in accordance with the instructions of Allah and His Messenger - peace and blessing be upon him - to cooperate in righteousness and piety, and to come to the aid of the oppressed and repel aggressors. The goals of the campaign are as follows:
The Global Anti-Aggression Campaign is a non-governmental, independent, peaceful, educational campaign of volunteers. Participation is open to all members of the Ummah.
- To work to alert the Ummah concerning the plans of its enemies, calling on the community to protect its identity.
- To repel the aggression of our enemies with all possible legitimate means.
- To reawaken the Islamic spirit among Muslims to serve their Faith and nation, and to defend their rights.
- To clarify the true image of Islam, to explain the humanitarian and ethical aspects of its laws, and to expose the falsehood of the campaigns of prejudice against Islam.
- To work for cooperation and coordination between the efforts of both governmental and non-governmental organizations in service to Muslim causes throughout the Islamic World.
- To work for active cooperation among peoples, organizations, and international bodies opposed to the oppression and domination of peoples and their resources.
We call on all peoples, governments, supporters of truth and justice, and friends of peace to cooperate with the campaign to reject this aggression, and to work together to spread the values of truth and justice.
Global Jihad by legitimate means or terrorist ones? By reading the above English translation of the official announcement, it seems that the founders are attempting at establishing a non-violent global front against what they primarily perceive as Western cultural imperialism, led by the Jewish-American alliance. The key element, as stated by them is: "To repel the aggression of our enemies with all possible legitimate means". So far it looks as a political gathering, which is trying to unite Islamic Anti-Western efforts, on the background of the American-led efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The basic point of view, which is not new, is the nature of self-defense of the Islamic reaction.
But, the web site includes in its Arabic section, a letter that was not presented in English so far, written by the secretary general, Dr. Safar al-Hawali (*2). In his letter Hawali returns to the typical language of radical Islamist scholars.
His main theme is that the Islamic nation should acknowledge the fact that they are facing a global infidel campaign (al-batil), which can never meet or compromise with the true faith (al-haqq). The last "Crusader campaign" should wake the Islamic nation up from its indifference and cause it "uprise to resist its enemy, either voluntarily or by force."
The voluntary way is that of the "secured and victorious community," - Al-Ta'ifah al-Mansourah - in the usual Islamic terms, those who have never believed in the Western values, where "the Crusader spirit lies under the sand of the Humanist slogans." The enforced way is through the Western anti-Islamic campaign, where "the enemy revealed its masks and uncovered its beastly teeth, destroying every doubt and eliminating every optimism. Hence, they found themselves in one line with their brothers from the first group, who believe that this nation has no glory or honor but by investing their soul, their property, and their words in favor of Allah." According to Al-Hawali, this global campaign is not a target but a means "to achieve better means." The campaign should serve also as a platform for unity.
The list of the founders of the new forum includes several prominent clerics and scholars who belong to the Saudi Islamist opposition, such as Ibrahim al-Harithy, Sheikh Salman al-Awdah, the brothers `Awadh and `Aeidh al-Qarni, or Dr. Abdallah al-Shanqiti. Many of the Saudi founders are university lecturers, businessmen, and lawyers, who could very well represent the elite of the Saudi society. The same with the Yemeni and Egyptian founders. A new element to note here are 21 Iraqi clerics and scholars, among them several Shi`is, who could join such an initiative only following the release of Iraq from Saddam Hussein by "the American enemy." Another issue to note is the absence, so far, of persons from Jordan, Algeria, Syria, and Lebanon, and the very few from the Gulf States.
Some of the interesting persons are Islamic figures from Western countries. The most prominent phenomenon, though not surprising, is the dominancy of the Arab origin of the vast majority of them. 15 of the founders are from Australia, and 9 of these are Imams in Australian mosques. Only one of the founders is from the United Kingdom, and he is not a known figure there. There is no one from the quite large Saudi Islamic opposition in London, what might hint for us that there is no linkage between these two parts of this opposition. There are two Americans of Arab origin, quite known figures - Dr. Ahmad Sharbini a lecturer in the American Open University in Colorado, of Egyptian origin, and Sheikh Walid Manisi, the Imam of the mosque in that university. The Belgian "representative" is quite known, Sheikh Muhammad al-Tijkani, of Moroccan origin. Another "European" is Sheikh Ahmad Abu Laban from Denmark. It should be noted that there are no Islamists from France and Germany.
In any case, the core of the list of founders is of persons who are known for supporting the anti-Western Islamist struggle of the school of global Jihad. Some of them are very popular among the generation of young supporters of Al-Qa`idah in the Arab world.
Conclusion
The combination of the letter of al-Hawali, in addition to his known positions, and the list of founders where the Saudi oppositionist element is dominant, seems to be a potential of a supreme council to back politically and ideologically a global struggle, either against the West and its presence in the Muslim world, or the Muslim governments that cooperate with the United States. It might mark also a further step in the march of the Saudi Islamist opposition, which seems to act with growing freedom in the kingdom, with almost no steps taken by the authorities to limit it, not to mention to block it. It is difficult to say whether it is a result of weakness, or part of the double game the Saudi regime is playing.
The new forum might also mark a further step in establishing the united Salafi-Jihadi trend in radical Islam, that will use the tremendous sympathy and support it gained through Al-Qa`idah operations. It might be premature, but it might also be an attempt to promote a political-ideological anti-Western struggle, as a result of the operational difficulties of Al-Qa`idah to launch attacks against Western target, as was expected from it following the war in Iraq.
In any case, the fact that this global forum is led by Dr. Safar al-Hawali should be worrying and a test case for assessing the new body. Hawali is known also for his writings about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (*3), and the endless effort to link between the various Islamist fronts.
__________________________________________
(*1) original founding declaration seen on-line at: http://www.maac.ws/index.cfm?Lang=EN
(*2) http://www.maac.ws/index.cfm?fuseaction=content&contentid=8&categoryID=9&lang=AR
(*3) In March 2003 he published a new book on the Palestinian Intifadah, following former books. See Safar al-Hawali, Al-Intifadah wal-Tatar al-Judud (The new Tatars). See on-line in: http://www.saaid.net/Warathah/safar/sf19.pdf
_____________
*Reuven Paz is a Senior Fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and director of its Project for the Research of Islamist Movements (PRISM). He is also a senior research fellow in the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC).
Saudi-funded al Qaida Recruitment Center in Michigan
http://haganah.org.il/haganah/archives/000373.php
...Two of the most radical sheiks in Saudi Arabia who provide religious justification for al-Qaeda, Salman Al-Awdah and Safar al-Hawali, have several fatwas (religious rulings) and statements plastered all over IANA's websites. These fatwas legitimize suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and spit hatred towards the West. Both Al-Awdah and al-Hawali received phone calls from Mounir Motassadeq, a member of the Hamburg-based September 11 cell who was recently convicted in Germany of aiding the hijackers and being an accessory to over 3,000 murders. U.S. officials maintain al-Hawali is linked to the al Qaeda cell that bombed the U.S. embassy in Kenya in 1998. In bin Laden's 1996 declaration of war against the West, the terrorist commander "bemoaned" the arrests of the two sheikhs, who are frequently incarcerated in Saudi Arabia for their support of terrorism and for criticizing and condemning the royal family.
Paradoxically, however, it was Saudi Prince Nayef bin Abdelaziz who in 1999 released the two "religious scholars" from one of their stints in jail, and according to the Mideast Mirror, "warmly received" them and promised "there would be no official curbs on their activities." Despite the two sheikhs hatred for the Saudi royal family and their radical fatwas, the Saudi government continues to fund their fanatical propaganda on IANA's websites, but why? Any Arabic speaker familiar with the Arab world (which presumably those in the Saudi government are) can immediately recognize IANA's lineup of radical "scholars" who support and legitimize al Qaeda's activities. ...
Safar Al Hawali was not just a mentor of bin Laden -- but also provided the radical ideas for the Sept. 11th highjackers:
Saudi schools fuel anti-US anger
http://www.boston.com/news/packages/underattack/news/driving_a_wedge/part2.shtml
... Several of the young men attended the university and were, friends and family say, known to have recently tapped into the militant Islamic culture fostered by the tapes and pamphlets of clerics such as Eid Al Guerney and Safar Al Hawali, both of whom come from the southern province of Asir, and whose sermons often dovetail with the preachings of bin Laden....
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http://worldsite.ws/utilities/lookup.dhtml
Whois information for MAAC.WS:
Domain Name: maac.ws________________________________________
Registrant: Registered through Go Daddy Software, Inc. (GoDaddy.com)
Domain created on 20-APR-03
Domain last updated on 20-APR-03
Name servers:
ns1.amanah.net
ns2.amanah.net
OrgName: Innovation Place________________________________________
OrgID: INNOVA-9
Address: 210 - 15 Innovation Blvd.
Address: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Address: CANADA S7N 2X8
NetRange: 198.169.125.0 - 198.169.127.255
CIDR: 198.169.125.0/24, 198.169.126.0/23
NetName: INNOVPLACE
NetHandle: NET-198-169-125-0-1
Parent: NET-198-0-0-0-0
NetType: Direct Assignment
NameServer: IO.INNOVATIONPLACE.COM
NameServer: HARRIER.SASKNET.SK.CA
RegDate: 1994-06-24
Updated: 2001-10-05
TechHandle: TC936-ARIN
TechName: Campbell, Trevor
TechPhone: +1-306-931-5807
TechEmail: trevor.campbell@sasktel.sk.ca
Registrant:We've even got a map pointing to their location:
Amanah Tech Inc.
112F-116 Research Dr.
Saskatoon, SK S7N3R3 CA
Domain name: AMANAH.COM
Administrative Contact:
Freeny, Nezar info@amana.ca
112F-116 Research Dr.
Saskatoon, SK S7N3R3 CA
306-933-9825
Technical Contact:
Freeny, Nezar info@amana.ca
112F-116 Research Dr.
Saskatoon, SK S7N-3R3 CA
306-933-9825 Fax: 306-933-9845
jihad for fun and profit
ISLAM ONLINE.net - Fatwa Applications - Ask The Scholar - Question from a person from Canada - Topic: "JIHAD AGAINST THE U.S. LED FORCES: MASS SUICIDE?" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Dear questioner, we commend your pursuit of knowledge and we earnestly implore Allah to bless your efforts in this honorable way. First of all, we would like to state that perhaps the US and its allies have attained some benefits by invading Iraq. However, this does not mean that they managed to defeat Islam. Hence, Muslims have to resist the invading forces by all possible means. They must not ever yield to pessimism and desperation and submit to the authority of those invaders as some authors in their works encourage Muslims to do nowadays. Sticking to the Islamic teachings, Muslims will defeat all evil forces and Allah will give them victory over their enemies. But let Muslims exert their best efforts. Responding to your question, Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, Deputy Chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states the following: It is improper for a Muslim to say that fighting against the invading enemy is mass suicide, for this accordingly means to submit to the enemies of Islam who are stronger than Muslims. In fact, fighting against the enemies who are invading Muslim countries is a legal obligation, and whoever gets killed in the course of such fighting is a martyr or shahid in the Cause of Allah. Muslims are enjoined to prepare whatever they can to resist invading forces, not to refrain from jihad until they prepare an army comparable to the enemy forces. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force. (Al-Anfal: 60) In this Quranic verse, Allah Almighty directs Muslims to the fact that by preparing all possible means of resistance, they will dismay the enemy. The rest of the foregoing verse says: Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy. (Al-Anfal: 60)" (April 24, 2003)
WorldNetDaily.com: "CANADIAN IMAN SUPPORTS JIHAD AGAINST U.S." by Art Moore (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A North American Muslim leader says he supports Saddam Hussein's call for jihad and believes Middle East Muslims should take up arms to expel U.S. troops from Iraq. "If I were there, I would fight with them," said Gamal Solaiman, imam of the mosque in Canada's capital, Ottawa. "I would fight the Americans with my nails and teeth," he declared Sunday in an interview with the CanWest News Service.") (April 8, 2003) (Read More...)
WorldNetDaily.com: "CANADIAN IMAN SUPPORTS JIHAD AGAINST U.S." by Art Moore (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A North American Muslim leader says he supports Saddam Hussein's call for jihad and believes Middle East Muslims should take up arms to expel U.S. troops from Iraq. "If I were there, I would fight with them," said Gamal Solaiman, imam of the mosque in Canada's capital, Ottawa. "I would fight the Americans with my nails and teeth," he declared Sunday in an interview with the CanWest News Service.") (April 8, 2003)
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