Wednesday, February 27, 2013

al Qassam Cyber Fighters

triblive.com, Hackers threaten to resume cyberattacks on banks "The al Qassam Cyber Fighters, a hacking group that claimed responsibility for months of cyberattacks on U.S. banks, said it hit about a dozen bank websites on Monday, including PNC Bank and Citizens Bank. The group continues to demand removal of anti-Muslim videos from YouTube."

North Korean-Educated Ex-Commander Picked For Iranian Ministerial Post

RFE/RL, North Korean-Educated Ex-Commander Picked For Iranian Ministerial Post, 26 Feb 2013 "Iran's lame-duck president, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, has tapped a doctoral graduate of North Korea's most elite university and the purported architect of a "national intranet" to head the Communications and Information Technology Ministry."

Afghanistan, Hizb ut-Tahrir and the net

Mujib Mashal, Time.com, Missed Opportunity in Afghanistan: We Forgot to Pay the Preachers, 27 Feb 2013 "While only a small portion of Afghans have access to the Internet, the videos are widely distributed through CD sales as well as Bluetooth sharing. Additionally, Eslah distributes PDFs and publishes magazines as well as ready-made powerpoint slideshows, and pamphlets such as “Heaven is ready, are you?” or “How to defend the Koran?” The poster-boy for their TV and internet evangelism is Mullah Abdul Sallam Abed, whose passionate sermons are aired on their radio and its videos often packaged online. A search for YouTube videos brings up more than 300 videos of Abed’s sermons."

'American Shabaab fighters urges Muslims to join the 'fronts' of jihad'

longwarjournal.org, American Shabaab fighters urges Muslims to join the 'fronts' of jihad, 27 Feb 2013 "A previously unidentified American who fights in the ranks of Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, appeared on a videotape and urged Muslims to join on of the numerous fronts of the global jihad."

'The Danger of the Lone-Wolf Terrorist'

Time, The Danger of the Lone-Wolf Terrorist, 27 Feb 2013 Opinion: "While there were significant lone wolves before the age of the Internet, the cyber-world has undoubtedly been a godsend for the individual terrorist. It has led to a proliferation of lone wolves and allowed for anybody with a laptop or smart phone to quickly become knowledgeable about terrorist tactics, targets, and weapons." Q&A with Jeffrey Simon, author of Lone Wolf Terrorism: Understanding the Growing Threat.

'Breathable nail polish a surprise hit with Muslims'

AP, Breathable nail polish a surprise hit with Muslims, 27 Feb 2013 - strong internet thread to this story

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Online Jihadi Forums Fear a U.S.-Israel-Iran Alliance Will Take Over Syria

Online Jihadi Forums Fear a U.S.-Israel-Iran Alliance Will Take Over Syria | Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room | Wired.com, 25 Feb 2013:

"In case you’re not familiar with the language of Sunni jihadi conspiracy theorists, “Zionist-Crusader-Zoroastrian alliance” refers to the U.S., Israel and Iran, which to all outward appearances are foes, not least of which because Iran identifies Israel and the United States as its main foes. Oh, and the key media organ of this unlikely entente is the “lying channel” al-Jazeera, which is waging “a concerted media war against the brothers in Syria.” No need to troll this thread."

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Birmingham trial - update

Standard, Bungling plotters 'were the real deal', 21 Feb 2013 "In a reference to a black comedy film, Ali also told her: “Oh, you think this is a flipping Four Lions. We’re one man short.”

"When police raided his home, they found Ali had downloaded nearly 150 Islamic lectures from the internet, including extremist rants, and passed them to Naseer."

Independent, Birmingham terror cell: a forlorn fight against extremism in the Balti Triangle, 21 Feb 2013 "Muhammad Suleman, 60, a former welder and community elder, believes young men, isolated from their families, frustrated by a lack of prospects and angered at Western military intervention in the Muslim world come under the influence of militant propaganda which contradicts the teachings of Islam.

“A lot of young people don’t go to mosque. They learn on the internet. It is information you can’t hide and they make their own mind up,” he says." Some further internet references/influences associated with this trial.

ITV Video Report

Juliet Bremner, ITV News, Trio hoped to cause worst atrocity on British soil "The three men convicted today wanted to be remembered as the suicide bombers who had committed the worst atrocity ever seen on British soil. Irfan Naseer and Irfan Khalid - known as Big and Little Irfan - and a third man Ashik Ali appeared to be religiously observant but not fanatical. They had all been born and raised in the Sparkhill and Sparkbrook suburbs of Birmingham, second generation Pakistanis with no criminal record or reason for the authorities to single them out for attention."

Also see ITV News, Muslim Aid comment on guilty terror verdicts and scroll down for ITV News, Worshipper: 'Everybody's disappointed. Everybody's horrified' 

Guilty: the terror ringleaders who plotted another 9/11

Independent, Guilty: the terror ringleaders who plotted another 9/11, 21 Feb 2013 "The ringleaders of a Birmingham-based extremist cell whose deadly ambitions were matched only by their incompetence are facing life terms after the unravelling of their plot for a terrorist spectacular to rival the September 11 attacks."

Bangladesh cracks down on anti-Islam blogs

AFP/asiaone.com, Bangladesh cracks down on anti-Islam blogs, 21 Feb 2013 "Bangladesh has launched a crackdown on Internet sites for "hurting religious feelings" in the majority-Muslim nation amid protests by Islamic groups against "atheist anti-Islam" bloggers, officials said Thursday."

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

"How Social Networks Are Dealing With Terrorists"

RFE/RL, How Social Networks Are Dealing With Terrorists "As terrorist groups seek to reach a broader global audience, their migration onto social networks has proven to be a challenge for the likes of Twitter and Facebook. While governments want social networks to clamp down on terrorist groups, Internet activists are calling for greater transparency into social-media companies’ rules and regulations."

Fatwa Issued Against 3G Internet Operator in Iran

Al-Monitor, Fatwa Issued Against 3G Internet Operator in Iran - 19 Feb 2013: ""The decadence and corruption associated with [Rightel’s] use outweighs its benefits,” decreed Grand Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi. “It will cause new deviances in our society, which is unfortunately already plagued with deviances.” Ayatollah Alavi Gorghani said that the video-call service would “jeopardize the public chastity” and “inflicts numerous damages” on Iran’s religion and political system."

New and noted: "E-Arranged Marriages: How have Muslim matrimonial websites affected traditional Islamic courting methods?"

Ayesha Ahmed,  E-Arranged Marriages: How have Muslim matrimonial websites affected traditional Islamic courting methods? (LSE Electronic MSc Dissertation Series, No 93, 2012) [PDF] "The aim of this study was to examine the effects and impact that online Muslim matrimonial websites have on traditional Islamic courting methods. Through a thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with a sample of second generation British Asian Muslims, this study aimed to achieve an insight into how orthodox and traditional Islamic methods of finding a spouse are being challenged amongst this diaspora."

I have just been alerted to this study, so haven't read it yet.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

"Internal dissention has exposed Qaeda's bigotry" - op-ed

Times of Oman, Internal dissention has exposed Qaeda's bigotry, 20 Feb 2013: piece by Debasish Mitra "Al Qaeda is now under an unprecedented and serious threat. With its hypocrisy and bigotry exposed, the apparently invincible, monolithic and elusive Al Qaeda today stands teetering vulnerable at the threshold of a vertical split in the wake of some scathing attacks launched against the organisation and its movement by none other but one of its founder members — Sayyid Imam Al Sharif."

Deoband Fatwas Confuse India Muslims (opinion)

Deoband Fatwas Confuse India Muslims, OnIslam.net "Fatwas issued by the Deobond seminary have become a source of controversy and confusion among India’s Muslims, with many criticizing the religious edicts as “outdated” and running counter to the modern age." Other perspectives are available on this.

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Saudi princess, the fake sheikh and a plot to silence her

The Saudi princess, the fake sheikh and a plot to silence her - Telegraph "The princess, who lives in west London, has been blackmailed over a revealing video which she insists was stolen from her laptop by computer hackers."


Electioneering Gangnam style

themalaysianinsider.com, Gangnam style, Feb 18 2013 "Political strategists have been very focused on how to win over Malaysia’s all-important new voters. There are now more than five million young people aged 20-29, most of whom are first-time voters with no clear political loyalties."

Social media gives Indonesian women new voice

The Associated Press: Social media gives Indonesian women new voice, "Women in this social-media-obsessed country have been rallying, online and on the streets, against sexist comments and attacks on women. The response is seen as a small step for women's rights in Indonesia, where the government is secular and most people practice a moderate form of Islam."

Egypt Appeals Court's Month-Long Ban On YouTube

redorbit.com, Egypt Appeals Court's Month-Long Ban On YouTube "According to the Associated Press (AP), representatives from the country’s telecommunications ministry, as well as officials from a free-speech advocacy group, have requested that the court reverse a previous ruling that would have required the government to block all access to the website for one month."

Malaysian leaders in online videos to woo voters

asiaone.com, Malaysian leaders in online videos to woo voters "From Prime Minister Najib Razak beating a Chinese drum to Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat wishing Kong Hee Fatt Choy, more Malaysian politicians are starring in online videos in their latest attempt to connect with urban voters and youth."

Al-Qaeda Wing Claims Responsibility For Iraq Bombings

RFE/RL, Al-Qaeda Wing Claims Responsibility For Iraq Bombings "The group, the Islamic State of Iraq, posted a message on an extremist Internet forum on February 18, saying the previous day’s attacks were "in revenge for criminal acts by the Shi'ite-led government in Sunni areas of the capital.""

Friday, February 15, 2013

Syria's Al Qaeda-linked militants win hearts by providing food

The National, Syria's Al Qaeda-linked militants win hearts by providing food, 13 Feb 2013, : "Al Nusra's promotional video on the internet last summer shows masked fighters delivering fresh vegetables in the eastern Deir Al Zour province, where the group has seen a number of military victories. In the eastern Deir Al Zour province, the group was reported to have imposed strict Sharia rules on areas where it defeated government troops."

Islamic extremism: The languages of jihad

Islamic extremism: The languages of jihad | The Economist "... the once monoglot world of jihad is increasingly multilingual. Al-Qaeda has long advocated the creation of self-starting, independent terrorist cells. Materials are being produced in the language of any part of the world that has a Muslim minority and thus potential sympathisers, says Thomas Hegghammer, an expert on violent extremism. Translations are appearing in the languages of countries where jihadist leaders want to see further activity." Not exactly news, perhaps, but interesting that The Economist has got hold of it.

The internet subculture of Indonesian face-veiled women

Eva F Nisa, The internet subculture of Indonesian face-veiled women, International Journal of Cultural Studies, March 2013 "The article analyses internet usage by Indonesian face-veiled women (cadari). Such women desire to return to a true Islam, and are often understood by mainstream Muslims as oppressed. Taking advantage of the freedom of speech that has emerged in Indonesia’s post-authoritarian period, they use media strategically for their own purposes in ways quite different from those motivating the internet habits of mainstream Muslims in Indonesia. The article analyses how the women create and maintain subcultures through the internet. Specifically, it focuses on the mailing list of one group of Salafi women, and a virtual business enterprise run by a cadari. While the existing literature tends to emphasize those aspects of the internet that can contribute to the creation of civil society, the internet has enabled cadari to fashion differing trajectories compatible with their subcultures." This sounds very interesting. Haven't seen the whole article - payment/subscription is required.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

#shahbag: Social media + protest in Bangladesh

Guardian, Shahbag protesters versus the Butcher of Mirpur "Shahbag is unique for Bangladesh on two important fronts. First is the prevalence and visibility of women, who are among the core organisers. Unlike in many public spaces in Bangladesh, women have been highly visible. They frequently take the microphone to lead the crowd in chanting. Second is the movement's use of social networking on Facebook and Twitter, and dependence on the 24-hour satellite news channels that have been covering the protest since the first." This is a very good article by Tahmima Anam.

Also see     #shahbag

Wikipedia: 2013 Shahbag Protest

CNN iReport, Rise and Rise Youth of Bangladesh: You Have Nothing To Fear But Your Own Power


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Saudi cleric who killed 5-year-old daughter will 'stay in prison for a long time'

Saudi cleric who killed 5-year-old daughter will 'stay in prison for a long time' - World - IBNLive "The royal family has taken up the case of child abuse by a Saudi celebrity cleric who confessed to the beating death of his 5-year-old daughter. The royal family intervened in the case after online activists called for harsher punishments after reports that the cleric received only a light sentence."

Iran accused of ‘faking it’ in Photoshopped fighter jet blunder

alarabiya.net, Iran accused of ‘faking it’ in Photoshopped fighter jet blunder "The picture intends to show a Qaher-313 jet soaring over a snow covered mountain and was posted on the Iranian site Khouz News, the Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

"Iranian bloggers claim the image was doctored using Photoshop."

Online matchmaking a hit with Saudi couples

Online matchmaking a hit with Saudi couples - Channel NewsAsia  ""Social networks undermine our work and everything they offer is virtual: they use nicknames and they are not reliable," said Um Sami, an elderly woman and well-established matchmaker from the Red Sea city of Jeddah."

Another Afghanistan in making: Ahrar al-Sham jihadists emerge from shadows in Syria :.

.:Middle East Online::Another Afghanistan in making: Ahrar al-Sham jihadists emerge from shadows in Syria, 13 Feb 2013 "Their victories have been trumpeted on the Internet and, rebel sources say, have been accomplished thanks to financial backing from Gulf Arab countries."

Saturday, February 09, 2013

Egypt orders YouTube shutdown for not removing anti-Islam film

alarabiya.net, Egypt orders YouTube shutdown for not removing anti-Islam film, 9 Feb 2013 "A court in Egypt ordered on Saturday the suspension of YouTube for a month for not removing The Innocence of Islam, a controversial film deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammed, the state news agency MENA reported."

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Facebook developing app that will track your every move

Mail Online, Facebook developing app that will track your every move – even when it’s turned off, 7 Feb 2013

Taliban, IMU form Ansar al Aseer to free jihadist prisoners

longwarjournal.org, Taliban, IMU form Ansar al Aseer to free jihadist prisoners, 5 Feb 2013"In a recent video, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan announced the formation of the Ansar al Aseer, a unit tasked to free jihadist prisoners and support their families. The video features Adnan Rasheed, a dangerous Pakistani jihadist who was freed in a jailbreak last year; Yassin Chouka, a wanted German commander in the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; and Abdul Hakeem, a Russian IMU member." Draws on other sources

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

'Countering Individual Jihad: Perspectives on Nidal Hasan and Colleen LaRose'

Penn State Live, IST researchers examine online networks used to recruit terrorists relates to article by Peter K. Forster, “Countering Individual Jihad: Perspectives on Nidal Hasan and Colleen LaRose,”, CTX Journal

‘Unprecedented’ Holocaust tribute by French imams

france24.com, ‘Unprecedented’ Holocaust tribute by French imams, 5 Feb 2013 "In the first such event in France, some 30 French Imams visited the Holocaust Memorial at Drancy near Paris on Monday. The visit comes at a time of high tension between France’s Muslim and Jewish communities."

Palestinian leader mistakes Morsi for Mubarak

AP/enquirerherald.com, Palestinian leader mistakes Morsi for Mubarak "Abbas intended to thank Egypt for supporting the Palestinian cause. He began by saying "President Mohammed Hosni" then stopped short and corrected himself to say "Mohammed Morsi." Morsi remained mostly stone faced during the gaffe except for a slight movement of the mouth that hinted at disapproval."

St. Paul police officer apologizes for photo dressed as female Muslim Target employee

twincities.com, St. Paul police officer apologizes for photo dressed as female Muslim Target employee "The St. Paul police officer seen dressed as a female Muslim Target store employee in a widely circulated and criticized Internet photo issued an apology Tuesday, Feb. 5, saying the image was "never meant to become public.""

Tunisia protests after government critic shot dead

swissinfo.ch, Tunisia protests after government critic shot dead, 6 Feb 2013

Religion goes digital: Saudi Arabia connects with instant Quran

IANS/twocircles.net, Religion goes digital: Saudi Arabia connects with instant Quran "Former Jamia Millia Islamia professor and writer Zubair Ahmad Farooqi admits to a change in the reading pattern of the Quran with inroads made by the Internet. ""Computer makes the Quran easily accessible, making reading more social. It is accessible to anybody who wants to learn and has become more relevant in the context of the recent misleading propaganda about Islam, stoking controversies in countries like India," Farooqi told IANS. "The "propaganda appears to have a silver lining because it is fuelling curiosity to acquire correct and authentic knowledge, presenting the text in a new light," he added."