Farah Mohamed Shirdon of Calgary, fighting for ISIS, dead in Iraq, reports say – Politics – CBC News

2014/08/19 Leave a comment

Hard to feel any sympathy for Shirdon given his actions and rhetoric but we can for family members:

Farah Mohamed Shirdon, a Calgarian fighting overseas with the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, was seen in the video burning his Canadian passport and threatening to destroy Iraq’s oppressors.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is aware of reports that a Canadian was killed in Iraq and is following the situation closely.

Farah Mohamed Shirdon of Calgary, fighting for ISIS, dead in Iraq, reports say – Politics – CBC News.

A good profile on Shirdon in The National Post:

Mr. Little said he didn’t recognize his friend in the video.

“It clearly wasn’t him anymore,” he said. When he learned of his death, Mr. Little tweeted: “The guy I knew was already dead inside, it’s still very disheartening to hear the news about my former friend. R.I.P. Farah Shirdon”

….. Mr. Shirdon’s family, including a mother, two brothers and at least one sister, were members of Calgary’s Somali-Canadian community.

Mohamed Jama, the Somali Canadian Society of Calgary president, described the family as “normal.”

“It’s very hard for his family,” he said. “Even the parents have no idea why this young man has [gone] to join this radical group.”

Mr. Jama was unaware Mr. Shirdon had been killed, calling the news “shocking.”

On a Twitter account believed to belong to Mr. Shirdon, a tweet from June read, “Beheading Shias is a beautiful thing.”

The account, under the pseudonym Abu Usamah, had more than 10,000 followers.

Mr. Jama said the Somali community in Calgary didn’t understand why Mr. Shirdon radicalized.

“It’s very hard to believe,” he said. “Especially a young person who grew up in the Western [world] and goes to a place he has no ethnicity, no community, no language.”

Mr. Jama described the actions of ISIS as a “killing phenomena.”

Farah Mohamed Shirdon, Calgary ISIS fighter reportedly killed in Iraq, was ‘dead inside’ long ago, friend says

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with , ,

ISIS child recruitment push hints at long-term ambitions – World – CBC News

2014/08/19 Leave a comment

Pretty nasty stuff, but in character of ISIS and its equivalents (and reminiscent of the Kadr family):

HRW [Human Rights Watch] said that children who joined armed groups in Syria did so after enduring torture by the regime, after participating in protests, or because schooling was no longer an option.

But, according to the report, others “simply … had a desire to go to battle.”

“The images of child soldiers I’m most familiar with are out of Africa, where there’s the practice of taking young children and sort of breaking them down psychologically and remoulding them as trained killers said Michael Dartnell, a terrorism expert who teaches political science at Georgian College in Ontario.

“I’m not certain if that’s actually what is going on in Syria and Iraq right now.”

Even so, Dartnell added he wasn’t sure about the capacity for such young minds to make independent ideological choices so early in life.

While Roggio said his monitoring of jihadi social-media feeds brought up images of young ISIS supporters brandishing weapons, marching in extremist parades and hitting posters of perceived infidels with their shoes, “I don’t see them being deployed on the battlefields or into towns” as one might expect a child soldier to do.

Instead, he believes youths are considered by ISIS as being more of a long-term “asset.”

“The children aren’t disposable to them,” he said, adding that their exploitation is a means of survival for the movement.

Becker, with HRW, said that child soldiers have been shown in the past to be used in some of the most dangerous tasks, such as suicide missions.

“It’s deeply concerning,” she said. “All children in Syria are suffering incredibly from the violence there, but to put children directly into battle is just beyond the pale.”

ISIS child recruitment push hints at long-term ambitions – World – CBC News.

Filed under Radicalization Tagged with , ,

Kuwait and revoking citizenship – Al Arabiya News

2014/08/16 Leave a comment

The Gulf government view on extremism and revocation (not just for acts of terrorism but for extremist speech):

Extremist groups have realized that the silence of governments has enabled them to act freely, ensuring them protection and free movement especially if they are unarmed. These groups have now lost. Over the past few years, extremists succeeded in building mutually-reinforcing networks across borders, including with in the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Britain, France and other countries. Some were bold enough to threaten different factions of society, thus benefiting from the spread of terrorism.

However, this network is collapsing after governments decided to besiege it via different means. Political authorities found that targeting leaders is better than pursuing followers and that revoking citizenship will stop individuals who act as figure heads. This would send a strong message that the government will not be content with security checks and lawsuits but will resort to exerting its maximum power to bring down figures whom it considers dangerous to its national security.

Kuwait and revoking citizenship – Al Arabiya News.

Filed under Citizenship, Radicalization, Revocation Tagged with , ,

Jonathan Kay: Sun News’ cynical attacks on Justin Trudeau have crossed the line into anti-Muslim hysteria

2014/08/08 Leave a comment

Kay nails it:

Moreover: If indeed it is true that al-Sunnah al-Nabawiah mosque remains a religious home for unassimilated Muslim immigrants with radical, un-Canadian views, shouldn’t that be all the more reason for Canadian politicians to let those congregants know that if they want to live and flourish in this country, they need to adapt to our values?

Justin Trudeau’s riding of Papineau is one of the poorest and most diverse in Canada. It is full of immigrants who are wrestling with the process of integrating into Canadian life. What sort of MP would we want for such a riding — one who brags to Sun News viewers about how he wouldn’t set foot within 50 feet of this or that house of prayer, lest he be tainted by association with the teeming Muslim hordes who pray therein … or someone who actually seeks to engage with these people and draw them into the political mainstream?

Jonathan Kay: Sun News’ cynical attacks on Justin Trudeau have crossed the line into anti-Muslim hysteria

Andrew Lawton, also in the National Post, piles on this critique:

 

When the PMO arranged my interview with James, I was looking forward to hearing what the government had done or was doing to address the radicalization alleged at the Al Sunnah Al Nabawiah mosque. Shockingly, what I presumed was the most relevant question to the discussion, appeared to dumbfound James, who skirted it no fewer than three times, offering up only scripted condemnations of Justin Trudeau.

“I think it was completely outrageous. I think it’s completely unacceptable that the leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, would associate with a group that allegedly radicalizes Canadians to join al-Qaeda and has even been listed by the Pentagon as a location known to them,” James told me during the live interview.

I asked, “Why is this a politics question and not a question of Canadian public safety and intelligence?”

I was expecting anything but the answer she gave.

“I thank you for that question, but as you know, I probably —I cannot comment on operational matters of national security, Andrew,” she said. “But I think the real question is here — Justin Trudeau knew about this. He knew about this and instead he went into this mosque, did a whole lot of handshaking and trying to win votes. He will stoop at nothing to try to win over terrorist organizations. I can’t believe this.”

Embarrassing. But even intelligent MPs sound stupid when they have to stick to stupid talking points (e.g., Chris Alexander defending the government’s handling of the F-35, among others).

Not sure this helps them.

Andrew Lawton: If Trudeau is schmoozing with terrorists, why aren’t we arresting any?

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Ahmad Waseem case illustrates Canadas foreign fighter problem

2014/08/06 Leave a comment

Good range of commentary on the challenges on stopping “terror tourism” and Australia’s legal framework:

Its telling that Waseem is wanted by the RCMP on charges of passport fraud but not terror-related crimes. In his case, says [Craig] Forcese, it is more than likely that if he ever returns to Canada, hell be prosecuted on those charges — which carry a sentence of up to 14 years in prison — rather than for his activities in Syria.

“It’s sort of an Al Capone strategy,” Forcese said, referring to the FBIs inability to pin any charges but tax evasion against the notorious Chicago gangster.

Alex Neve, the secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, said his concerns lie with whether foreign fighters violate the Geneva Convention, which set out the international rules of war, during their travels.

“Human-rights law would be concerned that if an individual is going to take part in an armed conflict or insurgency … and there’s reason to believe that in doing so, they’re likely to be involved in the commission of war crimes or crimes against humanity, then it would be important to look at what kinds of legal restrictions would be imposed,” Neve said.

Another consideration is that the labels “terrorist” and “insurgent” are highly charged.

“Some of these terms can be very politicized,” Neve said.

Forcese’s proposal? Adopting a Canadian “neutrality act” modelled after Australia’s Crimes Incursions and Recruitment Act, with a blanket ban on taking up arms with any non-government army.

The Australian law includes a maximum prison sentence of  20 years if a citizen or resident enters a foreign state with intent to engage in hostile activity.

“That includes trying to overthrow the government or injuring public office holders, or basically engaging in a war,” Forcese said.

It would also prohibit financing armed groups on behalf of a faction that isn’t part of a foreign government.

Would have been interesting to know the experience Australia has in enforcing the law.

Ahmad Waseem case illustrates Canadas foreign fighter problem – Canada – CBC News.

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with , , , ,

Young Brits join the jihad in Syria

2014/07/31 Leave a comment

Good overview in Macleans of the UK “terror tourists” but situating this in the broader context of Mid-East societies:

Terrorism, however, has been a real threat in the U.K., with the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland in the latter half of the 20th century and, more recently, the 2005 attack in central London, where suicide bombers killed 52 people. That led to the creation of the 2006 Terrorism Act; a new offence concerned “preparatory acts” of terror.

The changes were controversial. Tayab Ali is a solicitor whose clients include a number of British citizens who have been accused of terrorism. He believes the 2006 legislation “has the tendency to prosecute people who might be angry and expressing strong political views, but who don’t have any real ambition of participating or supporting terrorism in any way.”

Barrett, the former MI6 officer, understands how bewildering it must be to young men who hear about the humanitarian crisis in Syria and want to act. In June, U.S. President Barack Obama proposed funding “moderate” Syrian rebels at the same time the U.S. and its allies were warning nationals not to join the same groups. “It’s very confusing indeed,” Barrett sighs. But, in the end, “the threat of the returning fighter is a small one, compared to the threat of a complete destabilization and destruction of social cohesion in the Middle East.”

Young Brits join the jihad in Syria.

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with , ,

Australia: Imams warn against radicalism to Aboriginal inmates converting to Islam

2014/07/29 Leave a comment

Interesting article from Australia on radicalization and Aboriginals, and the role prison chaplains can play in reducing risks. Radicalization while in prison is a fairly common issue in a number of countries:

Australian National University researcher Clarke Jones, who is writing a book on prison radicalisation, said extremist conversions were rare because terrorism inmates tended to be at the bottom of the prison pecking order in Australia.

He cited the recent case of Sydney man Khaled Sharrouf, who posted images of himself fighting in Iraq and standing over slaughtered bodies, as an unusual case of an inmate committing acts of jihad upon release.

Sharrouf served four years for his role in the Pendennis terror plot and recently said on Twitter he received weekly lessons from al-Qaeda leader Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi via the jail phone, a claim that had not been verified.

“The problem is a lot of these de-radicalisation programs are very generic … and tend to be a one-size-fits-all model,” Dr Clarke said.

Asmi Wood, senior research fellow at the National Centre for Indigenous Studies, was aware of Aboriginal conversions in prison and said elders were concerned that converts would join foreign jihad but he had seen no evidence of it.

Rod Moore, chaplaincy co-ordinator for Corrective Services NSW, told the conference NSW had “a long way to go” to increase chaplaincy services but the program led the way globally.

Imams warn against radicalism to Aboriginal inmates converting to Islam.

Filed under Radicalization Tagged with , , ,

Stopping ‘terror tourism’: The behind-the-scenes struggle to keep would-be jihadists at home

2014/07/28 Leave a comment

Another case of homegrown radicalization, Ahmed Waseem, of Windsor, Ontario. Seems like his family and the local Imam did everything possible to dissuade him and alert the authorities on the risk that he would return to Syria:

Sgt. Cox said the RCMP “works diligently” with its partners to keep Canadians from joining terrorist groups and has been focusing on prevention programs to help communities counter the toxic narratives of extremists. “The RCMP cannot effectively counter the threat of radicalization leading to violence through detection and disruption alone.”

Imam Mahmoud said the mosque was cooperating fully with agencies conducting the investigation. But he put part of the blame on the authorities for letting Mr. Waseem slip away and not being more clear that fighting in Syria was illegal.

Recently, he said, the RCMP told Mr. Waseem’s mother to pass a message to her son. “They said, ‘If he comes back we’re going to arrest him,’” he said. But the imam said that was counterproductive, and could drive Mr. Waseem away knowing what he faces if he returns to Canada.

The imam sounded frustrated as he recounted all the community had done to get the young man back on track, efforts that were ultimately an unsuccessful match for the stubborn resolve of a determined youth. “He has free will,” he said. “If the government can’t stop him, what can we do?”

Stopping ‘terror tourism’: The behind-the-scenes struggle to keep would-be jihadists at home

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with , ,

RCMP charge Canadian for allegedly joining Islamist fighters in Syria

2014/07/28 Leave a comment

Yet another alleged jihadist charged. But given he is out of the country, no trial unless he returns to Canada:

What is known in the case against Mr. Yusufzai is reflected in the police statement, which was filed in a Richmond, B.C. courthouse on July 17. It is not clear why the RCMP singled out Mr. Yusufzai as a test of the new law, though the charge suggests detectives have amassed evidence they lack in other cases. It’s often extremely difficult for police to obtain witness statements and gather other evidence in foreign conflict zones.

“The individual is known to have travelled to Syria to join Islamist fighters,” is the only additional information that an RCMP spokesman, Corporal David Falls, would provide.

Family members in B.C. say Mr. Yusufzai is actually working in a restaurant in Turkey, and calls them on Skype. They say that he has been smeared. “He’s harmless,” a brother said.

Relatively little is known about the suspect, who appears to have been raised in Canada by immigrant parents. One neighbour outside his family’s rented apartment told The Globe that starting three years ago, the young man began to change – becoming more religious, dressing in more traditional Islamic clothing, and even mentioning “jihad.” “He changed 100 per cent,” that neighbour said.

If he is in Turkey working in a restaurant and calling home via Skype, he could presumably call the Globe reporters or others as well directly to tell his story.

RCMP charge Canadian for allegedly joining Islamist fighters in Syria – The Globe and Mail.

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with ,

Calgary mom targeted by jihadist blogger after her radicalized son killed in Syria

2014/07/23 Leave a comment

Not exactly a nice gesture to a grieving mother seeking explanation for her son, Damian Clairmont’s, turn to radical Islam and death in Syria:

Chris Boudreau has been reeling for months after learning her son died fighting with a terrorist group overseas. Now, a self-proclaimed jihadist is urging the Calgary mother to embrace an extremist ideology she suspects was used to brainwash her son.

On his blog, Abu Dujana al-Muhajir claims he was among a group of young men who left Calgary to join “various fronts of Jihad” after forming a study group at a downtown mosque. Damian Clairmont, Boudreau’s son who was also part of the group, was later killed during rebel infighting in Syria.

Clairmont’s death devastated and confounded his mother, who continues to struggle with how her boy, raised in a loving Canadian family, could adopt radical views and die fighting for them.

In his latest blog post, Abu Dujana writes an open letter to Boudreau in which he explains the ideology behind her son’s path to violence and encourages her to become sympathetic to the cause.

“The attempt to get me to fall for the same thing just made me shake my head,” said Boudreau, who has branded herself an advocate against homegrown radicalization, and has met with officials across Canada and abroad to advance her cause.

“At least it means I must be getting to somebody enough that they are trying to find another way to get me to see their point of view, so that I don’t continue what I’m doing.”

… Boudreau recently returned from Europe, where she met with three other mothers whose sons had also died fighting alongside radical Islamic groups. One of those sons was killed just two months before Clairmont in the same Syrian town northwest of Aleppo.

She was able to build a bond with the other women, something she had been searching for, and learned their sons spouted the same kind of rhetoric she read in Abu Dujana’s blog.

“After talking to these mothers and hearing the exact same story over and over again, you know that (radicals are) using the same verbiage with everybody.”

… The blog posts offer an apparent window into the group’s ideology and their path to violence.

The latest missive advances a form of Islam based on a selective reading of the Qur’an, ignoring verses that contradict its point of view, said Aaron Hugues, an author who has written extensively on religion and holds a PhD on Islamic studies.

“What these guys do is they have very little understanding of the tradition … and they tell themselves these ludicrous stories that they’re waging jihad and that if they die they’ll go to paradise, and it’s brainwashing,” said Hughes, who used to teach at the University of Calgary but now lectures at the University of Rochester.

“In many respects, I think this radical Islam is a cult, and these kids need to be deprogrammed,” Hughes said.

“This thing that he wrote is really meant to unsettle us, Canadians, because it’s very articulate … and he’s trying to say, we know full well what we’re doing and we’re not brainwashed,” he said.

Mubin Shaikh, a former Muslim radical who joined CSIS as an undercover operative in a Toronto terrorism investigation, said he was considering a formal response to the blog post on behalf of Boudreau, whom he’s been helping.

He called the open letter propaganda that “cherry-picks” verses of the Qur’an to promote a radical version of Islam.

He said the missive is simply an attempt to justify Clairmont’s “indoctrination.”

“These guys are relative nobodies, and they put on this hero costume and they want people to follow them,” Shaikh said. “He’s wrong on so many levels.”

Calgary mom targeted by jihadist blogger after her radicalized son killed in Syria

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with , , , ,

← Older posts

Newer posts →