Periodical Review: Summary of Information from Jihadi Forums. This report summarizes the most prominent events brought up in the Jihadi

Transcription

1 Periodical Review: Summary of Information from Jihadi Forums The second half of This report summarizes the most prominent events brought up in the Jihadi online forums in the second half of. Following are the main issues raised in this report: Sheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri, leader of the Al-Qaeda organization, eulogizes in a video tape Abu Al-Walid Al-Maqdisi, one of the founders of the Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem a Salafi Jihadi Palestinian group active in the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. Ahmad Ashush, one of the senior members of the Salafi Jihadi movement in Egypt, has officially declared the establishment of the "Combative Salafi Vanguard Ansar Al-Sharia in Egypt" group. Following operation "Pillar of Defense", the Salafi Jihadi groups across the Middle East call to the Muslims to provide aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and to fight Israel's aggression. Salafi Jihadists in Gao, in northern Mali, announced they began implementing the Sharia in the city. The Fursan Al-Balagh Jihadi media institute published a new magazine called Al-Balagh. A new issue of the Jihadi magazine in Turkish, İslam Dünyası (the World of Islam). 1

2 New publications Ideology The Salafi Jihadi Jordanian portal Minbar Al-Tawhid wal-jihad published a video clip titled: The Afghanistan Stage: the Legitimacy of Going to Afghanistan: the Brothers, the Jihad, Sheikh Azzam and the Sada Camp Part 1, by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, considered to be the father of the Salafi Jihadi movement in Jordan, who is incarcerated in a Jordanian prison for involvement in terror and support of terrorism. 1 Sheikh Abu Sa ad Al-Amili published an article titled A Message of Appreciation to our Innocent Hiding Soldiers published in the Jihadi forums through the Fursan Al-Balagh Jihadi media institute. 2 Al-Amili stressed the importance of the contribution of all those Muslims helping the Mujahideen behind the scenes. Thus for example, he mentioned the importance of the aid given the Mujahideen in the fighting arenas such as food supplies, financial aid, logistical aid, professional and security knowhow as well as the propaganda praising the Mujahideen and the concentrating of efforts is persuading more Muslims to join the Jihad theaters. According to him These soldiers should remain in the shadows even in respect of those with whom they have a Jihadi and political contact by use of aliases, hiding their places of residence and their whereabouts. At times they will be required to hide their faces during contact or during periods of training [ ]. The GIMF Jihadi media institute published an article in German titled the Nothing has changed: commentary on the results of the American elections (Arabic). 2 (Arabic). 3 (Arabic). 2

3 Strategy The Nukhbat al- Ilam al-jihadi Jihadi propaganda group published a transcript for two audio segments (parts 22 and 23) in a series of publications called The terrorism industry by Sheikh Abu 'Ubaidah 'Abdullah Al-'Adam, which was already published a year ago. Audio segment no. 22 titled The Safe House focuses on houses or locations that are supposed to serve as a secret and safe center for the activity of the Mujahideen groups. Thus for example, a list of activities that can be carried out in these hiding places is specified, such as secret meetings, caring for the wounded etc. Furthermore, the criteria for selecting a safe house are listed, such as its location in areas where there is no massive government presence, away from locations with bad influences such as drug trafficking locales, away from busy locations etc. The nature of the location's structure is also detailed, as for example the need for hidden levels, the need to disguise it as a place of commerce, and more. Audio segment no. 23 titled Seizure and Intelligence Inspection focuses on the manner of searching various places such as rooms, apartments, suitcases, cars, as well as people. The benefit of seizing hostages is also detailed, such as extraction 3

4 of intelligence, exchanging hostages for money, prisoners, etc. The stages of apprehending people are detailed and more. 4 Instructional and Guidance Publications A member of the Shumukh Al-Islam Jihadi forum published a manual on acquiring skills in order to become a sniper (Arabic). 5 (Arabic). 4

5 The Valiat Dagestan website continues with the periodical publication of instructions and explanations to present and future Jihad fighters. At the beginning of this segment, a list of the items each fighter must own prior to leaving for action is detailed: uniform, shoes, backpack, mat, tent, sleeping bag, thermal clothing, gloves, socks and food. It is emphasized that most of the equipment will be given to the fighter upon him joining his brothers, but it is preferable that he come prepared in advance in any event. Furthermore, the publication notes that the equipment must be hidden and its components separated, as together they comprise the "terrorist's equipment". For example, everyone has at home mercury, acetone and powdered sugar, but it is strange to find them together. Therefore, the document recommends storing the equipment in plastic boxes to be carefully buried in the ground. The burial in the ground must be similar to the digging of a hiding place in the woods and the equipment is not to be simply buried in a "pit" in the ground. Later on the publication refers at length to clothing and shoes which the fighter must wear, the quality food he must eat and the extensive hospitality he should receive from his neighbors and acquaintances. 6 A member of the Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum published an extensive ontology for downloading manuals in English on the assembly of explosives. 7 A prominent member of the Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum posted links to eight video clips focusing on fighting tactics of the British Special 6 (Russian) 7 (Arabic) 5

6 Forces in enemy territory. The series of video clips is called SAS Survival Secrets - Guardians against Terror. 8 A member of the Al-Minbar Jihadi forum posted a link for downloading two software programs called: PCB Wizard 3.50 Pro and Livewire 1.11 Pro. These programs were meant for teaching electrical science, such as the construction of electricity boards and such. Furthermore, the member posted a link for downloading a manual written by the members of the Ansar Al-Islam group, a Salafi Jihadi group operating in Iraq, on the subject of electricity. 9 The caption: stages of construction on an electricity circuit by a member of the Ansar Al-Islam group Promoting the Myth of the Shahid 8 (Arabic) 9 (Arabic) 6

7 Sheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda's leader, eulogized Sheikh Hisham Al- Saidani, known as Abu Al-Walid Al-Maqdisi, in a video tape produced by the As-Sahab Jihadi media institute. 10 Al-Zawahiri praised his determination in fighting Israel and his unwillingness to accept the peace treaties and his refusal to give up Palestine. He expressed hope that Al-Maqdisi's martyr's death will serve as an incentive for the Mujahideen in the Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem to unite around the uniqueness of God, unite their ranks and focus the efforts on the war against the Zionist enemy. Abu Al-Walid Al-Maqdisi was known as the leader of the Salafi Jihadi group called Al-Tawhid wal-jihad in the Gaza Strip and as one of the founders of the Mujahideen's Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, a Salafi Jihadi organization identified with global Jihad, operating in the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. He had ties with various Jihad organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Salafi Jihadi movement in Jordan. On October 13 th he was eliminated by the Israeli Air Force in the Jabalia Refugee Camp (Arabic) 7

8 A member of the Shumukh Al-Islam Jihadi forum reported the death of a shahid called Ashur Buktawa (known as Abu Obeida Al-Libi), who was a member of an immigrant squadron near Latakiya, who was killed in the course of fighting in the city of Qastal Maaf in Syria. 11 A surfer on the Shumukh Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum reported the death of a member of the Al-Fajr movement called Abu Zubayr Al- Halabi. 12 Another surfer reported on the death of another member of the Al-Fajr movement called Hitab on November 29 th 2012, during an exchange of fire in the Salah Al-Din neighborhood in Haleb against the Syrian security forces. 13 The Al-Fajr movement is led by Al-Tatrusi, a Salafi Jihadi sheikh who joined the forces fighting Bashar Al-Asad's regime (Arabic) 12 (Arabic) 13 November 26 th - 29 th 2012, (Arabic) 8

9 Abu Zubayr Al-Halabi The Al-Dharaghem Jihadi media institute (The Lions) posted together with the Ushaq Al-Hur Jihadi forum (the Lovers of the Blacked Eyed Virgins) two audio segments by Sheikh Omar Al-Hadushi, one of the senior members of the Salafi Jihadi movement in Morocco: a. In one segment Al-Hadushi referred to the death of two prominent Tunisian Salafi, Muhammad Bakhti and Bechir Gholli, as a result of a hunger strike they went on for nearly two months in protest of the deplorable treatment the received in the Tunisian prison, expressed in beatings and humiliations. Al-Hadushi accused the Tunisian authorities of being responsible to the death of the two and criticized them claiming their policy is dictated by the US and the West. According to him, the Al- Nahda Party, heading the Tunisian government, is no different than Hamas, as both imprison religious clerics, act against the Salafi and their policy is dictated to great extent by the US and the Zionists, respectively. Furthermore, Al-Hadushi dealt in this respect with various questions such as whether a Muslim who died as a result of a hunger strike is considered as having committed suicide or as a shahid, who is 9

10 responsible for the death of the two, and dispensed advice to the Salafi youth in Tunisia on how to behave following this event. 14 A banner produced by the Ushaq Al-Hur Jihadi forum with a photo of the two Tunisian shahids who died b. In the second segment, Al-Hadushi addresses the Awakening Youth, young Muslims who took part in the Arab Spring, telling them to be careful not to believe rumors spread by the enemies of Islam. 15 Magazines The Fursan Al-Balagh Jihadi media institute published a new magazine titled Al-Balagh. Amongst the subjects discussed in the first issue (46 pages) is an article praising the Prophet Muhammad, an article on the relations between Moscow and Iran, a biography on Sheikh Ayman Al- Zawahiri, reports on Jihad and more. 16 The magazine's front 14 (Arabic) 15 (Arabic) 16 (Arabic) 10

11 Issue no. 7 8 of the İslam Dünyası Jihadi magazine in Turkish. 17 The magazine's front page Issue no. 42 of the Al-Waqi Jihadi magazine. 18 The magazine contains a collection of reports from various Jihad theaters as well as international news. The magazine's front page Reports from the field Afghanistan Pakistan 17 (Turkish) 18 (Arabic) 11

12 A report on the Pakistani government releasing the emir of the Tora Bora movement in Afghanistan, Sheikh Anwar Al-Haq, after three and a half years of imprisonment. 19 The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan referred to the decision made by the central government in Kabul, to execute prisoners from amongst the Mujahideen. The Emirate stressed that these are prisoners of war and not criminal prisoners, and therefore executing them is against all human laws. It expressed its concern over the matter and pleads with the UN, with international and Islamic entities to prevent the afghan government from carrying this out. The Emirate warns that their execution will result in dire consequences for the central government in Kabul and its legal bodies, when they will not have the right to make any claims against the Emirate. In conclusion, it calls to all of the media to publish the injustice caused to these prisoners. 20 A senior member of the Jihadi forum reported on the upcoming launch of a new Jihadi magazine belonging to Taliban Pakistan, called The Revival of the Caliphates. A surfer on the Hanein forum asks for appropriate articles on the subject of Jihad and hopes that donations will be given for this project. 21 Iraq The Islamic State of Iraq published in the second half of several publications: 19 (Arabic) 20 (Arabic) 21 (Arabic) 12

13 - A report on 178 military actions carried out in the Ninwe Province in the course of the month Du Al-Qaeda (September October 2012) and 22 additional military actions carried out in August A report on 73 military actions carried out in the Salah Al-Din Province and Northern Bagdad in the course of September October A report on 37 military actions carried out in the Diyala Province in the course of September October A report on 76 military actions carried out in the Southern Province in the course of September October Apart from claims of responsibility over terrorist attacks against Shiite security forces in Iraq, a claiming of responsibility over an attempted terrorist attacks with a car bomb against the French Consulate and a terrorist attack using a car bomb in a meeting between western businessmen and a minister and senior officials in the Iraqi government are mentioned. The Shumukh Al-Islam Jihadi forum published a series of exclusive photographs of members of the Islamic State of Iraq who succeeded in escaping from the Tasfirat Prison in Tikrit on September 27 th It was said that after their escape they returned to fight in the Jihad theater in Iraq. 25 The escape operation, which resulted in the escape of about 100 prisoners, including dozens of terrorists, constitutes a part of the Islamic State of Iraq's strategy, who declared 22 (Arabic) 23 (Arabic) 24 (Arabic) 25 (Arabic) 13

14 towards the end of July 2012 that it will invest efforts in releasing Sunni prisoners. A surfer on the global Jihad network forum presented the Iraqi Shiite Thaer Al-Darraji, as a preacher in favor of Shiitization, coming out with grave accusations against the Sunni and systematically cursing them and their ancestors, each time identifying himself with a different name. He posted many YouTube segments on his hate of the Sunni, and pleaded with the Lions of Islam to cut his head off. 26 A surfer on the Hanein forum asks whether poison or explosions should be used in parades held by the Shiite in the Ashura ceremonies. About 40 surfers answered the question. 70% of them responded in the affirmative. 27 A surfer on the Hanein forum asks how many Sunni are there helping the Shiite Iraqi government across the country. The surfers provide data mentioning 3,000 and more, and note that many others were eliminated. According to them, there are those who were recruited to the Iraqi police and army, others were abandoned and some were arrested by the government. There are also those who fled Iraq or fled to the Kurdish region in the north of the country for fear of being eliminated. Another surfer posted a news article stating that in 2007 they numbered 180 thousand and that by the time of the US's withdrawal from Iraq about 50 thousand remained. 28 Al-Sham 26 (Arabic) 27 (Arabic) 28 (Arabic) 14

15 In the course of the second half of October 2012, the Al-Nusrah Front issued the following publications: - Message no. 148: 29 claiming responsibility for a terrorist attack at the Barad blockade in the city of Basri-Daraa. As a result, 60 Syrian government employees were killed and two tanks were destroyed. - Message no. 149: 30 claiming responsibility for breaching the Khirbat Ghazala blockade in the city of Daraa on July 20 th Message no. 150: 31 claiming responsibility for the elimination of 50 Shabiha men (a militia of thugs acting on behalf of the government) operating on behalf of the Syrian security forces and for several military operations in Daraa and its surroundings. - Message no. 151: 32 claiming responsibility for the bombing of car of Shabiha men using a motorcycle bomb in Basra. - Message no. 152: 33 claiming responsibility for clashes with a group of Syrian soldiers in the Al-Lajaa region in Daraa (Arabic) 30 (Arabic) 31 (Arabic) 32 (Arabic) 33 (Arabic) 15

16 - Message no. 153: 34 claiming responsibility for the assassination of several Syrian army officials in two separate sniper attacks in Homs on September 16 th and 17 th Message no. 154: 35 claiming responsibility for bombing a car carrying Shabiha men using a roadside bomb near the village of Taqsis between Hamat and Homs on September 16 th Message no. 155: 36 claiming responsibility for a number of shell shooting operations against blockades in Homs. - Message no. 156: 37 claiming responsibility for shell shooting towards the Muluk blockade in the city of Talbisa on September 19 th 2012 and on the following day. - Message no. 157: 38 claiming responsibility for an attempted terrorist attack against a concentration of Shabiha men in the Al-Ashraqiyya village in Homs on September 15 th Message no. 158, 39 Message no. 159: 40 claiming responsibility for a number of military operations in Damascus and its surroundings. - Message no. 160: 41 claiming responsibility for a bombing of a guard post near Damascus on November 3 rd Message no. 161: 42 claiming responsibility for the bombing of an armored truck and the killing of 7 Shabiha men near Homs on November 9 th (Arabic) 35 (Arabic) 36 (Arabic) 37 (Arabic) 38 (Arabic) 39 (Arabic) 40 (Arabic) 41 (Arabic) 42 (Arabic) 16

17 - Message no. 162: 43 claiming responsibility for the bombing of a Hunter truck belonging to the Syrian army in Hamat on November 1 st Message no. 163: 44 claiming responsibility for the destruction of a Nissan patrol truck belonging to the security forces and the Shabiha in Hamat on November 3 rd Message no. 164: 45 claiming responsibility for an attempted attack on two buses of Syrian officers in the Hamat Damascus highway on November 3 rd Message no. 165: 46 claiming responsibility for several terrorist attacks in the city of Hamat. - Message no. 166: 47 claiming responsibility for the continued siege on the 602 aerial defense unit in the Handarath region. A platoon of Chechen immigrants also took part in the terrorist attack itself. The caption: the Mujahideen are planning to take over the 602 aerial defense unit in Handarath 43 (Arabic) 44 (Arabic) 45 (Arabic) 46 (Arabic) 47 (Arabic) 17

18 - Message no. 167: 48 claiming responsibility for the shooting of mortar shells on Shabiha men in the Al-Maydan neighborhood in Haleb. - Message no. 168: 49 claiming responsibility for a quality suicide attack called Commander Abu 'Aisha against the army and Shabiha headquarters in the French hospital in Haleb. According to the message a suicide bomber blew himself up with a car loaded with 2 tons of explosives. - Message no. 169: 50 claiming responsibility for several terrorist attacks in the city of Daraa as well as for the detonation of a car bomb driven by a suicide bomber at a club of Syrian army officers. - Message no. 170: 51 claiming responsibility for an attack on the Aman Squadron posted in the border and belonging to battalion 864 in the city of Daraa on October 8 th Message no. 171: 52 claiming responsibility for a raid on one of the border posts belonging to battalion 864 in the city of Daraa on October 5 th (Arabic) 49 (Arabic) 50 (Arabic) 51 (Arabic) 52 (Arabic) 18

19 - Message no. 172: 53 claiming responsibility for a double suicide attack against a Syrian aerial defense unit in the city of Daraa on October 12 th Message no. 173: 54 claiming responsibility for a suicide attack against a concentration of 40 Shabiha men in Damascus on October 26 th A video clip documenting the interception of a Syrian military helicopter by the Omar bin Al-Khattab Squadron, operating on behalf of the Al- Nasra Front, and the apprehension of six of its pilots alive. 55 One of the supervisors of the Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum published a video clip containing a speech given by Sheikh Dr. Iyad Qunaybi on the war waged by the West against the Islamic program in Syria. Qunaybi criticized the basis on which the National Syrian Coalition was founded, who is indebted to France, to pleasing President Obama and renouncing radicalism and terror. 56 The Jihadi forum in Turkish posted photographs of Sheikh Al-Tartusi seen with the Mujahideen in Syria (Arabic) 54 (Arabic) 55 (Arabic) 56 (Arabic) 57 (Turkish) 19

20 In the photograph: Sheikh Tartusi with one of the Mujahideen in Syria One of the supervisors on the Jihadi forum published photographs of Mujahideen in a training camp in Latakiya in northern Syria. 58 According to the Sinam Al-Islam Jihadi forum, a new Jihadi group called Jaysh Ansar Al-Sharia (The Army of Sharia Supporters) has declared Jihad against the Syrian regime. According to the group, the Syrian people must 58 (Arabic) 20

21 unite under the flag of the Sharia and fight the Syrian regime until the end. 59 The Jihadi forums posted an article published by the Mithaq media institute, written by Abu Sa'ad Al-Athari, called The Syrian revolution between Secularism and Islam. In the article, Al-Athari stresses the Islamic aspect of the revolution in Syria and presents several practical ways to realize this vision. Al-Athari begins with a general description of the situation in Syria and condemns the tyranny and corruption of the regime and the loss of the lives of the youth and the women. Later on he warns against losing the path of the revolution, expressed in the linking of the revolution to the democratic and social aspect while detaching it from its traditional religious ideology. Al-Athari reminds of the connection Damascus and Syria have to Islamic tradition and the fact that Allah is the one who liberated the Muslims and brought the, back to Syria. Al-Athari mentions several instances where the West changes the depiction of reality and ties itself to the revolution and warns that this must be prevented. He further warns against the use made by the West of the Syrian youth who protest the regime for the purpose of spreading the democratic ideology and bringing down the Muslim regime, while they themselves are not acting out of this idea but rather on the basis of the Islamic values. In order to prove this point, Al-Athari lists a number of facts on the situation in Syria linking the actions of the masses to Islamic tradition: a. The demonstrations beginning at the mosques after prayer, especially the Friday prayer, which is the most important one to the Muslims. b. The calls of the crowds contain Islamic text

22 c. The young men demonstrating declare themselves that the protests are in the spirit of the funeral prayer constituting an important part of the Islamic religious ritual. d. The Muslim religious clerics condemn the regime's tyranny and the death of the many Muslims but declare that this is death in the path of Allah. e. Some of the soldiers refuse to shoot their brothers for fear of Allah. Al-Athari declares that the revolution in Syria is only the beginning of the Muslim nation's return to religion and adds that the revolution in Syria is the closest one to the path of religion from amongst the recent revolutions in the Arab world. Al-Athari praises the religious clerics and contends that they are not afraid to speak their minds against the tyrant (Bashar Asad). He brings several examples for calls and slogans that should be used in the course of the demonstrations, for example, those representing the path of God. Later on he refers to the steps that should be taken in the struggle: a. Providing explanations to the youth regarding the coordination and management of positions that will express, amongst other things, the right to exist on the land Allah has given the Muslims. b. Refusing foreign involvement, American and European, whose aim, according to Al-Athari, is to protect the interests in the region of the foreign countries and of course to protect the Jews. c. Preventing the take-over of various elements seeking to promote themselves, causing the desecration of the blood of the Muslim shahids who died in the path of Allah. d. Concentrating on bringing down the existing regime by any legal means possible and uniting the Muslim efforts in this direction. 22

23 Finally, Al-Athari calls for the formulation of an Islamic religious constitution that shall apply after bringing down the government and generally calls for leaving the mosques and taking a more practical religious action. A member of the Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum called to the forum members and its surfers to help in the campaign for the Jihad waged by the Al-Nasra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, against the Syrian government, whether with manpower, weapons or funds. 60 A banner posted by a surfer to the forum with said aid campaign A post concentrating all of the activity of the various Jihad groups in Gaza and Sinai against Israel (the southern settlements and Eilat) during the Pillar of Defense operation appeared on the global Jihad network, following claims made against them in the course of the Cast Lead operation in December 2008, that they did not take part in the defense of Gaza. The post explains that in 2008 most of the Salafi Mujahideen operated inside the Al-Qassam Brigades, but they abandoned them later on as they turned to democracy and secularism. It should be noted that the Jihadi forums referred extensively to the operation and inserted informative reports, alongside photographs and video clips. The surfers, as expected, cursed Israel and welcomed the opposition to its victory. Despite the attempts to demonstrate unanimity, there were surfers, for example in the Hanein forum, challenging other surfers who were slandering Hamas and the Al (Arabic) 23

24 Qassam Brigades for some time, for their secular and heretic policy. They wish to know what they think now in light of Hamas' defense of the Palestinian people. In response, others are trying to calm things down and explain this is no time for disagreements noting that separation should be made between the fighting and its managing. They contend that the fighting does not cancel out the negative things. Some give advice to Hamas on how to conduct themselves in front of Israel and clarify that the movement must not fear, as Israel cannot rectify its weaknesses. 61 A surfer on the Hanein forum wonders if there is a connection between the extensive demonstrations in Jordan against the government and Israel's escalation in Gaza. He explains that Jordan serves as the largest barrier separating the Arab states and Israel. If Jordan falls, the border will become exposed and be easily penetrated. Therefore, Israel is trying, so he claims, to prevent it through military action in Gaza. 62 The fighting groups in Haleb, Syria, including the Al-Nasra Front, express their opposition to the founding of the National Coalition of the Opposition Forces, and declare that the founding of a just Islamic state has been agreed upon, while rejecting any coalition or council forced from the outside on Syria. 63 A surfer on the Hanein forum compares between the number of casualties in one day in Gaza and Syria, and between the number of Palestinian casualties since 2000 and the number of Syrian casualties in the past two years. He points to the fact that the number of casualties in Syria is extremely higher. He protests the disregard of the mass killings in Syria, 61 (Arabic); (Arabic)

25 the daily bombings in Afghanistan and the killing of Muslims in Burma, versus the condemnations and ongoing supervision over the occurrences in Gaza. He summarized and states that there should be no difference between this and the other Muslim blood and attacks all of the Muslims because of this. A surfer on the forum explains that the reason for this alleged discrimination between Palestine and other places is that Palestine is important to the Muslims as this is where Jerusalem is found, and also as unlike Syria, Iraq, Somalia and other places, where there are several ideologies, in Gaza there is the ideology of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. 64 A surfer on the global Jihad network asks how he may join the Mujahideen. Another surfer explains that if he is in Jordan he must contact the Salafi elements in the mosques. He advises him to go on Jihad in Syria, and says that if he wishes to participate in militant courses, he must reach one of the Jihad theaters, where he will find safe shelter. He warns him not to get caught in an ambush. Therefore, he recommends going to the nearest border, such as the Syria Jordan border, and from there check and see what is the most appropriate way for him to reach Syria and join the Jihad. 65 A surfer on the global Jihad network warns the residents of Syria against the plots of the Muslim Brotherhood, because of the path of heresy they are walking in, despite the religious façade they profess to have. They even openly stress that they are striving for democracy and for a civilian state and not an Islamic state. He calls to the people of Syria to join the Jihad. he speaks of the new entities founded against the regime: the National Army

26 and the National Coalition of the Opposition Forces, and explains that they are serving the enemies of Allah, as they are a creation of the West and of the Zionists, and their path has deviated from the true path. Their aim is to subjugate Syria to them, after their plot to turn Syria into a second Palestine has failed, meaning their plot to turn the Syrian people into a people without a homeland, a disperse and poor people selling its religion in order to survive. He bemoans the fact that armament and donations do not reach the Mujahideen as they are controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood. 66 A surfer presenting himself as coming from the Huran region in Syria asks for a virtual course on the use of mortars as there are those who do not know how to use them. 67 A surfer on the Hanein forum believes that the Mujahideen in Syria are making great tactical mistakes, causing them many losses. He advises them to change their tactic, and to spread out in several locations, to be in constant movement, not to waste ammunition, to disguise themselves, to booby-trap empty buildings and roads and to detonate remotely the charges against the government forces. 68 Following the rising tension between the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Salafi Sheikh Ahmad Al-Asir and his followers, one of the supervisors on the Shumukh Al-Islam Jihadi forum provides the latter with advice on how to conduct themselves: 69 a. To safeguard the leadership in current times and focus on the security aspect (Arabic) 26

27 b. To stand out with work for the benefit of the uniqueness of God and to make it clear to people what is the true path. c. They must work on the construction of an infrastructure so as to prepare the ground for a long term war. d. Ensure coordination with the brothers in Syria and to help each other and unite the ranks into one united front that will be able to maintain its strength and expand its influence. The Al-Masada Jihadi media institute published a video called The blood of the Shahids of Syria is the light and fire by Sheikh Muhammad Al- Tahawi, one of the senior members of the Salafi Jihadi movement in Jordan. 70 Sinai the Gaza Strip The Pillar of Defense operation On November 14 th 2012 the State of Israel launched a military operation called Pillar of Defense which began with the elimination of Ahmad Jabri, commander of Hamas' military wing, in response to the continued rockets fired by the terror organizations of cities in the south. This operation ended on November 21 st 2012 and received extensive attention amongst the Salafi Jihadi movement in the Gaza Strip and outside it during the operation itself as well as afterwards. Following is a collection of these mentions: The Salafi Jihadi movement in the Sinai Peninsula published a number of leaflets in the second half of on the subject: 70 (Arabic) 27

28 - A call to the military army to use weapons in defending the Gaza Strip against the Zionist aggression An announcement condemning the Zionist usurping aggression towards Gaza, containing a message to three elements: 72 (a) A message to the Islamic nation to help the people in Gaza and defend them. (b) A message to the Egyptian people to help their brothers in Gaza with money and with lives, and to exert pressure on the Egyptian government so it takes steps against this aggression, What value is there to recalling the ambassador today if he returns the next day. Is it enough to deter the Jewish criminals? (c) A message to those loyal within the Egyptian army to direct their weapons towards the Jews and defend the people of Gaza instead of turning them against the people of Sinai. - A message from November 21 st 2012 on the recurring crimes of the security forces in Sinai against the people of Sinai instead of focusing on the Zionist enemy. 73 The Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem published through the Ibn Taymiyyah Jihadi media center several leaflets in the course of the second half of on the subject of: - Message no. 28 claiming responsibility for the launching of seven rockets towards Kibbutz Carmiya, Eshkol and Mivtahim on November 14 th (Arabic) 72 (Arabic) 73 (Arabic) 74 (Arabic) 28

29 - Message no. 29 claiming responsibility for the launching of five rockets towards Kisufim on November 16 th Message no. 30 on behalf of the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem and the Army of Islam claiming responsibility for the launching of fourteen Grad rockets towards Sderot, Netivot and Kibbutz Sa'ad between November 19 th and 21 st Later on the groups called to the Muslims in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas to fulfill the commandment of Jihad and help the Muslim nation in collecting a high price from the Jews for their actions, to retaliate against the aggression in the Gaza Strip and drive them out of the Al- Aqsa Mosque, out of Jerusalem, of the West Bank and the Negev and Haifa Message no. 31 in the message the group refers to insight it has arrived at following the Pillar of Defense operation. It contains a message to the national opposition forces in the Gaza Strip, and stresses that the Israeli aggression has proven Israel's weakness. Therefore, weapons must be held and the path of Jihad continues and not the path of nationalism and the pan-arabic path. The Council congratulates the people of the West Bank on their struggle against Israel, and reveals that many have joined its ranks in order to stave off the Israeli aggression, despite the manhunts after the movement's operatives and the confiscation of their weapons by other Palestinian entities, which hopefully are over (Arabic) 76 (Arabic) 77 (Arabic) 29

30 - A video clip documenting several rocket launches carried out by the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem towards the cities in the south of Israel A video clip documenting eight rocket launches carried out by the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem towards Sderot and Ashklelon. 79 The Ibn Taymiyyah Jihadi media institute published a segment by Abu Al- Muhtasab Al-Maqdisi known as Abdullah Al-Ashqar, a senior Salafi Jihadi sheikh in the Gaza Strip, containing a message to the Palestinians during the Pillar of Defense operation. He addresses the members of the Palestinian factions facing Israel and congratulates them for their works and their sacrifice and encourages them to continue in this path. He commends the role of the Mujahideen of the Salafi Jihadi movement who have not abandoned the factions and who took part in the fighting against Israel. He asks the Palestinian people to be patient and be ready for sacrifice. He stresses that the solution and victory will be obtained only through Jihad. To the Mujahideen in the Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem he sends a message of encouragement for their contribution to the struggle 78 (Arabic) 79 (Arabic) 30

31 against Israel and for their sacrifice and Jihad. He also thanks the rest of the Jihadi factions. 80 The Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdes group, a Salafi Jihadi group in the Sinai, has claimed responsibility on November 20 th 2012 for the launching of a rocket towards Eilat in order to help the people of the Gaza Strip against the Israeli attack. 81 The Ummah's Army, a Salafi Jihadi group in the Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for the launching of 19 rockets towards Israel. 82 The Salah Al-Din Brigades of the Popular Resistance Committees published a video segment titled Deterring Aggression and Stoning Tyranny documenting the process of preparing Grad missiles and launching them towards the southern settlements in Israel. 83 The Taliban Movement of Palestine, a Salafi Jihadi group in the Gaza Strip, published several publications over the second half of November 2012: a. Message no. 141, published on November 19 th 2012, claiming responsibility for the launching of two rockets towards the Eshkol settlement as well as seven mortar shells towards the Nehalim settlement. 84 b. Message no. 142, published on November 23 rd 2012, is a clarification following the Pillar of Defense operation with two main points: (1) the security program called Iron Dome, on which the Israeli government has spent billions of dollars so as to give a response to the launching of 80 (Arabic) 81 (Arabic) 82 (Arabic) 83 (Arabic) 84 (Arabic) 31

32 simple rockets by the resistance has failed. (2) After the Palestinian victory, one must leave behind the black page called division and work for uniting the ranks in order to defeat the enemies and liberate Al-Aqsa from the Zionists. 85 The Jihadi media institute operating on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq published a propaganda video for the people of Gaza following the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. 86 The video clip's banner A member of the Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum praised the part played by the Mujahideen in the Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem in the launching of rockets towards Israel. Following the cease fire agreement formed between Hamas and Israel he asks said Shura Council to take into account several points: a. The second article in the cease fire agreement states that all of the Palestinian factions are committed to ceasing all hostile activity aimed from Gaza towards Israel, including rocket launches and terrorist attacks against the border. However, the Salafi were not included in this agreement and therefor this agreement is not binding, We know that the only dialogue with the enemy cannot be conducted in any way other than with weapons. However, one must be attentive to the will of the 85 (Arabic) 86 (Arabic) 32

33 people who do not understand matters pertaining to the terms of the cease fire agreement with the heretics, and not in matters pertaining to combative heretics and non-combative heretics, etc. Furthermore, military operations against the Jewish enemy must stop, Do not worry, the enemy will soon breach the cease fire agreement as Jews are prone to doing. Therefore, it is better to stick to the armistice and take into account that if the Salafi launch military operations in the course of it, these operations will have severe repercussions. Thus for example, the Salafi may lose a significant portion of their popular basis and support constituting a small part of the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the Gaza government may carry out a series of arrests of Salafi in the Strip and kill Salafi youth. According to him, Sheikh Abu Al-Walid Al-Maqdisi, one of the founders of the Mujahideen in the Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, has stressed that a physical confrontation with the Hamas government must be avoided, amongst other reasons due to the disparity in power. b. The Mujahideen must persevere in the construction of an infrastructure and prepare themselves for the day after the end of the cease fire. Said preparations are to be carried out on several fronts, the military front and the educational front. In addition, the propaganda line must also be considered. c. One must approach the populace in any way possible. d. The efforts to unite the ranks amongst the Salafi groups must increase, not only in Gaza but in the Sinai as well. 33

34 e. The supporters of the Mujahideen must refrain from futile arguments and not tell the crowds things that are unintelligible, as this may bring about the opposite result. The Salafi way must be spread peacefully. 87 A message from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on Israel's Pillar of Defense operation in Gaza. The Emirate vehemently condemns Israel's 'barbaric attack' on Gaza, it views Israel as an American military center in the region and demands of the Islamic people and all those advocating human rights and justice, to take a stand and make a firm decision that will end Israel's actions. The Emirate stresses that it is doing all it can to defend the Palestinians, and shares their pain and their aspiration to obtain their rights. In conclusion, it calls to the UN to implement the resolution that determines the rights of the Palestinians to an independent state whose capital is Jerusalem. 88 The Taliban Palestine organization noted the failure of the Iron Dome system in face of the victory of the Mujahideen over Israel in Gaza. The organization stresses the need for Palestinian unity so as to bring about the liberation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque from Israel's hands. A surfer on the forum doubts the existence of such an organization but another surfer presents him with the declaration of its founding in the course of The Somali Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen movement condemned Israel's attack on Gaza and called to the Muslims to help the Palestinians. 90 The Jihadi Haq News agency noted that with the conclusion of the Pillar of Defense operation the Hamas government has returned to its earlier policy of persecution of the Salafi in the Gaza Strip. This time it has arrested the 87 (Arabic) (Arabic) 34

35 prominent Salafi Sheikh Abu Hafes Al-Maqdisi, the emir of the Ummah's Army, who took part in the launching of dozens of missiles towards Israeli settlements in the course of the Pillar of Defense operation. 91 Banners posted on the Shumukh Al-Islam Jihadi forum praising the Gaza Strip Africa The Maghreb Reports in the north-african papers on the demonstration of power of the Salafi Jihadi movements in the city of Sfax in Tunisia, after forcing several restaurants selling wine to close down. A surfer on the Hanein forum asks the Salafi whether they wish to bring Tunisia to the days of the previous regime, as in their actions they may cause the public to bring down the current Islamic regime in Tunisia. Many surfers condemn this statement, including the forum Supervisor, reproaching him for opposing the implementation of the Sharia and quoting false reports from pro-western press. 92 The Da'awa Bureau of the Ansar Al-Sharia group in Tunisia announced an open forum to be held on a Skype chat program with Sheikh Hani Al-Siba'i, 91 (Arabic) 92 (Arabic) 35

36 a Salafi Jihadi sheikh running the Al-Makrizi Center for Historical Research in London, on November 28 th A banner posted by a surfer on the forum on the subject A surfer on the Hanein forum dispenses advice to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, after hearing a report on the French TV that NATO and the African forces will bring down a military blow on Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb before November 27 th. Among the advice given: carrying out suicide attacks, placing charges of explosives, deploying snipers, deploying in a number of locations and not in one region only, hiding the European hostages and kill them immediately once they become a burden, to dig tunnels and establish safe passage during aerial bombings, to disguise themselves as women or wear uniforms of foreign forces upon the entry of the international ground forces, to focus the fighting on the capital of Mali, to eliminate foreign representatives of the countries participating in the fighting against the Mujahideen, to insert agents amongst the foreign forces so as to obtain information on their progress, to try and obtain anti-aircraft rockets maybe from the Bedouin in Sinai who have such weapons (Arabic) 94 (Arabic) 36

37 A surfer on the Hanein Jihadi forum posted photographs of a campaign launched by the Ansar Al-Sharia group in Benghazi, Libya, for the people of Syria. 95 The caption reads: "Preparations in the aid campaign and collection tins" Mali The Mujahideen Shura Council in the city of Gao (northern Mali) explained in a proclamation published on November 24 th 2012 that the Mujahideen in Mali have begun operating for the implementation of Islamic Sharia, despite the heretics' opposition. They have succeeded in doing so thanks to the help of supporters and the immigrants, meaning the support of the people of Mali, on all of their factions, and the Muslims who came to Mali, for example from Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and France. The Council also explained why the Mujahideen are fighting the Liberation of Azwad movement. According to it, there is no compromise to be made with anyone opposing the implementation of the Sharia, as well as with the Liberation of Azwad movement, which is a secular movement. The Mujahideen called it to join their ranks, but it refused, and increased their tyranny. The took money from the Muslims, 95 (Arabic) 37

38 carried out killings and created discrimination between a black Muslim and a white Muslim, and therefore the Mujahideen have decided to fight this movement and eliminate it. 96 Egypt Sheikh Ahmad Ashush, one of the senior members of the Salafi Jihadi movement in Egypt, declared through the Al-Bayan Jihadi media institute the forming of a Salafi Jihadi group in Egypt called the Fighting Salafi Vanguard Ansar Al-Sharia in Egypt. 97 In the announcement on its establishment, Ashush stated that the group is a movement dedicating its activity to Da'awa and Jihad against all the colonialist plans and the global hegemony of the countries of heresy and their affiliates in the Islamic world, and that it has become a target of the Zionist crusading colonialism, meaning the international regime led by the US. Furthermore, the group's aim is to clarify the true path of Islam, to refute the claims made by the enemies of Islam, to help the Islamic religion and to found Islamic caliphates. Later on the group divulged its objectives: 1. Implementing the uniqueness of God and directing the people towards God's work. 2. Clarifying the principles contradicting the uniqueness of God, clarifying facts regarding polytheism and sending a warning to the Muslims against these. 3. Fighting reprehensible innovations to Islam and those spreading them, and preaching to adherence to the Sunnah and to abandoning reprehensible innovations and those spreading them (Arabic) 97 (Arabic) 38

39 4. Preaching to the Muslims and upholding the commandments between man and God such as prayer, fasting, etc. 5. Preaching to the Muslims to adhere to courtesy, to follow the true path and to fight temptation and licentiousness, etc. 6. Preaching to the Muslims to act for the liberation of Muslim lands from foreign occupation and fighting modern colonialism, especially the Zionist crusader colonialism led by the US and the West. 7. Fighting political polytheism expressed in liberalism and communism and clarifying the polytheist elements therein. 8. Fighting tyrannical regimes ruling without the Islamic Sharia, preaching the implementation of the Sharia and abolishing the permissive and heretic laws imported from Europe and from all of the countries of heresy. 9. Supporting rebels with legitimate Islamic goals. 10. Supporting the Mujahideen, their movements and groups in the various Islamic countries with the aim of fighting the Zionist crusading colonialism. This must be a top priority. 11. Acting for the liberation of the Muslim prisoners, helping in solving their problems and ending their exploitation. 12. Acquiescing to the legitimate demands of the Muslim people such as liberty and justice and the rest of the rights stated in the Islamic Sharia. 13. Helping solve the Islamic problems in the country and outside, and speaking out against the deviating schools of thought operating in the society. 14. Fighting the activity for conversion to Christianity and the brain washing in the education in Egypt and the rest of the Islamic world. 39

40 15. A central objective of the Jihadi movement should be expressed in an independent education system that relies on true Islamic belief according to the people of the Sunnah. 16. Spreading the knowledge of the Sharia according to the Salafi viewpoint to the Muslim masses. The proclamation on the founding of the group The Al-Bayan Jihadi media institute, operating on behalf of the Fighting Salafi Vanguard Ansar Al-Sharia in Egypt, published an articles titled A clarification regarding the complete statements of heresy in the new constitution why I reject the constitution? by Sheikh Hazem Al-Masri. 98 An announcement from the Ansar Al-Sharia in Egypt on the launching a new website under the supervision of Sheikh Ahmad Ashush at One of the surfers used this opportunity to contend that a movement called Ansar Al-Sharia has not been founded yet in Egypt. According to him, Sheikh Ashush represents only himself, and his path opposes that of the Mujahideen. He is satisfied with cursing and commenting on articles and this is not the way of the senior Mujahideen (Arabic) 40

41 The Ansar Al-Sharia in Tunisia began with operations of humanitarian aid like other Jihadi organizations who take action and not only talk and comment like Sheikh Ashush does. Other surfers refute him, stressing that the Ansar Al-Sharia exists in Egypt and that Sheikh Ashush supports the Mujahideen. They praise the launching of the website and believe that this may be the sign for the beginning of actual activity in the field of Da'awa and aid. According to them, it is important to operate in the area of propaganda, not like the Ansar Al-Sharia in Libya and Tunisia who to this day have an amateur and disorganized propaganda array. Therefore there are many who denigrate them due to the poor communication with the public despite the extensive aid provided at their instigation. They mention as an example the Al-Furqan institute that understood the situation and instead of small publications depicting activity that is soon forgotten, has produced 3 times a year documentary and very professional publications conveying the message to the supporters of Jihad and to its enemies. However, it is better that the Al-Furqan institute produce a periodical magazine dealing in Da'awa and policy for the public, as military announcements are not enough. 99 Somalia The Al-Kataeb Jihadi media institute, operating on behalf of the Al- Shabab Al-Mujahideen movement, published a video clip titled The Oath of Loyalty of the Gaaljecel Tribe to the Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen movement in the Shaw region in the Islamic Hiran Province (Arabic) (Arabic) 41

42 The video's banner Nigeria In a video clip published on the Jihadi forums, Abubaker Shekau, the leader of the Nigerian Boko Haram group, praises Al-Qaeda and its affiliates and the Mujahideen in Mali, Libya, Afghanistan and the rest of the regions where they operate. He stressed that Jihad will continue even more strongly despite the elimination of senior Jihadi leaders by Nigeria, the US, Britain and Israel. 101 The Caucasus The Valiat Dagestan website summarized the monthly activity of the Mujahideen in the Caucasus. According to the data, a total of 24 Jihad operations took place in this theatre, killing 17 and injuring 33 of Allah's (Arabic) 42

43 enemies, together with the turning of 5 men into shahids. According to the publication, 12 supply convoys were neutralized that month and 2 buildings were destroyed. The website also attributed importance to the number of casualties as a result of the 'heretic's' activity: 9 men, 1 imam, an old man and one girl were killed on the Muslim side together with the abduction of 28 more men, 4 women, 3 children and 1 handicapped person. 102 The Valiat Dagestan website posted a YouTube video containing the appeal of Emir Doko Uthman to the Jihad fighters in Syria. The video clip itself was made in October The emir understands their war against the tyrant Bashar Al-Assad and stresses that he prays for the fighters and hopes that Allah help them in their war. The emir asks in return for a similar prayer from his brothers in Syria for the cause of the fighters in the Caucasus where the Jihad is much crueler than in Syria and the fighters there do not have any support. The emir expresses his disappointment that he cannot physically help his brothers in Syria and is therefore forced to settle for prayers. Later on in the clip the emir explains that he understands that currently on Syrian's soil there are Muslims attempting to replace the existing tyrant with another one, who will be an emissary for President Obama or for the Turks or the Saudi, and declares he does not intend to pray for these Muslims and asks his listeners to understand his true intent and that he is only siding with Jihad. He warns the brothers engaged in Jihad in Syria to follow the true path otherwise the blood they will shed will be in vain as is not for Allah. 103 Women and Jihad (Russian) 103 November 16 th 2012, (Russian) 43

44 One of the supervisors of the Ansar Al-Mujahideen Jihadi forum launched a virtual campaign to promote the propaganda for the liberation of Sunni female prisoners from prisons in Iraq. Thus for example, he posted a link to a video segment containing a call on the part of a Sunni female prisoner named Um Sa'ad, made to the Muslim nation asking for action for her release. According to the supervisor, the current campaign is planned to go on for a week and focus on distributing propaganda material such as banners and stories of female prisoners on Facebook, Twitter and the forums. 104 The banner's caption: "The campaign of the tortured prisoner" Miscellaneous The Sinam Al-Islam Jihadi forum announced the launching of a new column in the forum in Kurdish. 105 The GIMF Jihadi media institute published a video clip in German called How will the uniqueness of God be saved from the fire of Hell? by Abu Osama Al-Gharib

45 A surfer on the Hanein forum, calling himself Jihadi Technology clarifies that: Due to the policy the Hanein forum is committed to vis-à-vis the server storing its data not to post information on explosives and blasting devices, I ask you to direct the attention of the members to the fact that the subjects in these areas that were posted and that will be posted will not appear on the Ansar Al-Mujahideen network at the electronic and military warfare and communication forum. He notes that he did not know this was the forum's policy and therefore materials posted by him were removed. He asks for questions and recommendations. 107 A surfer on the global Jihad network wonders why the Arab and Islamic world does not strive for the development of advanced military industries. Why is this world merely a market for these industries, and why does it settle for relatively primitive industries of personal weapons, light artillery, armored vehicles and improved rockets. He asks why advanced clever industries do not enter Arab and Islamic countries. Why do these not at least look around and learn there is a world of war and destruction? Why do they fear a nuclear, chemical or biological war from erupting without being able to defend themselves or reduce the number of casualties? He also mentions that these days the chemical weapons of the Syrian government are mentioned, which also constitutes a threat to the Islamic nation. 108 A surfer on the global Jihad network puzzles over the statements made by Abu Qatada's brother to the British Daily Telegraph newspaper, stressing that he will attempt to receive 10 million pound compensation due to his extended imprisonment for no clear charge. The surfer believes that if the

46 newspaper quoted these statements correctly and as given, then this constitutes trading in Da'awa. He explains that no Muslim may approach tyrannical courts for compensation, even if wronged. He reminds that the first principle of those believing in the uniqueness of God is refuting tyranny and then belief in Allah, as stressed in the Quran. If this is true, the surfer summarizes, Abu Qatada is ruining his Da'awa from its foundation by approaching a tyrannical court in order to receive monetary compensation! He reiterates that he does not believe Abu Qatada will approach a British court and believes that his brother made this statement on his own and that it is not the Sheikh's intention. 109 The Al-Fada'a Jihadi forum opened its gates to the registration of new members to the website for a period of 2 days only. It invited Ulama, preachers, media people, political commentators and experts in Islamic groups to take this opportunity to register. 110 Facebook On November 18 th 2012 a new page claiming to serve as The Propaganda Agency of the Mujahideen in North Mali. Up till now the page received over 900 'likes' (Arabic) 46

47 The page's banner on Facebook On November 19 th 2012 a new Facebook page called The Nation's Problems opened. In the page's introduction it says that this is the seventh time the page is published after Facebook management took it off its network. The page itself reviews the Jihad theaters and publishes news pertaining to the Mujahideen. 112 The page's banner on Facebook On November 25 th 2012 the Tawhid wal-jihad movement in Egypt, headed by Sheikh Muhammad AL-Zawahiri, launched a page on Facebook. The page's banner on Facebook Twitter Anjem Choudary, a Salafi Jihadi sheikh in London, published on November 16 th 2012 several hate messages on his Twitter page against the State of (Arabic) 47

48 Israel, following the Pillar of Defense operation. According to him, the State of Israel has no right to exist as this is Muslim land stolen from the Muslims and given to Israel with the help of Britain and the US. Therefore, he claims that it must be immediately returned to the Muslims