Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, the most influential religious scholar among global jihadists, has published a new article in which he warns the United States and other Western countries that they will be subject to attack as a result of the recent Koran burning controversy and other violations of Muslim sanctities. The main point of his article is to state that the populations of these countries on the whole are to be held responsible and punished for the anti-Islamic acts of individuals.
While Al-Maqdisi is not considered "operational" and is not affiliated with any jihad organization in particular, his threats need to be taken seriously, since others – whether individuals or organizations – will interpret his article as authorization and encouragement to act.
Al-Maqdisi is best known in the West as the mentor of former Al-Qaeda in Iraq commander Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi, but his influence extends to all corners of the global jihad. In the past year he has corresponded with the commander of Al-Qaeda Maghreb, Abu Mus'ab 'Abd Al-Wadoud, and with the late Chief Qadi of the Caucasus Emirate Anzor Astemirov, among others. Through his fatwa council, he and his colleagues have recently dispensed guidance to radical Islamists in Britain, Belgium, Kazakhstan, and numerous other countries. On the same day that Al-Maqdisi's article on the Koran burning issue was posted to his website, he also posted a new article championing Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Maqdisi lives in Jordan, where in recent months he had been under constant surveillance. He was arrested on September 17, 2010, and as of now apparently remains in detention.
