A snapshot of the new website
Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), the charity arm of Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that has been accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has launched a new website after a gap of several years, with LeT founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed stressing the role of social media in conveying the group's message.
The group's websites were shut down in early 2009 after the UN Security Council placed JuD and LeT, along with all associated groups and individuals, on its list of terrorist organizations. In recent years, the JuD has been using U.S.-based social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (see images below).
The U.S. government has announced a reward of $10 million for anyone who provides information leading to the prosecution of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.
As per its domain name details[1], a new website, www.jamatdawa.org, was created by the Jamaatud Dawa on May 24, 2012. The new website seeks to portray Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, who is wanted by India for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in a softer light. In a video message, which has been posted on YouTube and is linked from the new website, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed stresses the need for using social media to advance the mission of Jamaatud Dawa.
"Media Is A Two-Sided Sword; Instead Of It Having An Impact On Us, We Want To Use It In An Effective Way"; "Prophet [Muhammad], In Addition To Dawa, Established The Dominance Of Islam Through The Practice Of Jihad"
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Although the website seeks to advance a gentler view of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the video begins and ends with a song by a boy who states in the song that Muslims have "to establish relationships with the history of Islam" and "to break Somnath [Hindu temple in India]...."
Speaking on the video, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed lauded the internet publishing team of Jamaatud Dawa in Karachi, especially for using social media. He says, "We should keep in mind, first of all, our jamaati mazaj [group mindset] while working on the media. [We] should improve our moral affairs extremely. And if we want to understand our group mindset and maintain a high moral standard, then the first thing is that we should pray regularly...."
Stressing the message of unifying the Muslim ummah, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed added: "Media is a two-sided sword. Instead of it having an impact on us, we want to use it in an effective way. Inshallah [Allah willing, we] want to convey our message of Dawa [invitation to Islam] and kihad to the people through it...."
Stressing that his message is Dawa (invitation to Islam), the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder stated, "Our objective is Dawa. We are not carrying any other goal in the world. Dawa is the mission of prophets. And the Last Prophet [Muhammad], in addition to Dawa, established the dominance of Islam through the practice of jihad. We have to follow the noble deeds of our prophet...."
New Website's Domain Name Details
The domain name details – including billing contacts – of the new website of Jamaatud Dawa are:
[1] http://www.jamatdawa.org/, Pakistan, accessed June 13, 2012; http://www.who.is/whois/jamatdawa.com/ accessed June 13, 2012; http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DzKVVy5oBko#t=3s, accessed June 13, 2012
