The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock, among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to jttmsubs@memri.org with "Membership" in the subject line.)
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Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Launches English-Language Magazine, Calls For Targeting Western Economic Interests
On October 19 2014, Al-Qaeda’s media company Al-Sahab launched a new English -language magazine titled Resurgence, which is the mouthpiece of its newly-formed affiliate in the Indian Subcontinent.
The magazine's editor, Hassan Yusuf, explains that it seeks "to spread the message of Islam and support the revival of Jihad", and that it will "focus on issues concerning the Muslims of the [Indian] Subcontinent, besides encouraging Muslims in every corner of the globe to target the arch-enemy of Islam and Muslims, the United States." The magazine's first issue focuses on the notion of inflicting economic damage on the U.S. and the West in various ways.
In New 'Al-Qaeda In Indian Subcontinent' Magazine, Al-Qaeda Militant Ustad Farooq Cites Western Thinkers – From Hobbes, Rousseau To Clausewitz, Fukuyama – Says: 'This [American] Civilization… Has Faced A Historic Defeat' In Afghanistan
A page from the magazine
In articles in the new magazine published by Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Al-Qaeda militant Ustad Ahmad Farooq wonders why the global media is not debating what he calls the defeat of modern American civilization in Afghanistan by the Taliban. Ustad Ahmad Farooq is head of Al-Qaeda's Media and Preaching Department for Pakistan and a key adviser to the top Al-Qaeda leadership with regard to the wider South Asian region.
The English-language magazine Resurgence was released through jihadi internet forums and social media. It contains several articles, including two by Ustad Ahmad Farooq. Given below is the text of the two articles. In the first one, Farooq notes that discovery of America was indeed a great achievement of the Western civilization and from there the modern civilization fashioned by America has come to a stage where it has faced "historic defeat" in Afghanistan by the Taliban.
Ustad Ahmad Farooq goes on to attribute the Taliban's "successful guerrilla war" in Afghanistan to divine power from Allah and wonders how the secular and rational thinkers of the West will interpret the American defeat. In the second article, which he notes is going to be a series to be published in later issues ofResurgence, he promises to talk about miracles from the Afghan war that led to the U.S. defeat. It should be noted here that although Farooq sees the U.S. exit from Afghanistan as defeat, thousands of U.S. troops are set to remain in the country after 2014.
Article In New English-Language Magazine Of Al-Qaeda In The Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) Urges Indian Muslims To Migrate For Jihad: 'If You Want To Restore Your Honor … Come To The Land Of The Free: Afghanistan; Learn About Jihad'
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A page from the magazine
In an article in the first English-language magazine published by the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), AQIS emir Maulana Asim Umar writes about a number of Hindu-Muslim riots that have taken place in Indian towns in recent decades, and urges Indian Muslims to join the jihad in Afghanistan. The establishment of AQIS was announced by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in early September 2014 and Umar was appointed its chief.
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The magazine Resurgence was published by As-Sahab's South Asia branch and released through jihadi internet forums and social media outlets. As-Sahab is the publishing arm of Al-Qaeda. The magazine contains a series of articles devoted to the situation of Muslims in South Asia, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Myanmar (Burma), and Bangladesh.
In the article titled "The Future Of Muslims In India," Asim Umar frames the situation of Indian Muslims as a Hindu versus Muslim conflict, and argues that the interests of Muslims in India are not being served by its democracy and courts. He urges Indian Muslims to join the jihad in Afghanistan and advances a view that their interests are connected to the establishment of an Islamic government in Kabul led by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban shadow government of Mullah Mohammad Omar.
In recent months, some media reports have argued that Asim Umar is an Indian national who moved to Afghanistan in order to join jihad, but from his article it appears he may not be Indian. The language used indicates a Pakistani writer who is unable to differentiate between Bahawalpur and Bhagalpur, and the phraseology used is that of right-wing Pakistani authors like Zaid Hamid.
Editorial In New Magazine Of Al-Qaeda In The Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): 'It Was Jihad That Brought Islam To The Indian Subcontinent, And It Will Be Jihad Again That Will Overturn The Legacy Of Imperialism From Pakistan To Bangladesh And Beyond'
A page from the magazine
An editorial in the first issue of English-language magazine launched by Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) warns that the jihad of Afghanistan will not stop with the establishment of a Taliban-led regime in Kabul, but will march onward through India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (Burma). The establishment of AQIS was announced by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in early September 2014, and Maulana Asim Umar was appointed its chief.
The magazine Resurgence was published by As-Sahab's South Asia branch and released through jihadi internet forums and social media outlets. As-Sahab is the publishing arm of Al-Qaeda. The magazine contains a series of articles devoted to the situation of Muslims in South Asia, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Myanmar (Burma), and Bangladesh.
The editorial is signed by Hassaan Yusuf, a militant whose background remains unclear. Interestingly, at the end of the letter, he adds "Red Fort, Delhi" as if he is present in Delhi, the capital of India. The editorial notes the purpose behind the launch of Resurgence, saying the magazine "will primarily focus on issues concerning the Muslims of the Subcontinent, besides encouraging Muslims in every corner of the globe to target the arch enemy of Islam and Muslims, the United States."
A page from the new magazine Resurgence
Excerpts are given below from an article in the new English-language magazine Resurgence, launched by Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), the South Asian branch of Al-Qaeda whose establishment was announced by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in early September 2014.
The article, titled "A Step Towards Unity of Ranks," is written by Hassaan Yusuf, who is also the editor of Resurgence. While previous statements from AQIS leaders have noted the group's objectives in South Asia, Yusuf's article gives further insight into the global jihadi ambitions of AQIS and reasons for its establishment.
"The Enemies Of Islam May Fool Themselves Into Believing That They Are Facing A 'Numerically Small' Adversary That Can Be Defeated By Unleashing The Armies Of Their Lackeys In The Muslim World"
"Qaeda al-Jihad – the 'Base for Jihad' – started as a group engaged in jihad in the way of Allah. Over the years, it has transformed from an 'organization' to become a call, a message, and a movement spanning different regions. By the grace of Allah, today the 'Base' is no longer confined to Afghanistan; in just over a decade, the blessed call of jihad has spread from West Africa to East Asia.
"The enemies of Islam may fool themselves into believing that they are facing a 'numerically small' adversary that can be defeated by unleashing the armies of their lackeys in the Muslim world and by so-called 'counter-terrorism efforts', but the truth remains that the call of jihad is not something invented by Shaykh Osama bin Laden, or anyone else for that matter; it is a divine call, and the Lord of this call cannot be defeated by the worldly arsenal and armies of Satan and his allies."
In Its New English-Language Magazine, Al-Qaeda In The Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) Publishes Email And Public Encryption Key, Encourages Readers To Participate In The 'Effort To Revive The Spirit Of Jihad'
In its newly published English-language magazine Resurgence, released on October 19, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) provided an email address and a public encryption key for those looking to contact it.
Al-Qaeda In The Indian Subcontinent's (AQIS's) New English-Language Magazine Publishes '10 Facts About East Turkistan' Focusing On China's Persecution Of Uighur Muslims
The newly published English-language magazine of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), released October 19, 2014, included an article titled "Did You Know? 10 Facts About East Turkistan." The article enumerates 10 "facts" pertaining to East Turkistan (Xinjiang) in Western China, focusing, inter alia, on the historic narrative of Uighur Muslims there and on the Chinese government's persecution of Uighurs.
On October 19, 2014, Al-Qaeda's media company Al-Sahab launched a new English-language magazine titled Resurgence, which is the mouthpiece of the newly formed Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The cover story of the magazine, "Besiege Them!" was penned by U.S.-born Al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn, focuses on various economic tactics to combat the West.
Adam Gadahn was indicted for treason and providing material support to terrorists on October 11, 2006; he was the first American indicted for the crime in half a century. He has also written a number of articles for Al-Qaeda's English-language magazine Inspire.
Gadahn starts off his article by recounting the history of Israel, dismissing Jewish claims to the land and claiming it for Palestinians and for Islam in general. He then goes on to echo the Islamic State (ISIS) in stating that the Sykes-Picot accord must be abolished, along with the UN charter and other such treaties, and added that unless Israel is "erased from the map," Muslims in general, and specifically in Gaza, will continue to die and will never be able to live in peace, and Gaza will remain "an American-sponsored and –sanctioned modern day concentration camp."
