Category Archives: Fundamentalist terror

Islamic State posts audio message in Bengali – The Hindu

The Islamic State’s tape of nashid (chants) in Bengali was posted on the terror outfit’s media platform Al Hayat Media Centre on October 27.“A few Bangladeshi men of foreign origin have joined the IS ranks and are said to be in Syria and Iraq. This message was most probably uploaded by them to connect to the Bangladesh audience. We don’t think it can have any impact in India. But we are still keeping a watch,” said a senior Home Ministry official.Bangladesh has denied the presence of IS on its soil, though the group itself has claimed responsibility for the recent killings of an Italian and a Japanese national in that country.The official asserted again on Tuesday that the government had not so far come across any information that would suggest the IS was planning an attack on India. However, the Home Ministry has issued an advisory to all the States which stated that the IS intended to “expand the arc of high profile terror actions beyond the core area of Syria and Iraq.” This advisory comes in the wake of the Paris attacks engineered by the outfit which killed 129 people.“Though the IS has not been able to establish any significant presence in India, its success in radicalising some youth, attracting certain sections of the local population or the Indian diaspora to physically participate in its activities, or the possibility of piggy-backing on terrorist groups operating in India, have opened up the possibility of IS-sponsored terrorist action on Indian territory,” said the advisory dated November 16. “In this regard, the security arrangements for the diplomatic interests of France, U.S., U.K., Germany, Russia, Australia, Turkey and Israel may be particularly reviewed and strengthened.”

Source: Islamic State posts audio message in Bengali – The Hindu

It has now been confirmed that one of the Paris suicide bombers reached Europe disguised as a refugee. Security officials had long felt that such a scenario was unlikely. How big is the risk?

Source: SPIEGEL ONLINE

For information on foreign fighters, German investigators are dependent on intelligence information — indications gleaned by the US from emails, phone conversations or chats, for example, that a certain jihadi may have left Syria. In such instances, however, police work is necessary to find them, particularly if they are traveling on falsified documents. Simply closing Europe’s or Germany’s borders, as has frequently been demanded in recent weeks, wouldn’t offer much protection.

WitnessLA.com » Blog Archive » Not in Our Name: Southern California Muslims Gather To Discuss the Terrorist Attacks…& Their Fears of Reprisal

YOUNG LOS ANGELES MUSLIMS EXPRESS SORROW, ANGER AND WORRYWhen a large and frightening terrorist attack occurs, like the attacks in Paris and in Beirut, we are all deeply shaken—and angry.For many U.S. Muslims, however, there is the additional worry that some of their fellow countrymen and women will conflate ISIS with Islam in the wake of the attacks.On Saturday night, young Muslim Americans gathered in Los Angeles at the Islamic Center of Southern California to listen to speakers on the topic, then to talk about their own anger at ISIS and their personal fears about backlash,Still earlier in the day, there was a press conference at ICSC, featuring various local Muslim luminaries, including Dr. Najeeba Syeed, an award winning Assistant Professor of Interreligious Education at the Claremont College of Theology, who is known for her skill at conflict resolution.“We are in solidarity with you. Parisians, we are in solidarity with you.” said Dr. Syeed, her voice full of emotion.Similar sentiments were express in a notice on the ICSC website calling members to the Saturday evening meeting, and to the candlelight vigil that occurred earlier. “As Muslims, we unequivocally condemn ISIS and its latest heartless, faithless act of terrorism that has killed over 120 innocent people, injured scores more and betrayed Islam’s core teachings and values, ” read the notice.

Source: WitnessLA.com » Blog Archive » Not in Our Name: Southern California Muslims Gather To Discuss the Terrorist Attacks…& Their Fears of Reprisal

NSW police trained to shoot extremists ‘on sight’, rather than negotiate – Australian Broadcasting Corporation {OZ knows how to over-react too!}

“We would be mad to continue to say we will do nothing but contain and negotiate.”However, Mr Kaldas stressed the “shoot on sight” order would not be appropriate in all circumstances.

Source: NSW police trained to shoot extremists ‘on sight’, rather than negotiate – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Paris massacre: One attacker identified, rifles found in getaway car – The Hindu

The intent of the coordinated terror attacks in Paris on Friday night was clearly to deepen religious and political divisions within France, the media quoted prosecutors as saying.One of the dead terrorists had carefully placed a Syrian passport in his pocket in an obvious attempt to drive popular hostility against Syrian refugees who have been entering Europe, fleeing from the civil unrest in Syria.The attacks are believed to have been launched in retaliation for French military involvement in Syria and Iraq.‘Well-coordinated attacks’The media quoted officials as saying that the well-coordinated attacks were planned and executed by a cross-country team with links to Syria and West Asia, Belgium, Germany and France.“We must now see what measures President Hollande puts in place,” said Aurelien Mondon, an expert on French politics from the University of Bath.“Terrorism seeks to divide and unfortunately these attacks will create fertile soil for that. The media and French politicians must be very careful not to target sections who are already discriminated against.”

Source: Paris massacre: One attacker identified, rifles found in getaway car – The Hindu

Paris attacks a reaction to US actions in Syria, Iraq: Azam Khan – The Times of India

When asked if violence as a means to deal with any such “injustice” could be justified, Khan said, “It is debatable. Because people should know who lit the first match stick before they analyze the ravaging fire that is burning across nations. Killing innocents whether in Syria or Paris is a highly deplorable act and the whole world should condemn it. But then, if you created such a situation, you have to face the backlash too.”

Source: Paris attacks a reaction to US actions in Syria, Iraq: Azam Khan – The Times of India

The Streets of Paris are as Familiar to me as the Streets of Beirut · Global Voices

I come from a privileged Francophone community in Lebanon. This has meant that I have always seen France as my second home. The streets of Paris are as familiar to me as the streets of Beirut. I was just in Paris a few days ago.These have been two horrible nights of violence. The first took the lives of over 40 in Beirut; the second took the lives of over 120 people and counting in Paris.It also seems clear to me that to the world, my people’s deaths in Beirut do not matter as much as my other people’s deaths in Paris.We do not get a “safe” button on Facebook. We do not get late night statements from the most powerful men and women alive and millions of online users.We do not change policies which will affect the lives of countless innocent refugees.This could not be clearer.I say this with no resentment whatsoever, just sadness.

Source: The Streets of Paris are as Familiar to me as the Streets of Beirut · Global Voices

Lebanon arrests five Syrians, one Palestinian suspect in Beirut bombings: security source | Reuters – {World solidarity with victims absent but progress made finding perpetrators.}

Lebanese authorities arrested five Syrians and a Palestinian in connection with the twin suicide bombings in central Beirut on Thursday that killed 43 people, a senior security source said on Saturday.The bombings in a busy residential and commercial area that is a stronghold for Lebanese Shi’ite movement Hezbollah were claimed by Islamic State.”Within 24 hours the network was arrested in the fastest uncovering of a bombing incident in the country,” the source said.

Source: Lebanon arrests five Syrians, one Palestinian suspect in Beirut bombings: security source | Reuters

Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad denounce Paris attacks | News | DW.COM | 15.11.2015

The leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad all issued statements Saturday denouncing the attacks in Paris, where 129 people were killed and more than 350 people were wounded on Friday night.Dozens of Syrian rebel groups have also denounced the attacks in a joint online statement as “against human values.”

Source: Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad denounce Paris attacks | News | DW.COM | 15.11.2015