Born in the USA – The Need for an American Islam
In 2017, the world experienced one of the most deadliest attack in New York since 9/11. The attack by 29-year-old Uzbekistan native, Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, killed at least 8 people and injured dozens of others. This unfortunate event comes on the heels of ISIS having major setbacks territorially in Iraq and Syria, but likely a reconstituting of their aims and objectives as they seek to look for influence and furthering their brand including in the United States. Saipov’s desire to be lured into the web of influence of ISIS, its symbols, religious doctrine and global attraction isn’t new. In 2015, the first ISIS claimed attack in the US carried out by both Elton Simpon and Nadir Soofi were motivated by a desire to carry out attacks in their own city and state of Texas and the online attraction and appeal of ISIS instruction from the Middle East. Furthermore, in 2016, Orlando Night Club Shooter, Omar Mateen equally heard the call of ISIS seeking to carry out attacks against a gay nightclub, one in which he apparently frequented prior suggesting a potential tormented soul based on his own personal struggles and seeking redemption via ISIS strict and narrow brand of Islam.
Read moreNew Wave of Neo-Nazis Take Inspiration from Russia and Assad, not Nazi Germany
The recent wave of neo-Nazism, most prominently evident in North America, has adopted traditional Nazi symbolism such as swastikas and Nazi salutes like “blood and soil.” Yet this movement has less to do with Nazi Germany, and much more to do with current political players such as Russia, Bashar al-Assad, and even ISIS.
Read moreLondon Attack and Black Western Converts: An Indigenous American Muslim and Former U.S. Counterterrorism Official Response
The 2017 horrific attacks in central London by the 52-year-old British man, Khaled Masood, brought shockwaves to those in Europe and America alike. As is often the case in breaking news, conflicting media reports and uncorroborated information flow provided false details that currently jailed and prolific hate preacher Abu Izzadeen, aka Trevor Brooks, was responsible. In this context, a closer review of Khaled Masood’s background, radicalization, and conversion to Islam reveals that there exist similar trends for government officials and interventionists to glean about potential terrorist attacks worldwide.
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