Much has been talked and written about in popular discourse regarding religion, Islam, and the rise of Islamists and Salafis following the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa during the past year. The elections in Tunisia and especially in Egypt upended some assumptions researchers have had regarding Salafi participation in elections. Prior to the elections in Egypt, the al-Nur Party was categorically against participation in elections. According to Salafi doctrine, democracy is considered a religion, a polytheistic one where legislators are idols that infringe upon God’s sole sovereignty over mankind. Of course, not all Salafis will necessarily break from this doctrine as al-Nur has. That said, it should make one pause when thinking about how one categorizes in a social scientific sense religious groups and religiously-inspired social movements. The uprisings have created a paradigm shift in some of the MENA societies, broken long-engrained taboos, and given space to previously unexposed ideas. It is quite possible that what one thought before regarding these movements may no longer apply or is analytically more fluid due to a change in circumstance and the potential to gain from it. Therefore, this short article hopes to look at these changes through the lens of Norwegian-based jihadism studies expert Thomas Hegghammer’s preference-based analysis of Islamism.
Check out my new post at al-Wasat: “An Update to Hegghammer’s Preference-Based Analysis of Islamism”
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
Posted in al-Wasat, Arab Uprisings, Islamism, Theory, Thomas Hegghammer | Leave a Comment »
Articles of the Week – 1/21-1/27
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 27, 2012
Monday January 23:
Rada’a, AQAP, Ansar al-Shariah, and the al-Dhahab Family – Gregory Johnsen, Waq al-waq: http://bit.ly/yQSaOA
Wednesday January 25:
The Rada’a Solution - Gregory Johnsen, Waq al-waq: http://bit.ly/xuf73L
Thursday January 26:
An Update to Hegghammer’s Preference-Based Analysis of Islamism – Aaron Y. Zelin: bit.ly/zj3viF
What’s in a Name - Gregory Johnsen, Waq al-waq: http://bit.ly/yHDMnY
The Indigenization of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan – Jacob Zenn, Terrorism Monitor: http://bit.ly/zZTe55
Friday January 27:
The AQAP – Ansar al-Shariah Link – Gregory Johnsen, Waq al-waq: http://bit.ly/y1sLYs
Experiments in Devotion Online- The YouTube Khutba - Charles Hirschkind, International Journal of Middle East Studies: http://bit.ly/y9FHVE
The Consumer Jihad- Boycott Fatwas and Nonviolent Resistence on the World Wide Web - Leor Halevi, International Journal of Middle East Studies: http://bit.ly/zhIYgp
Salafi Transformations- Aden and the Changing Voices of Religious Reform in the Interwar Indian Ocean - Scott S. Reese, International Journal of Middle East Studies: http://bit.ly/xBvF3C
The Enduring Legacy of the Second Saudi State- Quietist and Radical Wahhabi Contestations of al-Wala’ wa-l-Bara’ - Joas Wagemakers, International Journal of Middle East Studies: http://bit.ly/y52IZk
Posted in Articles of the Week | Leave a Comment »
al-Katāi’b Media presents new statement from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: “Martyrdom Operation On the Largest Headquarters of the Ethiopian Forces in Baladweyne”
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 27, 2012
الحمد لله وحد أعز جنده ونصر عبده وهزم الأحزاب وحده والصلاة والسلام على من لا نبي بعده ثم أما بعد :
في صباح يوم الثلاثاء الموافق الثاني من شهر ربيع الأول لعام 1433 وتحديدا في تمام الساعة 6:50 صباحا نفذ البطل الشهيد كما نحسبه (محمد عبدِ حسن) أحد أبطال كتيبة الإستشهاديين عملية إستشهادية ناجحة بسيارة مفخخة على مقر إدارة مدينة بلدوين الذي حولته القوات الإثيوبية إلى أكبر مقر عسكري لهم في المدينة، وقد تمكن الاستشهادي – تقبله الله – من الوصول إلى قلب المقر ونفذ عمليته في مكانها المحدد، وقد وقعت العملية بينما كان ضباط من الجيش الحبشي النصراني وضباط من حكومة الردة ووفد من بعض الوزراء والبرلمانيين يلقون كلمات على الجيش الحبشي البالغ عدده حوالي 200 من الجنود، ونظرا لوجود عدد قليل من الحراس في البوابة وانشغال أكثرهم تمكن الإستشهادي من الدخول بعدما حاول الجنود إيقافه عند البوابة وأطلقوا عليه وابلا من الرصاص إلا أن الله يسر له الدخول رغم كثافة النيران عليه.
وأسفر الانفجار الضخم الذي هز كل مدينة “بلدوين” عن تدمير المقر تدميرا شبه كامل وقتل في المكان حوالي أربعين من الأحباش بينهم نائب القائد العام للجيش الحبشي في المدينة والذي يتولى قيادة الجيش حاليا نظرا لغياب القائد العام المتواجد حاليا في إثيوبيا وجرح أكثر من سبعين جراح بعضهم خطيرة، وأحرقت ثلاثة سيارات عسكرية، وأفاد شهود عيان من المدينة أن عدة طائرات وصلت إلى مطار المدينة ونقلت الجثث والجرحى وشوهدت حركة كثيفة للسيارات بين المقر المستهدف ومطار المدينة.
كما بثت إذاعة الأندلس التابعة لحركة الشباب المجاهدين عقب العملية كلمة صوتية للأخ الشهيد كما نحسبه (محمد عبدِ حسن) تقبل الله شهادته وأسكنه الفردوس الأعلى من الجنة.
اللهم منزل الكتاب مجري السحاب هازم الأحزاب، اهزم الصليبيين ومن حالفهم من المرتدين.
اللهم اجعلهم وعتادهم غنيمة للمسلمين.
اللهم دمّرهم و زلزلهم.
اللهم أنت عضدنا وأنت نصيرنا،اللهم بك نصول وبك نجول وبك نقاتل.
والله أكبر
{وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ}
مُؤسَّسةُ الكَتائِب للإنتَاج الإعلامِي
حَركةُ الشَّبابِ المُجَاهدِين
الجمعة 04 ربيع الأول 1433 هـ
27/01/2012
المصدر : (مركز صدى الجهاد للإعلام)
الجبهة الإعلامية الإسلامية العالمية
رَصدٌ لأخبَار المُجَاهدِين وَ تَحرِيضٌ للمُؤمِنين
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Source: http://www.shamikh1.info/vb/showthread.php?t=145996
Posted in Al-Katāi'b Media, al-Shabāb, Ethiopia, Somalia | Leave a Comment »
New statement from al-Qādisīyyah Media Productions: “Abū ‘Umar: Martyr of Jihādī Media”
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: al-Qādisīyyah Media Productions — “Abū ‘Umar- Martyr of Jihādī Media”
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Source: http://www.shamikh1.info/vb/showthread.php?t=145934
Posted in Pakistan, Qādisīyyah Media Productions | Leave a Comment »
al-Fidā’ Arabic Forum presents a new video poem from Abū Rūwāḥah: “Poems from Wazīristān”
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
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Source: http://www.shamikh1.info/vb/showthread.php?t=145828
Posted in Abū Rūwāḥah, al-Fidā' Arabic Forum | Leave a Comment »
al-Fajr Media presents Issue #7 of Ḥiṭīn Magazine
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Ḥiṭīn Issue #7
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Source: http://www.shamikh1.info/vb/showthread.php?t=145822
Posted in Al-Fajr Media, Ḥiṭīn Magazine | Leave a Comment »
Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa-l-Jihād presents three new Fatāwā from Shaykh Abū al-Mundhir al-Shinqīṭī
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
Click the following links for safe PDF copies:
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Sources: http://www.tawhed.ws/FAQ/pr?qid=4542
http://www.tawhed.ws/FAQ/pr?qid=5868
http://www.tawhed.ws/FAQ/pr?qid=5813
Posted in Fatwā, Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa'l-Jihād, Shaykh Abū al-Mundhir al-Shanqīṭī, Syria | Leave a Comment »
As-Saḥāb Media presents a new video message from al-Qā’idah’s Khālid bin ‘Abd al-Raḥman al-Husaynān [Abū Zayd al-Kūwaytī]: “Virtues of the Night Prayer”
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
![Khālid bin ‘Abd al-Raḥman al-Husaynān [Abū Zayd al-Kūwaytī] — “Virtues of the Night Prayer”](http://videos.videopress.com/yx6ThSUA/khc481lid-bin-e28098abd-al-rae1b8a5man-al-husaync481n-abc5ab-zayd-al-kc5abwaytc4ab-22virtues-of-the-night-prayer22_std.original.jpg "Watch: Khālid bin ‘Abd al-Raḥman al-Husaynān [Abū Zayd al-Kūwaytī] — “Virtues of the Night Prayer”")
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Source: http://www.shamikh1.info/vb/showthread.php?t=145819
Posted in al-Qā’idah, AQSL, As-Saḥāb, Khālid bin 'Abd al-Raḥman al-Husaynān [Abū Zayd al-Kūwaytī] | Leave a Comment »
Madad News Agency presents a new newsletter from Anṣār al-Sharī’ah in Yemen: “News Report, Issue #7″
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
NOTE: For the previous newsletters, see: #6, #5, #4, #3, #2, and #1.
–
Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Anṣār al-Sharī’ah in Yemen — “News Report, Issue #7″
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Source: http://www.shamikh1.info/vb/showthread.php?t=145831
Posted in Anṣār al-Sharī'ah in Yemen, AQAP, Madad News Agency, Yemen | Leave a Comment »
al-Katāi’b Media presents new audio message from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: “Martyr Will of Muḥammad ‘Abdi Ḥasan, the Ethiopian Baladweyne Bomber”
Posted by Aaron Y. Zelin on January 26, 2012
Audio Message (in Somali):
English translation:
“And do not say about those who are killed fighting in the Path of Allaah that they are dead. Rather, they are alive!” [Quran 2:154].
(Nasheed (arabic poetry)
In the name of Allah, my name is Mohammed Abdi Hassan, i joined (Jihad / Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen) in 2006, my (ultimate) goal is the pleasure of my lord who created me, my message to the infidels who dared to invade Muslim lands, by god! You shall not benefit, Allah willing we shall come to you in your homes and the areas you claim.
The crimes you commit will not be forgotten, and we shall exact our revenge upon you when we reach your areas, and we shall treat you like you treat the Muslim mothers and venerable children.
My message to the Mujahideen be patient and hopeful, god willing, you will be rewarded, for persevering, enduring the searing heat and going through difficulties god willing you will be rewarded with paradise.
I say to muslims in the country, by god! you will not benefit you buying land , accumulating wealth and exporting to Dubai and Nairobi (all that) will not benefit you. We say to you, pick up your arms, defend your religion and you shall succeed, because when you engage in battle it is one of two things; either Allah gives martyrdom replacing this world for that of which much more bountiful and comfortable; but if you remain alive, you shall live in honour and glory whilst also returning to your wives children, property and then you shall (return to your) trade without hindrance.
May the peace ,mercy and blessing of Allah be with you.
(Nasheed (arabic poetry)
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Sources: http://somalimemo.net/index.php/component/content/article/1-warar/507-cod-lagasoo-duubay-mujaahidkii-camaliyadda-istish-haadiga-ku-fuliyey-ciidamada-itoobiya-ee-ku-sugnaa-magaalada-baladweyne-dhageyso
http://somaliwarmonitor.com/2012/01/26/translated-will-of-the-man-who-carried-out-last-tuesdays-bombing-in-beledweyne/
Posted in Al-Katāi'b Media, al-Shabāb, Ethiopia, Somalia | Leave a Comment »
