Check out the new piece my colleagues and I wrote for the peer-reviewed academic journal Perspectives on Terrorism: "The YouTube Jihadists: A Social Network Analysis of Al-Muhajiroun’s Propaganda Campaign"


This article was originally thought up and written about a year ago, but there have been some updates through the editing process along with a postscript from this past November. For a preview, here is the abstract:
Producers of Al-Qaeda inspired propaganda have shifted their operations in recent years from closed membership online forums to mainstream social networking platforms. Using social network analysis, we show that behind the apparent proliferation of such sources, YouTube account holders associated with incarnations of the British al-Muhajiroun collude to post propaganda and violent content. European groups commonly use American platforms and domain names registered with American companies. Seeking shelter under speech rights granted by the First Amendment, they evade European laws against incitement and hate speech.
Click here to read the entire piece.

Christmas Special – Recent article from ‘Umar Bakrī Muḥammad: “Christmas: The Path To Hellfire”

NOTE: ‘Umar Bakrī Muḥammad also recently wrote an article on Halloween. Muḥammad was the founder and leader of al-Muhājirūn in Britain prior to it disbanding in 2004. Since then, there have been a variety of al-Muhājirūn successor groups in Britain as well as the United States (e.g. Islam4UK, Savior Sect, al-Ghurabā’, Islamic Thinkers Society, Revolution Muslim, Iẓhārudīn, Muslims against Crusades, and others). Following the 7/7 attack Bakrī Muḥammad moved to Lebanon after living in London for more than 20 years. He is still currently associated with the British jihadist scene through over the internet communication and live speeches online. al-Muhājirūn and its successor groups have been involved or linked to a variety of terrorist attacks or plots. Some of the larger ones include: Mohammed Bilal Suicide Bombing (India) in 2000, Mike’s Bar Bombing, Tel Aviv in 2003, Operation Crevice in 2004, 7/7 and 7/21 in 2005, Operation Praline in 2005, Toronto 18 in 2006, and 9/11 Anniversary Plot in 2009. He was recently arrested and then released from jail this past November in Lebanon.


In the world today many Muslims, especially those residing in Western countries are exposed to the evil celebration, Christmas.  Many take part in the festive celebrations by exchanging cards, gifts, decorating homes, having Christmas turkey dinners & congratulating one another for the coming of season etc. For many the practice is viewed as harmless amusement & pleasure for young & old.
The build up to Christmas is aggressively promoted; businesses deploy every possible tactic to captivate the masses in every spectrum of society, in shopping centres, high streets, television, radio, magazine & newspapers.
Even though Christmas has been taken hostage by Capitalist to increase business revenues, many still practice this corrupt celebration as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus, who is considered as ‘the incarnation of God’  second third of the trinity, hence it is a celebration of the birth of divinity.
Though the date 25th December is taken by Christians as the birth of Jesus, the origins of this date can be linked to the birthday of the Hindu god Khrishna, & the Greek god of light, Mithra.  This evil celebration is from many angles of origin is a deeply rooted practice of Shirk (worshipping along with the Creator [i.e. Allah], a crime which Allah will never forgive.
“Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, & whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin” [4:48]
How can a Muslim possibly approve or participate in such a practice that bases itself on the notion that Allah has an offspring?
Allah (swt) said,
“Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; it is a statement of truth, about which they vainly dispute. It is not befitting to the majesty of God, that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be’ & it is” [19:34-35]
If the prophet of Allah, Jesus (Isa the son of Maryum, peace be upon him) was to return now, he would never tolerate such accusations being levied against him.  Rather when he was born his first proclamation was clarifying his status as slave & messenger of Allah & nothing more.
He (Jesus) said: ‘Verily! I am a slave of God; He has given me the Scripture & made me a Prophet; “[19:29-30]
The very concept of Christmas contradicts & conflicts with the foundation of Islam, & that is the testimony of faith, “La Ilaha Ila Allah – None has the right to be worshipped but Allah”.  Any person with basic knowledge of Islam could never accept or tolerate such a false accusation against Allah.  Allah is free from having any offspring or being an offspring, for He (swt) said,
“Say: “God is Unique! God, the Source [of everything]. He has not fathered anyone nor was He fathered, & there is nothing comparable to Him!” [112:1-4]
Even though this practice is heavily glamorised & practiced by the majority, it is paramount for every worshipper of Allah to avoid following the masses in this evil celebration, Allah (swt) said,
“If you obey most of those upon the earth, they will lead you away from the way of Allaah.” [6:116]
It is the ruling of Allah & His Messenger, that those who imitate anyone in dress, manner, behaviour, speech or even celebration becomes part of that community, for the messenger of Allah (swt) said,
“Whoever imamates a group of people he is one of them”. [Reported in Abu Dawood]
Every Muslim has a responsibility to protect his family from the misguidance of Christmas, because its observance will lead to hellfire (a punishment which is seventy times hotter than the fires of this world).
“O you who believe! save yourselves & your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men & stones..” [66:6]
Know dear Muslim, to offer Christmas cards, attend any Christmas events, to congratulate others (i.e. by saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year” etc), Decorating the house, purchasing Christmas trees, or having Christmas turkey meals are completely prohibited by Allah.  Protect your Paradise from being taken away from you & your family; protect yourself & your family from Christmas.

Halloween Special – Recent article from 'Umar Bakrī Muḥammad: "Halloween: Trick or Shirk"

NOTE: ‘Umar Bakrī Muḥammad was the founder and leader of al-Muhājirūn in Britain prior to it disbanding in 2004. Since then, there have been a variety of al-Muhājirūn successor groups in Britain as well as the United States (e.g. Islam4UK, Savior Sect, al-Ghurabā’, Islamic Thinkers Society, Revolution Muslim, Iẓhārudīn, Muslims against Crusades, and others). Following the 7/7 attack Bakrī Muḥammad moved to Lebanon after living in London for more than 20 years. He is still currently associated with the British jihadist scene through over the internet communication and live speeches online. al-Muhājirūn and its successor groups have been involved or linked to a variety of terrorist attacks or plots. Some of the larger ones include: Mohammed Bilal Suicide Bombing (India) in 2000, Mike’s Bar Bombing, Tel Aviv in 2003, Operation Crevice in 2004, 7/7 and 7/21 in 2005, Operation Praline in 2005, Toronto 18 in 2006, and 9/11 Anniversary Plot in 2009.


Every year thousands upon thousands of young children are encouraged to dress-up as devils, witches, ghosts and many other various demonic figures. This act is followed by knocking from door to door requesting a treat or being tricked as part of the Halloween festival. During the Halloween season, schools, movies, cartoons, shops etc work very hard in promoting and legitimizing Halloween as a celebration worth celebrating.
As Muslims who are firm believers in the Day of Judgement and responsible guardians of our children, it is important to take all necessary steps to safeguard ourselves and children from any practices that will lead to Hellfire, a punishment which is seventy times hotter than the fires of this world. Allah (SWT) said,
“O you who believe! save yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones..” [66:6]
Before we encourage our children or ourselves to participate in the Halloween celebrations we must know what does Halloween stand for, and what effect will it have on our deeds on the Day when we will stand before Allah, giving an account for every single deed we do in our lives.
Halloween is a mixture of Paganistic (idol worshippers) and Christian belief and practice. The Idol worshippers believed that during the night of the 31st of October the gods would play tricks/pranks on their worshipers that would bring danger and cause fear on them. To be safeguarded from the mischief of these gods, the worshippers would offer treats to their gods in the form sacrifices, food, gifts etc hence the notion “Trick or Treat”.  In current time children as well as adults dress up as creatures of the evil, scaring people (trick) unless they give a sacrifice (i.e. a treat). For the Christians Halloween is a celebration of all the Saints that have passed away or were martyred/killed in the path of serving and establishing Christianity. Christians would spend the night before (31st October) in holding all night Vigils.
To summarize Halloween is:
–           Belief in evil gods
–           Imitating evil gods
–           Offering sacrifice to evil gods to be free from their mischief
–          Praying and remembering dead Christian activist
Realising this reality of Halloween, the true believer in the One and Only true God (Allah ) we must ask what is the Islamic ruling on: Belief in false gods, pretending to be a false god, offering sacrifice to a false god and praying for the dead from the non-Muslims? What is the Islamic ruling on celebrating Halloween i.e. Dressing up in costumes, asking for treats, offering treats, decorating houses, displaying pumpkins?
To believe in or participate in Halloween is an act of Shirk (associating partners with Allah) the greatest crime any person can commit, so severe it is that Allah (SWT) will never forgive the one that commits Shirk and dies upon it. For Allah said,
“Verily! Allâh forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom he pleases sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, has indeed strayed far away.” [4:116]
Any person that offers a treat on the night of Halloween will be upon him the curse of Allah, for verily the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,
“Allah curses him who sacrifices to other than Allah.” [muslim]
Those that practice any non-Islamic celebrations or imitates/copies the behaviour any people is the same as them, because the Messenger of Allah said,
“Whoever imamates a group of people he is one of them”. [abu dawood]
As Muslims we are responsible for purifying the lands from any corruption hence we are duty bound to eradicate all evil and the worst is Shirk (giving the right of Allah to another).
Dear Muslims we must realise and understand that any practices, celebrations that do not come from Islam are evil, because if it was good then Allah (SWT) would have included it in our Deen. Halloween is an evil celebration which promotes worship and sacrifice to false gods, an evil that pollutes one’s belief and worship to Allah. Halloween is a form of Shirk and disobedience introduced by Shaytaan in the form of a trick, enjoyment and celebration.
Therefore do not participate in this evil, do not purchase anything item to do with Halloween, do not let your children go knocking from door to door for treats, do not give any treats, warn your family members, warn your relatives, warn other Muslims and the non-Muslims about this great evil.