Tourism for terrorist training
Jihadi tourism , also referred to as jihad tourism or jihadist tourism , is a term sometimes used to describe travel to foreign destinations with the object of scouting for terrorist training.[ 1] US diplomatic cables leaked in 2010 have raised concerns about this form of travel.[ 2] Within intelligence circles, the term is also sometimes applied dismissively to travellers who are assumed to be seeking contact with extremist groups mainly out of curiosity.[ 3]
History
In previous times, several people from Britain and France along with Middle East travelled to join Soviet–Afghan War .
Tourism for terrorist training or connections
British police characterized a visit to Pakistan by homegrown terrorists , Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer , as jihadi tourism, and doubted that they were actual terrorists. Sidique Khan and Tanweer were reported to have met Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi , one of al-Qaeda ’s most experienced commanders, in November 2004, when he tasked them to plan an attack in England .[ 4] Khan and Tanweer were later two of the four suicide bombers in the 7 July 2005 London bombings .[ 3]
Neoconservative author Laurent Murawiec has alleged that wealthy young men from Saudi Arabia have travelled to Afghanistan and Pakistan for jihadi tourism.[ 5]
Al-Quds Mosque, Hamburg
The Al-Quds Mosque in Hamburg , where Mohamed Atta often prayed,[ 6] became a hub for jihadi tourism prior to its closure, as Islamic militants gathered to meet those with connections to terrorist organizations in Afghanistan .[ 7] [ 8] It was discovered by German authorities that 10 of the mosque's members had travelled to the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan .[ 9] In 2010, the mosque was closed by German security officials following suspicions that the mosque was again being used as a meeting place for Islamic extremists .[ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
Somalia
Leaked US diplomatic cables have alleged that British and American Muslim citizens are travelling to Somalia to undergo training for terrorist attacks in the UK.[ 13] [ 14] [ 2]
See also
References
^ 'Pakistanis are posing as Indians to escape discrimination' , Times Of India, May 8, 2010
^ a b "WikiLeaks: "Jihadi Tourism" Worries U.S., U.K." , CBS News, December 13, 2010
^ a b Gardham, Duncan (23 February 2011). "7/7 inquests: MI5 had chance to identify July 7 leader" . The Telegraph . Retrieved 26 April 2011 .
^ New York Police Department, “Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat” (2007), p. 48.
^ Laurent Murawiec (25 October 2005). Princes of darkness: the Saudi assault on the West . Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-7425-4278-5 .
^ German Authorities Raid Islamic Groups in 3 States , NYTimes, December 13, 2010
^ Will Closing Hamburg Mosque End City's Jihadist Threat? , TIME, August 10, 2010
^ German Authorities Raid Islamic Groups in 3 States , NYTimes, December 14, 2010
^ Closure of Taiba Mosque: Hamburg Hate Preachers Lose Their Home , Spiegel, September 8, 2010
^ 9/11 Mosque Continued To Produce Jihadis , ABC News, September 29, 2010
^ Germany shuts 9/11 plotters' mosque in Hamburg , BBC News, August 9, 2010
^ 9/11 Terror Mosque Shut: Hamburg Officials Raid Alleged Islamist Recruiting Site , Spiegel, September 8, 2010
^ British Muslims travelling to Somalia for jihadi tourism: Wikileaks , Indian Express, February 4, 2011
^ WikiLeaks cables: British Muslims travelling to Somalia for 'jihadi tourism' , Telegraph, February 3, 2011