In an article entitled “Rancor Over Mosque Could Fuel Islamic Extremists” (a fact which I don’t particularly doubt), NPR’s Dina Temple-Raston claims that the debate over Park51 has become the “number 1 topic” in recent days on jihadi forums online.
According to Evan Kohlmann, whom Temple-Raston interviewed for the story:
It is their sense that by doing this that Americans are going to alienate American Muslims to the point where even relatively moderate Muslims are going to be pushed into joining extremist movements like al-Qaida. They couldn’t be happier.
Interestingly, those with the stomachs and skills to look at the forums claim Kohlmann couldn’t be farther from the truth. Expert Marc Lynch, on Twitter, stated “I dunno; I just scanned 1st 10 pages, abt 500 posts, on top jihadist forum and didn’t see a single reference to NY mosque”, while another source stated that he only spotted one conversation “with three comments.”
The Atlantic‘s Max Fisher appears to be doing a story on the topic; please direct any counter-claims or other evidence to him (he’s actively looking for it)
2 replies on “Are “jihadi forums” really interested in Park51?”
It is their sense that by doing this that Americans are going to alienate American Muslims to the point where even relatively moderate Muslims are going to be pushed into joining extremist movements like al-Qaida. They couldn’t be happier.
LOL. excuse me while I pick myself up from the floor, laughing my ass of!!!
Does really exist a stuff named “Expert in terrorism”? Those claming this status look like more Jake Bauer than researchers.
Also, I think it will be a good idea to show names of Muslim victims of 9/11 in WTC Towers. So, people claiming Muslims are all terrorists will revise their statement.
I’m very upset such a topic became too much politicized :((