Islamic Activists and Recruitment for the Islamic State

Nov 23, 2015

An article published in The Washington Post profiles Mizanur Rahman, a 32-year-old Islamic activist who authorities in London and Washington D.C. say is a recruiter for ISIS. Authorities believe Rahman is one of the key figures in the Islamic State's propaganda and recruitment campaign.

In August, Rahman was arrested in Britain and charged with "inviting support" for the Islamic State. He is free on bail but he is required to wear an ankle bracelet, he is banned from meeting with more than two people at a time, he must spend his nights under curfew at his home in London, and he is not allowed to touch any internet-connected device.

According to the article:

Rahman is known for his loud and passionate online speeches extolling the Islamic State. He openly advocates for a global caliphate, a homeland ruled by Islamic law, which he says is a superior political, legal and economic system to democracy. He wants Britain to adopt Islamic sharia law, and he says the Islamic State's black flag will one day fly over the White House.

At age 17, Rahman met Omar Bakri Mohammed, a man who became one of London's most famous Islamist preachers, and who was a driving force behind extremist groups. Instead of going to college, Rahman began a five-year study with Mohammed, and apparently Mohammed had a great deal of influence on Rahman's thoughts and ideology.

Watch a two-minute video with Kevin Sullivan, the author of the article, talking about Rahman, and watch a few snippets of Rahman speaking here.

Source:

Sullivan, Kevin. (November 23, 2015). "Police call him an ISIS recruiter. He says he’s just an outspoken preacher.". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-11-24.

Sep 4, 2015

Anjem Choudary and Mizanur Rahman have been released on conditional bail as they await trial, currently scheduled for early next year.

Aug 5, 2015

In Britain, Islamic preacher Anjem Choudary, and activist Mizanur Rahman have been charged with inviting support for the Islamic State via social media and online lectures.

Jan 6, 2015

The Siddeeq Academy, raided last October, has closed. As posted on the Siddeeq Academy website:

This is a sad end to a very beneficial business, as a result of, what can only be described as, a government witch hunt targeting the Muslim community, including completely legal Muslim businesses such as Siddeeq Academy.

We would like to highlight the fact that despite concerted efforts by authorities and the most rigorous and heavy handed investigations, no legal action has been taken by the police or any other UK authority to force Siddeeq Academy to close. No wrongdoing or illegal activity been found on the part of Siddeeq Academy and there is no legal impediment to our continuing to operate as a tuition centre.

Source:

(January 6, 2015). "Siddeeq Academy". Siddeeq Academy. Retrieved 2015-11-24.

Oct 3, 2014

In Britain, counter-terrorism officers raided the Siddeeq Academy, an unlicensed Islamic school with suspected links to the extremist group al-Muhajiroun and Mizanur Rahman (arrested last week) who said he was the manager of the school.

Sep 25, 2014

In Britain, Anjem Choudary, former spokesperson for the extremist group al-Muhajiroun, activist Mizanur Rahmanand, and seven other people were arrested on suspicion of being members of a proscribed (legally banned) organization or supporting a proscribed organization, and encouraging terrorism.

Nov 9, 2006

In Britain, Mizanur Rahman was arrested after a protest about cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. He was later convicted of stirring up racial hatred at the protest.

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