Three Kuwaiti Officers Arrested For Ties With Terror CellsBahrain, Qatar Attacks Planned
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: The intelligence unit of the army has arrested three Kuwaitis working for the Ministry of Defence — one of them a captain and two sergeants - because of their alleged links with the terrorist cells that were recently busted in Bahrain and Qatar, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting knowledgeable security sources.
The sources said the arrest came following information received by the State Security police and details about interrogations with the arrested members of the cell conducted by the security authorities in Bahrain and Qatar.
The names of the three citizens working for the military came up during interrogations. Following this an unit from the military intelligence went to the workplace of the suspects and whisked them away for interrogation.
The source added the three Kuwaitis were in contact with the accused in Bahrain and Qatar and one of the ‘terrorists’ had even sent money to the Kuwaitis through a money exchange office.
The source added the recent visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior to Saudi Arabia was concerning this issue and to brief his Saudi counterpart on the latest developments of the investigation.
It had earlier been reported that a gang of terrorists was arrested in Bahrain and Qatar who were planning to carry out acts of sabotage on vital installations in Bahrain, including the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Manama and the King Fahd Causeway which links Saudi Arabia with Bahrain.
US Treasury Preps Report On Terror Funding By CharitiesKuwait Asked To Thoroughly Investigate Issue
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25: The US Treasury has prepared a preliminary report on the terror financing operations allegedly being conducted by Kuwaiti charitable organizations and even forwarded a copy of it to Kuwaiti authorities, informed sources told Al-Dar daily.
Authorities have reviewed the report and will summon those accused in the report, said sources, adding more than one charitable society is involved in such suspicious activities. The US Treasury had been apparently monitoring the activities of these organizations and had asked officials to thoroughly investigate the issue.
Sources said authorities do not know exactly how much amount the charitable societies transferred overseas under the pretext of human aid, but know that some of the amount was used to aid terror operations.
A final report on the issue will be prepared and submitted to authorities at a later date, added sources.
So yesterday I posted the email warning that was sent to me by the U.S Embassy about a possible demonstration being held. I had not seen anything on Twitter about a protest at our embassy or heard of any reason why.
But today I checked out The Arab Times Online and on their home page they had this as the feature article. So that answers my question!
‘Release Kuwaitis At Guantanamo’Citizens Protest In Front Of US Embassy
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 20: Around 400 Kuwaitis gathered in front of the US Embassy in Bayan Sunday to demand the release of the Kuwaiti inmates at Guantanamo Bay Prison, Fayez Al-Kandari and Fawzi Al-Awda.
Speaking at the gathering, MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei affirmed the protest action in part of efforts to secure the release of the two inmates. He condemned the detention without trial and called on the US government to release them as an act of friendship if it truly regards Kuwait as one.
Al-Tabtabaei said the WikiLeaks has published cables, quoting former Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid as saying that Kuwait does not want the inmates, while citing how the Israeli government went out of its way to secure the release of Gilad Shalit. He urged the Kuwaiti government to exert more efforts in demanding the immediate release of the Kuwaiti inmates in Guantanamo.
Meanwhile, head of the Guantanamo Inmates Support Group Fawzi Al-Enezi stressed the protesters have conveyed a clear message to the US embassy and its government, confirming the gathering of 20,000 signatures on a petition tilted “Guantanamo Prison is a Mark of Disgrace for the US.” He asked for the immediate release of the Kuwaiti inmates.
Also, attorney Adel Al-Abdulhadi appealed to the Kuwaiti and US governments to work together to guarantee the immediate release of both inmates.
By: Jaber Al-Humoud
While I definitely know America won't be releasing any prisoners from Gitmo just because they received a petition, these Kuwaiti's do have a point in that the prisoners should be getting a fair trial. But I don't think it will necessarily harm the friendship the U.S has with Kuwait. America isn't punishing Kuwait for their citizens being involved in plotting terrorism against the U.S, they are treating the individuals rather than the state. I think that's fair. Would Kuwait rather that we pull out of their tiny little country & let them defend themselves from...hmm...Iran & Iraq? Things between Iraq & Kuwait are getting a bit heated again since Kuwait is going forward with building this new port where Iraq says it will stop their only way of boat transportation.
But if Kuwaiti's want to play that game, why don't we quiz them as to why they released those 11 who plotted to attack Camp Arifjan (a U.S Military Base in Kuwait)? They found explosives, weapons, & their plans and thank God it never came to fruition, but because Kuwaiti Secret Service interrogated them too harshly they were freed!!!!!
As if the suspension of services from the British Embassy in Kuwait due to terror threats weren't concern enough, the Brits tipped off Kuwait that al-Qaeda has been smuggling weapons into Kuwait through the border of Saudi Arabia! The article below states that Kuwaiti Intelligence is aware of the smuggle but does not report that anyone has been charged. Oh boy! Back in 2009, there was a planned attack against Camp Arifjan, the American military base. They found explosives & were able to arrest the perpetrators. GOOD news? Yes! BAD NEWS: It was found that Kuwaiti Secret Service was too HARSH during their interrogation so GUESS WHAT?!?! Those attackers were LET GO! HOME FREE! Kuwait has been amazing with being able to catch terror plots & prevent security threats but what the hell were they thinking to let those men go?!?
Anyway, read below for the current security threat as of 28 October 2011:
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: Security and inspection procedures were intensified at all Kuwait’s land borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia after the Interior Ministry re-ceived intelligence about the smuggling of light weapons into the country by al-Qaeda agents, reports Al-Dar daily.
Sources in the customs and security sectors said modern and high-tech inspection apparatus are being used at the borders to locate the weapons.
According to sources, the ministry took the step after receiving information that some light weapons had already been smuggled into the country through Abdali and Salmi borders to destabilize Kuwait. Reportedly, British security authorities, with whom Kuwaiti authorities are coordinating on security issues, passed on the information.
After Eid Al-Adha, officials of the Interior Ministry and the General Department of Customs will hold a meeting and form specialist committees in both sectors to inspect vehicles and trucks that could be loaded with weapons. They will also discuss inspection procedures at ports and marine borders, noted sources.
This is the second time in 10 days that security has been tightened. The last time was on Oct 19, 2011 when the British Embassy in Kuwait temporarily suspended its services in the wake of a heightened security threat.
In fact, the British embassy in Kuwait only reopened its doors to the public last Sunday.
“(But) we still have increased security for precautionary measures,” a spokeswoman has said when it reopened.
The embassy had suspended public services due to increased security concerns but did not elaborate on the nature of any potential threat.
In an update to the “terrorism section” of its travel advisory, the embassy also told British organisations and businesses to review their security measures, though the threat was aimed only at the mission.
The embassy also advised British nationals to exercise caution before sailing in Kuwaiti waters following maritime restrictions issued by Kuwait last month. No further details were provided.
The security alert came less than two weeks before British heir to the throne Prince Charles is due to visit Kuwait. He is also to visit Qatar. The visit to the two countries is due to take place on Oct 31 and Nov 1.
I'm telling ya...it's only a matter of time before terror attacks hit Kuwait- not IF, but WHEN. So far, Kuwait has been amazing with foiling plans, raiding cells, & preventing attacks from occurring. My prayers will remain with Kuwait.
I read another article that stated the US Embassy was resuming normal business operations.
The British Embassy in Kuwait has temporarily suspended its services because of a terror threat, the Foreign Office has said.
Threats against other UK interests in Kuwait could not be ruled out, it said.
The Foreign Office said services were suspended until after the weekend.
A spokeswoman said all non-essential staff had gone home.
The statement issued by the embassy said: "There is a general threat from terrorism in Kuwait. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region."
"These include references to attacks on Western including European interests... residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests," it added.
The embassy is also advising British nationals to exercise caution before sailing in Kuwaiti waters, following what it termed "maritime restrictions" issued by Kuwait last month.
Prince of Wales is due to visit the country in two weeks' time to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence.
When asked whether the visit would still take place, a Clarence House spokeswoman said: "We are keeping security under constant review as we would with any visit and we are taking advice from the Foreign Office."
About 20,000 British nationals live and work in Kuwait.
Kuwait hosts Camp Arifjan, a vast US logistics base in the desert south of the capital that serves as a staging post for US forces being deployed in neighbouring Iraq.
Kuwait said in April an Iranian spy cell uncovered last year had monitored the US military presence and possessed explosives to attack “strategic” facilities.
A source at Kuwait’s foreign ministry source said he did not know the precise nature of the security threat against Britain, but did not expect the measures to last for long.
“They (the embassy) will resume operations on Sunday,” the source told Reuters.
To: All American Citizens
From: U.S. Embassy Kuwait-Consular Section
Subject: Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens 2011-17
Worldwide Travel Alert
U.S. Department of State
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the potential for anti-U.S. actions following the disruption of a plot, linked to Iran, to commit a significant terrorist act in the United States. This Travel Alert expires on January 11, 2012.
An Iranian-born U.S. citizen, working on behalf of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force -designated by the Treasury Department in 2007 for its support of terrorism - is suspected of conspiring to assassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States. The U.S. government assesses that this Iranian-backed plan to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador may indicate a more aggressive focus by the Iranian Government on terrorist activity against diplomats from certain countries, to include possible attacks in the United States.
U.S. citizens residing and traveling abroad should review the Department's Worldwide Caution and other travel information when making decisions concerning their travel plans and activities while abroad. U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us
on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
The U.S. Embassy Kuwait is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.
American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.
Just so everyone knows- if you kidnap ME- you won't get any money. My family isn't rich, I'm not important to the American government, & you'll just waste your time. If you kill me, you send me to my Jesus- my God & Creator who has saved me from my the wrath of God that YOU will face should you indeed kidnap & murder me. Plus, I carry a nice knife on me for protection.
Ok, now that I've made myself clear, let's move on to today's new "Terrorism" snippet.
Terrorists need money too. But I guess their sources are being depleted & blocked so they're turning (have done so for quite some time) to kidnapping & asking for a ransom.
Ransom. When I think of that word all I can think about is JESUS CHRIST being that ransom for us. What a GRACIOUS God I serve....If that just didn't make sense to you then:
‘Al-Qaeda Turned To Kidnapping For Cash’Shows Laden’s Interest
WASHINGTON, June 19, 2011 (AP): Pressured by increased scrutiny of terrorist money sources and strikes aimed at its financiers, al-Qaeda’s core organization in Pakistan has turned to kidnapping for ransom to offset dwindling cash reserves, according to US officials and information in files retrieved from Osama bin Laden’s compound.
Bin Laden’s interest in kidnapping as a cash-raiser bolsters accounts that the financial squeeze has staggered al-Qaeda, forcing it to search for alternative funding sources. Officials would not detail al-Qaeda’s role in specific crimes, but the group’s affiliates have targeted diplomats, tourists and merchants.
His awareness of al-Qaeda’s growing use of kidnapping is evidence that even in isolation behind high walls in Abbottabad, Pakistan, bin Laden kept tabs on how his network moved its money. The al-Qaeda founder was killed last month by US Navy SEALs.
“There are clearly times for them when money is tight,” said Rep C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. “We’ve seen that their donors have been less dependable and we’re seeing them turning more to kidnapping as a way of keeping the money coming in.”
Experts from the CIA’s National Counterterrorism Center, the Treasury Department and the FBI and military are trying to learn more from the recovered files about al-Qaeda’s money sources and the impact of bin Laden’s death on the group’s financial future. They hope to identify important al-Qaeda donors, especially wealthy Arabian Gulf figures who dealt with bin Laden dating to his work with Afghan fighters in the campaign against Soviet occupiers in the late 1980s.
Efforts
The Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, David Cohen, said US efforts are focused on disrupting al-Qaeda’s cash flow from donors, fundraisers and facilitators. “Al-Qaeda’s supporters ought to be wondering if their identities have been revealed,” Cohen said.
Analysts are examining lists of numbers found in bin Laden’s files, hoping to find bank accounts, credit cards or ledgers depicting the financial underpinnings of network known to demand strict accounting from its operatives.
Al-Qaeda’s leadership inside Pakistan rarely championed kidnappings publicly and was not known previously to widely support its use as a funding source. The group historically relied on donations through a pipeline of couriers and money-changing operations. At the time of the Sept 11 attacks, the network took in as much as $30 million annually, but that money flow has tightened, Ruppersberger said.
CIA drone attacks, combined with economic penalties by the US and its allies, have cut into that stream. At the same time, al-Qaeda affiliates have shown that abductions could rake in millions of dollars. As a result, attitudes about ransom operations inside the core group changed.
“That kind of money could go a long way to sustaining a terrorist organization,” said Scott Helfstein, director of research at the US Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center.
A US official familiar with the review of bin Laden’s files cautioned that the kidnapping-for-ransom material found in the seized files was outweighed by bin Laden’s more copious notes on terrorist plots and long-range planning.
The official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the continuing review of classified files, would not elaborate on bin Laden’s interest in kidnapping or the precise role al-Qaeda’s core played in any operations.
The official said the material is consistent with other evidence showing that al-Qaeda had turned to abductions within the past two years as money from sympathetic donors dried up and that the group resorted to “basic criminal tactics” to compensate. “People paid up, helping the terrorist group reline its coffers,” the official said.
Ransoms
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the offshoot in North Africa, long has used kidnapping as a terrorist tool and a major funding source. Canadian diplomats, Italian tourists and Algerian merchants have been abducted; some ransoms have approached $2 million per hostage.
The ransoms have totaled more than $80 million for this branch since 2008, according to Matthieu Guidere, a former French military counterterrorism trainer. The terrorist group’s affiliate in Yemen, al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula, and its affiliates in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, have used kidnapping for ransom, too.
Figures from the National Counterterrorism Center show that 1,264 hostages were taken in Pakistan in 2008, compared with 3,366 in 2009. Pakistanis were the usual victims. Foreign hostages included a Chinese engineer, a Polish oil worker and an American, John Solecki, who worked for the UN refugee agency and was released after two months in captivity.
A similar wave plagued Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 as the number of hostages taken climbed from 584 to 2,088. Four Americans were targeted, including New York Times reporter David Rohde, later released by militant captors.
Officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan say criminal gangs account for many ransom plots, though they are known to work with militant nodes like the Pakistani Taleban.
Citing the recent kidnapping of a European journalist in Afghanistan, a security consultant in Kabul said hostages are sometimes sold or traded to militants. Insurgents also can levy “taxes” on groups transporting hostages through their turf, said the consultant, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the handling of sensitive abduction cases.
Bin Laden justified the use of kidnapping in an audio message sent last October, but solely as an instrument of vengeance. He said the abduction of five French nationals by the North African affiliate was a reaction to that country’s ban on Muslim veils and support for the war in Afghanistan. “It is a simple and clear equation,” bin Laden said. “As you kill, you will be killed. As you capture, you will be captured.”
Al-Qaeda for years relied primarily on donations as its main source of income, using its cash stream mostly for sustenance, including training, weapons, pay for operatives and their families and money for bribes and hideouts, officials said.
Terrorist plots rarely require large amounts of cash. The Sept 11 attacks cost an estimated $500,000, but tens of thousands of dollars in unspent funds were sent back by the hijackers to al-Qaeda accounts. Last year, Yemeni operatives bragged that their failed attempt to ship package bombs on two airlines cost a paltry $4,500.
Bin Laden styled al-Qaeda’s network’s financial operation similarly to an international corporation. A financial wing oversaw finances, headed by skilled money men who monitored the books and primed streams of donated cash. Donations were ferried from militant clerics, charities and social service organizations and money-changing hawalas in the Gulf and central Asia that made tracing the money pipelines almost impossible.
Much of the group’s heavy funding is believed to originate from wealthy Gulf donors who either knew bin Laden from past dealings or viewed him as an inspiration. Some dealt with him in his days as a logistics commander and fundraiser for the mujahedeen in Afghanistan. Others were royals and merchants who reportedly met him during on hunting expeditions in Afghanistan in the late 1990s, said Michael Scheuer, the former head of the CIA unit that tracked bin Laden.
Scheuer said bin Laden’s death probably would mean only a temporary setback to donors who reflexively give in support of al-Qaeda’s brand of jihad. But Cohen and others insist that bin Laden’s death will cause lasting damage. Ayman al-Zawahri, the al-Qaeda second-in-command who was elevated to bin Laden’s leadership post Thursday, according to a communique from the group, does not approach bin Laden either in donor contacts or quixotic sway, they said.
Symbolic
“Bin Laden was a symbolic and galvanizing figure for al-Qaeda’s fundraising efforts, and al-Qaeda’s donor base will likely be less willing to contribute to an al-Qaeda that has lost its founder, not knowing who is in charge or how their money might be used,” Cohen said.
The Treasury Department’s terrorist finance unit and allies in the UN and other nations have cut into al-Qaeda’s money pipeline by adding more than 500 individuals to a list whose assets should be frozen, Ruppersberger said. Last month, the US Office of Foreign Asset Controls reported it had frozen a total of $13.5 million in al-Qaeda funds since first targeting bin Laden in 1998.
Stuart Levey, the department’s former top official on terrorist finance, described that effort as a success. But he said freezing the assets of terrorists won’t work alone in the long term and needs to be augmented by criminal prosecutions and penalties aimed at their donors and supporters.
The CIA’s ramped-up program of pilotless drone aircraft over Pakistan also took a toll on the group’s internal financiers. A year ago, a drone missile attack killed Mustafa al-Yazid, al-Qaeda’s third in command and a critical overseer who managed the bank accounts used to launch the Sept 11 attacks. Other operatives with financial duties have also been targeted, officials said.
“Al-Qaeda became sensitive to the risks that their financial system posed to their security,” Levey said. “They were under real financial stress. We knew about that stress from their pleas for more money and from the fact that they passed up some (plot) opportunities.”
The situation grew so dire, Levey said, that some operatives had to pay their own room and board, training and weapons. In one instance in 2008, Saudi authorities seized memory cards from the cell phones of arrested militant suspects that contained an audio message from al-Zawahri.
The man who succeeded bin Laden was pleading for donations.
So I missed one news snippet regarding terrorism in Kuwait. Just saw the following today from The Arab Times.
When I went to Lebanon, vendors were trying to sell me Hezbollah t-shirts. I really wanted to get one as an unbelievable souvenir, but my boyfriend said the money would most likely go to funding them. So I didn't buy it.
I'm telling you though, Kuwait is a sleeping giant.
‘4,500 Hezbollah Members In Gulf States’‘Agents Trained In Explosives’
KUWAIT CITY, June 18: Around 4,500 Hezbollah members and agents have entered some Gulf nations to implement the destructive plans of the group and instigate chaos in the region, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting researcher on issues concerning Iran, al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood, Aisha Al-Rashed.
In a recent press statement, Al-Rashed alleged the Hezbollah members and agents in certain GCC nations have been trained on explosives, weapons and communication gadgets in Iran. She said they have entered Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on forged Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, Moroccan and Egyptian passports, while others used the Iraqi borders to infiltrate to Kuwait and western part of Saudi Arabia.
She warned the most targeted GCC countries are Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, claiming most of the Hezbollah agents are currently operating in these nations. She added there are 50 agents in Kuwait and 40 in the UAE stationed near the diplomatic and economic missions, as well as the vibrant sectors like the oil installations.
Another report about terror attacks against US Forces in Kuwait has been released on The Arab Times yesterday. I have also written about past articles in related incidents. There are terrorists that have been targeting US Military Bases in Kuwait (and God knows who &what else), Camp Arifjan being one of the main targets.
Camp Arifjan is the largest US military installation in Kuwait. It is also the nicest, located in Southern Kuwait. I do not work on Camp Arifjan, I work on another installation. Nonetheless the threat of a terror attack against any US installation or person of interest is real.
If you want to read my previous posts about what has been happening in Kuwait, go Here and Here. Those are 2 different blog posts where I share about the threat of terrorism in Kuwait that are all related to what you will read below.
And now, onto presenting yet ANOTHER incident reported regarding terror plots.
From the Arab Times:
Three Kuwaitis Thought To Plot Attacks On US ForcesData Share To Crack Networks
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: "The security authorities recently summoned three Kuwaitis for interrogation after their names surfaced during interrogations by the Public Prosecution with some suspects in the State Security cases involving incidents in Failaka and Arifjan, reports Al-Rai daily quoting top-level security sources.
The same sources said the three citizens are believed to be involved in planning terrorist attacks against the US forces.
The sources added the three Kuwaitis not only provided shelter to the main accused in the aforementioned State Security cases but also vehicles and advanced wireless devices, in addition to helping them establish links with members of terrorist cells in other Arab and Gulf states.
The sources also said some of those involved in this terrorist network traveled to the Gulf and Arab states using forged passports and identification documents to hide their real identities.
The sources added the three Kuwaitis almost evaded arrest because they have obtained Smart Cards to travel between the Gulf states.
The sources confirmed the security authorities in Kuwait have sent confidential information about some suspects — GCC citizens and other Arabs — who travel frequently between the Arab states, including details of work they have carried out in the past, to their counterparts in other countries to help eliminate these networks."
Pakistan....oh Pakistan...what a twisted, violent, hopeless country. I feel sorry for Pakistan. Most Pakistanis are illiterate, so they get their zeal & dogmas from their religious leaders.
Osama Bin Laden was guilty of initiating attacks against people- against Americans. That is why America has been after him. Why would a 10yr old Pakistani boy vow revenge on America?
Because we killed their hero.
Let me first just say- Islam does not mean "peace" but "submission." I just needed to clarify that b/c many Muslims take the convenience of the interpretation to loosely translate that for itching ears. Being a Muslim means being submissive to God, although it seems like they are more submissive to the prophet Mohammed rather than Allah.
I challenge Muslims who read this post to seek out Allah for his truth. Ask Allah to reveal himself to you. God has said that if you seek him you will find him, when you search for God with all of your heart. Do not just believe what you are told by your Imam or what is customary- research it. Pray about it. The problem with people such as those in Pakistan is that they don't even know WHAT their own religion teaches. Most of them can't even READ to confirm what they are being taught is true. Is it a coincidence that most of the countries at the bottom of the world's literacy list are Muslim nations?
This is what a Pakistani himself says on illiteracy in Pakistan & Terrorism:
Terrorism is the worst form of illiteracy when people do not have sense to realize the importance of innocent lives which are lost in the terrorist activities. Some people consider poverty as one of the major causes of terrorism. If people are given enough education to cope up poverty, this might enable people becoming less hopeful and going for the bold steps such as getting involved in wrong or criminal activities. In Pakistan, government is making its best efforts to reduce the illiteracy rate as a result of which the standard of education in Pakistan is increasing day by day. However terrorism will take time to remove.
However, the article that I have re-posted talks about literate, middle-class, youngsters who pledge allegiance to Bin Laden's ideology. Are they doing their homework? They have zeal without knowledge. They want to be heroes...their ego inspires them to their demise.
For reasons such as this AND b/c of Pakistan's dishonesty, deceit, & just plain scandalousness- My opinion: CUT OFF FUNDING FOR PAKISTAN. What has our money done for that country but breed terrorism & support human injustices such as oppression to religious minorities?
Bin Laden's Young Neighbours Vow Revenge Over Death
ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan, May 10, 2011 (AFP) -In a madrassa close to the house where Osama bin Laden lived and died, young Pakistani students are furious over the death of a terror mastermind they considered a religious hero.
Venting their anger over a US raid a week ago in which commandos killed bin Laden, reportedly in front of his family, at the villa that hid him from the world, metres (yards) from their school in Abbottabad they vow revenge.
"This war is not over yet. There are so many mujahedeen (fighters) who will continue Osama's fight and will defeat America," said Muhammad Tofail, a 15-year-old student at the biggest seminary in Bilal Town, the suburb that proved to have been bin Laden's home for up to five years.
"There are many Osamas in the Muslim world and the US can't defeat his ideology," he said.
The West fears such madrassas preach a zeal that encourages extremism and builds support for Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Pakistan, particularly in the tribal northwest where training grounds groom future Islamist fighters.
Islamic seminaries are an alternative to mainstream education for several million children in Pakistan, where only two percent of GDP goes on public schooling and where 31 percent of men and 41 percent of women aged 15 to 24 are illiterate.
"I will myself become Osama and revenge his death one day," said 10-year-old Abbas Khan, sitting in the playground outside the seminary and metres away from the Al-Qaeda chief's hideout.
The young views reflect part of an ideological battle raging in Pakistan -- a country at war with homegrown militants blamed for bomb attacks that have killed more than 4,200 people nationwide in the past four years.
But the perceived violation of sovereignty with last week's operation has united many in anger against the United States, and worsened the widespread perception that the government in Islamabad is servile to its superpower ally.
Anti-American sentiment is already rampant over of an ongoing covert US drone campaign that has killed hundreds in the northwest region.
Billions of dollars in military and civilian aid given by the United States to Pakistan fails to assuage mass mistrust of the Western power.
Parents in the garrison city of Abbottabad say they fear bin Laden's death on their soil will only worsen calls for revenge on the West.
"Osama bin Laden has developed a psyche. He has developed a mindset and younger generations are affected," said Farzana Anis, who took her daughter to see bin Laden's hideout, speaking in English.
"If there's no social uplift in Pakistan, if there's no education, there is no healthcare, there's no alleviation of poverty, then this mindset can take place... With the killing of Osama bin Laden, the problem has aggravated."
Children playing cricket in the street by the heavily guarded compound do not conform to the stereotype of uneducated religious youth.
But despite hailing from middle-class families and attending good schools in the area, this week they are sharing in the anger at America and joining calls for revenge.
"We will avenge Osama bin Laden's death. We are going to do jihad and we will win. We will beat the Americans," said one cricket-playing boy, Bilal Umar.
His friend Abbas Khan concurred. "I will grow up to be like Osama," he said.
Come quickly Lord Jesus. Save the lost, give sight to the blind. Reveal yourself to them in Jesus' name.
