Local Somalis terror recruits ( Australia)

[Fabregas]

Terror fear as extremists seek local Somali recruits

 

YOUNG Somali refugees in Melbourne are being seduced by Muslim extremists, a Somali community leader has warned.

 

Herse Hilole, a Sydney community leader and Islamic scholar, fears the recruits could be used in terrorism attacks in Australia.

 

He said some Somalis were being influenced by radical Lebanese from a hardline Wahhabi group.

 

Dr Hilole will give a speech to the Melbourne Somali community tonight, marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

 

In his speech, he says some Somalis have returned to Somalia from Melbourne and Sydney to join Islamic jihad and some have been killed.

 

He told The Age extremists from Somalia visited last year to gather money and support and that one of their most important allies was the Somali mosque in North Melbourne.

 

Leaders at the mosque declined to speak to The Age but worshippers say the mosque, in Racecourse Road, is a community centre.

 

Victorian Somali Social Club president Osman Ali said 10 to 20 Somalis had returned to fight, but as much for tribal and nationalist reasons as religious. Somalia is in the grip of a civil war between the Islamic Courts, a group of militant Islamists, and the Somali Government, which also comprises Muslims.

 

Other Melbourne Somali leaders denied that Australian Somalis were engaged in jihad, in Somalia or Australia.

 

Sheikh Isse Musse of the Werribee Islamic Centre said he would know if anyone went to fight, and Somali Council of Australia president Salaad Ali Ibrahim said the claims were misleading.

 

Mr Ibrahim said most Australian Somalis — more than 10,000 — lived in Melbourne. There was no danger from them, he said. "I work with the Victorian police very closely and ASIO , and would be the first person to put his hand up if there are people wanting to do that kind of thing."

 

An Australian Federal Police spokesman said he could not discuss investigations in Australia, but the force was investigating the alleged death of an Australian man in Somalia.

 

Dr Hilole says in his speech that Islamist extremists are using terrorist tactics in Somalia, trying to create an insurgency similar to Iraq, and have found many supporters in Australia.

 

"We know that some people left Australia to join the jihad of the Islamic Courts and have even been killed. We know there are supporters in Australia who want to recruit young Somalis to go back or support financially the Islamic Courts," he says. "The community must be made aware of this and we must put a stop to it."

 

He adds: "Somalis who take up Australian citizenship should know that they are now committed to obeying Australian law … Under Australian law it is forbidden to join jihad in any other country or join any war that is against the interest of Australia."

 

Dr Hilole told The Age that Muslim extremists fell into two groups in Australia: those promoting political Islam, such as Sheikh Taj al-Din al-Hilali, and those who supported jihad , such as Salafis (ultra-conservatives), who controlled some mosques and schools.

 

He said Somalis who supported the Islamic Courts movement, and there were many, did not want to integrate with Australian society.

 

"There was a group in Melbourne affiliated with al-Ittihad (the Islamic Courts) under the name al-Ansar, which was closed several times by Australian intelligence and security agencies. Now they are hiding in the community."

 

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/local-somalis-terror-recruits/2007/04/12/1175971264514.html?s_cid=rss_age

[ElPunto]

^As if Somalis in Oz need more scrutiny from police. Why doesn't this guy just shut up??

[Rahima]

^He's looking for a name since he is a nobody.

 

Just another opportunistic qaxooti.

[Taliban]

Originally posted by Geel_Jire12:

He adds: "Somalis who take up Australian citizenship should know that they are now committed to obeying Australian law … Under Australian law it is forbidden to join jihad in any other country or join any war that is against the interest of Australia."

Is there's really such a law? A law against joining jihad? If so, how come Australian troops are involved in the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan? Isn't that against the interest of Australia?

[Ms DD]

Furthermore..the law mentioned above, does the same apply to Australian Jews who return to Israel to fight for the IDF?

[Taliban]

Originally posted by Ms Dhucdhuc & Dheylo:

Furthermore..the law mentioned above, does the same apply to Australian Jews who return to Israel to fight for the IDF?

Australian Jews aren't Muslims, therefore, your question isn't relevant.

[Ms DD]

It is relevant because it is double standard. A muslim cant go to his native land to fight for whatever reason, but a jew can. I am just pointing out the hypocrisy employed by these countries.

[me]

Eedo sheekadu waa MIGHT=RIGHT.