Post by maruf on Jul 20, 2004 11:31:20 GMT -5
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INTERNATIONAL 07.20.2004 Tuesday
Danger Within? West Concerned about Muslim Converts
At first it was the Muslim immigrants living in Western countries that were suffering from the increased security concerns; however, the governments of Western countries are now becoming increasingly suspicious of citizens who convert to Islam.
Although very few of these converts have been involved in terror attacks so far, intelligence units are concerned that these people could more easily bypass security measures.
A New York Times report related to the issue alleges that it is generally problematic Western citizens who choose to convert to Islam. The paper claims that these people can be easily swayed to join radical groups. The paper cites taxi driver Jack Roche as an example. Roche has been sentenced to nine years in jail for bombing the Israel Embassy Building in Canberra, the capital of Australia.
The New York Times writes that Roche, after converting to Islam, went to Afghanistan and received training in the camps. Police noticed him monitoring the embassy building with his camera, but he dispersed suspicion by saying he was simply interested in the architecture of the building.
The articles points out that the danger came from the inside, claiming that certain people involved in the September 11 attacks were overlooked because they were European.
Although there are no reliable statistical data, it is reported that the war against terrorism has increased the number of converts to Islam in European countries. France's Antoine Sfeir, who wrote a book on the issue, says that a small group of people among the ones who choose Islam in Europe feel sympathy for the terrorists. Sfeir is of the opinion that European youth choose Islam because they see the latest terror incidents as a symbol against the powerful and the rich. It is said that in France alone there are 30-50,000 converts.
According to the news, the majority of European Muslims who are inclined towards radical groups became acquainted with Islam in prison: Half of the prisoners in the France are Muslim. Englishman Richard C. Reid, who tried to bring down an Air France flight with explosives in his shoe, is given as an example.
Terror expert Steven Simon indicates that these people know very little about Islam when they choose to convert; therefore, they can easily be convinced by the 'holy war' pretext.
07.20.2004
Foreign News Service
Istanbul
INTERNATIONAL 07.20.2004 Tuesday
Danger Within? West Concerned about Muslim Converts
At first it was the Muslim immigrants living in Western countries that were suffering from the increased security concerns; however, the governments of Western countries are now becoming increasingly suspicious of citizens who convert to Islam.
Although very few of these converts have been involved in terror attacks so far, intelligence units are concerned that these people could more easily bypass security measures.
A New York Times report related to the issue alleges that it is generally problematic Western citizens who choose to convert to Islam. The paper claims that these people can be easily swayed to join radical groups. The paper cites taxi driver Jack Roche as an example. Roche has been sentenced to nine years in jail for bombing the Israel Embassy Building in Canberra, the capital of Australia.
The New York Times writes that Roche, after converting to Islam, went to Afghanistan and received training in the camps. Police noticed him monitoring the embassy building with his camera, but he dispersed suspicion by saying he was simply interested in the architecture of the building.
The articles points out that the danger came from the inside, claiming that certain people involved in the September 11 attacks were overlooked because they were European.
Although there are no reliable statistical data, it is reported that the war against terrorism has increased the number of converts to Islam in European countries. France's Antoine Sfeir, who wrote a book on the issue, says that a small group of people among the ones who choose Islam in Europe feel sympathy for the terrorists. Sfeir is of the opinion that European youth choose Islam because they see the latest terror incidents as a symbol against the powerful and the rich. It is said that in France alone there are 30-50,000 converts.
According to the news, the majority of European Muslims who are inclined towards radical groups became acquainted with Islam in prison: Half of the prisoners in the France are Muslim. Englishman Richard C. Reid, who tried to bring down an Air France flight with explosives in his shoe, is given as an example.
Terror expert Steven Simon indicates that these people know very little about Islam when they choose to convert; therefore, they can easily be convinced by the 'holy war' pretext.
07.20.2004
Foreign News Service
Istanbul