More on this story. "Britain's youngest teenage terrorist: 'a wake-up call for parents,'" by Caroline Gammell for Telegraph, September 19:
Speaking after the sentencing of Britain's youngest terrorist, Shahid Malik, the minister for International Development, said parents had to be vigilant against the threat of radicalisation.Indeed, it seems that "mosques have done a lot" precisely because they do tell "young people what is acceptable and what is not in Islam." Acceptable: jihad to make Islam supreme and the subjugation of all non-Muslims; Unacceptable: friendship or loyalty to non-Muslims. And so forth.He also called on mosques to do more to combat fundamentalism.
The MP spoke out after the sentencing of Hammad Munshi who was just 15 when he was recruited by a terror cell believed to have been plotting against the Royal Family.
The teenager, from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, had downloaded information about bomb-making material from the internet and hidden notes about martyrdom under his bed.
The judge at the Old Bailey said the schoolboy's head had been filled with "pernicious and warped ideas" which led to his involvement in a plan to kill kuffars or non-believers.
Munshi's local MP Mr Malik said: "It is a real wake-up call for parents because there is a real need to be vigilant, especially when their kids are on the internet.
"It is a real wake-up call to how older jihadists can prey on vulnerable young people.
"Mosques have done a lot but they need to do more in terms of telling young people what is acceptable and what is not in Islam."
Munshi, who is the grandson of a senior Islamic sharia judge, was groomed by terrorist Aabid Hussain Khan, 23, who was jailed last month alongside postman Sultan Muhammed, 23, both from Bradford.[...]
Sentencing him to two years in a young offenders' institution, Judge Timothy Pontius said Khan and others had taken advantage of Munshi's youth.
"It is regrettable and tragic that you find yourself in court on such a serious charge," he said. "You have brought very great shame upon yourself, your family and your religion.
"In the light of the evidence, I have no doubt that you, amongst others of similar immaturity and vulnerability, fell under the spell of fanatical extremists.
"They took advantage of your youthful naivety in order to indoctrinate you with pernicious and warped ideas masquerading as altruistic religious zeal.
"Were it not for Aabid Khan's malign influence I doubt whether this offence would ever have been committed. Yet there is no doubt that you knew what you were doing."...
I like these endlessly recycled stories which claim that impressionable youngsters/teens/early adults/young mothers/middle-aged people are coming under the spell of warped fanatics- most of whom are either their parents, religious advisers,or close friends.
On another note, it's simply impossible to penetrate the conventional wisdom out there that says all belief systems and religions are pretty much identical, with a very few dangerous outcasts (as in this story)- except for especially pernicious American conservatism.
As an American right-winger, I am easily, easily, less popular worldwide- even in non-Islamic countries- than a Hamas hitman.
....the schoolboy's head had been filled with "pernicious and warped ideas" which led to his involvement in a plan to kill kuffars or non-believers.
Must have been a good koranic student then. A+
The judge needs to see th elephant in the room, its called islam!
As an American right-winger, I am easily, easily, less popular worldwide- even in non-Islamic countries- than a Hamas hitman.
Posted by: satrap
I know how you feel.
>>UK judge to "Britain's youngest terrorist": " I have no doubt that you, amongst others of similar immaturity and vulnerability, fell under the spell of fanatical extremists"
No, he "fell under the spell" of evil Islam.
Well at least they aren't using the usual "he had mental health problems" line.
If he behaves himself he'll be back on the streets in 6 months.
He should be hung for treason.
End of.
Greetings:
What disturbs me here is the judge's insistence on trying to divine what is in the heart and mind of the convicted criminal.
When the Jesuits were attempting to develop my ability to think well, there were discussions about know-ables and unknow-ables, facts and inferences.
This judge seems to be basing his action on the criminals's "immaturity and vulnerability" which would seem to me to be internal psycho-emotional states, things not easily established as objective facts. How old was Billy the Kid when he started his "life of crime?"
What disturbs me here is the judge's insistence on trying to divine what is in the heart and mind of the convicted criminal.
When the Jesuits were attempting to develop my ability to think well, there were discussions about know-ables and unknow-ables, facts and inferences.
This judge seems to be basing his action on the criminals's "immaturity and vulnerability" which would seem to me to be internal psycho-emotional states, things not easily established as objective facts. How old was Billy the Kid when he started his "life of crime?"
Posted by: 11B40 [TypeKey Profile Page] at September 19, 2008 3:26 PM
This is the problem with the worldview that urbane cosmopolitan Westernism (whatever you call the judge's worldview) is the only thing that people could possibly believe that wasn't mentally compromised or faulty.
The judge can't believe that the young man could hold such views without being "poisoned" as if millions and millions of Muslims outside of England are abnormal thinkers. They are not. They are supporting an old, tried and true belief system.
Also, judges and sociologists always point to a young person as having been vilely warped due to his/her tender age, yet this same judge was probably doing high-level academic work at the same age- not exactly a helpless fetus.
Counter jihad conference silenced by Islamists and government officials in Cologne.
Protesters throwing stones and paintballs disrupted the opening of an "anti-Islamification" conference Friday organized by a right-wing German nationalist group that opposes the building of a large new mosque.
Some 100 protesters gathered outside city hall in Cologne's borough of Rodenkirchen to prevent two leaders of the Pro-Cologne movement from entering the building where they were to hold a news conference.
Police moved in to build a protective ring around the two men, amid shouts of "Shame on you!" and "Get lost!" from the angry crowd. The nationalists were turned away at the door by a city official on orders from the mayor.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221745569847&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
As usual you guys miss the problem allah announced last week that instead of grapes for martyring yourself he threw in video games this is where the kids have been influenced.
'Shahid' is a terrorist?
Whoda thunk it.
Poor kid... We were all waggish when we were young, weren't we?
'You have brought very great shame on your...religion'
and his religion has brought very great shame on him.
As an American right-winger, I am easily, easily, less popular worldwide- even in non-Islamic countries- than a Hamas hitman.
Posted by: satrap
The sad truth...
He had embarked on a project to kill folk with napalm. What kind of cute kid wants to burn people to death? And he was fifteen. Easily old enough to know right from wrong, easily vicious enough to choose wrong.
UK judge to "Britain's youngest terrorist": " I have no doubt that you, amongst others of similar immaturity and vulnerability, fell under the spell of fanatical extremists"
Britain's youngest terrorist to the UK judge:
"You REALLY are an idiot; just like they said at the mosque!"
" I have no doubt that you, amongst others of similar immaturity and vulnerability, fell under the spell of fanatical extremists"
That happened to me once...but I quickly wised up and got a divorce.
The problem is that fanatical exremists are not cured by prison, only delayed. As you can see by the release of terrorists by Israel, who go right back into the terrorist business. Just a slight delay. Leopards don't change their spots, especially Islamic spots.
His time in incarceration will be one of big shot respect from his criminal peers. His ego will be pumped, and when he gets released he will be looking for another 'fix' from Allah.
And Allah will be willing, he always is...
Stop trying to keep the terrorists in your country...deport the terrorist minded convicted criminals immediately and their immediate family...irregardless of age...
Headed to an Islamic generation of "extremeists".
oh wow another guy that misinterpreted the Quran oh surprise surprise.
"He also called on mosques to do more to combat fundamentalism." - by teaching another religion or converting to Sam's Clubs.
Is it my imagination, or has the latest Diana West article posted at JW disappeared down a black hole? I noticed yesterday that Charles Johnson over at LGF chided Robert for posting an article that seemed to endorse the anti-Islamic meeting in Germany that included protestations entities that could be characterized as unsavory.
I don't necessarily have a problem with the decision (not that it would matter if I did), I just thought it was strange that the article disappeared without any explanation. I'd hate to think this fine institution is resorting to the tactics of the Left-wing blogs that post articles that upon reflection are embarrassments to their cause and so they delete them without comment in an almost Orwellian exercise....as if they never existed.
Maybe I'm mistaken? I hope so.
Sorry. Editing mistake. Just forget the word "protestations".
Muslims are the victims, WE ARE THE TERRORISTS!
http://sheikyermami.com/2008/09/20/islamo-propaganda-from-islam-intern-whining-about-islamophobia-and-racism/
Cornelius,
I didn't realize it until you pointed out that Diana's article was deleted. That's the problem with trying to have it both ways. I don't like to criticize the good people here but they appear to be overdosing on political correctness. We all have to choose between freedom and PC. We can't have both.
PMK (and friends),
You and I disagree on the issue of European far-Right groups and their utility to the anti-Jihad...just as we disagree on other issues, but I think you provide an important voice here at what I call the JW brain trust. I can't claim to know the exact vision Robert had when he started this web-site, but I think the comments section has become a fascinating and valuable cauldron where the critical issues related to the anti-Jihad can be debated and hashed out (sometimes with verve).
I'm hoping Robert can offer us an explanation regarding the deletion of the Diana West article. I'm almost certain it is related to the reaction of Charles Johnson over at LGF. I reiterate that I don't necessarily have a problem with the deletion, my problem is with the fact that it occurred without any explanation. Again, this is the methodology of the Left-wing blogs.
My respect for Robert Spencer is such that I have no problem giving him the benefit of the doubt...and should he decide not to offer an explanation, it won't in the least effect my opinion of him, considering all he has for the cause, not the least of which is allowing himself to become the face of the anti-Jihad - and in the process, putting his life on the line, while the rest can pontificate from the safety of our anonymity.
Still, my affection for and pride in this website is an important part of my life. I hope he'll come through.
Forgive the grammar short-comings - mostly editing mistakes. It's Friday, I've been sober all week (as is my weekly discipline)...so I've taken the luxury of imbibing a few brews (as is my weekend prerogative).
Salute.
He also called on mosques to do more to combat fundamentalism.
That's like asking schools to combat education.
Cornelius - if you enjoy an article and, say, five or six postings on the accompanying thread, there's always Copy and Save. (Copy and Save to Disk should be the mantra of all who use computers).
Then even if an article *is* subsequently removed from where you originally found it, for whatever reason, *you* will have a record of whatever struck you, for your own personal enjoyment and study.
In the same press release Shahid Malik said that legislation should be bought in to ban Islamophobia in the work place. What this has do to with the court case I am unsure. Needless to say this item proposing an extension of Muslim rights in the UK wasn't reported by the BBC. It was also side lined by the UK media and missed entirely by their commentators.
dumbledoresarmy,
It's not that I enjoyed the article per se, it's the 'delete-without-comment' policy that concerns me.
The boy might say:
If I was an extremist like you say,
I would hoodwink a judge who is not overwise
Throw dust in a juryman's eyes,
if you still had juries,
and walk from here to do it again.
But I'm too young to depart too long from the truth
I'm a Muslim and will do it again for my faith.
I feel sorry for the UK. They will not wake up unil it is too late. Well, guess what? It is too late and we are still waiting for the UK to wake up and while the UK snoozes only God knows how many boys like this one are there. Listen... Bang...Boom...Bam-bam....