A whole city full of misunderstanders of Islam. How did this happen — particularly in modern, moderate Jordan? “Pro-ISIS sympathies simmer in Jordanian city,” by Samira Said, Jomana Karadsheh and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN, September 30, 2014 (thanks to Mike):
Ma’an, Jordan (CNN) — The quiet, sandy streets of the southern Jordanian city of Ma’an belie the pro-jihadi sentiments simmering just under the surface.
Black graffiti showing the ISIS flag defaces walls and shopfronts on the main road, the backstreets where children walk to school, and roundabouts where cars packed with families speed past.
One hundred and fifty miles south of the capital, Amman, Ma’an has always been known as a rebellious city in Jordan. For decades it has been at the center of repeated episodes of violent riots and confrontations with the security forces.
But Ma’an is also an important city, historically a key base of tribal support for Jordan’s Hashemite monarchy.
In recent months, videos of small but vocal pro-ISIS demonstrations have circulated on social media, with some Ma’an residents waving the black flag of the hardline extremist group which has taken massive swaths of land in Syria and Iraq.
Demonstrators brazenly called for an Islamic state and chanted anti-government slogans.
The government says it has the situation in Ma’an under control, despite the apparent tensions.
“The very few Jordanians who carried ISIS flag were arrested,” government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani told CNN on Tuesday of the demonstrations.
According to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity, “the majority of people who showed sympathy with ISIS were arrested.” The official said a total of 71 sympathizers had been arrested over the past couple of weeks across the country.
Key U.S. ally
For years Jordanians have joined the ranks of extremist groups like al-Qaeda in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and more recently in Syria.
Jordan, a key U.S. ally, has been on high alert along its borders with both Iraq and Syria, beefing up security and foiling a number of infiltration attempts, according to the government.
But many in the kingdom fear the threat from within is now only going to rise after Jordan joined the U.S.-led coalition in its fight against the terror group in Iraq and Syria.
Like many Jordanians, the mayor of Ma’an is concerned about the repercussions of the country going on the offensive against ISIS in neighboring countries.
“The Salafi jihadi movement has been in Jordan for years, not just in Ma’an but also in other cities … if this movement in Iraq or Syria declares a war on Jordan, they will not hesitate to carry out operations in Jordan,” Mayor Majed al-Sharari told CNN in his office on Monday….
A few minutes into any conversation, residents will insist on buying juice or soda for visitors, even offer a lunch invitation.
But their famous hospitality does not mask the dark message emanating from the graffiti on the city walls.
“The Islamic State is here to stay,” states one. Another, referring to the leader of ISIS, reads, “Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi is our prince.”
zimriel says
Going to take a stab that when “prince” was said, or translated, the underlying sentiment was “amir”.
As in, Amiru’l-Mu’minin.
Gail Griffin says
Best to put them on some buses and send them packing to Syria. Perhaps the buses could be marked on top with the Isis flag . An easy target.
mortimer says
A few years back, PEW surveys discovered that about 65% of ALL MUSLIMS wanted a caliphate.
Does that have NOTHING to do with Islam?
As well, 65% of ALL MUSLIMS wanted strict Sharia law.
Does that have NOTHING to do with Islam?
Why is anyone surprised that they want ISIS which answers both wishes?
ISIS has EVERYTHING to do with Islam.
dlbrand says
mortimer,
It appears, at this point, from the Muslim corner, it begs asking, “Does Islam have anything to do with Islam?”
roger says
No, of course not.
R Cole says
I was thinking about that CNN report – in a way the guy is right – it is hypocritical.
These disenfranchised Jordanians are saying that – for years they have seen their brothers bombed in Syria – [while the Arabs states stood by] – then when they see this ISIS manifest – [which threaten the sovereignty of the Arab Gulf states] – only then do the people see the ‘infidel Arab armies’ go after the ‘mujahideen’.
Totally get it!!
That they feel a sense of deception – is not surprising. Look at the Arab media over the years – the uncensored hate-filled [expressly so]/ puritanical Islamic rhetoric – which has become a part of the normal diet – tells the people that the Islamic State-Caliphate is the real deal.
Which could be seen as the reason the eager-to-be-seen-as-the-mostest-Islamic-Turkish have been reluctant to join the Arab armies fighting against the ‘mujahideen’ – because anyone taking on these ‘true upholders of Islam’ would now have to be called infidels.
There are some extreme forces at play – over there – in that region.
Oliver says
I would be willing to bet that when ( and if) the Jordanian government cracks down on these slime, and kilsl them AND “INNOCENT” CIVILIANS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, nobody will be claiming ” war crimes” and misc. bullshit,as the liberturds and Muslim apologists are claiming against Israel.
(For an historical perspective, I believe it was 1970 or 1971 that “Palestinians” (in Sept.–hence Black Sept.) started fighting in Jordan, trying to take over the country. The king at the time then killed thousands of Palestinians–more then were killed in the past THREE wars in Gaza–combined.
(Muslims killing Muslims- a shame, in my view, not more).
Not a word was said in the Useless nations in New York.
Salah says
“In recent months, videos of small but vocal pro-ISIS demonstrations have circulated on social media..”
Two key words here: SMALL and VOCAL.
A small, vocal and extremely violent group is more than enough to terrorize a whole unarmed and peaceful population.
But when this whole unarmed and peaceful population says “enough is enough”, this small, vocal and extremely violent group runs into hiding like rabbits.
They are cowards. But sometimes we are more cowards to not fight back.
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-end-of-muslim-brotherhood.html
Don McKellar says
I saw this run on CNN just shortly after another clip of BPM Cameron spewing his crap about ISIS not being Islamic. Then, on comes this WHOLE CITY of moslems in Jordan proving him a completely clueless idiot. It was funny.
Change Watch says
Yes I saw it too Don, the denial by politicians here in the UK is as breath-taking as it is dangerous to the public. See reports on Rotherham. For a true picture of the Islamification of the UK Read ‘A Consequence of Apathy’ by NR Baldwin, its out on Amazon books.
dlbrand says
And BPM Cameron seeing nothing but sandel and shoe prints.
Wtf? says
Ah the sandy streets just like the homes and drop toilets. So romantic. Any wonder these modern day Rudolph Valentinos set the pulse rate racing. If these wannabes are so supportive why are they still in Jordan? Why can’t we read about their grieving families and their innocent children? Why are they still breathing?
paddy says
Business as usual. Men who cant get laid so they take it out on anything that smacks of the free world. Anyone and everyone that expresses a point of view. But they are incapable of making a life for themselves. Sad
duh_swami says
What is Jordan going to do with the ‘sympathizers’ they arrest?
Those arrested are the tip of the iceberg. Jordan should adopt some kind of policy that says, you can sympathize with whatever you want, but if you ‘do’ anything about it, your goose is cooked…
Angemon says
I wonder if they know what is said about the rats you see and the rats you don’t see…
R Davis says
Aren’t we desperately clutching at straws here, I watched the CNN footage, this is a small town & how much did everyone get paid to do the “rent a crowd” thing for the camera. And why not, god knows the need the money.
Jay Boo says
Islam rots from within
Jay Boo says
Listen very closely, R Davis
Islam will always turn on itself like a suicidal scorpion.
Islam will always fall on its face to kiss the floor of its self-made humiliation.
The caliphate delusion will always end in calamity.
Muslims will butcher other Muslims.
Muslims will turn on their Dhimmi-Dummys and they will switch sides for revenge as Islam yet again rots from within.
Just A Concerned Citizen says
Well, a little further to the south in allah’s catbox (Bahrain), word on the street is that one of our locally hired onbase employees got the boot for declaring that “if ISIS were here, [he’d] join them.”
Feeling the need to further clarify that this is the same place where the higher-ups constantly warn me about distributing Mr. Spencer’s books.
GP says
So that’s what we give them a billion dollars a year for? God knows how much more financial aid and relief that we give other moderate muslim countries, countries that would destroy us gladly.
“The Islamic State is here to stay,” states one. Another, referring to the leader of ISIS, reads, “Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi is our prince.”
Maybe they can build a castle for their Prince in every muslim country that we foolishly send money to. What is it for anyway, Hush money? Bribe? Jizya?