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Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

UK: “Meek and mild” convert to Islam supposedly turned violent and hateful by Islamic State videos

Aug 8, 2017 3:54 pm By Robert Spencer

“The Old Bailey heard Watson grew up in Liverpool before converting to Islam and becoming ‘quickly radicalised’ after watching Isis videos online in 2015.”

This assumes that Watson converted to a benign and peaceful form of Islam, and only turned violent after he chanced to see these Islamic State videos. Now, I’ve seen quite a few Islamic State videos, and I find them repulsive to the point of nausea, interesting only for their indefatigable use of the Qur’an and Sunnah to justify every atrocity and to inspire other Muslims to join the Islamic State or imitate it wherever they are. What may account for Ismail Watson’s different reaction? Could it be that he was attracted to the Islamic State precisely by its Islamic case for its actions?

The question British authorities should ask themselves (but won’t) is this: if Ismail Watson learned a benign, peaceful version of Islam at the mosque where he converted, why wasn’t he able to recognize the Islam of the ISIS videos as a twisted, hijacked version of the true, peaceful teachings of the religion, and reject it accordingly? If Islam is truly a religion of peace, as British authorities believe and demand that everyone believe on pain of criminal prosecution (for Britons) and banning from the country (for foreigners), why wasn’t Ismail Watson easily able to counter the false Islam he found online? The falsity of ISIS’ Islam ought to have been obvious, no?

“Online videos turned ‘meek’ Muslim convert into would-be Isil fighter who hated Britain, court hears,” Telegraph, August 8, 2017:

Online videos turned a ‘meek and mild’ Muslim convert into a would-be Isil fighter who hated Britain, a court has heard.

Ismael Watson, formerly known as Jack, has admitted flying to Turkey and trying to cross the border into the war-torn country to fight with the death cult between 1 January 2016 and 23 February this year….

But he denies preparing to commit acts of terrorism, claiming the UK’s courts have no authority over him.

The Old Bailey heard Watson grew up in Liverpool before converting to Islam and becoming “quickly radicalised” after watching Isis videos online in 2015.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow, QC, said said Watson’s chats with undercover agents on encrypted messaging app Telegram “reveal the extent of his hatred for Western society and his avowed intent to take part in terrorist atrocities”.

“There is no doubt that had he succeeded in his attempt to enter Syria he would have joined IS and that he would have fought for them,” he added.

“He eventually admitted that this had been his plan and he admitted that he wanted to fight in what he believes is a holy war against the western oppressors.”

Jurors heard that none of Watson’s family are Muslims.

Mr Glasgow said: ‘He is described by his mother as “meek, mild and easily influenced”, but following his conversion he grew increasingly distant from his immediate family.’

Watson married Sharmina Begum at the Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham in September 2015, but he became so radical that she left him in January 2016 after they moved to the West Midlands.

“He started to watch IS videos and listening to lectures about jihad,” said Mr Glasgow….

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Filed Under: converts to Islam, Featured, Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), United Kingdom, willful ignorance Tagged With: Ismail Watson


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Comments

  1. Kiki says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    I forget which news article I read this on, but a journalist did an experiment with himself….he was watching ISIS videos to find out how or if they played a role in causing supporters to become more violent.

    And he did notice that, the more he watched the videos, the more irritable he was, the more he wanted to lash out violently over incidents that normally wouldn’t bother him so much…and when he stopped, over time he regained his normal emotions.

    Violent videos seem to be one way jihadists ‘condition’ their supporters, so they get used to violence. It’s sick, but it’s one of the reasons their propaganda has been so successful. If we’re going to defeat jihadists, we also need to shut down their propaganda, their internet recruitment, etc…because that is making the situation worse.

    • gravenimage says

      Aug 8, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      Kiki, I have seen quite a few Jihad videos–all they do to me is inspire disgust and a stronger commitment to oppose the savagery of Islam. They have never made me violent or even irritable.

      I think this mostly works on those who are already devout Muslims. Not sure what the journalist’s deal was.

      • R Russell says

        Aug 8, 2017 at 5:51 pm

        What has not been asked is what the viewer of the ISIS videos is expecting when viewing. Those who are expecting their faith to be positively reinforced will be radicalised. Those who are disgusted will remain disgusted.

        • Nigel lang says

          Aug 15, 2017 at 5:21 am

          Good point.

      • Kiki says

        Aug 9, 2017 at 10:31 am

        gravenimage,

        My point was that these propaganda videos are having an effect on some people–in this case, it worsens the situation by heavily encouraging ISIS supporters to actually attack people, stimulating their already violent views.

        Most people won’t be brainwashed, but ISIS propaganda inspires their supporters. It’s like how the Nazis used propaganda to help turn their people against Jews, Gypsies, and handicapped people.

        Violent, hateful propaganda may not magically turn people into violent maniacs, but it does have an effect, and history has shown that many times. I was just saying that we need to combat their propaganda by shutting down their twitter/facebook accounts, whatever, so they can’t encourage as many followers.

        • wool says

          Aug 9, 2017 at 2:07 pm

          Are you guys normal?are you human being? i think Wild animals are better than you! The only thing animals attack others,when they get hungry ,not angry.how do you get anger or violent only by watching isis video atrocity and barbaric actions.Hitler was inspired by islam ideology and he did his worst on human beings.i can not be a terrorist simply because i watched isis video terror act.

        • gravenimage says

          Aug 9, 2017 at 10:12 pm

          True, Kiki.

        • gravenimage says

          Aug 9, 2017 at 11:23 pm

          The appalling wool wrote:

          Are you guys normal?are (sic) you human being? i (sic) think Wild (sic) animals are better than you!
          ……………………………..

          In other words, how *dare* we oppose the savagery of ISIS? Bad dhimmis!

          More:

          The only thing animals attack others,when they get hungry ,not (sic) angry.
          ……………………………..

          No one said animals attack because of anger. Violent Muslims do, though.

          More:

          how (sic) do you get anger or violent only by watching isis (sic) video atrocity and barbaric actions.
          ……………………………..

          It is not purely ISIS videos. One has to already be steeped in the barbarism of Islamic doctrine in order to become savage Jihadists.

          More:

          Hitler was inspired by islam (sic) ideology and he did his worst on human beings.i (sic) can not be a terrorist simply because i (sic) watched isis (sic) video terror act.
          ……………………………..

          “wool” doesn’t appear to grasp that Jihad Watch is reporting on this idiocy, *not* agreeing with it. Or perhaps he does grasp this–but hopes that we don’t.

          By the way, Hitler admired Islam, but this was not his sole inspiration.

          But in any case, “wool’s” condemning Anti-Jihadists as being ‘worse than wild animals’ for opposing Jihad while saying nothing against brutal Jihadists is par for the course with this repulsive apologist for Islam.

  2. Andy says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    I think this “Meek and mild” lad should have been watching this video instead of his “Jihad” ones.

    Always Look On Bright Side Of Live

    • Andy says

      Aug 8, 2017 at 5:24 pm

      A little bit of humor to the JW crowd.

      Here’s another fine ditty this lad should have had his little nose into: Perhaps he would have enjoyed it so much he would have forgotten all about his jihad.

      From me mums (God rest her soul, she was a lovely lass) favorite show.

      On The Sunny Side of the Street

      • Andy says

        Aug 8, 2017 at 5:27 pm

        OOPs wrong video, but the last one was a good one two.

        Remember everyone needs a little break now and again from the SERIOUS Stuff.

        Here is the one I wanted to post, Sorry.

        From my moms favorite show: In remembrance.

        • Westman says

          Aug 8, 2017 at 9:49 pm

          In this video one can also hear Aways Look On The Bright Side Of Life as well as, Where AreThe Women?

          https://youtu.be/JCfwcd_Ajg4

  3. gravenimage says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    UK: “Meek and mild” convert to Islam supposedly turned violent and hateful by Islamic State videos
    …………………………

    Yeah–funny how these videos only work that way for *Muslims*.

    • Wellington says

      Aug 8, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      Indeed, gravenimage. No other faith results in this rot and barbarism by a convert. Only Islam is culpable here. Only Islam. Gee, I wonder why?

      • gravenimage says

        Aug 8, 2017 at 5:48 pm

        True, Wellington. It is not as though people are just automatically brainwashed by seeing these videos. Instead, one has to find this *inspiring*.

        Who finds this savagery inspiring? Muslims.

  4. mccode says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    How is it that a person who attempts to travel to join ISIS is arrested and prosecuted, but that converts who have been abroad are allowed to return to their country of origin with barely a blink of an eye from the authorities?

  5. Cameron Tremblay says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    Am thinking it may be time to start calling on politicians to criminalize islam…that’s the root problem.
    The religious texts (quran, hadith, etc.) are hate literature on a par with Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’. I only compare to Hitler because both Mohammed and Hitler were rejected by the Jews and both became obsessed with killing all Jews.
    Its a death cult that needs to be dealt with. Sure there are some nice muslims, but they’d be better if they converted.
    Also, wearing any islamic style clothing sets up for extreme violence on the part of muslims…women not wearing niqabs and head coverings (etc) WILL be abused by sharia thugs…its already happening…ban the burqa and any other head covering and you get rid of sharia patrols!
    Now, those wanting to deal with islam with love and hugs can do so, but please give me my semi-automatic assault rifle and pistol so I can cover your back…just in case hugs and kisses don’t work…snowflake!

  6. PRCS says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    So, which Islamic State videos caused this “radicalization”?

    The oh, woe is us videos? The torture and murder videos?

    Both?

    And, do note, Islam does NOT teach hatred of “the West”,

    • gravenimage says

      Aug 8, 2017 at 8:49 pm

      Islam teaches hatred of all of Dar-al-Harb.

  7. Paul says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    In a sane society, the likes of this loser would be deported to some hellhole
    more befitting of his own newly chosen degeneracy – at the very least.
    It will soon dawn on all normal and decent people that it’s an alien ideology
    with a foreign god.

  8. tedh754@gmail.com says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    Who can possibly believe in a God who says you will be rewarded by the amount of people you murder. Rape, kill, torture. People believe in that because it is in the Koran? Kind of convenient, don’t you think?

    • Wellington says

      Aug 8, 2017 at 9:02 pm

      Beyond convenient. It’s sick.

      Understand, I grasp yours was a rhetorical question but I answered it literally as a way of demonstrating just how warped the Islamic faith is.

      Got that, all you Muslims out there? You’ve been had and you don’t even know it. Or do you?

      Regardless, you and your religion deserve no respect. None. I certainly will never extend any respect to you or your religion and may your Allah strike me dead tonight if yours is the true faith. I dare the cosmic bastard to do so.

      See you tomorrow.

      • Westman says

        Aug 8, 2017 at 10:06 pm

        Instead of a god of virtue, Allah seems to be a virtual(in the physics sense) god. Strangely, nobody has heard from Allah since Muhammad died. In addition, Allah never said he(it) was through “revealing”. Very suspicious.

        You could take a day off, Wellington, get their hopes up, then dash them the following day.

        • Laura says

          Aug 9, 2017 at 9:17 am

          The beliefs of 1.7 billion, and counting, muslims rests on the word of ONE man,namely the ‘perfect’ Muhammad. They have only his word that ‘god’ spoke to him via the Angel Gabriel.

      • WorkingClassPost says

        Aug 8, 2017 at 10:15 pm

        Allah sends his apologies, but he’s unable to deal with you today… he’s too busy frying up the latest batch of jihadis just delivered shouting Ali akbah.

      • Paul says

        Aug 9, 2017 at 11:21 am

        love this..

  9. Baucent says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    “Bad company corrupts good character”, It says so in the Bible. But Watson’s religion is rotten to the core, and it’s outworking in the lives of followers is clear and evil. Those to associate with followers of the false prophet will become like them.

  10. PKG says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    The concept of ‘radicalisation’ is a total furfie and a misnomer, given that Islam is inherently ‘radical’ anyway.

    I wouldn’t have thought that you needed to be particularly brainy to work this out!

    Funny how converts to Islam are often remarkable by their lack of a moral compass, lack of character, lack of a sense of direction, …in short, a lack of brains really………..

  11. mortimer says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    It’s the IDEOLOGY, stupid!

    So many naïve Westerners say, ‘I KNOW THIS NICE MUSLIM WHO ISN’T A TERRORIST’. And I answer, ‘HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? Because many people found Hitler extremely charming and cultured.’

    All that it takes to turn a ‘nice person’ into a psychopathic killer is IDEOLOGY!

    Quote from undercovers: “Watson’s chats with undercover agents on encrypted messaging app Telegram “reveal the extent of his hatred for Western society and his avowed intent to take part in terrorist atrocities”.

    And yet, preposterously, the ANTI-TERRORISM people say that they don’t know the MOTIVE in such cases!!!

    It’s the IDEOLOGY, stupid!

    • Paul says

      Aug 9, 2017 at 11:22 am

      BANG ON….

  12. Sarah says

    Aug 8, 2017 at 11:52 pm

    I call bulls**t on this idiot.

    Meek and mild my backside. He was a loser, a socially awkward loser who was riddled with insecurities and loneliness and sought out a place to belong, rather than identify his faults and fix them. He was weak and he fell into Islam because it promised everything his black little heart wanted – things he felt he was denied and he had the right to have.

    No-one watches those videos, or reads that propaganda – with or without belief in Islam – and just suddenly agrees with it and morphs into some kind of furious murderer. Otherwise we’d have 1.4 odd billion Muslims around the world all reaching for suicide belts – and the remaining 6 odd billion people on the planet deciding to convert.

    He was a bitter little weak loser who was deeply angry to not get what he felt he was owed by life. He turned to Islam for a sense of belonging and he turned to terrorism as a vindictive, spiteful little weak worm who wanted to burn the world down to the ground and make everyone pay, to feel the pain he feels.

    Mark my words-this little loser was burning with spite and bitterness because he was too insecure and awkward to get a girl. It would have all snowballed from there.

    • Barguest says

      Aug 9, 2017 at 6:51 am

      Excellent assessment of this loser. And we see it time and again with converts to cults (and islam is indeed a cult): they’re inadequate, marginal personalities drawn to the feeling of belonging and superiority their new found ‘gang’ confers on them. Plus they’re told that all manner of vile behaviour is actually *virtuous*.

      Why can’t these losers be drawn to some less malign group – the Salvation Army or maybe the Quakers – if they want a sense of belonging? Or yeah, not enough murder, rape, theft and general all round sadism with any other group.

    • Paul says

      Aug 9, 2017 at 11:43 am

      i agree with you.. judging by his picture (not meaning to be disparaging to the “man”) i believe him to be a social misfit who probably went through his school days being victimised and picked on and bullied who didn’t or wasn’t able to stand up for himself, you can just tell to look at him he wasn’t what you’d call of sound mind.. That was also me in as far as i was a spoilt child and others jealousy of being so was and has been the bane of my life outcasting me from friends and family alike, i had few friends but the ones i had i chose and didn’t have them because i’d be alone otherwise.. Still, it doesn’t make me a bitter man, it made me a better man and i despair at the worlds ruin because of delinquent idiots who force an ideology onto someone who’s weakness and sense of wanting to fit in and belong over rides decency and moral values that ultimately led this weak pathetic excuse of a boy/man to commit such vile heinous acts..May he get his just rewards where he’s ended up.. in a permanent minds hell of torture where others also in the establishment he finds himself in will no doubt dish out their own form of punishment and probably do it on a daily basis..

      • gravenimage says

        Aug 9, 2017 at 11:42 pm

        Agreed. Paul. I was also bullied in public school–these were not schools where being a good student meant you were respected–but it never made we want to turn to something like Islam.

  13. FYI says

    Aug 9, 2017 at 6:36 am

    Another convert to the religion of peace who..

    a)clearly doesn’t understand the difference between God and allah.
    b)doesn’t get irony:if islam is the religion of peace,how come muslims spend so much time killing each other?

    islam always attracts a particular type of convert:the stupid,the theologically illiterate,the emotionally and psychologically unbalanced,the attention-seekers,the criminal,the silly celebrity,the insane…the future chaff in the Justice of God…..

    Translation of terms
    ________________

    “easily-influenced” =Too stupid to think for himself and lacking the foresight to understand the folly of his conversion

    “Quickly radicalised”=one of the sheeple..obviously as thick as too short planks…

    One should thinkvery carefully before converting to the religion of peace or indeed any religion.

    Ask yourself some questions like…for example…

    Exactly how peaceful is the religion of peace?

    Did muhammed(the most incredibly perfect man than ever existed)live a good moral life in harmony with his fellow man and in obedience to those all-important Original Commandments of God?

    If allah curses the Jews and the Christians{ k9:30},isn’t that strange and isn’t it completely at odds with the whole point of the Biblical revelation of God?

    How come allah (in his perfect book the koran) makes so many mistakes?That’s not very perfect is it?

  14. John A. Marre says

    Aug 9, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Conversion to Islam is, by that very act, rejection of UK citizenship. Conversion must be followed immediately by deportation to the Muslim country of one’s choice, or prison in solitary for life. Yes, I really propose that.

    • Paul says

      Aug 9, 2017 at 11:47 am

      BANGIN’ STATEMENT..

  15. Frank Verderber says

    Aug 9, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    I think we are going about this all wrong. We should let these wannabes go to join ISIS, and given their ineptitude they will probably never return. But when they try to return, count them as persona non grata. Having all the lunatics in one place in the Middle East is much more desirable than having them spread out all over the world.

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