My Enemy's Enemy Is My Friend

The Internet has countless websites, forums and mailing lists distributing information on the situation in Iraq, Palestine and other Muslim countries. Most of these sites are given little attention or totally ignored by mainstream media and political circles. These online initiatives serve as a network for opponents of US hegemonial policies in the Middle East and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

Many of the people behind these websites do their best – despite their own bias – to present a fair and honest picture of events. Their ultimate goal is to achieve peaceful coexistence. Others, however, particularly extremist groups with a seemingly endless array of agendas (for example, the "Iraq News Network"), use the Internet under the banner of "solidarity with the subjugated and oppressed" to spread racist, Nazi, and anti-Semitic views or to abuse Islam by disseminating an ideology of hate and violence.

Radical Internet alliances

There are increasing calls – particularly from security agencies – to block these radical Internet sites. At first glance, this appears to be a reasonable enough solution. Yet each case of censorship also entails the risk of introducing double standards that would have to be explained with endless apologies. In the end, this would only address the symptoms and do nothing to attack the root of the problem.

It is extremely difficult to comprehend today's maze of websites, forums and mailing lists. Although these online projects often provide information that has been systematically ignored or even suppressed by mainstream media, many of the people behind these initiatives have drawn erroneous, and in some cases, even radical conclusions based on their personal views and political background.

On the "Al-Moharer" homepage, for example, there are interesting insider reports and commentaries on the current situation in Iraq, including insights into internal alliances and hostilities. However, in order to adequately evaluate this information and the political assessments offered here, it is important to know that the site is run by Baathists who are fighting to return Saddam Hussein to power.

This connection is readily apparent on the "Al-Moharer" webpage itself, but that cannot be said of the many articles and commentaries from this source that have been made public through "affiliated" websites and mailing lists.

Lowest common denominator

Readers are often left in the dark about the ideological and political background of online reports. It is not immediately apparent that the Web has brought together persons and organizations that normally (want to) have nothing to do with each other or are even hostile towards one another.

Sincere peace activists, anti-imperialists and communists rub shoulders with supporters of Saddam Hussein and neo-Nazis, although some of the authors and discussion group participants writing under a pseudonym are more interested in infiltration and provocation than collaboration.

This makes for an explosive mixture. The Washington-based SITE Institute (The Search for International Terrorist Entities) says that it has found actual online manuals for terrorist training and practical handbooks during its research of extremist websites.

According to information published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, expert sources estimate that the number of extremist websites on the Internet has soared to 4,500.

These groups are not interested in peace and justice in the Middle East. Their prime motivation is to recruit sympathizers or fellow combatants to join in the fight for their own extremist ideologies and political struggles.

A common threat is a more or less aggressive anti-Semitism, which is fueled and further instigated by old and new Nazis alike – in particular Holocaust "revisionists" living in the US – who are only too happy to produce "proof" from their catalogue of fascist ideology.

A prime example can be found on a mailing list dedicated to the "proletariat." It serves as a meeting place for the militant Iraqi resistance and leading anti-Semites, and has launched, for example, a solidarity initiative in support of the Holocaust denier Ernst Zündel, who was extradited to Germany in 2003.

National Bolshevist Constantin von Hoffmeister, who resides in the US, laments Hitler's betrayal of Socialism, and the renowned "gas chamber expert" Robert Faurisson complains of the United Nation's "universal excommunication" of revisionists.

Meanwhile, this very same website includes a source link to the right-wing extremist Adelaide Institute in Australia that is particularly interested in networking in Muslim countries. The site also mentions John Paul Cupp from the North American Committee against Zionism and Imperialism, who eagerly placed Kim Il Sung on the "proletariat" list and is an ardent admirer of Saddam Hussein.

The people behind this radical propaganda

Via the Internet, revisionists and Baathists are using Islamisized rhetoric to portray themselves as champions of the interests and rights of Muslims. In response, extremist Muslims join the websites and mailing lists, pushing for a joint campaign against the US and Israel as an Islamic Jihad and glorifying Saddam Hussein as a hero in this "holy war".

One of the best examples of this phenomenon on the "proletariat" list is the individual who goes by the name "Sheikha" Aisha Muhammad. In her calls for "armed struggle," she idolizes Saddam Hussein as a great Islamic fighter (mujahedin) and the "father of all martyrs."

There is much speculation on the Internet over the identity of this person who pleads with such great "Islamic" passion, yet remains an enigma. Many believe that she is the wife of Kaukab Siddique, an academic who lives in the US. This would indicate a connection to the Pakistani Jamaat al-Muslimin organization.

It is difficult to say to what extent these groups appeal to more moderate Muslim men and women around the world. These networks have clearly had a tangible impact, with some individuals acting out of a deep sense of conviction, while others are obviously lacking in their knowledge of Islam and politics.

Inciting Muslims against Muslims

True to the motto "my enemy's enemy is my friend," some activists care little about the ideological basis and actual goals of their "comrades in arms" as long as they can advance the common struggle. The fact is that militant extremists use these networks to stir up Muslims against each other.

All Muslims who refuse to bow to the authority of the extremists' Islamic interpretations are branded "infidels" or vilified as traitors who side with the West. Thus, Iran has been smeared on the above-mentioned "proletariat" list as a Zionist collaborator, and an article distributed by Aisha Muhammad on this network flatly equates Bush, the US government, and Christian Zionists with Shiites.

There are no known instances of the Muslim community in Germany participating in such networks. Nevertheless, there are certain indications of ties to nationalistic Arab groups, evidenced by supporter lists for various events held by the Iraqi resistance.

In a separate development, anonymous emails written in German have recently been circulating throughout the Internet, spreading a similar radical and inflammatory ideology. It is safe to assume that if the climate between Muslims and the German majority were to deteriorate even further, there would be more support for these extremist ideas. Society needs to remain alert and educate the public.

Muslims should thus be seen as part of the solution to the problem. The dangers described here should not be further demonized, but rather the answer lies in working together with Muslims to defuse these tensions. This requires a counter-network of Muslims, individuals, groups, and institutions that have the skills required to combat right-wing extremism and racism, yet remain free of anti-Islamic prejudices.

Irmgard Pinn and Aiman Mazyek

© Qantara.de 2006

Translated from the German by Paul Cohen

Qantara.de

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