Al-Qaeda uses animated film as recruiting tool

2011-08-02 (2/8/11) -- Analysis by Rajeh Said in London

Al-Qaeda hopes to use the cartoon to convince young children to become terrorists when they are older. [Khaled Abdullah / Reuters]

COMMENT 25

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The announcement by alleged supporters of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula that they are creating an animated film designed to teach children about the group's ideology has stirred controversy in the Arab world.

The announcement was published on "al-Shumoukh", a website used by various branches of al-Qaeda. An alleged jihadist using the nickname Abu Laith al-Yemeni made the announcement. Al-Yemeni said he is producing a cartoon for children to draw them to al-Qaeda's ideology.

Al-Yemeni, who claims to be a supporter of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, presented four scenes from an animated film, which is "in the final stages" of production and addresses al-Qaeda's history. The Quilliam Foundation, a London think-tank devoted to countering extremism, said the film aims to inspire children to commit acts of terrorism.

Al-Yemeni said the cartoon is "a very exciting story that presents the facts about who let down the Islamic religion and the Prophet, and who among Arab leaders are agents of the West, among other topics. The cartoon aims to encourage children to follow in the footsteps of Islamist jihadist figures and features real events and heroic acts by the mujahedeen in the Prophet's peninsula."

He added, "These events include raids, armed clashes, and assassinations. This film is a religious effort to educate our children about how to live a noble life under Sharia law and is an alternative to the poison broadcast by other TV channels to our children."

Quilliam analysts noted that some of the public comments on the al-Shumoukh website addressing al-Yemeni's announcement welcomed the move while others suggested not using the al-Qaeda name specifically in the cartoon so as not to alienate potential supporters. This confirms the apparent conviction among al-Qaeda supporters that the organization's name no longer draws supporters but alienates them instead.

Several press reports confirmed that US officials confiscated a letter from Osama bin Laden's home in Abbottabad, Pakistan indicating he was convinced before his death in May that the organization's name was tarnished and became associated with the shedding of blood. The negative image that the organization carried required re-launching operations under a new name.

The admission by bin Laden that al-Qaeda has become a tarnished brand raises questions about the point of producing a cartoon about the organization's history when its leaders themselves acknowledge that they need to launch a new group under a name that is not linked with al-Qaeda's history.

Unless the producers of the animated film intend to present a partial history of al-Qaeda, extolling only its "merits" and omitting its "faults", especially its engagement in acts of killing that sparked protests in wide sectors of the Arab world that consider such acts to be inconsistent with the teachings of Islam.

Al-Qaeda takes this matter very seriously, and it did not hesitate to use children in operations in the past, particularly in Iraq after the siege was tightened around it in 2008. An organization called "Birds of Paradise" relied on children while another organization, the "hareem" of al-Qaeda relied upon women to conduct terrorist operations.

The Birds of Paradise were in the spotlight again in 2010 when authorities in Fallujah, Iraq, apprehended a child wearing an explosive belt before he could blow himself up. It was also reported on July 26th that an al-Qaeda member in Iraq was killed along with his two children as he was rigging a car with explosives in the garage of his home with his children in close proximity. This does not, however, confirm that he intended to use the children in potential attacks.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq first to produce cartoons

The al-Qaeda branch in Iraq produced a cartoon years before al-Yemeni's announcement. In 2005, jihadist web sites circulated a cartoon intended for children urging them to perform jihad. The strip lasted less than five minutes and was titled "Terrorist".

According to a report by Al-Hayat on the film in 2005, it included scenes of a suicide attack whereby a car bomb collides with an official convoy as it passes in front of a tall building, thus "killing the tyrant".

Al-Hayat quoted fundamentalists who praised the film, some of whom underscored the need for "devising a scenario" in the future, in addition to relying on dialogue and recitation of "(Quranic) verses and (the Prophet's) sayings that urge jihad", and the utilization of those means "to rear the cubs of Islam about loving jihad and those who engage in it."

A fundamentalist fan of this animated film, nicknamed "Abu Hajar" called for the production of "a series of episodes on how to develop jihadists from childhood. That would be excellent in terms of preparing the next generation for jihad," according to al-Hayat.

Al-Qaeda trying to 'destroy families'

Discussing the cartoon al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula produced, Noman Benotman, an analyst with the Quilliam Foundation and former leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, a jihadist group, warned, "Al-Qaeda is using new methods that make extremism seem exciting to young people, even children."

He said this method of attracting young children could elicit an adverse reaction from their parents who might see it as an attempt by al-Qaeda to destroy families and undermine the authority of parents over their families.

Kuwaiti newspaper al-Watan published a sarcastic commentary by a writer under the name of "Plateau al-Aila" (family plateau). The writer wrote, "al-Qaeda, which has spread terror throughout the entire world and rattled the stability of many countries, both Arab and foreign, now comes up with a hellish idea, from their point of view, of course, which is the recruitment of our children with cartoons to create a new generation of terrorists that invade both the East and the West with their radical ideas. Many questions swirl around in my head… hasn't there been enough killing and bloodshed?"

He continues, "Instead of our children's beloved cartoon characters… teaching them fine human values and traditions that advocate love, peace, and helping others, would they give them lectures on the fundamentals of terrorism and bombings? These are strange times indeed, God save us and our children and countries from the evils of al-Qaeda and its cohorts."

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE? (TOTAL VOTES: 24)

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READER COMMENTS

سيف البابلي

2012-2-13

I am Saif from Ajbala. I pray to God to give success to the Iraqi army forces for the heroic actions to capture the criminals and terrorists. Ajbala thanks the heroes of the army, Division 8, for their great efforts. Thanks!
حسام محمد

2011-9-19

The terrorists have carried out criminal operations of killing, slaughtering, booby-trapping and assassination. This is in order to satisfy the leaders of the cowardly organization of Al-Qaeda, which has always worked on killing the innocent Iraqis and Arabs. In fact, they have exploited religion and they have spoken on behalf of Islam and Muslims. Besides, they allow and forbid things as they want. Thus, they have carried out many criminal operations using booby-trapped cars. They have also exploited the children who have not reached the legal age and who suffer from mental illnesses in order to carry out their booby-trapping operations. And they have made use of women’s clothes in order to put the improvised explosive devices in strange tools that no one can imagine. This is in order to carry out their dirty and cowardly operations.
منتظر

2011-9-16

They are criminals and we ask God to take revenge upon them. They are the enemies of the home and they have no place in Iraq. They come from other countries to destroy Iraq, which is the land of civilizations and the sacred land. However, they will be punished someday. The country is deteriorating due to the explosives. Peace be upon you…. 2011/2012
Ahmed al-Qasier

2011-9-16

They criminals. They violated all morals and principles.
اياد حسون

2011-9-15

The Iraqi people have revealed the deception of those who have carried out terrorist operations against people. These terrorists have exploited children in order to carry out their malicious and destructive plans. Deceiving people under the pretext of religion and using money in order to lure their weak souls has become old tricks. Their schemes have been revealed and everyone knows they have been working on disrupting Iraqis’ unity in order to sow discord among them. In fact, they have been the main reason behind all the events taking place in Iraq. May God curse them and make their end shameful and disgraceful, God willing.
شاب

2011-9-14

Does al-Qaeda believe in Jihad, after their hands are stained with the blood of the innocent Iraqis?? Does al-Qaeda believe in their leaders who disgraced Islam and defamed its name with their criminal acts? At the beginning of the occupation, Jihad had a name and a meaning. Most of the Iraqis were eager for Jihad in the name of the nation and Islam. Al-Qaeda fooled them till God showed their real intentions in Iraq. Their principles and values turned out to be just a body without a soul. I pray to God to guide everybody and lift this calamity and burden from the nation. I pray to God to kick the occupiers, al-Qaeda agents and all those who use religion for their personal interests out of Iraq. May God reveal the face of those hide behind religion. Saying “God is sufficient for me, for He is the best disposer of affairs!” is enough for us. God is the Arbiter of success! Long live Iraq, despite any enemies! Long live Iraq, despite all the currents of hatred! Long live Iraq, despite oppression! Long live Islam and Muslims! God is the best Protector!
ضرغام

2011-9-13

thx god that we know about there evel plan to make our children be lik aterarest and the god save the iraq and the people of iraq
كريم فارس

2011-9-11

We raise our palms to God to beseech Him and pray to Him to rid us of these criminal groups who have violated human rights advocated by Islam. In fact, they are murdering young and old people in order to take control of the region. Thus, may the powerful aversion and rage of God fall on them and protect the people from their evil acts, and put them together with those who collaborate with them in these acts, as a lesson for those who take it. We also pray to God to eradicate them with His strength; God is the most powerful and we are the weakest. We have abandoned our strength and power for Yours, O God the Almighty. You can, but we cannot. You are the most powerful and the Dearest; You know everything and the unseen, but we do not know. May God grant the sons of Iraq strength and help them thwart the terrorist organizations and fight them. May God help us get rid of them and expel them once and for all. I pray to God to weaken and dishearten them and make their plans their destruction. May God grant victory to His monotheistic people against those unjust ones who have destroyed the crops and the cattle, have spread corruption on earth, and have been responsible for the suffering of the innocent Iraqis. The latter have been subjected to harm because of the murder and terrorist acts, as well as the fear which has been spread by these criminal organizations. The latter are supported by the criminal assassins who do not want the well-being of Iraq and Iraqis. In fact, they were murdering people under the umbrella of Islam, while terrorists and their acts have nothing to do with it. May God expose them before all people and make them rejected wherever they go. We also pray to God to send them a merciless oppressor in order to get rid of them and their evils and hatred towards people. May God make Iraq a cemetery for this dissenting group; He is the most powerful.
سهيل

2011-9-11

Our society has been influenced by criminal operations, because they are continuously being carried out. In addition, there are many televised and online films that are calling for violence, killing and crimes. Therefore, we are in dire need to get rid of this painful reality. We can benefit from films and social serials, which call for development and progress by relying on humans, who are the best feature in this life.
سركوت سوفي

2011-9-6

Fight such thoughts and dovish principles that contradict the human and civilizational values that serve humanity. Hence this animated film that is directed at the children should be a model, and we should introduce the issue of terrorism and fighting it within the curricula in kindergarten, elementary education and the rest of the study levels. In this way, we will dry up the sources of the accursed terrorism. That is because terrorism will not end with the killing of one or two terrorists.
سركوت سوفي

2011-9-6

Fight such thoughts and hellish principles that contradict the human and civilizational values that do not serve humanity. This cartoon that is directed to the children should be a model of how we should handle the issue of terrorism and fight it within the curricula in the kindergarten, elementary education and the rest of the educational levels. In such a way, we will dry up the sources of the accursed terrorism. That is because terrorism will not end with the killing of one or two terrorists.
منصر محمود

2011-9-5

Since the first moment we heard about the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization and the announcement of its existence in Iraq to fight the occupation and up to now, we have been losing victims and martyrs. The Iraqi blood is still bleeding and wounds have not healed yet, because of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization and its barbarian practices, such as bombings, IEDs, killing and kidnapping that targeted all Iraqis. These operations have claimed the lives of many persons. So what is this resistance that they are talking about? They are killing innocent Iraqis. What is the number of victims of terrorism? They are millions of children, women, men, the elderly, religious scholars, leaders, politicians and security members from all sects of Iraq.
راز

2011-9-1

Attention must be given to such threats. This is where the family has a great duty in that regard, in order to monitor and protect children from being influenced by any criminal ideas that this terrorist organization tries to spread in the minds of our children. Damn this organization and the evil ideas it believes in, along with its criminal followers. If this act proves anything, it proves the extent of this organization’s maliciousness. This despicable organization shows its ugly face, and we vehemently reject it and its dark ideas and actions through which it tries to affect the minds of innocent children.
هشام

2011-8-31

These are really the doings of al-Qaeda, this criminal and decadent organization. In fact, it does not exclude anyone and now, it is trying to attract children through those cartoons which promote Jihad, the support of Jihadists and other ridiculous plans. In so doing, they would like to take control of children’s minds and to recruit them in an indirect way through planting such ideas in their minds from this early age.
وحيد احمد

2011-8-27

The terrorist al-Qaeda has a lot of thoughts and plans through which it wants to spread the criminal and terrorist way of thinking among the biggest category in the society. So, after the unsuccessful efforts to attract the youth through the radical and extremist thoughts, it strengthens their love and affects them with devilish thoughts. The terrorist organization started to follow a certain track for criminal acts that try to spread its thoughts, but this time it is going after the minds of children, by exploiting the minds of the innocent kids with the animated movies. The criminal al-Qaeda organization knows the extent of the kids’ love and passion for animated movies, and through that they exploit that love. But they take advantage of their love in the most horrendous and criminal ways. Even the innocent children are not safe of the terrorist acts. They are using cartoons in order to draw children to their ideas and Takfiri criminal acts and try to sow them in their imagination. Through these small acts, the children may get more affected in what they see in a movie. The acts of the Criminal organization of al-Qaeda in this respect implicates much danger on our children and they should be protected from these ideas, or from watching any cartoon that refers to terrorism or its acts in a way they accept it or the organization. In broadcasting these cartoons, I believe that this brutality is no different from this deviant organization which tries to do anything so as to expand its criminality and mean and deviant thoughts which they believe in.
هوشي منه

2011-8-27

It is not unusual for people in Al-Qaeda to recruit their sisters, mothers and wives, and they have no problem recruiting children. Al Qaeda terrorists have no honor or pride, because they are slaves to money and they are ready to blow up anything for money, including poor workers or markets. Their rotted minds cannot show them the right way.
سالم

2011-8-25

This is a criminal act against the Muslim peoples.
مظفر

2011-8-22

Al-Qaeda is the the most serious and spiteful terrorist organization in the world, and it hates humanity. Hence, their exploitation of the children is one of the worst terrorist acts, because the child is like an angel on earth. “Our children are born great, but we raise them into nothing.” I think this is best saying I have ever heard. This is a crime against humanity, and I ask God to protect our children from all evils. May God protect you.
رزاق

2011-8-19

The al-Qaeda organizations’ groups have used animated movies to incite children and teach them to commit terrorist acts, which develops their dangerous, criminal and violent tendencies against citizens. They are a reason behind making children take the wrong path. The use of this important aspect in children’s lives by the al-Qaeda organization, because children are the biggest fans of cartoons, is very dangerous, because children imitate the children they see in cartoons. The terrorist groups have used a tool of childhood education and turned it into an evil tool that develops and stimulates the painful and terrorist sides in them. This is very dangerous. Those children have to be advised, and all the terrorist al-Qaeda organization’s factions and groups have to be monitored, because they are trying to destroy even the innocent childhood, as they have turned children into tools of murder and monsters in order to direct them to execute the terrorist operations that the al-Qaeda organization’s gangs want to execute. The al-Qaeda organization groups use several means to recruit as many people as possible, whether they are men or women or even children. This is even more dangerous and violent, because it contributes to harming innocent people using children who wouldn’t provoke suspicion, to use them in executing the plans of the cowardly terrorist groups that target many innocent people, and at the same time violate the rights of childhood.
حكيم

2011-8-19

The orphans are the most severely affected social category, as a result of the political changes, wars and terrorist acts that Iraq has witnessed and which have reflected negatively on the children’s lives. Therefore, this category is suffering from loss in the midst of political conflicts that Iraq is experiencing, and which lead to the negligence of the government to carry out its role towards the orphans, who are in dire need of securing care for them so as to keep them from homelessness and deviation. Every day we see an increase in the number of children who have abandoned their childhood and left their studies and are wandering in the markets or street intersections and are engaged in acts that are not suitable for their ages, such as selling plastic bags for the shoppers or loading materials in the market. Or, in some cases, they are begging at the street intersections and engaged in other acts that subject the children to deviation and exploitation by some criminal elements which do not want the good for Iraq and its people. They are trying to increase the suffering of the Iraqi people through committing different crimes exploiting the need of those orphaned children, as well as working on inciting them to carry out criminal acts against the people. Therefore, the Iraqi country should perform its role in protecting the orphans and lifting them out of this bitter reality in which they are living, by providing shelters and humanitarian care for them, following Almighty God’s saying: “And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: 'To set right for them. i.e. their affairs, is best,’ and the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: “I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," putting his index and middle fingers together.
معين

2011-8-19

I reject and condemn the deviant acts of Al-Qaeda, such as their use of animated movies as a tool to recruit the children, and if it proves anything, it proves their failure and shame which follow them after their continuous relapses. And, as is known to everyone, the Al-Qaeda organization has recruited a lot of youth to work under its banner, but not some other youth who are conscious and who perceived the danger of Al-Qaeda organization to humanity. Today they have resorted to a very dangerous route, as they started using it against other people, and that is the use of animated movies in order to attract the children and to draw their attention to this organization. As is known to everyone, the children in their first stages learn from the cartoon characters they love, and they imitate them in everything they do whether in good or evil. This time is the time of wonders, because Al-Qaeda doesn’t hesitate to carry out the terrorist acts which result in victimizing the lives of tens and hundreds of innocent civilians, who are being murdered for no justified reason. These terrorists are not satisfied with killing, destroying and terrifying everyone all over the world, in addition to destabilizing the security and stability of this country or another. They have a new method, which aims to have a new generation of terrorists, who believe in radical ideas, which are very far from the right path, in order to complete the process of the founder of this system. So we should protect our children from watching these movies, because they make the children get used to violence and killing in order to get what they want by spreading the theory of power instead of the theory of peace. Children in this stage absorb all the ethics and principles from others, whether right or wrong, because the Al-Qaeda organization exploited the innocence of those children in order to serve its colonial plans, which are based on the policy of violence, murder and terrorism, instead of teaching children love, peace and helping others. They teach them the principles of terrorism and destabilizing the security of the countries, while children are considered to be the security of the people, to achieve their dreams and to sophisticate them to a level that elevates mankind.
باسل

2011-8-18

The al-Qaeda organization is one of the terrorist organizations that oppose the presence of humans everywhere. It is widespread today. It was founded the moment it was born by the hands of Osama bin Laden in a remote hidden place in the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan. He grew up there after this organization came into the prime of its power and started to wage its attacks on the West and the East equally to correct the path of humanity after it had deviated, as they claim. These are illusionary, unjustifiable excuses because all of this organization’s attacks have had millions of human victims and caused ruin that needs years to be repaired.
رنده

2011-8-17

Al-Qaeda is the worst creation of God on earth, they are envious people, and they don’t want good for the Islamic nation at all. What they have done and are still doing in terms of criminal acts is not enough for them. They are using and targeting children, as they use the animated movies, in order to explain through them the history of the Al-Qaeda organization, and all the good deeds they have done for Islam and Muslims, and showing that they are good people who want good for the nation, and that they are calling for the right, but they are resisted by the nations which face them; and there are all these superstitions which they want to put into the minds of the children. We should cooperate in order to prevent those animation acts from being aired on TV and prevent our children from watching these superstitious vile shows. From its side, there should be a conversation between the sheikhs, in order to explain the situation through the Friday prayers or on the regular days. They should warn all the families to turn the TV off while this animation is being aired. The Al-Qaeda organization’s planning and thoughts have become a long-term effort, but we don’t want them to reach what they have reached. They think they are smart to fool us into funny cartoons so they can shape the minds of our children. They want to strengthen their will with this vile idea, and we as Arabs from all the Arab countries, should take this issue seriously, more than before, and intensify our attention to the issue of the Al-Qaeda organization and to get rid of them forever. All their acts are evil and envious, and we don’t want them among us. I pray to God to distract them, and not to let them appear like a good thing, and to disappoint all their acts and hopes. God willing, the days will prove what we say, and terrorism will be eliminated forever. These animated movies are aiming to corrupt our children, and as we know, that it is easy to get the ideas rooted in their mind, they have exploited this idea. Please, God, protect the Islamic nation from them and from their evil forever.
علي -بغداد

2011-8-11

This is the Salafi creed and we have to face the facts and dangers more seriously, because those people pose a serious threat to civilians and an even greater danger on the noble human moral standards. They also endanger the lives of the Muslims and Westerners equally. Hence, I call on the Muslims to confront this danger seriously, even if it requires severe confrontation with the self and the social and religious values.
منتظر

2011-8-10

God save the people of Iraq and Iraqis from all evil.