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through Jihad and the eradication of the infidels will the faith be purified. The Jihad includes offering one's own life as a Martyr as being the ultimate good and rewards the family of those who choose this course with aid and honor. Osama bin Laden and 99% (if not 100%) of all Islamic terrorist groups want all nations to be ruled by the Shara (strict interpretation of Islamic Law) which precludes any form of democracy or rights for non-believers or any woman.

Myth: Al Qaeda is nothing more than a misguided set of freedom fighters attempting to overthrow Western oppression.

Truth: Al Qaeda is a worldwide network of associated and aligned terrorist groups who support the destruction of any non-pure Islamic government or person who does not believe as they do. As a network, Al Qaeda is well known and capable, however, it is the local groups who may or may not have direct association with Al Qaeda that pose the most unpredictable threat. While Al Qaeda itself may not be able to marshall the resources to directly attack today, there are a number of local groups most likely trained religiously in the Militant Islamic Jihad style Madrash and physically in weapons, tactics and operational rehearsals by Al Qaeda or Al Qaeda sympathizers. Countries like Indonesia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are clearly still areas where Al Qaeda training continues. Madrassah that teach the Salafiyya interpretation of Islam are everywhere, perhaps only miles from where you live.

Sources:

1. Terrorism 101, a Tutorial on International Terrorism Today, MILNET Briefing, 7/18/2005 [http://www.milnet.com/Terrori sm-101.html]
2. The Lodi Five Terrorism Case, MILNET Brief, updated 7/16/2005
[http://www.milnet.co m/terr-cases/Lodi-Five/Lodi-Fi ve.html]
3. Al-Qaeda in the U.S., MILNET Brief, 11/2006
[http://www.milnet.com/ al-qaeda-graph/Al-Qaeda-US.htm l]
4. Wahhabism, MILNET Brief, 12/22/2003
[http://www.milnet.c om/wahhabism.html]
5. The Islamic Tradition: Wahhabism and Salafiyya, Febe Arnanios, CRS, 12/22/2003
(MILNET Mirror of public domain document)
[http://www.milnet.co m/archives/The-Islamic-Traditi on-66F0B4.pdf]
6. Islamic Religious Schools:, Madrasas: Background, Christopher Blanchard, CRS, 2/10/2005 (MILNET Mirror)
[http://www.milnet.com/ archives/Islamic-Religious-Sc# 66F0AD.pdf]
7. American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us, Steve Emerson, Amazon.com: Books:
[http://www.amazon.com/e xec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743234 359?v=glance]
8. Department of Justice Examples of Terrorism Convictions Since Sept. 11, 2001, March 2006
[http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/ pr/2006/June/06_crm_389.html]
9 . SELECT ICE ARMS & STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS, ICE, DoHS, March, 2006
[SELECT ICE ARMS & STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS]

Of special interest to Californians:

10. The Lodi Five, MILNET Brief, Updated 10/27/2006
[http://www.milnet.c om/terr-cases/Lodi-Five/Lodi-F ive.html]
11. The Bakersfield Spy Ring, MILNET Brief, Updated 9/30/2006
[http://www.milnet.co m/terr-cases/Bakersfield-Spy-R ing/Bakersfield-Spy-Ring.htm]
1 2. The L.A. Terror Cell - Caution, Ex-Cons at Work!
[http://www.milnet.com/te rr-cases/LA-Terr/LA-terr.html]

Learn more about this author, Michael Crawford.
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