http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/aussie-sheik-helps-terror-group/story-e6frg8yo-1226870225082#

A PROMINENT Sydney sheik who travelled to Syria to join the country’s jihadist opposition is offering Islamic instruction, mediation and legal services for banned terrorist group Jabhat al- Nusra.

The al-Qa’ida-linked organisation released a statement detailing the role played by Sheik Abu Sulayman, 30, who The Australian revealed last week had become a senior figure in its ranks.

The statement, essentially a potted biography of Sheik Sulayman, said he had abandoned his religious studies and travelled to Syria after having been moved by the “deterioration’’ in the Ummah, or Islamic community, and by the dire situation of Muslims in Syria in particular. The statement, released via al-Nusra’s Twitter account, named Sheik Sulayman as a member of al Nusra’s General Islamic Council. “Having joined the ranks of the mujahideen, the Shaykh continues his studies and teaching, as well as standing alongside and encouraging his brothers, on and off the battlefield,’’ the statement reads.

“He has also helped to ­establish many Islamic programs, travelling around Syria offering Islamic instruction, mediation and legal services to both the muhajireen and Ansar as well as everyday citizens.’’

Last week, The Australian reported a video lecture delivered by Sheik Sulayman in which the sheik discusses his attempts to mediate a dispute between al-Nusra and rival Islamist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In the lecture, Sheik Sulayman refers to a personal meeting with ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi which, if true, suggests he has become a significant and respected figure with Syria’s ­jihadists.

The sheik is one of a handful of Australians believed to have risen to senior leadership roles within Syria’s sprawling Islamist opposition movement.

Security services estimate that 120 to 150 Australians are participating in the Syrian conflict, almost all of whom are with Islamist groups such as al-Nusra or ISIS. They are among about 7000 foreign fighters who have flocked to Syria to fight the Assad regime.

The confirmation came as a report released yesterday by the Lowy Institute for International Policy warns the Syrian conflict, along with renewed instability in the Middle East, risks becoming the incubator for a new generation of terrorists. Aside from Syria, the report singles out continued unrest in Egypt as a driver for ­extremism.

It found that, despite three years passing since the last “major’’ domestic terrorism conviction, concerns about terrorism still figure prominently with Australians. Quoting a coming Lowy poll, it says 65 per cent of Australians consider international terrorism a “critical threat’’ to security.

Better there than here.

I just hope immigration don't let him back in.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:18pm:

Better there than here. I just hope immigration don't let him back in.

Why? I’ve just read FD’s News Ltd article, and I still don’t know what the "shiek’s" meant to have done.

Not library book theft, surely.

Does anybody know?

Karnal wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:36pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:18pm: Better there than here. I just hope immigration don't let him back in. Why? I’ve just read FD’s News Ltd article, and I still don’t know what the "shiek’s" meant to have done. Not library book theft, surely. Does anybody know?

he has close links with a terrorist organisation. That should be enough to rescind his right to reside in Australia.

freediver wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:12pm:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/aussie-sheik-helps-terror-group/story-e6frg8yo-1226870225082# A PROMINENT Sydney sheik who travelled to Syria to join the country’s jihadist opposition is offering Islamic instruction, mediation and legal services for banned terrorist group Jabhat al- Nusra. .....The statement, essentially a potted biography of Sheik Sulayman, said he had abandoned his religious studies and travelled to Syria after having been moved by the “deterioration’’ in the Ummah, or Islamic community, and by the dire situation of Muslims in Syria in particular...... .....the report singles out continued unrest in Egypt as a driver for ­extremism.

In Egypt [from back in 2013!], with the MB, we see exactly the same narrative ['motivator'] being expressed....

"...'see what they did to us [i.e. 'they', those disbelievers who oppose us]........'
'If you don't give your lives, if you don't become martyrs, then you are betraying your religion......'
They [i.e. MB cadres] are not fighting any more for their political party, they are fighting for their religion"



Cairo journalist describes Egypt's deadly cycle of love and hate                        goto 8m 05s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKFGAtMXLE

ian wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 10:12pm:

Karnal wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:36pm: polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:18pm: Better there than here. I just hope immigration don't let him back in. Why? I’ve just read FD’s News Ltd article, and I still don’t know what the "shiek’s" meant to have done. Not library book theft, surely. Does anybody know? he has close links with a terrorist organisation. That should be enough to rescind his right to reside in Australia.

You cant help either side as stated by the laws of Australia.

Muslim activist jamal daoub from Australia met president assad few months ago, he wasn't arrested for liasoning with the enemy.

Senator John McCain from America was shown with rebel fighters and showed him supporting the rebel groups.

ian wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 10:12pm:

Karnal wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:36pm: polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:18pm: Better there than here. I just hope immigration don't let him back in. Why? I’ve just read FD’s News Ltd article, and I still don’t know what the "shiek’s" meant to have done. Not library book theft, surely. Does anybody know? he has close links with a terrorist organisation.

It’s a civil war. If resistance fighters didn’t meet, how could they possibly hope to depose the Assad regime?

The US has funded terrorists around the world for years - some of them state organizations, and some "NGOs" like the Mujahadeen and Taliban. This list goes on and on and on.

No one can afford to be high and mighty in a conflict like Syria. The Assad regime has been on the US’s hit list for years. The only way to topple it is to "meet with terrorist leaders".

Ask Henry Kissenger. This is how business around the world is done.

The good Sheikh is not Henry Kissinger.

He has immersed himself with people who routinely shoot unarmed civilians and commit all sorts of other atrocities.

If he was truly concerned for the ummah, he would be of far more use in helping the woefully undermanned teams looking after the million+ refugees across all the borders of Syria. Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney.

If he wants to abandon his own communities' needs and fight in some foreign unrelated war, thats fine - thats his prerogative. I just hope he won't be allowed back to the country he abandoned, thats all.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 2:37pm:

The good Sheikh is not Henry Kissinger. He has immersed himself with people who routinely shoot unarmed civilians and commit all sorts of other atrocities. .

How do we know this? Tha article states:


Quote:

The sheik is one of a handful of Australians believed to have risen to senior leadership roles within Syria’s sprawling Islamist opposition movement.

What's the evidence of this? Anywhere else but the Islam board, journalism is meant to be about reporting facts, not beliefs.

If there's evidence of the above statement, OF COURSE the good shiek will be allowed back to Australia, whether we like it or not. Presumably, he's a citizen. If he's broken Australian laws, he needs to stand trial.

I have no doubt many of these groups are "linked" to al Qaida. Many of these groups are linked to each other, but there are significant tribal conflicts among them too.


Quote:

Deir Ez-Zor is witnessing a sharp tribal split against the backdrop of the conflict between Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS, and there is a serious possibility of a devastating war between the two clans. The al-Bakkir clan supports ISIS, while most of the al-Okaidat clan supports Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic Front, with some al-Okaidat members supporting ISIS. Since the start of the clashes, most of the dead and wounded came from those two clans. Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/03/war-isis-nusra-deir-ez-zor-tribes-kassab.html#ixzz2xnT1xiKr

Well if the allegation is untrue then thats an entirely different matter.

But if it is true, then he absolutely *IS* breaking Australian law by fighting in another country's conflict.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 3:23pm:

Well if the allegation is untrue then thats an entirely different matter.

They normally are. This is the Muselman we're talking about. We have an entirely different standard of proof on the Islam board.

Wishy-washy Western morality, innit. 

What's the law on Australians fighting foreign battles?

Its been discussed quite a bit K - I'm surprised you missed it.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/australia-news-blog/2013/dec/05/australians-fighting-overseas-new-foreign-incursion-laws

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-21/dawson-our-government-and-the-monopoly-of-force/5335708

Curiously, the law seems to only apply to supporting non-government players.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 3:33pm:

Its been discussed quite a bit K - I'm surprised you missed it. http://www.theguardian.com/world/australia-news-blog/2013/dec/05/australians-fighting-overseas-new-foreign-incursion-laws http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-21/dawson-our-government-and-the-monopoly-of-force/5335708 Curiously, the law seems to only apply to supporting non-government players.

I wonder why they couldn't prosecute David Hicks - this was the argument the Howard government used for keeping him in Guantanamo.

As your links show, the shiek can be prosecuted in Australia if there is enough evidence:


Quote:

The type of support can include preparations by training or drilling, accumulating arms or giving money for goods that could be used to support incursions. It can also include giving money to people or associations that may be intending to engage in hostilities.

Karnal wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 3:37pm:

I wonder why they couldn't prosecute David Hicks

Quote:

If an Australian citizen enters a foreign country intending to engage in hostile activity on behalf of armed forces that are not part of the foreign government...

Even if it could be argued that the taliban were not a "foreign government", I don't think there is any evidence Hicks went in "intending to engage in hostile activity". He was studying if I recall, and was put on sentry duty. He certainly wouldn't have been expected to anticipate the US invasion.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 2:37pm:

The good Sheikh is not Henry Kissinger. He has immersed himself with people who routinely shoot unarmed civilians and commit all sorts of other atrocities. If he was truly concerned for the ummah, he would be of far more use in helping the woefully undermanned teams looking after the million+ refugees across all the borders of Syria. Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney. If he wants to abandon his own communities' needs and fight in some foreign unrelated war, thats fine - thats his prerogative. I just hope he won't be allowed back to the country he abandoned, thats all.

Ditto.

We agree, gandalf.

What should be done with traitors?

Hang em and hang em high:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKITYu7z-AY

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 3:50pm:

Karnal wrote on Apr 3rd, 2014 at 3:37pm: I wonder why they couldn't prosecute David Hicks Quote: If an Australian citizen enters a foreign country intending to engage in hostile activity on behalf of armed forces that are not part of the foreign government... Even if it could be argued that the taliban were not a "foreign government", I don't think there is any evidence Hicks went in "intending to engage in hostile activity". He was studying if I recall, and was put on sentry duty. He certainly wouldn't have been expected to anticipate the US invasion.

Which is why the US eventually did a plea deal and released him - they didn’t have any evidence of whatever crime they were supposed to be convicting him with.

But there were Hicks’ letters to his parents. From what I remember, they made it quite clear he intended to be there to fight. I think he described weapons training.

Yadda wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 4:57pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3rd, 2014 at 2:37pm: The good Sheikh is not Henry Kissinger. He has immersed himself with people who routinely shoot unarmed civilians and commit all sorts of other atrocities. If he was truly concerned for the ummah, he would be of far more use in helping the woefully undermanned teams looking after the million+ refugees across all the borders of Syria. Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney. If he wants to abandon his own communities' needs and fight in some foreign unrelated war, thats fine - thats his prerogative. I just hope he won't be allowed back to the country he abandoned, thats all. Ditto. We agree, gandalf.

You also agreed with an "explosion" of Muslim child marriages in NSW, Y. What criteria does it take to make you agree?

I do hope you’re not being a spineless apologist and agreeing with G just because he’s a Moslem.

If you do that, FD makes up posts about you.

Karnal wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 5:22pm:

Yadda wrote on Apr 3rd, 2014 at 4:57pm: polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3rd, 2014 at 2:37pm: The good Sheikh is not Henry Kissinger. He has immersed himself with people who routinely shoot unarmed civilians and commit all sorts of other atrocities. If he was truly concerned for the ummah, he would be of far more use in helping the woefully undermanned teams looking after the million+ refugees across all the borders of Syria. Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney. If he wants to abandon his own communities' needs and fight in some foreign unrelated war, thats fine - thats his prerogative. I just hope he won't be allowed back to the country he abandoned, thats all. Ditto. We agree, gandalf. You also agreed with an "explosion" of Muslim child marriages in NSW, Y. What criteria does it take to make you agree? I do hope you’re not being a spineless apologist and agreeing with G just because he’s a Moslem. If you do that, FD makes up posts about you.

Karnal,

You are sounding like Karnal, that delicate species of flower.

Quote:

Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney.

Evidence?


Quote:

I wonder why they couldn't prosecute David Hicks - this was the argument the Howard government used for keeping him in Guantanamo.

What makes you think they couldn't prosecute him?

freediver wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 8:49pm:

Quote: Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney. Evidence? [quote]I wonder why they couldn't prosecute David Hicks - this was the argument the Howard government used for keeping him in Guantanamo.

What makes you think they couldn't prosecute him?[/quote]

Only Howard and Downer’s own statements.

I don’t remember Ruddock’s statements on this issue. G’s link shows the relevant legislation was amended in 2002.

No doubt a response to Hicks and Habib.

freediver wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 8:49pm:

Quote: Or even helping his *OWN* community of unemployed, drug and crime-prone muslims in western Sydney. Evidence?

For what?