Latest Conviction Aimed at Eliminating Al-Muhajiroun’s Terrorist ‘Chameleon’

July 23, 2024 TruthUSA

Anjem Choudary has been found guilty of terrorist offences after a trial revealed that Al-Muhajiroun had changed its name multiple times.

The recent conviction of Anjem Choudary for terrorist charges at Woolwich Crown Court underscores the challenge of dealing with terrorist groups that frequently alter their names.

Choudary, aged 57, was found guilty of directing a terrorist organization and inciting support for the group through public meetings.

He co-founded Al-Muhajiroun—also known as The Emigrants in Arabic—in 1996, evolving from Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was only recently proscribed earlier this year.

In a report from October 2019 by Michael Kenney, now a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, he highlighted Al-Muhajiroun’s ambition to establish an Islamic state, or caliphate, within Britain.

Kenney stated, “Al-Muhajiroun and its affiliated groups have not made significant progress towards this goal.”

British Government’s Struggle to Address

He added, “The British government has struggled to eliminate the network over the years. While the pressure has weakened the group, it has not eradicated it.”

Kenney cited the group’s “adaptability” as a reason for the government’s struggle in addressing the issue.

Al-Muhajiroun has operated under various aliases, including Al-Ghurabaa (The Strangers) and The Saved Sect, which the Home Office has identified as promoting terrorist activities.

In 2004, Omar Bakri Muhammad dissolved Al-Muhajiroun, citing a change in ideology, but the group continued its activities through different affiliated entities.

Choudary previously justified this action as a shift in beliefs. However, the organization persisted.

Over the years, eleven different groups linked to Al-Muhajiroun were banned by various home secretaries between July 2006 and June 2014.

During Choudary’s trial, prosecutor Tom Little, KC, mentioned that in January 2010, Home Secretary Alan Johnson identified Al-Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect as alternative names for Al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

Omar Bakri Mohammad gestures while talking to the media, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 5, 2005. (Hussein Malla/AP)

ALM’s Evasive Tactics

Little stated, “Several other names were recognized as alternative names for ALM, revealing the group’s chameleon-like abilities.”

The prosecutor emphasized that Al-Muhajiroun is a “banned terrorist organization in the country due to its threats.”

He explained, “Regardless of its name, Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) was active during your assessment.”

Under Section 12(2) of the Terrorism Act 2000, it is a criminal offense to:

Belong to or express support for a proscribed organization.
Participate in or facilitate a meeting supporting a proscribed organization.
Address such a meeting.
Wear garments or display items in public that suggest affiliation or support for a proscribed organization.

This last clause led to the conviction of three women earlier this year for displaying pro-Hamas stickers at a pro-Palestinian rally.

Al-Muhajiroun also operated under the name Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which was identified in Choudary’s trial as its U.S. counterpart.

In October 2021, Choudary’s associate Khaled Hussein, based in Calgary, Canada, was found guilty of Al-Muhajiroun membership and acknowledged that ALM was the “parent organization” of ITS.

In February 2023, he mentioned in WhatsApp messages, “we’re the remnants of Al-Muhajiroun.”

The legal systems in the United States and Britain differ.

While the U.S. has a list of designated foreign terrorist organizations, belonging to these groups is not a criminal offense.

At Choudary’s trial, Little stated, “Anjem Choudary has been a long-time member of this organization and directed it from 2014 onwards, encouraging support at ITS meetings.”

“During his involvement, ITS was essentially part of the same terrorist organization, ALM,” he added.

Little clarified, “Terrorist organizations do not operate like typical membership-based groups where membership cards or lists of members are readily available. They operate covertly and try to blend in while pursuing their agenda.”

Choudary maintained during the trial, “I always ensured compliance with the country’s laws.”

Choudary’s Perspective on ITS and ALM

He denied the existence of ALM and explained, “You cannot equate them [ITS] with ALM” due to differences in ideology and structure.

As Choudary remains behind bars, how can the resurgence of another Al-Muhajiroun-like group be prevented?

In his 2019 report, Kenney proposed engaging former activists to counter The Emigrants’ narrative rather than relying solely on counter-terrorism laws.

He suggested, “Former activists could interact with persistent members and young supporters to potentially shift their viewpoints.”

However, Kenney admitted, “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to Al-Muhajiroun.”

He concluded, “Although these strategies may contain activists, complete eradication is unlikely. With deep-rooted ideologies, The Emigrants and other associated movements remain as much a mental state as a specific group.”

PA Media contributed to this report.

Source link