Illinois-based teenager Mohammed Hamzah Khan, whom US authorities nabbed last Saturday allegedly seeking to join Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) militants, was born in T&T, Government has confirmed. National Security Minister Gary Griffith confirmed the situation after Khan, 19, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) counter-terrorism agents at the O’Hare International Airport, Chicago.
Griffith also announced moves towards formation of a local counter-terrorism unit to deal with the situation locally, as he confirmed that several T&T nationals have “been lured” away from T&T to fight with the Middle East militants over the last three years. Khan is accused of attempting to provide aid to Isis, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois confirmed.
Isis, also called Isil, is moving on the Syrian town of Kobane, a battle also involving a 55-nation international coalition, including US and UK forces. US authorities stated that Khan, of Bolingbrook, was attempting to join Isis. It was noted he was attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and that carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a (US) $250,000 fine.
The US Justice Department reports were that Khan had been about to board a flight to Turkey, via Vienna, with Syria as his ultimate destination. Turkey is described as a common point for foreign fighters seeking to link with Isis. Khan intended to work for Isis either in combat or aid assistance. Khan, who had attended an Islamic academy in his neighbourhood, was said to have had notebooks with drawings of the Isis logo.
One had stated: “We are the Lions of War.” He also indicated he wanted to go to the Syrian border and had written a three-page letter expressing disgust with western society, paying US taxes and bringing up his children in the US. He left information for his family, inviting them to join him in the “Islamic state”.
US news reports showed a picture of a couple said to be Khan’s parents. US senate candidate Mike MacFadden on Monday urged that Khan’s passport be revoked.
Griffith: Local groups under watch
Yesterday, Griffith credited speedy confirmation of Khan’s birthplace to tighter relations with international allies, which T&T has obtained as a result of Government’s co-sponsoring of the United Nations resolution on terrorism. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar agreed on co-sponsorship last week during a UN meeting.
“Contrary to what the Opposition Leader believes, not signing this resolution would not isolate T&T from terrorist activity. This is a global plague and the only way to fight it is to stand resolute with partners,” Griffith said. While Khan was born in T&T, Griffith said further information was being sought on his life here. He said Government was also liaising with US authorities on the issue.
Government’s information is that Isis has a 10,000-strong force of foreign fighters globally, he said. “There are known as Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTS) and there are several persons of T&T affiliation,” he confirmed. While he could not confirm the status of two men pictured on yesterday’s T&T Guardian said to be T&T nationals already with Isil, he said there was information about other nationals who have gone to Syria.
“As a result we have been monitoring people of interest, as well as persons who are sympathisers and who may be aiding and abetting those who are going there. “There are several different groups we are looking at and we are looking at the formation of a counter-terrorism unit to deal especially with these matters,” he added.
Griffith also noted the formation of the Special Operations Group recently and the acquisition of armoured vehicles which, he said, were geared to dealing with issues stemming from terrorist activities. He added: “Unlike others who want to pretend issues don’t exist, Isil is one of the most financially powerful terrorist groups in the world and has far-reaching effects. Because of this, youths are indeed being lured to become involved with them.
Since they have 10,000 FTFs worldwide, if such persons try to return home, they become virtual parasites and can further activity in their homeland.” He said the monitoring had to encompass the financing of militant support, other assistance being rendered to T&T nationals in getting to Syria—and to come back— their accommodation and people locally or abroad who may be part of “sleeper cells” which were dormant until activated.
Local masjid members gone
Yesterday, members of a certain San Juan district confirmed that several members have gone missing from their masjid in recent times and that there were others currently contemplating going to the Middle East as well due to the US$1,000-a-month stipend being offered by Isis to Muslims who join their jihad against the West. One member described it as “frightening” but admitted it was better to confront the situation and “know it is out there and deal with it.”
Local Islamic scholars, including Imam Haseeb Aziz, of the Bamboo Settlement mosque, broadened calls to the T&T Muslim community against Isis, voicing concerns on several aspects of the situation and adding that the pall cast globally by Isis’ activities on followers of Islam could affect them. Aziz said: “What these people (Isil) are doing is incorrect. They have taken capital punishment, such as beheading to a level of indignity that is not done.
“It is absolutely unislamic to parade the head of a person in a street and make fun as some videos purport. What may have started out as a worthy effort to assist the people of Syria has mushroomed into chaos and mayhem and no one knows what the fighting is for now.” He added: “I’m very very angry as a Muslim when people cut people’s heads off like that. I warned my congregation a month ago condemning this, seeking to protect our youths.
“This will be a long battle and I have no doubt there will be collateral damage and some elements in T&T who hear criticism of the situation may not like the exposure but as long as you speak the truth and stand for what is right, God is in charge.” He said one deterrent may be for the authorities to issue pictures and publicise information on those who have gone to join terrorist groups overseas.
“It may make them think twice about pursuing it and will warn true Muslims to be alert to people trying to lure them away. “I am also concerned that if those T&T youths who have gone don’t return, their families’ resolve may be strengthened in terms of martyrdom but we have to speak out and educate people about this to ensure our youths are not led astray. “Anyone at my mosque who shows inclination of support for Isil would be told to leave,” he said.
On concerns some might abuse the current Hajj pilgrimages to try to join foreign forces, Aziz said group leaders held the responsibility to report any missing member immediately. Detailing the pilgrimage area, he said it would not be easy to escape security zones. Mufti Wseem Khan, principal of the Dar-Ul-Uloom School in central Trinidad, said none of his members had gone overseas to fight.
“We don’t propagate this at all. We have been against it from the beginning and many scholars in the Middle East are also opposed to what’s happening,” he said. Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed has also expressed concern the current terrorism situation may stymie efforts to secure the release of five T&T nationals detained in Venezuela since March. Another hearing on the issue is due this month.