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“Jihad Detainees Reveal Mass Recruitment Via Internet”
Written by The Media Line Staff
Published Wednesday, July 02, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Confessions of several detainees in Saudi Arabia are providing an indication of the extant Jihadi websites are impacting on potential Al-Qa’ida recruits.

Detained terror suspects explained in televised interviews broadcast on Saudi television on Tuesday how Al-Qa’ida was using the Internet as a tool to recruit new members and propagate radical ideology.

Detainees said they were inspired by Jihadi films and statements by Al-Qa’ida chief Osama Bin Laden and other leading Jihad figures, which were posted on the Internet.

The interviewees included the Egyptian Abu ‘Azzam Al-An’sari, who is editor of the online ‘Sada Al-Jihad (Jihad Echo) magazine, and Um Usama, editor of the Al-Khansa magazine.

Those interviewed said the Internet was their preferred means of recruiting people and propagating their ideas, because it provided relative security, especially since none of the participants in the forums know each others’ identities.

Detained Al-Qa’ida suspects have admitted to joining the organization after following news of the fighters in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The televised reports said these radical websites promised their readers they would reach paradise if they participated in holy war, propaganda and training. The websites base their legitimacy on fatwas or religious decrees of well-known religious figures in order to persuade youngsters to join their ranks.”