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| Africa: East |
| Tanzania could be next operational center for Al Qaida |
| 2004-01-14 |
| From Geostrategy Direct Western intelligence agencies are looking at Tanzania as a new base for Al Qaida. The African state, the venue for the 1998 bombing of the U.S. embassy, has all the ingredients to be an Al Qaida stronghold. Wahhabi Islam is spreading throughout Tanzania and young Africans are being invited to study religion in Saudi Arabia, completed with generous stipends. The leading Al Qaida supporters are Khalfan Khamis Muhammad and Qaed Sanyan Al Harithi. The Tanzanians who return from Saudi Arabia have established an infrastructure for Al Qaida. The first stage has been to challenge and take over the Muslim clerical establishment. Two Saudi-financed groups, the Imam Society and the Islamic Call threaten to take over in Zanzibar, Pemba and Stone Town. The next stage is the violence against non-Muslims. In 2002, a tourist bar was bombed in Stone Town in an attack that could have been inspired by Al Qaida-related elements. Tanzania is not seen as a huge base for Al Qaida as such nearby states as Kenya and Somalia. The Muslim community remains small compared to other African countries. But Tanzania could be another stepping stone for Al Qaida in its attempt to dominate Africa in an effort that sees the Islamic terrorist movement working its way toward South Africa. For Al Qaida, South Africa would be a biggest catch yet. Once again, the money originates in Saudi Arabia. Whether we take .com’s 40km strip in the east, go after financiers, or whatever, we will not win the WoT until we cut off the funding to the terrorists. The sooner we do, the safer we will all be, and our causalties will be minimized. This story also somewhat related to the US presence planned in Mauritania here in Rantburg today. |
| Posted by:Alaska Paul |
| #3 AP. Someone should at least tell the Saudi's, in no uncertain terms: STOP THAT! |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-1-14 8:41:17 PM |
| #2 The Muslim community remains small - A factual correction. Zanzibar is 100% muslim. Tanzania overall is between 35% and 40% muslim. 30% christian, and the rest traditional beliefs |
| Posted by: phil_b 2004-1-14 6:30:08 PM |
| #1 Al-Harithi (also spelled Harethi) is dead. He was killed by a Predator drone in November 2002 in Yemen. |
| Posted by: Dan Darling 2004-1-14 5:28:36 PM |