Abdal
Ba- Dal- Lām. Tinker with these Arabic trilateral roots and it will reveal many secrets. Those who believe language is a construct of the mind must look at Ba-Da-La; no… Continue reading "Abdal"
Category: Syria
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Little Flecks of Silver
At dawn the view of Damascus was glorious. I loved to watch the sun rise whilst Kurdish pigeon fanciers flew their little flecks of silver over the green minarets that… Continue reading "Little Flecks of Silver"
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The Caliph of Lisson Green
Muhammad al-Rifai was an unassuming figure who ended up as the nominal leader of the Muslim world. Opportunities to meet a caliph are pretty rare. Yet in London in the… Continue reading "The Caliph of Lisson Green"
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Investigating Islamism
I was part panel that discussed how journalists in the West should approach Islamism. The Panel: Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi @ajaltamimi, Janina Findeisen@j_findeisen, Kevin B. Lee @alsolikelife, Tam Hussein, @tamhussein and… Continue reading "Investigating Islamism"
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Into the heart of Jihadism
On the 26th-28th June clashes broke out between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and a faction led by the al-Qaeda affiliated Hurras al-Din (HaD). Although an informal agreement ended the violence… Continue reading "Into the heart of Jihadism"
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Dealing with Syria’s Foreign Fighters: A Liberal Conundrum – an Update
Abstract: The recent arrest of Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, the two British Jihadists part of the notorious Beatles, has again raised the debate as to what should be… Continue reading "Dealing with Syria’s Foreign Fighters: A Liberal Conundrum – an Update"
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Problems in the Caliphate: The Issue of Authority
Abstract: For Muslims in the West especially those who become militant, the question of authority or the lack of it, is an important question. I will use the story of… Continue reading "Problems in the Caliphate: The Issue of Authority "
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Mahdi al-Harati: A Libyan Garibaldi?
Sitting across Mahdi al-Harati in the hotel lobby it is difficult to see why anyone would want this quiet Libyan dead. His insulin rests on the low table alongside his… Continue reading "Mahdi al-Harati: A Libyan Garibaldi?"
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Fading contrasts in the future of global Jihadism: Military strength driven by perceptive tolerance
What follows is Part II of an interview about the Sharia with Al-Maqalaat by Tam Hussein @tamhussein. Part I can be found here The Dawn of Islamic Theocracy: Monumental Sacrifice… Continue reading "Fading contrasts in the future of global Jihadism: Military strength driven by perceptive tolerance"
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What happened to ‘Man like Fatlum?’: The inside Story of the British Suicide Bomber of Ramadi
Tourists and bohemians love rummaging through the stalls on Portobello Road with its shimmering trinkets and shaggy clothes fit for an art student. To the locals it’s a “joke ting”… Continue reading "What happened to ‘Man like Fatlum?’: The inside Story of the British Suicide Bomber of Ramadi"