llinois Islamic Radicalization Index
By Mr. Jacob Parzen
Research Assistant, ICT.
Introduction
Since the September 11 attacks,
terrorism prevention has taken center stage in American security policy.
It is imperative that both the government and the populous have the
tools to counter such attacks in the future, and it is for this reason
that so many resources have been put to this front in recent years. From
the perspective of the United States, domestic terrorism is of
particular concern because it is more controllable than foreign
terrorism. In this paper this problem will be explored with two specific
constraints. First, radical Islam will be the cornerstone because of
its prevalence in terrorism cases. Ties between radicalized Islamists
and the terror that has plagued Americans will be revealed as
comprehensively as possible. Second, the geographical avenue will be
Illinois, a large state with a similarly large Muslim population. The
ultimate aim will be to show how local groups and Muslim communities
produce and have the potential to produce radicalized individuals.
The paper’s first section will chronicle the background of Muslims in
Illinois, including a history, current profile, and case studies of
selected communities with established ties to terrorism. The second
section will detail organizations in Illinois with ties to terrorism and
their domestic and international connections and influences. The third
section will present a model of homegrown radicalization. The fourth
section will describe a number of terrorist cases, some of which
describe domestic radicalization and thus can be aligned with the
aforementioned model, others which are tied to the organizations with
radical agendas, and still others that have little domestic influence
yet still occur on American soil (within Illinois). The fifth section
will detail the reaction of radical Islam of the local and federal
governments. The paper will conclude by tying together the findings of
this research.
Background
Community History
The Muslims of Illinois have a rich and established history. The first
Muslim settlers came to Chicago as early as 1885 and were largely
uneducated and not religiously observant.[1] At this time, they tended
to be entrepreneurs: single men or married men who left their families
for the economic prospects of the United States. Džemijetul Hajrije of
Illinois was a Bosnian mutual aid and benevolent society established in
the north side of Chicago in 1906, possibly making it the oldest Muslim
society in the United States.[2] In 1921, Mufti Muhammed Saliq, the
first missionary of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam moved to Chicago,
where he established the first Ahmadi mosque.[3] Chicago would serve as
the movement’s national headquarters until 1950. Today, four Ahamdi
mosques can be found in Chicagoland, two of which are African-American
and two of which are Indo- Pakistani.[4]
Much of the Muslim immigrant population in recent years has come due to
political events overseas. Following the creation of the State of Israel
in 1948, there was a surge in immigration of Palestinian Muslims. The
1947 Partition of India also brought many Muslims from India and
Pakistan to Chicago.[5] Much of the immigration after these events came
following the change in immigration laws in 1965. Specifically, the 1965
Immigration and Nationality Act eliminated the national quota system,
leading to profound demographic changes throughout the United
States.[6,7] That said, it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that Arabs
had a visible presence in the Chicagoland area.[8] Always a popular
destination for Bosnian Muslims, Chicago also became the major
destination for Bosnian Muslim refugees as a result of the Bosnian War
of 1992.[9] Today, Islam has the third-largest following in Illinois and
is the fastest growing religion.[10] Since the 1960s, the number of
Chicagoland mosques has grown from 5, all of which were in Chicago
proper, to nearly 70 in the region.[11]
Concentration of Muslims
Illinois has the third largest Muslim population in the United States
after California and New York.[12] The great majority of Muslims in
Illinois, nearly 90%, live in the Chicagoland area.[13] Estimates of the
total population of Muslims in Illinois vary widely, but a sampling of
published estimates is provided here. There is no official data because
the United States census does not ask questions regarding religious
affiliations. The wide spread of estimates likely indicates differing
interpretations of the definition of a Muslim. Some sources may describe
a Muslim as an individual who is affiliated with a mosque, while others
as an individual with a Muslim name or history. The population is also
difficult to assess because, as the fastest growing religion in
Illinois, there is a constant influx of convert and new immigrants.
| Source |
Estimate |
| City-Data |
125,203[14] |
| Ilyas Ba-Yunus |
285,126[15] |
| Zahid Hussain Bukhari |
381,155[16] |
| Aziz Sheikh and Abdul Rashid Gatrad |
400,000[17] |
| Illinois Issues |
400,000+[18] |
| CNN |
400,000+[19] |
These numbers reflect a range of approximately 1% to at least 3% of the total population.
Comparative Analysis to Other States
With nearly 13 million people, Illinois is the 5th most populous state
in the United States. It has the third largest community of Muslims
behind California and New York. The reason Illinois was chosen as a case
study is threefold. First, Chicago is the national headquarters of the
Nation of Islam, which is infamous for its radical rhetoric and ties to
terrorism on multiple scales. Second, the city of Chicago is home to
over 85,000 Palestinians, making it one of the largest communities of
Palestinians outside the Middle East in the world.[20] This is
particularly notable because much of the terrorism funded domestically
is linked to Palestinian causes, particularly to Hamas, the most
infamous case being the now-defunct Holy Land Foundation, which will be
discussed in greater depth later in this paper. Third, compared to New
York, a state with a more terrorist- scrutinizing establishment,
authorities have done relatively little in Illinois in terms of
monitoring radical behavior, and thus this report can be used to urge
more prudent action in the future. For example, the government
unknowingly hired a former Hamas operative as a state-ordained chaplain,
only to discover his radical ties retroactively. Whereas in New York
authorities have not shied away from monitoring specific Muslims,
Chicago authorities have refused to take similar preventative action,
ostensibly under pressure from Muslim civil rights groups.[21] This
reflects a fundamentally different attitude in Islam monitoring.
Ethnic Breakdown
Today, the Muslim population of Illinois can essentially be broken down
into three blocs of approximately equal size: Southeastern Europeans,
African-Americans, and West- Asians/North Africans.[22] The largest
concentration of African-American Muslims in the United States is in
Illinois.[23] African-American Muslims are also referred to as
indigenous Muslims. It will be shown below that terrorist plots in
Illinois also not devised by any one particular group, and the
radicalization processes occur both domestically and abroad.
Religious Practices
Islam revolves around the Quran, the holy text that Muslims believe
contain the revelations given to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah. Though
Muhammad is not considered a deity by Muslims, his life was of grave
importance to the foundations of the religion. Indeed, with any reading
of the Quran, Muhammad is not judged by a standard, but rather he is the
standard.
The major forms of Islam, with the exception of the Nation of Islam, all
emphasize the Five Pillars of Islam – the five obligations of every
Muslim: faith, prayer five times daily, almsgiving, fasting during
Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca.[24]
Shia and Sunni
The two major forms of Islam today are Shia and Sunni. Iran has a
majority Shia population as does Iraq, but the majority of Muslims,
approximately 75% worldwide[25], are Sunni. Terrorist organizations
al-Qaeda and Hamas have Sunni ideologies whereas Hezbollah follows Shia
Islam.
Ilyas Ba-Yunus estimates that 5% of the Illinois Muslim population
follows Shia Islam and 83% follow Sunni Islam.[26] Another source
estimates a Shia population of 15,000 in 2004, which is nearly
consistent with Ilyas’ estimation from seven years earlier based on his
total population estimate.[27]
Case Studies
Case Study: Bridgeview, Illinois
A village of just over 15,000 about 20 kilometers southwest of the loop,
Bridgeview’s population is approximately one third Arab-American,
making it one of the most Arab areas in the country.[28,29] The
overwhelming majority of these Arabs are both Palestinian and Muslim.
Major waves of Arab immigration to the southwest suburbs of Chicago
began in the late 1960s due to the political situation in the West Bank
following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War as well as the change in American
immigration policy.[30] As of 2001, the southwest suburbs as a whole
contribute nearly 50,000 to the total Arab population of approximately
150,000 in Chicago (the nation’s third largest).[31]
The Mosque Foundation, the first local Arab mosque established in
1954[32], is the center of Arab life in Bridgeview. An investigative
report by the Chicago Tribune outlines the takeover of this mosque and
community center from moderate, illiterate peasants by Islamic
extremists “who have condemned Western culture, praised Palestinian
suicide bombers, and encouraged members to view society in stark terms:
Muslims against the world.”[33] According to the Tribune, as many as
2,000 attend Friday prayers, easily exceeding the capacity of the
mosque. Nearby but unaffiliated is the Universal School, a strict
Islamic school of 638 students in which girls are required to wear the
hijab after 5th grade and intermingling of boys and girls is highly
discouraged.[34] The Times article reports that one student, while
writing an essay about his American Dream, wrote that the Jews in the
land of Palestine “should be left to suffer.”
The Sheik of the Mosque, Jamal Said, has spearheaded the radical
transformation. He has extensive ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and has
publically praised Muslim Brotherhood ideologies. In May 2003, he raised
$50,000 for the legal defense of Sami Al-Arian, a Palestinian activist
accused of aiding members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian
terrorist group.[35] Al-Arian later pled guilty to the charges.[36] In
1995, while serving on the Mosque’s Executive Committee, Muhammad Salah
was sentenced to 5 years in an Israeli prison for funneling $650,000 to
radical Hamas activists.[37] The guilty plea was based on a confession,
Salah telling authorities that in 1978 “he was initiated into the
[Muslim] brotherhood at the hands of the sheik of Chicago’s Arab
community mosque.”[38] He was referring to Jamal Said.
The Holy Land Foundation (HLF) for Relief and Development was an Islamic
charity which was, according to their website, “a non-profit,
non-political 501 C 3 humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization
headquartered in Richardson, TX which [provided] support to those in
need throughout the world.”[39] In 2007 the HLF was indicted, along with
its leaders, for funneling millions of dollars to the terrorist
organization Hamas.[40] The FBI designated it as the primary
fund-raising institution for Hamas in the United States.[41] Following a
lengthy legal battle, HLF and 5 of its leaders were convicted in 2008,
the individuals being subjected to lengthy prison terms.[42] The
organization was also shut down. Both Jamal Said and Kifah Mustapha,
another imam at the Mosque Foundation, were named unindicted
co-conspirators in the case.[43] In the United States District Court’s
filing, they are classified as individuals “who are and/or were members
of the US Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee and/or its
organizations.”
Case Study: Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam traces its beginnings to founder Wallace D. Ford,
who led the movement until he disappeared in 1934. His successor, Elijah
Muhammed, moved the organization from its former headquarters in
Detroit to the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, an almost uniformly
African-American community where it still exists today. Muhammed grew
the movement significantly. Following his death, many of the followers
became mainstreamed to Sunni in faith and practice, but a smaller
faction, lead by Louis Farrakhan, retained the teachings of Ford. Today,
members of this group practice a stream of Islam that is fundamentally
different than more mainstream forms of Islam such as Sunni and Shia.
According to Ba-Yunus, approximately 10% of Illinois Muslims are
followers, which indicates that there are approximately three times as
many African-American Muslims who follow the more mainstream Sunni faith
than those who belong to the Nation of Islam.[44] The Nation of Islam’s
website states “WE BELIEVE that Allah (God) appeared in the Person of
Master W. Fard Muhammad [the founder of the movement], July, 1930; the
long-awaited “Messiah” of the Christian and the “Mahdi” of the
Muslims.”[45] Followers of Sunni and Shi’a Islam are still awaiting the
coming of the Mahdi. Moreover, follows of the Nation of Islam are not
required to make hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca; do not fast during
Ramadan; do not pray five times a day; and do not perform ritual bowings
and prostrations when they do pray.[46] The Nation of Islam maintains a
paramilitary wing, the Fruit of Islam, which defends the interests of
the organization.
Farrakhan, the current leader of the Nation of Islam is infamous for his
anti-American, anti-Semitic rhetoric.[47] Ties between the Nation of
Islam and Gaddafi-ruled Libya were well-documented. Farrakhan has
claimed that he became acquainted with Gaddafi in the 1970s and 1980s
and that Gaddafi lent him $5 million over the years.[48] (Gaddafi had
also lent Farrakhan’s predecessor, Elijah Muhammed, $3 million to
convert a Greek Orthodox church into Mosque Maryam, the major mosque of
the Nation of Islam movement in the South Shore neighborhood of
Chicago.) Recently, he harshly criticized the killing of Gaddafi, and
subsequently predicted the imminent demise of the United States in his
statement.[49]
Farrakhan’s ties were not limited to Gaddafi. In January 1996, Farrakhan
embarked on a 27-day worldwide trip during which he visited five
countries described by the United States as sponsoring terrorism: Libya,
Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria.[50] Farrakhan called his trip the “World
Friendship Tour.” In Iran, he purportedly stated: “You can quote me: God
will destroy America by the hands of Muslims. ... God will not give
Japan or Europe the honor of bringing down the United States; this is an
honor God will bestow upon Muslims.”[51] In Libya, he and Gaddafi vowed
to destroy “white America.”
The Nation of Islam has been involved with its fair share of terrorist
plots. Derrick Shareef, whose plot to blow up Cherryvale Mall in
Rockford, Illinois was foiled by the FBI, was a Nation of Islam convert
while in prison. John Allen Muhammad, who carried out the 2002 Beltway
sniper attacks, was also a member, though Farrakhan refutes the notion
that the attacks were religiously motivated.[52] However, jailhouse
drawings of Muhammed’s partner, Lee Boyd Malvo, do indicate an Islamic
influence.[53]
Organizations and Community Infrastructure
Organizations within Illinois
There exist in Illinois numerous Muslim organizations with ties to
resistance and terrorist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and
Hamas. Despite the fact that many of these groups were identified as
unindicted co-conspirators in the successful prosecution of the Holy
Land Foundation, which was convicted of funneling millions of dollars to
Hamas, their local offices continue to operate with little resistance
from the government, often pursuing radical agendas that run counter to
the interests of both Illinois and the United States. Moreover, these
groups ostracize the Muslims who do want to distance themselves from the
negative stereotypes associated with Islam globally. For example, in a
recent Gallup Poll, 55% of Muslim-American men and 42% of
Muslim-American women stated that no American Muslim organization
represents their interests.[54] In the poll, only 12% of men and 11% of
women stated that the Council on American-Islamic Relations represents
their interests, 4% of men and 7% of women stated that the Islamic
Society of North American represents their interests, and 0% of men and
2% of women stated that the Muslim American Society represents their
interests. These organizations will be discussed in greater detail
below.
Council on American-Islamic Relations: Chicago
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is an organization
that, in its own words, challenges stereotypes of Islam and Muslims and
dedicates itself to providing an Islamic perspective on issues of
importance to the American republic.[55] It was founded in 1994 as an
offshoot of the Islamic Association for Palestine (see below). On its
website it outlines how it achieves these goals through lobbying,
education, and media relations. Prior to 2007, it maintained close ties
with the FBI. However, in the Holy Land
Foundation case, CAIR was listed among the entities “who are and/or were
members of the US Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee and/or its
organizations.”[56] The Investigative Project on Terrorism reported that
CAIR received financial support directly from the Holy Land Foundation,
though CAIR leadership justified this by stating that this was before
the organization was indicted.[57] Since this controversy, the FBI has
cut all ties with the organization, a decision that was unsuccessfully
appealed by CAIR leadership.[58] The Council on American-Islamic
Relations Chicago chapter is, much like the national organization, a
self-described Muslim civil rights and advocacy group that works to
defend the civil rights of American Muslims in the region, fight
bigotry, and promote tolerance.[59] Its website states: “Though [the
Chicago chapter] leverages the resources, expertise, and knowledgebase
of CAIR [national] (based in Washington), it functions as an independent
organization that sets its own strategy and goals.”
The leadership of CAIR - Chicago has infamously supported many convicted
terrorists. During the trial of Muhammad Salah, who was previously
convicted of Hamas involvement in Israel and later convicted of lying
under oath about such involvement by the United States judicial system,
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of CAIR – Chicago, called Salah “a
symbol of a larger Palestinian struggle.”[60] Rehab has likewise
defended Kifah Mustapha, who was also an unindicted co-conspirator in
the Holy Land Foundation case, calling him a man of “integrity” who only
wished to serve his community and his country.[61] This was despite
court documents from the Holy Land Foundation case that documented
Mustapha lauding Hamas and jihad and providing an unambiguous call to
arms. Mustapha, who was recently appointed the first State-employed
Muslim chaplain, was dismissed shortly thereafter.
Muslim American Society
The Muslim American Society (MAS) is a self-described “dynamic
charitable, religious, social, cultural, and educational organization”
that offers “unique programs and services that seek to better the
individual and in turn, the greater society by imparting Islamic
knowledge, promoting community service, engaging in political activism,
and much more.”[62] However, a 2004 investigate report by the Chicago
Tribune states that, “In recent years, the United States Brotherhood
(the local version of the Muslim Brotherhood) operated under the name
Muslim American Society, according to documents and interviews. One of
the nation's major Islamic groups, it was incorporated in Illinois in
1993 after a contentious debate among Brotherhood members.”[63] Shaker
Elsayed, then the Secretary General of MAS, denied any connections to
the Brotherhood, but did acknowledge that about 45% of the active
members were also current members of the Brotherhood.
According to the Tribune report, MAS was originally based in Illinois,
and the current MAS chapter of Chicago is located across the street from
the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview. The Tribune states:
At
a summer camp last year in Wisconsin run by the Chicago chapter of MAS,
teens received a 2-inch-thick packet of material that included a
discussion of the Brotherhood's philosophy and detailed instructions on
how to win converts.
Part of the Chicago
chapter's Web site is devoted to teens. It includes reading materials
that say Muslims have a duty to help form Islamic governments worldwide
and should be prepared to take up arms to do so.
One passage states that
“until the nations of the world have functionally Islamic governments,
every individual who is careless or lazy in working for Islam is
sinful.” Another one says that Western secularism and materialism are
evil and that Muslims should “pursue this evil force to its own lands”
and “invade its Western heartland.”[64] |
Global Relief Foundation
The Global Relief Foundation (GRF) began operating in Bridgeview,
Illinois, as a nonprofit with the self-described goal of providing
humanitarian and charitable relief to Muslims, particularly in conflict
zones such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kashmir, and Lebanon.[65]
Founded in 1992 at its office in Bridgeview, Illinois, it soon grew to
include overseas offices in these conflict zones and elsewhere. GRF
began operating with $700,000 in cash, though it soon grew
substantially, reporting over $5 million in contributions by 2000.[66]
At the time of its closing, GRF was the second largest American Muslim
charity behind the Holy Land Foundation. According to its Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) filings, GRF leadership sent over 90% of its
donations abroad between 1994 and 2000.[67]
In 1997, the Chicago branch of the FBI started a formal full field
investigation of GRF based on previous intelligence pointing to GRF
travel in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as communication with other
terrorist-affiliated organizations.[68] The Chicago agents concluded, in
a January 2000 memorandum, that:
| Although
the majority of GRF funding goes toward legitimate relief operations, a
significant percentage is diverted to fund extremist causes. Among the
terrorist groups known to have links to the GRF are the Algerian Armed
Islamic Group, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Gama’at Al Islamyia, and the
Kashmiri Harakat Al-Jihad El-Islam, as well as the Al Qaeda organization
of Usama Bin Laden... In the past, GRF support to terrorists and other
transnational mujahideen fighters has taken the form of purchase and
shipment of large quantities of sophisticated communications equipment,
provision of humanitarian cover documentation to suspected terrorists
and fund-raising for terrorist groups under the cover of humanitarian
relief.[69] |
Despite the successful investigation, no criminal charges were made
prior to the September 11 attacks. Afterwards, however, in 2002, the
United States Treasury designated the GRF, noting that it “has
connections to, has provided support for, and has
provided assistance to Osama Bin Ladin, the al Qaida Network, and other
known terrorist groups.”[70] With its assets frozen, the GRF shortly
thereafter went out of business. However, no formal charges have been
made against the GRF or its personnel. The leader of the organization,
Rabih Haddad, however, was deported to Lebanon.[71]
Benevolence International Foundation
The Benevolence International Foundation (BIF) was incorporated in
Illinois in 1992 as a self-described “organization devoted to relieving
the suffering of Muslims around the world.”[72] Previously, the BFI
operated in Saudi Arabia under the name Lajnat Al-Birr Al- Islami,
supporting Afghani resistance against the Soviets as well as
humanitarian aid to refugees of the same conflict. Though incorporated
in the United States, the BIF operated around the world, with offices in
Bosnia, Chechnya, Russia, Pakistan, and China, among others.[73] In
1999, the Chicago FBI opened a full field investigation against the BIF,
but, as with the GRF case, was unable to bring criminal charges against
the organization prior to the September 11 attacks. Though they
believed BIF was tied to al Qaeda and was sending significant funding
overseas, they could not actually trace the money, due in large part to a
lack of support from the national FBI offices.
After the September 11 attacks, now with additional support from the
federal government, the case took a turn. In November 2002, the United
States Treasury designated BIF a terrorist organization, blocking its
assets. Enaam Arnaout, the director of BIF, was indicted in October 2002
for allegedly funneling money to overseas al Qaeda cells. Arnaout pled
guilty to a non-terrorism linked charge of racketeering. He received a
10 year prison term for defrauding charitable donors of the BIF by
directing nearly $400,000 of the funds to supplies to Bosnian
mujahedeen.[74]
Islamic Association for Palestine
The Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP) was founded in 1981 in
Bridgeview, Illinois by Dr. Aly Mishal at the direction of Khalad
Mishal, today the leader of Hamas.[75] IAP was a self-described
“not-for-profit, public-awareness, educational, political, social, and
civic, national grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a just,
comprehensive, and eternal solution to the cause of Palestine and
suffrages [sic] of the Palestinians.” In a May 1991 document published
by the Muslim Brotherhood titled “An Explanatory Memorandum: On the
General Strategic Goal for the Group,” IAP is named in the Brotherhood’s
“list of our organizations and the organizations of our friends.”[76]
Previously in the same document, the Brotherhood puts forth its goal –
and the common goal of its friends – to destroy America and turn it into
a Muslim nation. According to Matthew Levitt, former deputy assistant
secretary at the United States Department of the Treasury:
| Since
the creation of Hamas in 1987, the IAP has published Hamas communiqués
calling its followers to jihad. It published and distributed the Hamas
charter [in English], which included the address of the Occupied Land
Fund, HLFRD’s [Holy Relief Foundation] former name. It also held
conventions and conferences at which pro-Hamas speakers and singers
rallied support for Hamas.77 |
(Before its dissolution in 2005, the IAP was also known as the American
Muslim Society (AMS) and the American Middle Eastern League for
Palestine (AMEL).) Three members of IAP, Omar Ahmad, Nihad Awad, and
Rafeeq Jaber, also founded CAIR in 1994.
Quranic Literacy Institute
The Quranic Literacy Institute was a non-profit that purportedly
translated and published sacred Islamic texts.[78] It was incorporated
in Illinois with offices in Oak Lawn. However, the government found the
organization to also be involved with overseas terrorist financing,
specifically Hamas. In a June 1998 affidavit, the FBI claimed that
the organization donated $110,000 to Mohammed Salah, a convicted
operative of Hamas.[79] That same month, the Quranic Literacy Institute
was shut down and its assets seized.
American Muslims for Palestine
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) is a Palos Hills, Illinois-based non-profit with the following mission statement:
The
American Muslims for Palestine's mission is to educate the public about
Palestine, allowing for increased dialogue, awareness, and
understanding within the United States.
The American Muslims for
Palestine provides the Islamic perspective on all issues pertaining to
Palestine and its rich cultural heritage. AMP provides regular
educational training programs, workshops and seminars. AMP also is
creating a Media Center, where data and information will be created and
archived so its members can be proactive in getting the truth about
Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine out to the American people.[80] |
The AMP was founded in 2006 in Palos Hills and has chapters throughout
the country. It holds an annual conference in Chicago. The most recent
conference was Thanksgiving 2011, and featured speakers such as Jamal
Said, who praised “the activists and freedom fighters who gave up their
personal ambitions and their own lives so our cause may live” and Sarah
Mufid Abdulqader, the daughter of convicted HLF member Mufid Abdulqader,
who stated that it was an honor to have a father who was put in jail
for supporting Palestine.[81]
AMP has ties to Hamas. One of its national board members, Salah Sarsour,
is a well- established fundraiser for Hamas.[82] Moreover, fellow
member Osama Abu Irshaid was an editor of Al-Zaytounah, an Arabic
newspaper published by the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), the
United States front of Hamas.

Influential Leaders
Rafiq Jaber
Rafiq Jaber was a founding member of CAIR, former National Chairman of
the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), former President of IAP’s
Chicago chapter, former President and board member at the Mosque
Foundation, as well as founder of several other Muslim organizations in
the Chicago area. Though his involvement has often been national, he has
had a continued presence in Chicago, where he owns Jaber Financial
Services in Palos Hills. Jaber has rejected a two-state solution in the
Israeli-Arab conflict, voiced his support for Hamas and Hezbollah, and
refused to acknowledge American designations of foreign terrorist
organizations. Though he has never been formally charged in terrorism
cases, his support for terrorist organizations in and around Israel is
repeated and has influenced others to perpetuate terrorism on American
soil. At the most recent AMP conference, Jaber stated that there are
inherent risks in working for Palestine, adding “So the risks are
imprisonment, which is that we talked about here [sic], the HLF, Sami
Al-Arian, Dr. Ashqar, Mohammad Salah, and the list goes on and on and on
for those people who worked here in the United Stats. And they
suffer.”[83]
Louis Farrakhan
Farrakhan revived the Nation of Islam in 1981, and has since then grew
the organization to include approximately 50,000 members.[84] Farrakhan
is known for his unwavering criticism of the United States and his
anti-Semitic rhetoric. He had well-documented ties with Muammar Gaddafi
and received significant financial assistance from the Libyan dictator
prior to his death. He maintains the Fruit of Islam, the organization’s
paramilitary wing, as well as a strong community of followers within
Illinois’ prisons. Farrakhan has never been formally charged in
terrorism cases, though followers of the Nation of Islam, including John
Allen Muhammed, have been involved in such plots.
Mosques
The Mosque Foundation
The Mosque Foundation “serves the spiritual, religious and communal
needs of area Muslims by means of nurturing their faith, upholding their
values, and fostering the wellbeing of the community around it through
worship, charity, education, outreach, and civic engagement.”[85]
According to their website, they serve over 50,000 Muslims in the area
and have 5,000 regular worshippers of varying ethnicities, though in
actuality the majority of members are of Palestinian descent. The
establishment of the Mosque has turned the community of Bridgeview into a
large Muslim hotspot, with schools, community centers, and Muslim-owned
businesses. The Mosque Foundation was subject to significant protests
on 12 September 2011, the day after the September 11 attacks, as well as
in the following days.[86] As previously mentioned, Jamal Said, head
imam, has extensive ties to Hamas, as do numerous current and former
members.
Mosque Maryam
Mosque Maryam, located in Chicago, serves as the headquarters and
National Center for the Nation of Islam.[87] The Mosque was previously a
Greek Orthodox Church until it was purchased in 1972 by Elijah Muhammed
with financial help from Muammar Gaddafi. Adjacent to the Mosque is the
Muhammad University of Islam, a preschool through 12th grade Islamic
school that is affiliated with the Nation of Islam. All Nation of Islam
mosques throughout the country also have such educational institutes.
Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, is based at Mosque
Maryam.
Student Groups
Muslim Students Association
The Muslim Students Association (MSA) was founded in 1963 at the
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign as a self-described forum
for Muslim students from diverse backgrounds.88 Today, it consists of
nearly 600 chapters – roughly 150 affiliated – and is decidedly the most
visible Muslim association on college campuses in the United States and
Canada.[89] Internal Muslim Brotherhood documents tie the Muslim
Students Association to the parent organization.[90] According to a New
York Police Department report:
| Among
the social networks of the local university population, there appears
to be a growing trend of Salafi-based radicalization that has permeated
some Muslim student associations (MSA’s) [sic]. Extremists have used
these university-based organizations as forums for the development and
recruitment of likeminded individuals – providing a receptive platform
for younger, American-born imams, to present a radical message in a way
that resonates with the students. For example, one book increasingly
being cited for discussion by many of these associations is Muhammad Ibn
Abdul Wahhab’s Kitab At-Tawheed, the foundational book for Wahhabi
Islam.[91] |
These statements are not unfounded, as various leaders of MSA chapters
have been involved with terrorism financing as well as terrorist plots,
including Anwar Al-Aulaqi, the infamous al-Qaeda member who was formerly
President of the Colorado State University MSA.[92]
MSAs have successfully operated in Illinois since the organization’s
founding. As of April 2012, the organization has 10 affiliated chapters,
including the founding chapter at the University of Illinois at Urbana –
Champaign.
Students for Justice in Palestine
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is a collection of student
groups across the country which are not formally unified but do foster a
network of collaboration. According to the coalition of SJPs in
Chicago, the group is steadfast in its support for a one-state solution
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the single state would include
current inhabitants of the area as well as all displaced Palestinians
and their descendents as recognized by the United Nations.[93] The group
rejects the notion of a Jewish state of Israel. They function through
divestment campaigns, participation in the annual Israel Apartheid Week,
and year-round anti-Israel programming.[94] There are 8 chapters of SJP
in Chicagoland alone. Students for Justice in Palestine was co-founded
by the chairman of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), which is
infamous for its connections to Islamic extremism, and maintains close
ties to its parent organization today.[95]
Radicalization in Illinois
Foreign Influences
Palestinian Territories
Hamas is the most infamous of the Palestinian resistance/militant groups
and has had the largest presence and influence in the United States and
Illinois in particular. Hamas has served as the governing body of the
Gaza Strip since its victory in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary
elections and subsequent military eviction of the opposing faction,
Fatah. The United States has designated Hamas a terrorist organization
since 2006.[96] Hamas maintains leadership throughout the Arab world and
receives funding from Iran, Palestinian expatriates, and private
donors, particularly from Saudi Arabia.[97] Political activity and
propaganda is also present in the United States. Financial support from
the United States is illegal and has been prosecuted in the past.
A number of groups that have operated in Illinois have ties to Hamas.
The Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP) was the main Hamas front in
the United States until its dissolution. It was an outspoken supporter
of Hamas’s mission and distributed Hamas material. This included
communiqués calling its followers to jihad as well as the Hamas charter
translated to English.[98] The Council on American-Islamic Relations was
also an offshoot of the IAP. The Holy Land Foundation, which was shut
down after it was discovered to be funding Hamas, was formerly the
largest Islamic charity in the United States. Finally, the Mosque
Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois is a base for such individuals as
Jamal Said, Mohammed Salah, and Kifah Mustapha. These individuals have
supported Hamas both financially and ideologically.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a predominantly Sunni nation with a unique movement
known as “Wahhabism.” Wahhabism is essentially a revivalist movement; it
supports a full return to the fundamentals of Islam as embodied both in
the Quran and in the life of Muhammad.[99] There has been a close
relationship between the Saudi ruling family and the Wahhabi religious
establishment since the 18th century, and Saudis have financed the
construction Wahhabi mosques, religious schools, and Islamic community
centers all over the world.[100]
The influence of Wahhabism in the United States and Illinois in
particular cannot be over-emphasized. Most of the mosques and other
Islamic institutions in Chicagoland are Saudi-funded. Moreover, a large
proportion of prison chaplains are Saudi-trained and preach Wahhabi
idealogy, which promotes militancy and perpetuates hatred of moderate
Sunnis, Shias, and Sufis.[101] The Institute of Islamic Information and
Education of Chicago, which has provided radical Islamic material to
Muslim chaplains, also acknowledges Saudi support.[102] The United
States government has pressured the Saudi government to more closely
monitor overseas financing, but overall Saudi efforts have been
lackluster.
Pakistan
Although Wahhabism does not have quite the pull in Pakistan that it has
in Saudi Arabia, it does have a presence in the volatile northwestern
region. Following the Soviet invasion in 1979, the Saudis financed the
construction of hundreds of religious schools in this area which
indoctrinated locals with Wahhabism.[103] It is logically concluded that
these schools were the breeding grounds for the al-Qaida and Taliban
movements that have plagued Pakistan since. That said, it should be
noted that not all of al-Qaida and the Taliban are Wahhabi.
Whereas in Saudi Arabia there is a general trend of overseas support to
the United States, generally the opposite has been true with Pakistan.
Notably, organizations such as the Global Relief Foundation and the
Benevolence International Foundation, which were both based in
Chicagoland while they were still functioning, supporting mujahedeen
overseas in countries such as Pakistan. Moreover, as the case with Raja
Lahrasib Khan exhibits, these overseas organizations have recruited
American citizens to support their cause.
Process of Radicalization
In 2007, the New York Police Department (NYPD) put out a report entitled
Radicalization in the West: A Homegrown Threat, which puts forth a
theoretical model detailing the transformation from ordinary individual
to terrorist.[104] The model set forth henceforth is a condensed version
of this model.
The first stage is pre-radicalization. At this stage, certain factors
may make individuals more vulnerable to messages of radicalization. The
environments that facilitate this process are often ethnically similar
to the individual in question and contain like-minded individuals.
According to the NYPD, the most common traits are: male, Muslim,
residents of Western liberal democracies, middle-class environments (as
opposed to destitution), educated, little criminal history, and arguably
most notably, “ordinary.” Converts to Muslim are particularly
vulnerable.
The second stage is self-identification. This stage is characterization
by the migration away from one’s former identity. This can be due to
economic, personal, political, or social factors. Individuals at this
stage will often gravitate towards Salafi Islam, and they typically
become alienated from their former life, continue to associate with
like-minded individuals, and begin to wear traditional Islamic dress
and/or grow a beard.
The third stage is termed indoctrination. At this stage, individuals
intensify their beliefs, often sacrificing personal causes for that of
“the greater good.” As with previous stages, individuals at this point
will continue to associate with like-minded individuals, often
virtually. Indeed, the Internet plays a key role in this radicalization,
as extremist websites and chat rooms have and exercise the capacity
individuals vulnerable to this process of radicalization. Imprisonment
is an ideal environment for the continuation of this process at this
stage.
The fourth stage is jihadization. During this stage, individuals decide
to carry out jihad through a terrorist attack. By this stage, the group
of individuals will be tight-knit, with each individual having to be
committed to the cause. Target selection and operational planning
proceed at this point. Jihadization can take place very quickly,
differentiating it from the other stages which may take place over the
course of years. Individuals often take a trip abroad at this point. It
is important to note that every act of terrorism has two important
prerequisites: motivation and capability.[105] Just as any individual
without the desire to carry out an attack will not, any individual
without the means will not be able to.
Prisons
Prison inmates are vulnerable targets for terrorism involvement because
they are predisposed to commit violent acts, regard authorities with
hostility, and feel alienated from society. As of 2010, approximately
3,000 of the 45,548 inmates incarcerated in Illinois state prisons
identified as Muslim.[106] While this gives Islam one of the larger
followings in prison, it lags significantly behind the groups of
Baptists, Catholics, and atheists. That said, Islam is generally the
fastest growing religion in Western prisons in recent years.[107]
Moreover, radicalization of these inmates has been manifested in
attempted terrorist plots, most notably that of Michael C. Finton.
Officials fear that many Muslims, especially new converts who are more
likely to be influenced, are subject to radical outside organizations.
The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (IIIE), based in
Chicago, is a self-described dedicated organization “to the cause of
Islam in North America by providing accurate information about Islamic
beliefs, history, and civilization from authentic sources.[108] The
traditionalist institute sends material on Islam to Muslim prison
chaplains and responds to over 3,000 letters from prison inmates per
year inquiring about interpretations of Islam.[109] However, its
deceased founder, Amir Ali, on his online website, called Osama bin
Laden a “true Muslim” would did not hurt anyone and further says Israel
committed the September 11 attacks so as to alienate American Muslims
and curb immigration of Muslims to the United States. While all the
material that IIIE sends to prisoners is monitored, officials concede
that radical material makes its way through. Ali’s claims that his
political and religious views are separate and distinct are difficult to
assess. Another organization in Illinois is the Illinois Correctional
Reunion Association. It is run by Mohammad Firdausi, a retired Illinois
who continues to work with inmates. He has been sending prisoners
pamphlets since 1979, when the organization was founded. While most of
the samples he provided to the press are innocuous and merely explain
fundamental Muslim teachings, there were also pamphlets that had been
banned in prisons in other states. While the authors of these specific
pamphlets condemn terrorism, they write that “sometimes violence is a
human response of oppressed people as it happens in Palestine” and
“although this is wrong, this is the only way for them to attract
attention.” Firdausi asserted that Muslims have a right to defend
themselves in places like Israel and Kashmir. He also stated, prior to
bin Laden’s capture that he did not even think he existed.
In light of the dangers posed to newly converted Muslims converts, the
Justice Department’s United States Bureau of Prisons has opened two new
Communications Management Units (CMUs) in Terre Haute, Indiana and
Marion, Illinois. In these facilities, all telephone calls and mail are
monitored and outside contact highly limited. Moreover, all
conversations must be held in English, unless otherwise negotiated.[110]
The overwhelming majority of inmates are Muslim, and includes
individuals previously involved in infamous terrorist plots. Individuals
have recently sued regarding the constitutionality of these
conditions.[111]
Terrorist Plots
Case Study: Derrick Shareef
On 6 December 2006, Derrick Shareef was arrested in a store parking lot
in Rockford, Illinois, for attempting to swap a stereo system for
grenades, firearms, and ammunition for use in a terrorist plot against
CherryVale mall in nearby Cherry Valley. Shareef’s plot was foiled by
his lone accomplice, who was working as an informant for the FBI. In
November 2007, Shareef pled guilty to charges of attempting to use a
weapon of mass destruction, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison in
September 2008. He had no previous history of violence.
Derrick Shareef, also known as Talib Abu Salam Ibn Shareef, converted to
the Nation of Islam when he was 16; his father had also been a member
of the organization and faith.[112] After converting, he took trips to
Detroit and Arizona where his radicalization progressed.[113] At the
time of his crime, he was working in a video game store.
Shareef’s jihadist intentions can largely be attributed to the influence
of Hassan Abu- Jihaad, born Paul Hall, whom he met in Arizona in
2003.[114] Shareef was 18 at the time. Abu-Jihaad was a former sailor in
the United States Navy who was later convicted in 2008 of passing
classified information regarding the upcoming information about his
battle group to a terrorism cell in London.[115] Hassan Abu-Jihaad
became close to Derrick Shareef before Shareef, accusing Abu-Jihaad of
moving too slowly towards a terrorist plot, cut ties with him.[116]
Concurrently, Shareef grew closer and closer to FBI informant William
Chrisman, who established himself as a close friend and individual to be
trusted. Shareef and Chrisman visited the mall several times before the
attack.
Shareef’s transformation from ordinary American to terrorist is
startling, particularly because he never even left the country. Much of
the information used in court case was provided by FBI informant
Chrisman, whose testimonies reveal a number of expected (according to
the process of radicalization outline above) characteristics. First,
Shareef fit the mold of “ordinary” individual prior to his
radicalization, with no criminal history save for traffic
violations.[117] This fits with the pre-radicalization stage. Second,
Shareef may have found his political motivation from overseas events.
Specifically, he seemed to be frustrated by the Israel-Hezbollah War of
2006. The FBI informer noted that this war largely put him over the
edge. This fits with the self-identification stage. Third, the internet
played a pivotal role in the CherryVale plot, as it was an avenue
through which Shareef could find radical material. One site he
frequented, ‘kavkazcenter.com’, provides news from a radical Islamist
perspective.[118] Abu Jihaad also provided Shareef with other links to
similar sites while they were still in contact. Shareef watched a
martyrdom video from one of the London suicide bombers. He also started
to wear traditional Islamic dress. In the final stage of the
jihadization, Shareef had become close with the informant and they were
committed to the attack. Shareef clearly had the motivation to carry out
the bombing but his lack of resources made foiling the plot easy.
Today, Shareef is the imam at the Metropolitican Correctional Center in
Chicago.[119]
Case Study: Raja Lahrasib Khan
Raja Lahrasib Khan was a Pakistani-American taxi based in Chicago,
Illinois who, in February 2012, was found guilty of funding overseas
al-Qaeda operatives. Additionally, FBI wiretaps document his plan to
bomb a stadium, though this charge was dropped as part of Khan’s guilty
plea.[120]
Khan immigrated to the United States in the 1970s from Pakistan and
became a naturalized citizen in 1988. According to FBI records, Khan
claimed in 2008 to have known Ilyas Kashmiri, an established al-Qaeda
member, prior to his targeted killing in June 2011, for approximately 15
years before discovering that he worked for al-Qaeda.[121] Upon
learning that Kashmiri needed money for al-Qaeda related activities,
Khan apparently joined the cause. His intent was to provide money for
Pakistani resistance against India in the Kashmir region. Court records
tell little about his radicalization process, instead jumping to
documentation of his $950 transfer to Kashmiri.[122] The investigation
was led by the Chicago FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force with assistance
from the Chicago Police Department, the Illinois State Police, and the
Department of Homeland Security.[123]
Case Study: Michael C. Finton
On 23 September 2009, Michael C. Finton, a part-time cook and convert to
Islam, was arrested in Springfield, Illinois and charged with attempted
use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder of a federal
officer. Finton was accused of attempting to detonate a truck bomb and
destroy the Paul Findley Federal Building. Finton was unaware that the
“bomb” was actually inactive material and he had been tracked and
tricked by an undercover FBI agent.
Finton was a prison convert. After exploring numerous religions with the
hope of finding direction in his life, he settled on Islam. The FBI
identified him as a threat as early as 2007 when, following an arrest
for violating his parole, police found letters and notebooks in his
possession containing material idolizing radical Islam, including
correspondence with John Walker Lindh.[124] Acquaintances and colleagues
characterized him as a constant critic of the United States.[125]
Like Shareef, Finton may have found his political motivation from events
overseas. He seemed frustrated by the Gaza War, telling the FBI
informant he wanted to go overseas and receive training to fight
alongside the Palestinians.[126] He repeated this same claim on several
occasions. As with other cases, the Internet also provided, at least in
part, motivation. Finton mentioned reading about others who had gone to
Islamic schools in western Pakistan, and that he was interested in doing
the same.
Case Study: Shaker Masri
On 3 August 2010, 26-year-old Chicago resident Shaker Masir was arrested
in Countryside, Illinois just before boarding a flight to Somalia and
charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated
terrorist organization and attempting to provide material support
through the use of a weapon of mass destruction.[127] Masir was a United
States citizen based on his birth in Alabama, though he was raised
abroard. The complaint states that Masir first expressed his violent
jihadist views to a friend (who was, unbeknownst to him, an FBI
informant) in 2009 and progressively developed a plan to travel to the
Middle East and fight among mujahedeen with al-Shabaab.[128] Masir
stated that individuals who advocating for Palestinian causes were
ineffectual, countering that only those taking up arms were truly
fighting for Islam.[129] It is not clear who or what influenced his
jihadist transformation. The FBI Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force used
a combination of hired undercover operatives and recorded telephone
calls to track Masir
and make the arrest. As of 4 April 2012, Masir is housed at the
Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago and his trial is
ongoing.[130]
Case Study: John Allen Muhammed
John Allen Muhammed was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was enlisted
in the United States Army from 1986 to 1994. In 1987, he converted to
the Nation of Islam. A former partner described him as a devout Muslim
who attended the Million Man March in Washington D.C. in 1995.[131]
In October 2002, Muhammed and his friend and accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo,
killed ten and critically injured three others in Washington D.C.,
Virginia, and Maryland over a span of three weeks in what was known as
the Beltway sniper attacks. Muhammed was sentence to death for the
killings and Malvo, a minor at the time, was sentenced to life in prison
without the possibility of parole. At Muhammed’s trial, Malvo stated
that Muhammed, who led the spree, had grand plans to extort millions of
dollars from the government and to set up camps to train terrorists,
though he did not explicitly mention Islam in this description.[132]
However, a number of trial exhibits indicate that they were motivated by
Islamist jihad, including portraits hailing Osama bin Laden and Saddam
Hussein and praising Allah. Investigators also found Quranic scripture
in their possession.
Illinois Government
Legislation
In July 1996, Illinois enacted Article 5/29C in the criminal code which
made it a class one felony to solicit or contribute material support
with the intent to fund an act of international terrorism, making it the
first state to enact such a law.[133] Although Illinois had not fallen
victim to domestic terrorism cases to the degree of New York or Oklahoma
at the time, it had been a major hub for foreign terrorist fundraising,
particularly Hamas. Following the September 11 attacks, the Illinois
government passed a comprehensive anti-terrorism law (Article 5/29D) in
December 2001.[134] The bill was meant to complement federal
anti-terrorism laws by punishing terrorists with appropriate severity.
Though it had overwhelmingly bipartisan support, it has not been used
successfully in a prosecution to-date.[135] Rater, the federal
government usually handles domestic terrorism cases because it “seems to
have virtually unlimited resources in those cases and more familiarity
with various law enforcement strategies,” according to New York defense
lawyer Aaron Mysliwiec.[136] Accordingly, local district attorneys tend
to have little experience in terrorism cases.
Muslim Participation
As of 2009, Illinois did not have a single elected Muslim politician in
its legislature.[137] There has been a growing movement of local
political non-profits that work to augment the voice of the Muslim
community. For example, Project Mobilize is a self-described “political
action non-profit organization dedicated to the education, development,
and political advancement of politically marginalized communities
seeking to fully realize their rights and responsibilities at the local,
statewide, and national level.”[138] At present its focus is on the
Muslim-American community. Since its establishment there has been an
increase in Chicago-area Muslim candidates for office.[139]
Infiltration
In August 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn named members to serve on
the Muslim American Advisory Council, which is to “advise the Governor
on ways to advance the role and civic participation of Muslim Americans
in Illinois.”[140] Among the appointees is the Islamic Society of North
America’s (ISNA) secretary-general, Safaa Zarzour. ISNA has
well-documented ties to both the Holy Land Foundation and what was the
Islamic Association for Palestine.[141] Zarzour is also the President of
the board at Chicago’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations.[142]
Kifah Mustapha, a top religious leader of the Mosque Foundation in
Bridgeview, was appointed an Illinois State Police chaplain in December
2009.[143] Mustapha was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy
Land Foundation case. In his deposition, he admitted to soliciting money
for the Holy Land Foundation as well as volunteering with the IAP.[144]
In June 2010, authorities discovered these ties during a background
check and rescinded their offer of the position.[145] This did not stop,
however, the FBI from giving Mustapha a tour of sensitive United States
buildings, a tour made possible by FBI Chicago spokesman Ross
Rice.[146]
Law Enforcement
The following is a table detailing Illinois’ preparedness in combating
threats of terrorism and homeland security with respect to other states.
| Category |
Ranking (out of 50)[147] |
| Number of domestically focused counterterrorism and homeland security organizations |
12 |
| Number of organizations established or newly involved in counterterrorism after 9/11 |
20 |
| Federal homeland security spending |
5 |
| Domestic preparedness and antiterrorism programs (dollar amount) |
8 |
| Federal government expenditures per capita |
44 |
Roughly 1 in 5 counterterrorism
organizations in Illinois were formed after 9/11. Of these
organizations, approximately two thirds are in law enforcement and
emergency management and the other third is roughly divided between
homeland security and intelligence. Four out of every five organizations
are federal.
The Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), comprised of FBI
special agents, officers of the Chicago police department, and
representatives from 20 different federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies[148] is the principal terrorism defense unit in
Chicago. It was established in 1981 but strengthened following the
September 11 attacks.[149] There are also JTTFs in Moline, which is near
the Illinois-Iowa border, and Springfield, the state’s capital. These
represent the principal counterterrorism units of Illinois.
Another notable organization is the Illinois Terrorism Task Force
(ITTF), which serves principally as an advisory committee to the
Governor, providing guidance for new measures to be written into
law.[150] Its focus is on domestic preparedness and counterterrorism
strategy. It was chartered in 2009 and represents a variety of different
organizations at the federal, state, and local levels, both within and
outside the government.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of
radical Islam in Illinois, the fifth most populous state of the United
States. The first part of the paper presented an overview of the Muslim
population and the second part presented the dangers of Islamic
radicalization. It became evident that these dangers are not
one-dimensional. They exist in individuals who have been radicalized
both in Illinois, other areas of the United States, and still other
places in the world. Radical Islam also exists and can manifest itself
in mosques, Islamic centers, and Islamic organizations that aid overseas
terrorism financially and by perpetuating ideologies. Individuals with
these dangerous political views have no specific ethnic or religious
profile. It is for this reason that they are so difficult to monitor and
control. The next part of the paper explored foreign influences,
primarily in turbulent geographical arenas with little governance. This
was followed by a theoretical framework of radicalization and a number
of case studies of past terrorist plots attempted in Illinois and/or by
Illinois residents. Finally, and overview of the government’s response
to Islamic terror was presented.
While federal authorities have taken a more proactive role in curbing
radical Islamic activity since the September 11 attacks, it is evident
that the state and municipal governments have not responded
significantly enough to the threat. A comprehensive plan built from the
citizens and localities up with active participation from moderate
Muslims will reduce the potential for terrorism in the future.
Notes
1. Haddad, Yvonne. Muslim Communities in North America. Albany, New York: SUNY Press, 1994, page 232.
2. Vasile, Ronald S. “Bridgeview, IL.” Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/167.html.
3. Curtis, Edward E. Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011, page 102.
4. Ibid, 102.
5. Ibid, 104.
6. “1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.” U.S. Immigration Legislation
Online.
http://library.uwb.edu/guides/USimmigration/1965_immigration_and_nationality_act.html.
7. Ludden, Jennifer. “1965 Immigration Law Changed Face of America.”
National Public Radio (NPR). 9 May 2006.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5391395.
8. McKinney, Maureen Foertsch. “Hot dogs and hummus.” Illinois Issues,
June 2001: 14-19. URL: http://www.lib.niu.edu/2001/ii010614.html.
9. Curtis, Edward E. Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011, page 104.
10. Brachear, Manya A. “Muslims bypass Mormons as fastest-growing
religion in Illinois.” Chicago Tribune. 2 May 2012.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-religious-census-
independent-evangelicals-one-of-the-largest-religious-groups-20120501,0,6368818.story.
11. Numrich, Paul D. “Muslims.” Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/865.html.
12. Mujahid, Abdul Malik. “Muslims in America: Profile 2001.” Sound
Vision. http://www.soundvision.com/info/yearinreview/2001/profile.asp.
13. Ba-Yunus, Ilyas. “Muslims of Illinois: A Demographic Report.”
Unpublished manuscript, East-West University, Chicago, 1997.
http://geocitiessites.com/CollegePark/6453/illinois.html.
14. “Illinois – Religions.” City-Data. 2010. http://www.city-data.com/states/Illinois-Religions.html
15. Ba-Yunus, Ilyas. “Muslims of Illinois: A Demographic Report.”
Unpublished manuscript, East-West University, Chicago, 1997.
http://geocitiessites.com/CollegePark/6453/illinois.html. Ba-Yunus uses a
two- pronged approach to population estimation. Outside of the
Chicagoland area, where Muslims are more likely to be registered with a
mosque or community center, he accumulates membership directories
directly from these organizations. Within Illinois, where this approach
would not give an accurate estimation because individuals are less
likely to be registered within their Muslim community, he takes a sample
of names from the telephone directories and performs short
questionnaires regarding religion and ethnicity. He extrapolates to the
entire state based on these results.
16. Bukhari, Zahid Hussain. Muslims’ Place in the American Public
Sphere: Hopes, Fears, and Aspirations. Walnut Creek, California: Rowman
and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2004, page 315.
17. Sheikh, Aziz, and Abdul Rashid Gatrad. Caring for Muslim Patients. Oxon, England: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd., 2008, page 9.
18. Hogan-Albach, Susan. “Illinois’ Muslims.” Illinois Issues, February
2010. http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/archives/2010/02/muslims.html.
19. Boundaoui, Assia. “For Muslim politicians, running for office is the
American way.” CNN. 24 March 2011.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/23/muslim.politics/index.html.
20. Cainkar, Louise. “Palestinians.” Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/946.html.
21. Babwin, Don. “Rahm Emanuel: Chicago Police Won’t Spy on Muslims.”
Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/rahm-emanuel-chicago-poli_n_1297317.html.
22. Westerlund, David, and Ingvar Svanberg. Islam Outside the Arab World. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999, page 435.
23. Coleman, Marilyn. Handbook of Contemporary Families: Considering the
Past, Contemplating the Future. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage
Publications, Inc., 2004, page 395.
24. “The Five Pillars of Islam.” BBC. 9 August 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/fivepillars.shtml.
25. Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA World Factbook 2012. New York: Skyhorse Publishing Inc., 2011.
26. Ba-Yunus, Ilyas. “Muslims of Illinois: A Demographic Report.”
Unpublished manuscript, East-West University, Chicago, 1997.
http://geocitiessites.com/CollegePark/6453/illinois.html.
27. Curtis, Edward E. Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011, page 104.
28. Vasile, Ronald S. “Bridgeview, IL.” Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/167.html.
29. Wilgoren, Jodi, and Judith Miller. “A NATION CHALLENGED: THE HUNT;
Trail of Man Sought in 2 Plots Leads to Chicago and Arrest.” The New
York Times. 21 September 2001.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/21/us/nation-challenged-hunt-trail-man-sought-2-plots-leads-chicago-
arrest.html.
30. McKinney, Maureen Foertsch. “Hot dogs and hummus.” Illinois Issues,
June 2001: 14-19. URL: http://www.lib.niu.edu/2001/ii010614.html.
31. Ibid.
32. Numrich, Paul D. “Muslims.” Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/865.html.
33. Ahmed-Ullah, Noreen S., Kim Barker, Laurie Cohen, Stephen Franklin,
and Sam Roe. “Hard-liners won battle for Bridgeview mosque.” Chicago
Tribune. 8 February 2004.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0402080265feb08,0,6712137,full.story.
34. Michaels, Marguerite. “The Model School, Islamic Style.” Time. 11
June 2005. http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1071185,00.html.
35. Ahmed-Ullah, Noreen S., Kim Barker, Laurie Cohen,
Stephen Franklin, and Sam Roe. “Hard-liners won battle for Bridgeview
mosque.” Chicago Tribune. 8 February 2004.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0402080265feb08,0,6712137,full.story.
36. United States of America v. Sami Amin Al-Arian, (M.D. Fl.), No.
8:03-CR-77-T-30TBM, Plea Agreement, Filed 14 April 2006.
http://nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/U.S._v_Al-
Arian_pleaagr.pdf. This is Sami Amin Al-Arian’s plea agreement.
37. “Arab American Convicted of Aiding Hamas.” Los Angeles Times. 4
January 1995.
http://articles.latimes.com/1995-01-04/news/mn-16251_1_palestinian-americans.
38. Goudie, Chuck. “Israeli agent denies torturing Bridgeview man.” ABC 7
Chicago. 22 March 2006.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=4012504.
39. A cached version of the Holy Land Foundation’s website from 17 June
2007. URL:
http://www.nefafoundation.org/newsite/file/Philly/HLF_About_Us.pdf.
40. Watson, Dale L (Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division, FBI).
“Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development International
Emergency Economic Powers Act: Action Memorandum.” 3 December 2001.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/466.pdf.
41. Ibid.
42. Watson, Dale L (Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division, FBI).
“Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development International
Emergency Economic Powers Act: Action Memorandum.” 3 December 2001.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/466.pdf.
43. United States of America v. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and
Development, (N.D. Tex.), No. 3:04- CR-240-G, List of Unindicted
Co-conspirators and/or Joint Venturers, Filed 29 May 2007.
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/US_v_HLF_Unindicted_Coconspirators.pdf.
This provides a list of all unindicted co-conspirators in the Holy Land
Foundation case.
44. Ba-Yunus, Ilyas. “Muslims of Illinois: A Demographic Report.”
Unpublished manuscript, East-West University, Chicago, 1997.
http://geocitiessites.com/CollegePark/6453/illinois.html.
45. “What The Muslims Want.” The Nation of Islam. http://noi.org/muslim_program.htm.
46. “The Nation of Islam.” Islamic Party of Britain. Spring 1995. http://www.islamicparty.com/commonsense/18noi.htm.
47. “United States of America 2007.” The Stephen Roth Institute for the
Study of Anti-Semitism and Racism.
http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2007/usa.html.
48. “America’s Nation of Islam leader criticizes Qaddafi’s death.” Al
Arabiya News. 26 October 2011.
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/26/173794.html.
49. Haggerty, Ryan. “Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan condemns
killing of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.” Chicago Tribune. 26 October
2011. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-26/news/ct-met-
farrakhan-20111026_1_farrakhan-and-gadhafi-chicago-s-mosque-maryam-libyan-leader-moammar-
gadhafi.
50. “Travels with Tyrants: Minister Louis Farrakhan’s 1996 Anti-American
World Tour.” Anti-Defamation League.
http://www.adl.org/travels_with_tyrants/travels_with_tyrants.asp.
51. Ibid.
52. “Farrakhan: Sniper suspect didn’t work at Million Man March.” CNN.
27 October 2002.
http://articles.cnn.com/2002-10-27/us/farrakhan.sniper.suspect_1_louis-farrakhan-million-man-march-
sniper-shootings?_s=PM:US.
53. “Rehabbing the D.C. Snipers.” Investors Business Daily (IBD). 17
October 2007.
http://news.investors.com/article/496385/200710171930/rehabbing-the-dc-
snipers.htm?Ntt=Rehabbing%20The%20D.C.%20Snipers.
54. “Muslim Americans: Faith, Freedom, and the Future.” Gallup, Inc.
August 2011.
http://www.gallup.com/se/148805/Muslim-Americans-Faith-Freedom-Future.aspx.
55. “CAIR – Who We Are.” Council on American-Islamic Relations. June 2010. http://www.cair.com/CivilRights/CAIRWhoWeAre.aspx#3.
56. United States of America v. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and
Development, (N.D. Tex.), No. 3:04- CR-240-G, List of Unindicted
Co-conspirators and/or Joint Venturers, Filed 29 May 2007.
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/US_v_HLF_Unindicted_Coconspirators.pdf.
57. “HLF’s Financial Support of CAIR Garners New Scrutiny.” The
Investigative Project on Terrorism. 12 October 2007.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/513/hlfs-financial-support-of-cair-garners-new-scrutiny.
Author’s Note: The Investigative Project of
Terrorism (IPT) is a non-profit research group founded by Steven Emerson
in 1995. The IPT “investigates the operations, funding, activities, and
front groups of Islamic terrorist and extremist groups in the United
States and around the world.”
(http://www.investigativeproject.org/about.php). Emerson is an
internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security.
This institute will be cited on several occasions over the course of
this paper.
58. Poole, Patrick. “PJM Exclusive: New Law Cuts Ties Between FBI and
Terror-Tied Groups.” PJ Media. 22 November 2011.
http://pjmedia.com/blog/pjm-exclusive-new-law-cuts-ties-between-fbi-and-terror-tied-
groups/.
59. “CAIR Chicago.org” Council on Amiercan-Islamic Relations – Chicago. 25 March 2012 (accessed). http://www.cairchicago.org/.
60. Grossman, Ron. “The Case of the Globe Trotting Grocer.” Chicago
Tribune. 20 September 2006.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-09-03/features/0609030273_1_muhammad-salah-hamas-islamic-
world.
61. “Ahmed Rehab: Executive Director, CAIR – Chicago.” The Investigative
Project on Terrorism.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/474.pdf. PDF e-book.
62. “Muslim American Society – MAS.” Muslim American Society – Chicago. http://www.maschicago.org/home2/AboutUS.aspx.
63. Ahmed-Ullah, Noreen S., Sam Roe, and Laurie Cohen. “A rare look at
secretive Brotherhood in America .” Chicago Tribune. 19 September 2004.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/chi-
0409190261sep19,0,4605917,full.story.
64. Ibid.
65. “Treasury Department Designation of Global Relief Foundation.” The
Investigative Project on Terrorism. 18 October 2002.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/document/id/28.
66. Roth, John, Douglas Greenburg, and Serena Wille. “Monograph on
Terrorist Financing.” National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the
United States. http://www.9-
11commission.gov/staff_statements/911_TerrFin_Monograph.pdf. PDF e-book.
67. Ibid.
68. Ibid.
69. Roth, John, Douglas Greenburg, and Serena Wille. “Monograph on
Terrorist Financing.” National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the
United States. http://www.9-
11commission.gov/staff_statements/911_TerrFin_Monograph.pdf. PDF e-book.
70. “Treasury Department Statement Regarding the Designation of the
Global Relief Foundation” United States Department of the Treasury. 18
October 2002. http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-
releases/Pages/po3553.aspx
71. Curtis, Edward E. The Columbia Sourcebook of Muslims in the United
States. New York: Columbia University Press, 2008, page 278.
72. Roth, John, Douglas Greenburg, and Serena Wille. “Monograph on
Terrorist Financing.” National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the
United States. http://www.9-
11commission.gov/staff_statements/911_TerrFin_Monograph.pdf. PDF e-book.
73. “Treasury Designates Benevolence International Foundation and
Related Entities as Financiers of Terrorism.” United States Department
of the Treasury. 19 November 2002. http://www.treasury.gov/press-
center/press-releases/Pages/po3632.aspx.
74. Heffelfinger, Chris. Radical Islam in America: Salafism’s Journey
from Arabia to the West. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books Inc., 2011,
page 52.
75. Levitt, Matthew, and Dennis Rose. Hamas: Politics, Charity, and
Terrorism in the Service of Jihad. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale
University Press, 2007, page 149.
76. United States of America v. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and
Development, (N.D. Tex.), No. 3:04- CR-240-G, An Explanatory Memorandum
One the General Strategic Goal of the Group in North America (translated
from Arabic), 22 May 1991.
http://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/judges/hlf2/09-25-
08/Elbarasse%20Search%203.
77. Levitt, Matthew, and Dennis Rose. Hamas: Politics, Charity, and
Terrorism in the Service of Jihad. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale
University Press, 2007, page 150.
78. Stanley Boim and Joyce Boim v. Quranic Literacy Institute, (N.D.
IL), No. 00C-2905, Complaint, Filed 12 May 2001.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/81.pdf.
79. “Profile: Quranic Literacy Institute.”
History Commons.
http://www.historycommons.org/entity.jsp?entity=quranic_literacy_institute.
80. “American Muslims for Palestine [homepage].” American Muslims for Palestine. http://www.ampalestine.org/.
81. “American Muslims for Palestine’s Web of Hamas Support.” The
Investigative Project on Terrorism.” 14 December 2011.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3346/american-muslims-for-palestine-web-of-hamas.
82. Levitt, Matthew, and Dennis Rose. Hamas: Politics, Charity, and
Terrorism in the Service of Jihad. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale
University Press, 2007, page 164.
83. “American Muslims for Palestine’s Web of Hamas Support.” The
Investigative Project on Terrorism. 14 December 2011.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3346/american-muslims-for-palestine-web-of-hamas.
84. MacFarquhar, Neil. “Nation of Islam at a Crossroad as Leader Exits.”
The New York Times. 26 February 2007.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/26/us/26farrakhan.html?pagewanted=all.
85. “About Mosque Foundation.” Mosque Foundation. http://www.mosquefoundation.org/About- Us/Overview.aspx.
86. Singh, Amardeep. “’We are Not the Enemy’: Hate Crimes Against Arabs,
Muslims, and Those Perceived to be Arab or Muslim After September 11.”
New York: Human Rights Watch, 2002.
87. “Mosque Maryam and the Nation of Islam National Center.” The Nation of Islam. http://www.noi.org/national_center.htm.
88. “Our History.” Muslim Students Association. http://msanational.org/about-us/.
89. “Muslim Students Association.” The Investigative Project on
Terrorism. http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/31.pdf.
90. United States of America v. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and
Development, (N.D. Tex.), No. 3:04- CR-240-G, An Explanatory Memorandum
One the General Strategic Goal of the Group in North America (translated
from Arabic), 22 May 1991.
http://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/judges/hlf2/09-25-
08/Elbarasse%20Search%203.
91. Silber, Mitchell D., and Arvin Bhatt. “Radicalization in the West:
The Homegrown Threat.” New York Police Department Intelligence Division.
2007.
http://www.nypdshield.org/public/SiteFiles/documents/NYPD_Report-Radicalization_in_the_West.pdf.
PDF e-book.
92. Shane, Scott, and Souad Mekhennet. “Imam’s Path from Condemning
Terror to Preaching Jihad.” The New York Times. 8 May 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/world/09awlaki.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all.
93. “About.” Students for Justice in Palestine. http://sjpchicago.org/about/.
94. “Backgrounder: Students for Justice in Palestine.” Anti-Defamation
League. 11 October 2011.
http://www.adl.org/main_Anti_Israel/backgrounder_sjp.htm.
95. “SJP’s Dialogue Goes Nowhere.” The Investigative Project on
Terrorism. 30 November 2011.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3313/sjp-dialogue-goes-nowhere.
96. “Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 (United States Department of
State Publication 11324).” United States Department of State Office of
the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. August 2006. Page 195.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/65462.pdf.
97. Ibid.
98. Levitt, Matthew, and Dennis Rose. Hamas: Politics, Charity, and
Terrorism in the Service of Jihad. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale
University Press, 2007, page 150.
99. Blanchard, Christopher M. “CRS Report for Congress – Islam: Sunnis
and Shiites.” Congressional Research Service. 11 December 2006.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/78715.pdf.
100. Ibid.
101. Schwartz, Stephen. “Islam in the Big House.” CBS News. 22 September 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-215_162-1537032.html.
102. Waller, J. Michael. Statement before the Subcommittee on Terrorism,
Technology, and Homeland Security: Senate Committee on the Judiciary,
14 October 2003.
http://kyl.senate.gov/legis_center/subdocs/101403_wallerl.pdf.
103. Elias, Akram. “Pakistan: A Failed State.” Capital Communications
Group, Inc. 29 August 2009.
http://www.capcomgroup.com/cq-briefs/middle-east-south-asia/pakistan-a-failed-state/.
104. Silber, Mitchell D., and Arvin Bhatt. “Radicalization in the West:
The Homegrown Threat.” New York Police Department Intelligence Division.
2007.
http://www.nypdshield.org/public/SiteFiles/documents/NYPD_Report-Radicalization_in_the_West.pdf.
PDF e-book.
105. Ganor, Boaz. The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle. Piscataway, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2005.
106. Ansari, Kiran. “Muslims Behind Bars in Illinois.” Chicago Crescent.
3 February 2010.
http://www.chicagocrescent.com/crescent/newsDetail2010.php?newsID=20140.
107. Holding, James Patrick. “Faith Behind the Fence: Religious Trends
in US Prisons.” Christian Research Institute. 2004.
http://www.equip.org/articles/faith-behind-the-fence-religious-trends-in-us-prisons.
108. “Welcome to III&E.” Institute of Islamic Information and Education. http://www.iiie.net/.
109. Zoll, Rachel. “U.S. prisons becoming Islam battleground.” Free
Republic. 4 June 2005.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1416712/posts.
110. Eggen, Dan. “Facility Holding Terrorism Inmates Limits
Communication.” The Washington Post. 25 February 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2007/02/24/AR2007022401231_pf.html.
111. Correa, Adriana. “Inmates Say Prisons Violate Rights.” NBC Chicago.
31 March 2010.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Terrorism-Criminals-Sue-For-Not-Getting-Enough-Quality-Time-
With-Pals--89597602.html.
112. “Illinois Man Sentenced for Planning Holiday Mall Attack.”
Anti-Defamation League. 13 October 2008.
http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/darrick_shareef.htm.
113. Bradley, Ben. “Special Segment: The Making of a Terrorist.” ABC 7
Chicago. 15 February 2011.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/special_segments&id=7961433.
114. Bradley, Ben. “Special Segment: The Making of a Terrorist.” ABC 7
Chicago. 15 February 2011.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/special_segments&id=7961433.
115. Fein, David. “U.S. v. Hassan Abu-Jihaad.” United States Department
of Justice.
http://www.justice.gov/usao/briefing_room/ns/mca_ce_abu-jihaad.html.
116. United States of America v. Abu-Jihaad, (D.C. CT.), Federal Bureau
of Investigation FD-302 of William “Jamaal” Chrisman, Interview
conducted 2 December 2006.
http://nefafoundation.org/file/FeaturedDocs/U.S._v_Abujihaad_FBIInvus.pdf.
These interviews of FBI informant Chrisman were submitted as evidence
in the related terrorism trial of Hassan Abu-Jihaad.
117. Mueller, John. “Case 14: Rockford Mall.” Department of Political
Science, The Ohio State University. 4 June 2011.
http://psweb.sbs.ohio-state.edu/faculty/jmueller/14RKFD7.pdf.
118. United States of America v. Abu-Jihaad, (D.C. CT.), Federal Bureau
of Investigation FD-302 of William “Jamaal” Chrisman, Interview
conducted 2 December 2006.
http://nefafoundation.org/file/FeaturedDocs/U.S._v_Abujihaad_FBIInvus.pdf.
119. “Illinois Man Sentenced for Planning Holiday Mall Attack.”
Anti-Defamation League. 13 October 2008.
http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/darrick_shareef.htm.
120. Tarm, Michael. “Raja Lahrasib Khan Guilty Plea: Deal Reached in
Chicago Terror Case.” The Huffington Post. 6 February 2012.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/raja-lahrasib-khan-
guilty_n_1257816.html.
121. United States of America vs. Raja Lahrasib Khan, (N.D. IL),
Complaint, Filed 25 March 2010.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-032710-khan-complaint-fbi,0,6698543.htmlpage.
122. Ibid.
123. “Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Funds to
Support al-Qaeda in Pakistan,” (N. D. Illinois), 6 February 2012.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/1898.pdf.
124. Mueller, John. “Case 22: Springfield.” Department of Political
Science, The Ohio State University. 4 June 2011.
http://psweb.sbs.ohio-state.edu/faculty/jmueller/22SPRF7.pdf.
125. Johnson, Dirk. “Suspect in Illinois Bomb Plot ‘Didn’t Like America
Very Much’.” The New York Times. 27 September 2009.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/us/28springfield.html?pagewanted=all.
126. United States of America v. Michael C. Finton, (C.D. IL), No.
09-3048-M, Complaint, Filed 24 September 2009.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/1073.pdf.
127. “Chicago Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to
a Terrorist Organization.” Federal Bureau of Investigation. 4 August
2010. http://www.fbi.gov/chicago/press- releases/2010/cg080410.htm.
128. United States of America vs. Shaker Masri, (N.D. IL), No. 1OCR0655,
Complaint, Filed 9 August 2010.
http://blog.al.com/live/2010/08/shaker_masri_read_the_entire_c.html.
129.
United States of America vs. Shaker Masri, (N.D. IL), No. 1OCR0655,
Complaint, Filed 9 August 2010.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/1353.pdf.
130. Goudie, Chuck. “Terrorist suspect still in solitary at MCC 20
months after arrest.” ABC 7 News. 4 Aprile 2012.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=8608722.
131. “Muhammad a Gulf War vet, Islam convert.” CNN. 24 October 2002.
http://articles.cnn.com/2002-10-
24/us/muhammad.profile_1_bushmaster-223-caliber-rifle-john-allen-williams-nation-of-islam-
officials?_s=PM:US.
132. “Sniper Accomplice Says Mentor Had Extortion and Terror Plan.” The
New York Times. 24 May 2006.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/us/24malvo.html.
133. Meyerov, Victoria. “The Buck Stops Here: Illinois Criminalizeds
Support for International Terrorism.” John Marshall Law Review.
1996-1997. Page 884.
http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/jmlr30&div=37&g_sent=1&collection=journals
.
134. “2005 Illinois 720 ILCS 5/Article 29D – Terrorism.” Justia.com US
Law. http://law.justia.com/codes/illinois/2005/chapter53/29742.html.
135. Sweeney, Annie, and Stacy St. Clair. “Using untested law poses
risks for prosecutors.” Chicago Tribune. 20 May 2012.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-20/news/ct-met-nato-terrorism-law-
0521-20120521_1_terrorism-charges-anti-terrorism-law-law-enforcement.
136. Ibid.
137. Sinno, Abdulkader. Muslims in Western Politics. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2009, page 81.
138. “About.” Project Mobilize. http://www.projectmobilize.org/about/.
139. Boundaoui, Assia. “For Muslim politicians, running for office is
the American way.” CNN. 24 March 2011.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/23/muslim.politics/index.html.
140. “Governor Quinn Announces Creation of Muslim American Advisory
Council.” Illinois Government News Network. 30 August 2011.
http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=9697.
141. “Extremism and the Islamic Society of North American (ISNA).”
International Assessment and Strategy Center. February 2007.
http://www.strategycenter.net/docLib/20080127_Extremism_and_ISNA.pdf.
142. “Our Board.” CAIR – Chicago. 19 April 2012 (accessed). http://www.cairchicago.org/our-board/safaa- zarzour/.
143. Goudie, Chuck. “I-Team Report: Pillar of the State Police.” ABC 7
News. 9 March 2010.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=7309866.
144. Stanley Boim vs. Quranic Literacy Institute et al., (N.D. IL),
Deposition of Kifah Mustapha, Filed 2 March 2004.
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/Mustapha_HLF_dep.pdf.
145. Brachear, Manya A. “Illinois State Police revoke Muslim chaplain
appointee.” Chicago Tribune. 23 June 2010.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-06-23/news/ct-met-muslim-police-chaplain-
20100624_1_muslim-chaplain-largest-muslim-charity-holy-land-foundation.
146. Gertz, Bill. “Hamas-linked cleric took part in FBI outreach
effort.” The Washington Times. 20 September 2010.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/30/hamas-linked-cleric-took-part-fbi-
outreach-effort/?page=all#pagebreak.
147. “Top Secret America: Illinois.” The Washington Post.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret- america/states/illinois/.
The rankings are noted by state, where 1 is the most of any state and
50 is the least. All data is provided by Department of Homeland
Security, Justice Department, and state government documents.
148. “Chicago Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to
a Terrorist Organization.” Federal Bureau of Investigation. 4 August
2010. http://www.fbi.gov/chicago/press- releases/2010/cg080410.htm.
149. “A Brief History.” FBI Chicago Division. http://www.fbi.gov/chicago/about-us/history/history.
150. “About ITTF.” Illinois Terrorism Task Force. http://www.ready.illinois.gov/ittf/About.asp.
The
views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Institute
for Counter-Terrorism (ICT).
