23/06/2012

Peace to you

We the Muslimag group wish it be considered to list Boko Haram as an official terrorist organization.

We recognize this is in contrast to the views of our brother, Alhaj Lateef Adegbite, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, but we are confident that personal inconveniences aside, this will help bring this menace to its end, quicker.

I as an individual, am ready to sacrifice the additional screening I will go through when traveling and the possible visa rejection if this will save the life of an innocent Nigerian.

Boko Haram clearly supersedes the requirements by the United States government of being listed as a terror group.

Three of its members were listed as terrorists 2 days ago. Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi.

The group is a threat to United States nationals and national security. The United Nations bombing clearly puts it in this class.

A report in Wikileaks described US fore knowledge of Boko activity, a certain Chadian individual, Abu-Mahjin, who the US had cables predicting his travel to Nigeria and operation of Boko Haram in orchestration of grave bombings.

If Boko Haram is added to this list, it will hamper the groups ability to have foreign interactions and support.

Text of the cable reads “26. (S//NF) Nigeria – Extremists believed to be planning a massive terrorist attack: (S//REL TO USA, FVEY) Tearline states, Unspecified extremist groups, suspected to be operating in concert with Nigerian Shi’ites, Salafiya, or Muhammad Yusuf’s Nigerian Taliban are reportedly planning to launch a massive surprise attack on some piece of critical infrastructure or against high-profile targets within Nigeria. Probable targets of this attack include top Nigerian Government officials or security agents. Members of the general public, who might be opposed to the attackers’ doctrines, were also believed to be possible targets. This planned attack is reportedly aimed at sparking sectarian clashes across Nigeria.

“27. (S//NF) DS/TIA/ITA cannot immediately corroborate the current threat with additional intelligence. While no connection can be made between this threat and previous reports, DS/TIA/ITA is concerned about recent activity surrounding extremists associated with the Nigerian Taliban.

“28. (S//NF) A well-trained veteran Chadian extremist, Abu-Mahjin (Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE) number 24350378), who has limited ties to al-Qa’ida associates, recently travelled to Nigeria. He may be planning to conduct or facilitate a terrorist operation.”

A report on the Nigerian Tribune on investigations by the Nigerian Security Services (SSS) also traced Boko Haram funds to the UK and Saudi Arabia:

According to the sources, different confirmations coming from sources in Boko Haram had indicated clearly that a group known as Al-Muntada Trust Fund, with headquarters in the United Kingdom, had extended some financial assistance to the sect.

Investigations, so far, revealed that the sect received financial assistance from some Islamic organisations.

“The sect was also said to have received funding from Islamic World Society with headquarters in Saudi Arabia,” one source stated.

According to US government website, the implications of being listed include:

Legal Criteria for Designation under Section 219 of the INA as amended

1. It must be a foreign organization.
2. The organization must engage in terrorist activity, as defined in section 212 (a)(3)(B) of the INA (8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)),* or terrorism, as defined in section 140(d)(2) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (22 U.S.C. § 2656f(d)(2)),** or retain the capability and intent to engage in terrorist activity or terrorism.
3. The organization’s terrorist activity or terrorism must threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security (national defense, foreign relations, or the economic interests) of the United States.

Legal Ramifications of Designation

1. It is unlawful for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to a designated FTO. (The term “material support or resources” is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(1) as ” any property, tangible or intangible, or service, including currency or monetary instruments or financial securities, financial services, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses, false documentation or identification, communications equipment, facilities, weapons, lethal substances, explosives, personnel (1 or more individuals who maybe or include oneself), and transportation, except medicine or religious materials.” 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(2) provides that for these purposes “the term ‘training’ means instruction or teaching designed to impart a specific skill, as opposed to general knowledge.” 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b)(3) further provides that for these purposes the term ‘expert advice or assistance’ means advice or assistance derived from scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge.’’
2. Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances, removable from the United States (see 8 U.S.C. §§ 1182 (a)(3)(B)(i)(IV)-(V), 1227 (a)(1)(A)).
3. Any U.S. financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which a designated FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Other Effects of Designation

1. Supports our efforts to curb terrorism financing and to encourage other nations to do the same.
2. Stigmatizes and isolates designated terrorist organizations internationally.
3. Deters donations or contributions to and economic transactions with named organizations.
4. Heightens public awareness and knowledge of terrorist organizations.
5. Signals to other governments our concern about named organizations.

Financing will be stopped, members names will be put on global terrorist watch lists, hence hampering their movement.

All associations with them, and individuals associated with them, including any with Nigerian government officials will now trigger consequences and arrest.

The benefits of being listed are numerous.

A Nigerian terrorist recently supposedly apprehended was on his way to the United Kingdom.

The ability of these known and suspected terrorists to move around freely and interact and garner support from foreign elements needs to be severed.

We, the Muslims Against Terror hereby submit our official position on this issue for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria and the world at large.

Please list Boko Haram terrorist group as a terrorist group. Your delay is dangerous.

Thank you

Brother Isa

Public Relations; Media

brother@muslimsagainstterror.com