Analysis: 'Lady al Qaeda' in propaganda

[Rokke]

The Long War Journal:

 

 

Top al Qaeda ideologue Abu Yahya al Libi has released a new propaganda tape, entitled "Aafia Siddiqui...Captivity and Oppression, So Where Are the Heroes?" Al Libi calls on Muslims to wage jihad to avenge Aafia Siddiqui, who was sentenced in September to 86 years in prison for attempting to shoot American officials in Afghanistan.

 

Prior to her capture in July 2008, Siddiqui, who has been dubbed "Lady al Qaeda" by the press, was one of the world's most wanted women because of her role in 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's terror network. According to US intelligence and military officials, Siddiqui was involved in KSM's post-9/11 plotting against the US homeland. She had been tasked, among other assignments, with helping an al Qaeda operative sneak into the US to attack gas stations on the East Coast. [For a description of Siddiqui's al Qaeda role, see LWJ report, 'Lady Al Qaeda' sentenced to 86 years in prison.]

 

In his new tape, al Libi claims that Muslim women are being imprisoned and tortured throughout the world and that it is the duty of Muslims everywhere to avenge them. Al Libi argues that merely protesting on Siddiqui's behalf, as many in Pakistan and elsewhere have done, is not enough.

 

 

By focusing on Aafia Siddiqui's case, al Qaeda is clearly trying to tap into deep anti-American sentiment, as well as widespread discontent with the Pakistani government. Aafia Siddiqui has become the subject of popular mythology. In the Pakistani public's imagination she is not an al Qaeda operative who evaded American authorities for years, but instead a victim of the American-led "war on terror." The Pakistani government has attempted to placate this resentment by lobbying for Siddiqui's release, but has failed.

 

Al Qaeda knows this and is attempting to win more support for its jihadist agenda by highlighting the ineffectiveness of the Pakistani government's attempts to secure Siddiqui's release. Al Qaeda also seeks to play on the widely held misconception in Pakistan that the US is "anti-Muslim" for imprisoning Siddiqui.

 

 

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/12/analysis_lady_al_qae.php#ixzz18L9qoYqY

[Rokke]

In his new tape, al Libi claims that Muslim women are being imprisoned and tortured throughout the world and that it is the duty of Muslims everywhere to avenge them.

 

No. Not throughout the world. Just where Muslims have the upper hand.