: CIA Hopeful Poses as Muslim Convert To Catch Would-be Jihadis

In a rare (er… how do we know?) case of vigilante espionage, Howard Gilbert spent over a year posing as a Muslim convert hoping to build a resume for the CIA. He eventually helped the FBI capture two Muslim youths on conspiracy charges. What he didn’t realize was that by going it alone, he set himself up for entrapment accusations, effectively destroying his opportunity for CIA work. And although Gilbert worked for the FBI for free, he later asked to be paid. The FBI balked (based on Gilbert’s inexperience) and used their own informant to tie up the case. Meanwhile, the Darul Uloom mosque in Broward has significantly strengthened ties with police in order to monitor any intrusions into their congregation (Jose Padilla also went there). “We try to have police here for every activity,” said spiritual leader Maulana Shafayat Mohamed. We really want no crazy nuts coming around here.” Presumably that would include nuts on both sides of the terror dragnet.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.