: Terror Suspects Find Themselves In A Compromising Position

Before 9/11, a group of Muslims playing paintball wouldn’t have drawn too much attention, but in this post-9/11 world, you can’t be too careful. Just ask Ismail Royer. A web journalist and former employee of CAIR and MAS, Royer and 10 other American Muslims were indicted by federal prosecutors for being part of a “Virginia jihad network” that trained to support Muslim causes overseas. This case, like the Al-Arian case before it, is significant in that it wasn’t aimed at preventing terror attacks in the US (both the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Islamic Jihad do not focus attacks on Americans) but going after supporters of any group the US feels engaged in terrorism. While Royer admits he assisted Lashkar-e-Taiba nonviolently (setting up their listserv), he says he did so before 2000, when the US did not consider them to be a terrorist group. To their credit, Royer and others in the group have spoken out numerous times against terrorism, and have repeatedly voiced their loyalty to America (three served in the US military). “I have consistently condemned such acts as illegal, immoral, and a threat to the stability and best interests of the United States and humanity,” explained Royer in his statement to the jury. Perhaps this is all a big misunderstanding, and the group will be exonerated at a (hopefully) fair trial. However, while Royer was involved the group, they had signed on to Osama bin Laden’s infamous “World Islamic Front For Jihad Against Jews And Crusaders”. Other things Royer and his friends did to put themselves in a compromising position was to possess and train with guns (including AK-47s – not the best hunting weapon) and leave the US en masse after 9/11 at the urging of their imam. “Ooooh, gosh, they have weapons,” said Royer sarcastically. “I really resent the idea that a Muslim with a gun – he’s a threat.” Well, unfortunately, that’s the case today, and Muslims who look like they are about to inflict violence – even if it is not against our fellow Americans – need to consider how their actions can become fodder for sensationalists that seek to tar the whole Muslim community.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.