Mujahideen Operating in China

Islamist Websites Monitor No. 20

Video of Mujahideen Training and Operating in China ("Eastern Turkestan") on Islamist Website

On November 8, 2006, Islamist websites posted a 32-minute video (http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=vcd-wmv&ak=null ) showing mujahideen training and operating in the Xinjiang (Shing Yang) District in western China, referred to in the video as "Eastern Turkestan."

The film begins with a scrolling text outlining the following:

1. How Islam was introduced to western China
2. The geography and demography of Eastern Turkestan.
3. The modern history of Muslims in Eastern Turkestan, with an emphasis on the treatment of Muslims and Islam since the advent of Communism in China.
4. The circumstances leading to the establishment of the Islamic Party in Eastern Turkestan.

Next, the film presents evidence indicating involvement of the Islamic Party in Eastern Turkestan in the production of bombs and hand grenades, and in attacks. The film then shows two masked mujahideen delivering messages urging Muslims in Eastern Turkestan to engage in jihad and to establish an Islamic state in Eastern Turkestan.

The speakers claim that since the Chinese government compels Muslim youth to know Communist ideology and is determined to corrupt Muslim youth's beliefs and morals, Muslims must wage jihad and free themselves from Chinese rule. They add that under these circumstances, jihad is not just a collective duty incumbent upon the Muslim community as a whole (fard kifaya), but is also a personal duty (fard 'ayn) incumbent upon every single Muslim, and that therefore all Muslims must participate in jihad either directly [i.e., by fighting] or indirectly [i.e., by assisting the mujahideen].

Among the Koranic verses the speakers cite are the following: "O Prophet, wage jihad with the unbelievers and hypocrites and be thou harsh with them; their refuge is Hell and evil homecoming [9:73]." "O believers, take not My enemy and your enemy for friends, offering them love, though they have disbelieved in the truth that has come to you, expelling the Messenger and you because you believe in Allah your Master. If you go forth to wage jihad for My sake and seek My good pleasure, [but you] secretly [love] them, I know very well what you conceal and what you publish…[60:1]"

The video shows another masked mujahid at what appears to be a training base delivering a message to the Muslims in Eastern Turkestan. Behind him are mujahideen engaged in a training session. Though their faces are partially covered, it is nonetheless evident that they are of Central Asian origin.

At the end, the video presents a quote attributed to the Chinese governor of Eastern Turkestan: "If we wish to end the crisis in Eastern Turkestan, we must kill the religious among the Muslims. This is the only way to control Eastern Turkestan… The Islamic religion is inconsistent with Communism. If we leave Islam [in peace] we will not be able to rule Eastern Turkestan. We [thus] have to eliminate all traces of the Islamic religion."

Below are four images from the video:

Video Showing Jihad Units Training and Operating

On November 6, 2006, the Islamist websites posted a 40-minute video titled "The Noble Spears" (Al-Rimah Al-'Awali), which shows a jihad group called Sariyyat Tabuk [1] training and carrying out various terrorist operations.

The film begins with footage of attacks on vehicles and bases of the coalition forces in Iraq, and of jihad fighters training in a deserted area, armed with RPG launchers and heavy machine guns.

The video then introduces the Sariyyat Tabuk jihad group and shows it preparing for an attack. One of the group members directs a message to the foreign forces in Iraq, saying: "This is our message to the Americans and their [associates] from among the traitors who betrayed the two Holy Cities [Mecca and Medina] and Bayt al-Maqdas [i.e., Jerusalem]. We will not waver in [serving] Allah. We will give our souls [back] to Allah… By Allah, we will advance towards you…until you [release] all our prisoners in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Guantanamo, and in Christian countries…We will not [rest] until the last Christian and [the last] Jew leaves the land of the two Holy Cities [i.e. Saudi Arabia]." This address is accompanied by jihad songs, and the following Koranic verse is recited in the background: "Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, and find sustenance in the presence of Allah [Koran 3:169]." Another member of the group encourages Muslim youths to become martyrs. His last words before setting off for the operation are "To Paradise!"

The film ends with footage of missile attacks and roadside bomb attacks on coalition forces in Iraq.

Due to its graphic content, MEMRI is presenting an edited version of the video (http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=328575&ak=null ).

Below are images from the video:

http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD135206

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[1] Tabuk, a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia, was the site of an important raid carried out by the Prophet Muhammad in 630 CE.

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