Fresh evidence that radical groups like the Muslim Brotherhood are seeking to exploit the coronavirus pandemic is a reminder that, despite the setbacks they have suffered in recent years, Islamist extremists are actively seeking to regroup.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, Isis and others were very much on the defensive, not least because of the catastrophic defeats they had suffered in Iraq and Syria following the collapse of the so-called caliphate.
There were also indications of similar setbacks elsewhere in the Muslim world, with the Taliban under pressure to sign a US-sponsored peace accord in Afghanistan and the Islamist-backed Government of National Accord in Libya in danger of succumbing to the military offensive being undertaken by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar.
But with global attention focused on dealing with the coronavirus challenge, there is mounting evidence that Islamist hardliners are seeking to use the pandemic to recruit and rebuild their networks.
As The National reported earlier this week, in Britain experts have raised concerns that the lockdown has enabled the Brotherhood to spread its ideology directly into the homes of potential sympathisers.
Concerns about such activities have been highlighted in a report written earlier this month by Andrew Silke, Professor of Terrorism Risk and Resilience at Cranfield University, and backed by the Pool Re insurance group. A paper entitled Covid-19 and terrorism: assessing the short and long-term impacts of terrorism concluded that Islamist extremist propaganda was focusing on the vulnerability of governments distracted by the pandemic and the opportunity this presented for planning future attacks.
The report found that there has been a significant increase in online extremist activity in Britain that has raised the risk of increasing short-to-medium term radicalisation. This means there are strong, long-term concerns that states weakened by the serious economic consequences of the pandemic, both in the Arab world and beyond, “are likely to be more vulnerable to the emergence/resurgence of terrorist groups in many parts of the world”.
Commenting on the report, Prof Silke remarked that “while lockdown measures may represent obstacles to terrorists, many terrorist groups have also flagged that the pandemic has left government and security resources severely stretched…As a result, the ability of government, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to focus on traditional priorities such as counterterrorism has been undermined.”
UK experts have raised concerns that the lockdown has enabled the Muslim Brotherhood to broadcast directly into the homes of potential sympathisers
The findings of Prof Silke’s report have received backing from Dr Alan Mendoza, director of the Henry Jackson Society, who warned that there was a danger groups like the Muslim Brotherhood could take advantage of encrypted video-conferencing applications like Zoom to broadcast the group’s extremist ideology straight into people’s homes, especially as the focus on dealing with coronavirus meant there was “a much-reduced ability to police them. Who knows what is said in a Zoom conversation?”
The determination of extremists to exploit the internet to proselytise its radical ideology was highlighted last year after it was revealed that a foundation set up by Yusuf Al Qaradawi, the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader, had launched an application designed to recruit new supporters. The Euro Fatwa app, which was created by the European Council for Fatwa and Research, based in Dublin, has been described by European security officials as a “dangerous hate app” specifically designed as a radicalisation tool for the Muslim Brotherhood.
Concerns about the attempts by the Brotherhood and other Islamist extremists to expand their support base in Britain have prompted MPs to raise the issue in parliament. In response to a question from MP Andrew Rosindell, James Cleverly, the Minister for the Middle East, said the British government took the concerns seriously and was keeping the activities of the Muslim Brotherhod and its associates overseas under review.
“We monitor closely the risk that any movement might seek to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to spread their influence, exploiting this unprecedented global health challenge to target vulnerable people and communities,” he said.
The upsurge of Islamist activity in Britain reflects trends taking place throughout the Muslim world, with growing evidence that Islamist extremists are exploiting the coronavirus outbreak to rebuild their terror networks.
This week’s deadly spate of terror attacks in Afghanistan, for example, has been widely blamed on militants linked to Isis. At least 24 people are now reported to have died following a militant attack on a maternity ward in Kabul, with mothers, newborn babies and nurses among the victims after gunmen opened fire on Tuesday at the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital in the capital. At about the same time, 32 people were killed when an Isis suicide bomber attacked a funeral in Nangarhar, in the east of the country. The attacks come at a time when US-sponsored efforts to end the conflict have stalled, with President Ashraf Ghani responding to the attacks by ordering Afghan security forces to resume offensive operations against the Taliban.
Turkey’s intervention in the Libyan conflict is another example of the revival in the fortunes of Islamist extremists. The tide of the conflict has turned in the GNA’s favour since the intervention of Turkey, which, together with Qatar, is one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s main backers.
By sending groups of Syrian mercenaries to Libya, Ankara has managed to prevent rebel forces under Field Marshall Haftar from seizing control of Tripoli, a feat that will no doubt be used by Islamist extremists to show that their cause if far from lost.
Con Coughlin is the Telegraph’s defence and foreign affairs editor
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
Read more about the coronavirus
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Supercharged%203.5-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20400hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20430Nm%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh450%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WITHIN%20SAND
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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