Download ISIS Are Among Us: Peculiar Transition in Al-Asala Society Tactics as PDF

by Husain Marhoon: Until August 2013, advertising could still be seen for the "Equipping Invaders" campaign that the Salafi group "Al-Asala" ran. The group, who has close ties with the Bahraini Royal Family, created the campaign with the sole task of equipping militants to join the fighting in Syria, through posters and monthly notifications sent to accounts of  "Al-Asala" group leaders. However, starting from the month following September until the end of 2013, it was     evident that the campaign managers had changed their tactics.

Since the onset of 2014, ads for "Equipping Invaders" were withdrawn from circulation. The"One Body Campaign" account was deleted from social media networks, which was a framework on which "Al-Asala" society sought to list all fundraising operations for "Jihad in Syria", through its religious wing i.e. Al-Tarbiya Al-Islamiya (Islamic Education Charity Society). It created a new account and made certain not to include anything related to aid and funding of militant actions.

The first "Equipping Invaders" campaign was launched in July 2012 and based in six Bahraini mosques.¹ Within a year, campaign managers were able to organize four tours through which they raised 4 million US dollars, by providing shares, each of which represented a take-up of 1,000 Bahraini Dinars (approximately 2,600 USD).²

Al-Asala society member Sheikh Faisal Al-Gharir stated that the "number of fighters it sponsored over four months had reached 1,530". He also bragged in another statement at the end of August 2012, saying that "this money achieved great victories in Syria, downed jets and accomplished other things we cannot disclose." Meanwhile, Al-Asala group’s secretary-general Abed Al-Halim Morad, posted a tweet on June 14^th 2013, saying: “Glad tidings! Military equipment and peculiar weapons have entered Syria, and Jihadists are using them in their battles against the Nasiris (Shia) and the devil’s party (i.e. Hezbollah).”

It is shown that the latest ad for the "Equipping Invaders" campaign was posted on the 21^st of August 2013 on the Twitter account of "Al-Asala" society secretary-general, Abed Al-Halim Morad, which represented the largest platform for the promotion of the campaign on Bahraini social media networks since 2012 and over a period of months. He had written in this respect: "Equipping 1,000 invaders project aimed at protecting Al-Ghouta children from chemical weapons. Each share equal to 100 Dinars (approximately 265 USD) is offered daily after sunset at Abu Hanifa and Sheikhan Farsi Mosques".

This was the last signal he left in his account in connection to the "Equipping Invaders" campaign. Thereafter, a phase of complete inactivity took over, as everything indicating any relation to the campaign, along with expressions written on the subject disappeared. This included posters that read, "He who equips an invader is like the one who invades" and others that also specified the value of each share for whoever wanted to make a donation and the number of "invaders"needed to be equipped. This coincided with a stop in the flow of militant brigades’ videos that existed throughout the period between mid-2012 and mid-2013, expressing their thanks to Bahraini supporters by name. It was evident that something had changed.

Flaunting that drew attention and new tactics

The strategy of flaunting that Al-Asala leaders used in their public call for equipping militants, infiltrating Syria’s territory, meeting Jihadists from the extremist group Suqour Al-Sham (Falcons of Syria) and Abu Dawoud Brigades, let alone the many news reports on the deaths of Bahrainis in Syria, intensified criticism of the Bahraini authorities. Al-Asala leaders’ tweets on social media networks, openly encouraged volunteering for Jihad and preparing Jihadists to head to conflict-ridden areas, provided full data used by journalists in their analytical pieces.

Therefore, a public opinion emerged on the "dangerous entity" being created from a distance in Syria in the shadow of a witnessed conspiracy on the part of security authorities, who did not address any case to date or question those involved in funding "Jihad", even it was done publicly and against Bahraini laws.

Amid all of this, ISIS began to gain prominence from its battles in Syria, turning all eyes towards them. The militant group’s brutality spread terror in the world, and even in the hearts of a group that shares the same extremist ideology, Nusra Front, with which the first Bahrainis who left to fight in Syria, about six fighters, were killed. In light of these developments, Al-Asala adopted another less striking tactic. What is the new “tactic”? It is the same support masked by humanitarian causes.

The fact is that in the last months of 2013, the indicator of Bahrain’s interference in the Syrian crisis made a peculiar shift which can be described as an “evasive transition”, the end of a busy phase of announced logistic military support and the beginning of a new phase under the disguise of humanitarian aid.

All slogans used in the "Equipping Invaders" campaign were now used in "Food baskets" and "Schoolbag" campaigns. The same people who managed "Euipping Invaders" took up the new task, including Sheikh Abed Al-Halim Morad, Sheikh Faisal Al-Gharir, Khaled Mousa Al-Beloushi and Abed Al-Karim Al-Ammadi, while the number of mosques where fundraisers were being held decreased from six to only two, Sheikhan Al-Riffa and Abu Hanifa Al-Bisitin mosques.

The"One Body campaign" resumed its activity on social media networks; however, with new accounts launched on May 15^th 2014, fueled by purports inspired by the new policy: distancing itself completely from any explicit sign of Jihad-related support and charging all fundraising operations with"pity-seeking expressions".

"The New Disguise of Funding "Terrorism

As the “Equipping Invaders” campaign faded away, the "One Body Campaign" launched about 12 fundraising projects almost on a monthly basis, adopting the same former policy of offering previously-priced take-up shares:"Caravan 1,750 Bahraini Dinars (approximately 4,600 USD), flour 200 Bahraini Dinars (approximately 530 USD), general relief 50 Bahraini Dinars (approximately 132 USD), blankets 10 Bahraini Dinars (approximately 26 USD)".

The new projects were entitled as follows: Winter Bag project (November 2013), Relief Distressed Ghouta campaign (November 2013), Ummahat Al-Momineen-Mothers of the Believers- Camp for widows and orphans (November 2013), Dress Children of Syria Campaign (December 2013), Syria Children’s Smile for Treatment and Nourishment project (March 2014), Mohammed Yousef, Pioneer of Humanitarian Aid, Caravan For the Relief of Syrian People (April 2014), Foster Care of Syrian Orphans campaign (May 2014), Bahraini Child, Noura Al-Souwaidi, Caravan for the Relief of Syrian Children (May 2014), I Am Khawla Campaign For the Foster Care of Syria Children (May 2014), Fast-Breaking Project (July 2014), Fitr Charity (Zakat) Project in Eastern Ghouta (July 2014).

Despite a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on August 7^th 2012, warning against "visiting or entering conflict-stricken areas and militant-combat zones", after members of Al-Asala snuck into Syrian territory controlled by the opposition, Al-Asala leaders continued to infiltrate the Turkey-Syria border almost frequently until late 2014 under the pretext of sending aid.

A recent photo posted by Al-Asala secretary-general Abed Al-Halim Morad shows he was in Syria along with Faisal Al-Gharir on April 19^th 2014 during the opening of “Ummahat Al-Momineen Camp 2”. Another photo taken on January 10^th 2014 shows "One Body Campaign" on Syrian territory delivering what they called "winter aid".

On December 29^th 2013, one of Khalid Mousa Al-Beloushi Campaign leaders made a statement, saying: "Glad tidings to the people of Bahrain and the gulf. You have provided a warm environment for more than 3,000 Syrian families through your donations. We will deliver the aid ourselves in the coming days". These campaigns, held every Saturday (from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.), were backed by state authorities, whilst receiving special comprehensive coverage by the Royal Court owned Al-Watan newspaper Official statements posted by campaign managers show field visits paid by officials to their headquarters in a show of support and praise of their efforts. “One Body Campaign” notably celebrated a visit by the son of the Minister of the Royal Court, Bahraini military officer and Al-Riffa Sports Club President Nasser Bin Khalid Al Khalifa to their tent which was particularly set up for fundraising (December 2013), as well as Interior Ministry anti-narcotics directorate head Major Mubarak Bin Huwail (July 2014),Judge Yasser Al-Mahmeed (December 2013), and Judge Abed Al-Ilah Al-Marzouqi (December 28).

As campaign managers did not reveal the amount of donations received from these officials, campaign posters showed that transfer and deposit operations were made through an official account in Faisal Abdallah Mohammed Al-Gharir’s name, registered in Bahrain Islamic Bank, chiefly-owned by the government and the military retirement fund, and operated under supervision of the Central Bank of Bahrain under international account number of (BH30BIBB00100000170128). It is the same account found on posters and leaflets used to receive donations in "Equipping Invaders" campaign.

Gulf Funders and Preachers

What is noteworthy in this respect is the amount of support that "One Body Campaign" received from gulf funders. It was encouraged by gulf preachers, invited to campaign headquarters, such as Salafist Saudi preacher Othman Khamees (May 3^rd 2014) and hardliner Mohammed Al-Oraifi (July 9^th 2014)who was recently arrested by Saudi authorities on charges of “funding terrorism”, and Saudi-based Syrian preacher Sheikh Adnan Al-Aroor (May 29^th 2013),whose bank accounts were frozen by authorities in Riyadh.

Regardless of the criticism and agitation that emerged ahead of Sheikh Al-Oraifi’s visit, state authorities continued to allow him to enter Bahrain and deliver a speech at Sheikhan Al-Farasi mosque in Al-Riffa, entitled "One Body".

Infrequent announcements posted by Al-Asala secretary-general on his Twitter account also reveal part of the support offered by gulf sponsors. He announced on November 27^th 2013 of receiving "a generous donation of 37,000 Riyals (approximately 9,860 USD) from a Saudi brother offered to Al-Sham Campaign". On December 28^th of the same year, he again spoke of another "Saudi donation of 185,000 Riyals (approximately 49,805 USD) offered to One Body Campaign. He stated on April 8^th of this year, "a contributor from Saudi Arabia donated a truck as part of Mohammed Yousef Caravan For the Relief of Syrian People project". In another statement made on the 20^th of last May, he said "Gulf donations are coming forth. A (female) donor from our sister country the UAE contributed with 10,000 Dirhams (approximately 2,722 USD)".

Bahraini laws decisively ban receiving donations from foreign parties. Article number (14) of the Political Societies Law in Bahrain issued in 2005 “prohibits societies from accepting any donation or benefit from a foreign person, entity, international organization, or an anonymous person".Article number (2) of the Law of Associations, Social and Cultural Clubs, issued in 2012 on raising money, stipulates that "civil societies are banned from acquiring money from, or sending money to, a party outside Bahrain without written permission from the ministry." Also, “civil organizations are not allowed to raise funds inside houses of worship, during funerals, or inside any religious center."Amendments issued by the king in 2013 to Article number (9) of the Law of Protecting Society from Terrorist Acts and Organizing Fundraising for Public Purposes stipulate that "Those authorized are not allowed to transfer any amount of raised money to a person or foreign entity outside Bahrain without the minister’s approval according to regulations specified by the executive list." Article number (14) of the same law also stipulates that "whoever raises funds for terrorist purposes is penalized by a 10-year jail sentence and a fine of not less than 100,000 Dinars and not exceeding 500,000 Dinars."

Nonetheless, these laws are generally enacted in a selective manner only to harass opposition societies. Reassured by this, the Salafist Al-Asala secretary-general Abed Al-Halim Morad spoke of his approach of interfering in the Syrian crisis.

Although the government continued to issue statements warning of "getting involved in regional and international conflicts, joining extremist religious movements or groups listed as terrorist organizations locally, regionally or internationally, or providing any material or emotional support for them," as the foreign ministry statement said on February 25^th 2014, Morad continues to act as if he is not subject to these warnings.

One month following this statement on March 19^th 2014, he said: "We will continue to support the Syrian revolution until Assad’s regime falls or we shall die trying."He certainly knows that nothing has changed except titles: Don’t call it "Equipping Invaders," call it "providing schoolbags" . He has indeed become an expert in this game!

:Read , in the next part

 "Jihadi Salafism" in Bahrain, the disputes of its two pillars "Al-Binali" and "Al-Hamad", its books and local publications

 Positions of "Islamic Jihad's" pillars on February 14 protests and how the government used them in their war on the opposition

- Rebukes by "Al-Zawahiri's" supporters for Binali's silence towards "the tyrant in his country" and his response in his book "Couchant Lions" Al-Osoud Al-Rabida

- Adel Al-Hamad, fierce in his Fatwas legitimatizing the killing of Shiites, yet submissive to the "Palace" praying for the long life
of the king, and his security forces

“One Body” campaign ad showing its bank account, registered in Bahrain Islamic Bank

8. Al-Asala leaders at inauguration of “Mothers of the Believers 2” camp in Syria-April 2014

9. Saudi Preacher Mohammed Al-Oraifi delivering lecture in the Sheikhan Al-Farisi Mosque-July 9th 2014

4. Sheikh Abed Al-Halim Morad with a Saudi donor who offered 185,000 Riyals

2. Fundraiser in Salaheddine mosque in Al-Riffa, Sheikh Faisal Al-Gharir seen at the back

11. Al-Asala Society delegation at the Syrian border on January 10th 2014

12. Former ad for “Equipping Invaders” campaign before withdrawing it from circulation

Adel Al-Mo'awada heading a gathering of Jihadists in Syria

Four leaders from Al-Asala Society among a group of extremist militants in Syria