Prison Jihad
The investigation of a recent alleged terrorism plot that law enforcement officials say was hatched in a California prison has raised fears about radical Islamic indoctrination in the country’s prison system. Law enforcement officials told ABC News that former Oakland gang member Peter Martinez and cellmate Kevin James, both held in the New Folsom State Prison, organized a plot to attack military and Jewish targets in the Los Angeles area this coming September 11. The plot was discovered when former Folsom Prison inmate Levar Washington (who converted to Islam while in prison) and an accomplice were arrested for a string of gas station robberies.
I caught this article while following Aaron’s ping to this post of mine, where I said “ban Korans in prisons” (for a different reason)–he’s updated a large collection of articles about Islamic indoctrination in prisons that’s a “must-read” in conjunction with the above at the Counterterrorism Blog.
And why am I so unsurprised? It’s a well-known fact that American prisons are a prime spot for conversion to Islam. I’m under no illusions as to why that is, either: it’s because the language of violence and hate appeals to violent criminals. Those truly seeking God and looking to change their ways, convert to other religions (in America, primarily Christianity). Those looking to SAY they’re a man of God (for the parole board?) and not really change anything about themselves–their violent nature–choose Islam, because all the language is there that legitimizes it. It makes them feel powerful and righteous, and appeals to their self-image as a “victim,” so they can demonize “The Man”–usually (in America) a Christian or a Jew.
Fight the power! Convert to Islam! Kill The Man!
I said a couple months ago to “ban all Korans in prisons” for another reason, but in all honesty, in a perfect world, it would be done for this reason. For obvious reasons, this isn’t going to happen. So, what to do?
How do you put a stop to radical Islamic “evangelism” in prisons, where violent offenders are recruited for jihad?
Holly - A Soldiers Angel says:
Goes back to the same old ‘tolerance’ crap. For me tolerance is just that, and does not come with respect or approval. I can tolerate alot of things, like smelly gas station toilets and fat women who dress in a size 5. Religious tolerance is no different. I can tolerate it because someone else’s actions don’t affect my eternal destination BUT..doesn’t mean your religion is better than that smelly toilet I tolerate. You know?