King Testifies Before Parliamentary Committee on Radicalization
September 13, 2011
Recent homegrown terrorist attacks within the United States and abroad has reinforced the unquestionable fact that homegrown radicalization is part of Al Qaeda’s strategy
Washington, D.C. – Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, today testified in London before the British House of Commons Select Committee on Home Affairs at an inquiry entitled “Roots of Violent Radicalisation.”
King, who has convened a series of hearings on radicalization within the Muslim-American community, submitted written evidence to the Committee prior to his testimony.
To read the written evidence in its entirety, click here.
The executive summary of the submitted written evidence follows:
Executive Summary
The spate of recent homegrown terrorist attacks within the United States and abroad has reinforced the unquestionable fact that homegrown radicalization is part of Al Qaeda’s strategy to continue attacking the United States and its allies. In an effort to examine the most prescient and dangerous threats facing the United States, the Committee on Homeland Security convened a series of hearings to examine the critical issue of the radicalization of Muslim-Americans. Specifically, the Committee has held three hearings over the past few months that have examined various aspects of the radicalization of Muslim-Americans within the United States. Each hearing has yielded significant findings that have shed considerable light on this critical issue. While the Committee’s examination of this problem remains ongoing, the evidence collected thus far provides substantial insight into the extent and threat of radicalization within the United States.
Although the initial announcement of these hearings generated considerable controversy and opposition, the hearings have nonetheless proven successful in that they have had a significant and beneficial impact in fostering an honest dialogue about the growing issue of radicalization within the United States. Moreover, they have liberated and empowered many Muslim-Americans who had been intimidated by leaders in their own communities, but are now able to come forward and address this issue.
COMMITTEE FINDINGS
HEARING # 1: “THE EXTENT OF RADICALIZATION IN THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND THAT COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE.”
• Finding #1: The Radicalization of Muslim-Americans Constitutes a Real and Serious Threat
• Finding #2: There is a Significant Lack of Muslim-American Community Cooperation with Law Enforcement
• Finding #3: There is a Need to Confront the Islamist Ideology Driving Radicalization
HEARING # 2: “THE THREAT OF MUSLIM-AMERICAN RADICALIZATION IN U.S. PRISONS.”
• Finding #4: The Radicalization of Prison Inmates to an Extremist Form of Islam is a Significant Problem, which Can Often Manifest Once Radicalized Prisoners Are Released
• Finding #5: The Radicalization of Prison Inmates is Often Precipitated By the Presence of Radical Clergy or Extremist Materials Within the Prison
HEARING # 3: “AL SHABAAB: RECRUITMENT AND RADICALIZATION WITHIN THE MUSLIM-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE THREAT TO THE HOMELAND.”
• Finding #6: There are Direct Ties Between Al Shabaab and Al Qaeda and its Affiliates, and Al Shabaab Recruits are Often Indoctrinated into Al Qaeda’s Ideology and Network
• Finding #7: Individuals Who Have Been Radicalized and Recruited By Al Shabaab May Pose a Direct Threat to the National Security of the United States and its Allies
• Finding #8: The Committee’s Hearings on the Radicalization of Muslim-Americans Have Empowered Muslims to Effectively Address this Issue.