DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY
Naval Postgraduate School
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DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY |
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Description
Qibla is a small South African Islamic
extremist group led by Achmad Cassiem, who was inspired by Iran's
Ayatollah Khomeini. Cassiem founded Qibla in the 1980s, seeking to
establish an Islamic state in South Africa. PAGAD began in 1996 as a
community anticrime group fighting drug lords in Cape Town's Cape Flats
section. PAGAD now shares Qibla's anti-Western stance as well as some
members and leadership. Though each group is distinct, the media often
treat them as one. Both use front names including Muslims Against Global
Oppression (MAGO) and Muslims Against Illegitimate Leaders (MAIL) when
launching anti-Western campaigns.
Activities
Qibla and PAGAD routinely protest US policies
toward the Muslim world and use radio station 786 to promote their
message and mobilize Muslims. PAGAD is suspected in the car-bombing on 1
January of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town and the
firebombing of a US-affiliated restaurant on 8 January. PAGAD is also
believed to have masterminded the bombing on 25 August of the Cape Town
Planet Hollywood.
Strength
Qibla is estimated at 250 members. Police estimate
there are at least 50 gunmen in PAGAD, and the size of PAGAD-organized
demonstrations suggests it has considerably more adherents than Qibla.
Location/Area of Operation
Operate mainly in the Cape Town
area, South Africa's foremost tourist venue.
External Aid
Probably have ties to Islamic extremists in
the Middle East.
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