Wednesday, June 06, 2012

The Muslim Brotherhood in America: Part III–’The Settlement Process’

John Guandolo

Thus far in our journey towards better understanding the threat from the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in the United States, we have laid the foundation of their global strategy, their foundational beliefs, and their arrival in the U.S. in the 1960’s.  As we have discussed, the Brotherhood established their first organization in 1963 at the University of Illinois in Urbana – the Muslim Students Association (MSA) – and from the MSA, nearly every major Islamic organization in the United States was formed – all MB front groups.

But how did the Brotherhood actually insinuate itself into the fabric of America?  How is it possible that today the most prominent Islamic organizations in North America are controlled by the Brotherhood and actually seek to subordinate the individual liberties of Americans (and Canadians) to the slavery of Shariah (Islamic Law)?  In Part III of this series, we set out to help clarify the way the MB “settled” here in America.  Please note the MB did so with their objectives clearly at the forefront of their minds – (1) re-establish the global Islamic state (Caliphate) and (2) implement Shariah (Islamic Law).
For this exercise I will use two extremely useful Muslim Brotherhood documents.  The first is a speech given by Zaid Naman (aka Zeid al Noman), a member of the MB’s Board of Directors and the “Masul” (Leader) of the MB’s Executive Office in the United States.  Naman was speaking in the early-1980’s to a group of Muslim Brothers in the U.S.  A recording of this speech was discovered in the 2004 FBI raid of the Annandale, Virginia residence of Hamas/MB official Ismail Elbarasse, where the archives of the Muslim Brotherhood in the U.S. were found.  The English transcript of this speech was entered into evidence at the US v HLF trial in Dallas 2008 – the largest successfully prosecuted terrorism financing and Hamas trial in U.S. history.  This speech is so powerful because this group of Muslim Brothers shared the history and strategy of the Brotherhood here in the U.S. with the expectation their comments would never see the light of day.


The second source is the Muslim Brotherhood’s strategic document – An Explanatory Memorandum – dated 1991 and also seized during the Elbarasse raid in 2004.  This document was written by Mohamed Akram, a senior Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood official in the U.S. at the time, and approved by the MB’s Shura Council and Organizational Conference – the two governing bodies within the MB structure here.  (The third part of the MB structure is the “General Masul” or Leader of the MB for the entire U.S.)

Both of these documents were entered into evidence at the HLF trial and stipulated to by the defense, which means they are legally what they purport to be.

As you read this, consider the MB’s entire effort as a massive Influence Operation – or for the professionals,  a massive counter-intelligence operations – not “terrorism.”

Naman acknowledges that after the formation of the MSA in the U.S. in the early 1960’s, there was not a lot of organization, and he describes this period as a “Gathering or a grouping for Islam activists without an organizational affiliation.”

 But the MSA was the center of the activity: 

“As for Recruitment in the ranks of this Movement, its main condition was that a brother…must be active in the general activism in the MSA.”  As Muslim Brothers came from various countries, they settled in small groups or “usras” (families), sometimes hundreds of miles apart.  They were called to recruit other arriving Muslims into the Brotherhood, and do what they could with what they had.  The object was to grow these usras  into large groups of Muslim Brothers so, eventually, the growing concentric circles of influence covered large areas.

As Naman puts it:  “The first generation of Muslim Ikhwans in North America composed of a team which included he who was Ikhwan in his country or he who was a member of the Worshipers of the Merciful Group or he who doesn’t have a direction but who is active in Islamic activism.  This was the first point or group which gave or planted the Muslim Brotherhood seed in America.”
By the 1970’s, arriving Brotherhood members were upset with the lack of activism and recruitment in the U.S. by the MB already here.   Saudi Muslim Brothers and others came to America and joined the ranks.  They demanded clearer commitments and “Ikhwan formulas” of how to accept Muslims into the MB ranks of “this Dawa’a and to make work secret.”

The MB established 5-year plans, the first of which, from 1975-1980 was the period of “General work and dedication to general work organizations.”  During this time the Brotherhood went through infighting and turmoil as it sought to organize and agree on strategies and tactics.

By 1980, the Brotherhood emerged with strong leadership and a more focused commitment to the long-term strategy.  1981-1985 was a period of “Regional Planning and Growth.”  Over time, the Brotherhood organized regionally in the U.S. and formed “Coordination Councils” which had leadership and committees to begin better organizing their efforts. Plans were developed, and the Brotherhood came up with primary and secondary goals for the Movement at that time.
“The main goals which were approved by the executive office were five…First of all:  Strengthening the internal structure; second, administrative discipline; third, recruitment and settlement of the Dawa’a; four, energizing the organizations’ work; five, energizing political work fronts.  Also, it adopted eight of the secondary goals on top of which were:  finance and investment; second, foreign relations; third, reviving women’s activities; four, political awareness to members of the Group; five, securing the Group; six, special activity; seven, media; eight, taking advantage of human potentials.” (emphasis added)

Later in the Q & A session, Naman is asked about the aforementioned statement.  An unidentified Muslim Brother asks, “By ‘Securing the Group’ do you mean military securing?”  Naman responds with:  “No, Military Work is listed under ‘Special Work.’  Special work means military work. 

‘Securing the Group’ is the groups security, the Group’s security against outside dangers.  For instance, to monitor the suspicious movements…which exist on the American front such as Zionism and Masonry…etc.  Monitoring the suspicious movements or the sides, the government bodies such as CIA, FBI, etc, so that we find out if they are monitoring us, are we not being monitored, how can we get rid of them.  That’s what is meant by ‘Securing the Group.’”

The aforementioned comment needs little reinforcement, except to add that inherent to the MB structure is the “Special Section” which conducts “special activity” or activity more commonly known to us as “terrorism.”  This includes assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, etc.  And that’s what makes it “Special Work.”

Additionally, during the speech Naman mentions the differences between Muslim Brothers coming to the U.S. from various nations, and how difficult it is in those nations to partake in certain activities.  He offers one pertinent example for us:  “…if the asking brother is from Jordan, for instance, he would know that it is not possible to have military training in Jordan, for instance, while here in America, there is weapons training at many of the Ikhwan (Muslim Brotherhood) camps…”
When later asked by an apparently irritated Brother as to why some Brothers in the U.S. get weapons training and others do not, Naman responds with, “By God, the first thing is that you thank God and praise him because you found a camp to meet in.  You know that, for instance, Oklahoma has become a blocked area for you.  You cannot meet in it in the first place right?  …My brothers, according to what I learned in Oklahoma they started to be strict about letting Muslims use the camps.  They would ask them, for instance, to submit their name and would ask you to bring and ID or something to prove your name…In some of the regions when they go to a camp, they take two things, they would request a camp that has a range, a shooting range and one which has a range to shoot, one which has a range which they use for shooting.  You would find that in some of the camps.”

These comments by Naman are in line with the MB’s “Phases of the World Underground Movement Plan,” a five phase plan to overthrow the United States which includes the comment under Phase IV:  “Training on the use of weapons domestically and overseas in anticipation of zero hour.  It has noticeable activities in this regard.”

Interestingly, Naman assesses that the Muslim Brotherhood’s efforts in the U.S. – and the West – are more cohesive than elsewhere in the world.  “Except in America and in Europe, we do not find unified movements which work in that way, to be able to try to melt all of the Ikhwans (Muslim Brothers’) experiences into one pot…under one umbrella…Here in America we find the practical application for this…idea which is the Group’s unity in one movement.”

Just prior to this speech, in early 1981, the MB created the Shura Council here in the United States whose role is “planning and monitoring executive (MB) leadership.”  “The current Shura Council  came on board to finish what its brothers started on the span of the past seven years to lead this Group to new horizons, God willing, keeping its eyes on huge goals among which is the settlement of this Group.”

“By ‘settlement of the Dawa’a’, the Muslim Brotherhood Dawa’a is meant.”
Dawa’a is the “call to Islam.”  In Muslim Brotherhood doctrine, this Dawa’a is the process by which the MB works to achieve its primary objectives.  It is the foundation for the “Settlement Process.”
Per their strategic document, the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Islamic Movement in North America are:  (1) Establishing an effective and stable Islamic Movement led by the Muslim Brotherhood; (2) Adopting Muslim causes domestically and globally; (3) Expanding the observant Muslim base; (4) Unifying and directing Muslim efforts; (5) Presenting Islam as a civilization alternative; (6) Supporting the establishment of the Islamic State wherever it is.

Furthermore, this strategic document states:  “It must be stressed that it has become clear and emphatically known that all is in agreement that we must “settle” or “enable” Islam and its Movement in this part of the world.  Therefore, a joint understanding of the meaning of the word settlement or enablement must be adopted.”

“The Concept of Settlement…Settlement:  That Islam and its Movement become a part of the homeland it lives in.”

“The Process of Settlement:  In order for Islam to become ‘a part of the homeland’ in which it lives…the Movement must plan and struggle to obtain ‘the keys’ and the tools of this process in carry (sic) out this grand mission as a “Civilization Jihadist” responsibility which lies on the shoulders of the Muslims and – on top of them – the Muslim Brotherhood in this country.”

Understanding the role of the Muslim Brother in North America:

The process of settlement is a “Civilization-Jihadist Process” with all the word means. The Ikhwan must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and “sabotaging” its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all other religions. Without this level of understanding, we are not up to this challenge and have not prepared ourselves for Jihad yet. It is a Muslim’s destiny to perform Jihad and work wherever he is and wherever he lands until the final hour comes, and there is no escape from that destiny except for those who chose to slack.
Putting It Into Practice
The above paragraph IS the MB strategy.  Civilization-Jihad “by their hands” – OUR hands.  The Muslim Brotherhood’s strategy for destroying the United States is to get us, specifically our leadership, to do the bidding of the MB for them. The Muslim Brotherhood intends to conduct Civilization Jihad by co-opting our leadership into believing a counterfactual understanding of Islam and the nature of the Muslim Brotherhood, thereby coercing these leaders to enforce the MB narrative on their subordinates. Be assured they are doing this with great success.

Political, military, law enforcement, media, and religious leaders are being duped across America by the MB leadership.  The approach tactics differ depending on the targeted organization – ie for media the approach may be a “civil rights” basis, while for Christian leaders it will be based on the Muslims’ claiming they are “also followers of Jesus” without the explanation that to the Muslims, Jesus was a Muslim prophet.

Here is how it works:  a leader of an MB front, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) for
instance, who has been a Muslim Brother for 40 years, is a classically trained intelligence officer from a foreign nation, has been in the U.S. for 20+ years, and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, approaches a senior government official (usually with zero counterintelligence training).  The Muslim Brother says he is from the largest and “most prominent Muslim organization in America” or words to that effect.  He explains he has come to help the official discern fact from fiction about Islam and help deter “radicalization” as well as “Islamaphobia” in the local community.  The Brother says he has experience in “building bridges” between the U.S. government and the Muslim community, and even produces photographs with other senior government officials and community leaders.  The official, unaware ISNA is a MB and Hamas support entity, an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest successfully prosecuted Hamas case in U.S. history, and the “nucleus” for the Islamic Movement here, begins working with this Muslim Brotherhood leader.  They have discussions in the government office building where the senior official works, and the Muslim Brother tells the official ISNA is “moderate” (because he says so) but if he or any of the Muslims at ISNA hear of any “radicals” in the area, they will be sure to let the official know.  They also talk about the Brother’s concern about how “aggressive” the U.S. government is perceived in the local Muslim community, and the “fear of backlash” against them.  “We want to help you,” the Hamas/MB leader will say, “but we need assurances from you that you will not unnecessarily target Muslims for investigation or go into our Mosques unannounced.  In exchange, we will be sure to tell you if there is anything nefarious going on in the Muslim community.”  The government official buys off on this and, in the interest of deepening the relationship with the Muslim and the community-at-large, the government official complies with the MB’s request and eases off.  The two men have lunch weekly and develop a relationship – the government official thinks the Muslim Brother actually likes him.  The Muslim Brother is actually quite likeable.  He was trained to be “likeable” during his counterintelligence training in his home country, which he has perfected during his last 40 years of operating for many of those years in hostile countries before coming to the U.S.

Over time, the government official establishes policies and procedures based the advice given to him by the Muslim Brother, which the official has never backstopped to determine if it is factually accurate.  A year later, evidence comes to light identifying the Muslim Brother and the true nature of his intentions.  The government official must now make a choice.  Does he cut off his relationship with his “Muslim friend” and, therefore, admit he was duped and created policies and procedures for his agency based on disinformation fed to him by a Muslim Brother?  Or does he silence his subordinates who have brought facts forward clearly identifying the enemy?  Sad to say, around the country today, the latter is occurring at a exponentially higher rate than the former.

This is Civilization-Jihad “by their hands,” and evidence of it can be seen in:  our universities – many of which have MSA chapters and host Hamas and MB speakers on a regular basis with the support of university Presidents and Boards who silence students challenging the school or Hamas; our intelligence and national security apparatus where analysts and agents on the ground who understand the Muslim Brotherhood threat are disciplined, subject to internal investigations, and threatened with termination for doing their jobs, going after the MB, and speaking up about this threat; our war colleges – at which Muslim Brothers serve as Distinguished Professors or Chairs of Middle Eastern studies programs and pollute the dialogue and suppress any attempt to speak truth into the threats from the Islamic Movement;  our financial institutions – many of which are “Shariah Compliant” per the MB’s request and at the direction of the U.S. Treasury Department; our churches and synagogues – which only seem to outreach to Muslim Brotherhood front groups (note: ISNA is the certifying authority for all Muslim Chaplains in DoD and in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons) and which join the MB in protests against government investigations of anything “Muslim” or “Islamic” (e.g. Congressman King hearings); and the list goes on.

The MB Settled in America to subordinate the Constitution to Shariah.  The “Process” by which they did it is a “Civilization-Jihadist Process.”  Their methodology is to subvert the primary/foundational institutions in our nation and co-opt our leadership.  At a quick glance it appears the score at halftime of this football game is 200-0 in their favor.  Time for us to take off the baseball uniforms and engage the MB on the football field.


Mr. Guandolo is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a former active duty Infantry/Reconnaissance Officer in the United States Marine Corps, and a former Special Agent of the FBI in Washington, D.C. for over 12 years. He currently advises the government on a variety of issues.

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