November 5, 2004

Worrying death threat

U.S. election aside, hot topic of the last couple of weeks in Persian blogosphere has been a blog called "Islamic Army" in which its anonymous author has threaten a big list of Iranian blogger for their "insults" to Allah, Prophet Mohammad and other Shia Imams.

The blog was first being hosted on Persianblog, but they shut it down after a while, probably due to complains.

Now they've moved to BlogSpot and have made another blog with the same name with a more precise content to backup their claims. They now have picked particular posts from my Persian blog, in which they think I've insulted the God, and other sacred concepts of Islam and therefore, quoting from a Quranic verse, I deserve to be killed.

On their links section there isa link to another persian blog called "Islamic resistance" in which the author, Amir, has written in detail about weapons used by Iraqi insurgence, Iranian airforce, and other things with a theme of military resistane. There is also a link to the official website of "Doctrinal Analysis Center for Securtiy without Borders" which is run by Hassan Abbasi, a controversial Revolutionary Guard (former, maybe) official who advises pre-emptive action by Iran to US and Israili interests, who happens to be Michael Ledeen's favorite Iranian strategist of terror.

I never took them seriously before, but this time I'm a bit concerned, because they seem to be a different group who have possibly liked the original blog and have tried to adopt their message and to prepare enough evidence for the original claims, at least about me. (Although I'm the first place in their the original list, there are many other names.)

It seems they have a serious message this time, and when I add this to the recent mentions of my name in the radical Islamic newspapers such as Jomhouri-e Eslami and Kayhan, it doesn't look very good.

So, even though it still may be only a childish game, I guess I have to inform Canadian police and contact Google to see whether they can trace them, especially via their emails in their Gmail account: islamicarmy@gmail.com

What do you think?

َUPDATE:

- Thank you all for your supportive comments and links. I really appreciate it.
- Apparently, Islamic Army blog, after all those referrals, has added a few more links to its rightside column to make its link to the radical military Iranian group less visible. They have also copied this English post.

Posted by hoder at November 5, 2004 1:13 PM

Comments

You should take it up with Google and with the help of local authorities ( and possibly FBI) convince Google to provide the authorities with information that can help them to track down the miscreant.
- By: John Adams on November 16, 2004

---------

You should read 'The Gift of Fear' by Gavin de Becker. Provides valuable advice on reading 'pre-incident indicators' and appropriate ways to respond (or not). Sadly it is thin on the muslim cultural context, and badly needs an update. I spent some months as a guest in Iran just after the first Gulf War, and I would take this kind of thing dead seriously.
- By: Chris on November 15, 2004

---------

You might want to take this up with Blogspot. I'm sure they wouldn't mind canning the site--after the police have pulled whatever information they can from it. Yes, they will go to a different site, but keeping them on the run will cut down on their readership. I generally detest censorship, but I've had it with these nutbars.
- By: Mark on November 12, 2004

---------

To: The Thugs who call themselves Islamic Army Stop threaten the people, you just wait and see how this Stupid Blood thirsty Islamic regime in Iran is going to collapse shortly. You are no-one, but a Thug of the regime, a person who has no real knowledge of the Islam a person that is a real shame for any real Muslim. You and your Mullah friends can not do a damn thing just wait and see how people will hang you high on the power post in the cities. This is not a threat, but a reality for you and people like you. The days of the Shameless Islamic Regime is in Iran is numbered. Then you see who gets their blade on who!. Down with the Blood Thirsty Thugs of the Satanic Islamic Regime in Iran, The Islamic Mafia who in the name of Islam commit murders. By the way we got your name and the address as well and will send you a Happy Christmas card shortly…just wait!
- By: aghrab on November 11, 2004

---------

Take these threats seriously. If you own a handgun, apply to the police (if you live in Canada) for a permit to carry it for self defense purposes. It would difficult for them to turn you down in this case. If you don’t own a handgun, I suggest you purchase one. No matter what you think of guns, I think this is one time when it might be a good idea to set aside your beliefs and protect your self, the police can’t be everywhere, all the time. If they are willing to kill Theo van Gogh in broad daylight in Amsterdam, imagine what they would do to you.
- By: R. Gunther on November 11, 2004

---------

Stay safe and fight the good fight. Many are with you that you don't even realize.
- By: shoshanna on November 11, 2004

---------

Tell the police, Google, the FBI and anyone else who has had professional experience with this sort of thing. They could give you the best information and advice. These groups already like to make public threats, so publicizing their attempts at intimidation probably won’t discourage them. Continuing to speak your mind, getting lots of support from other bloggers and staying safe and sane would.
- By: mary on November 11, 2004

---------

Why don't you tell these guys to go fuk themselves..
- By: James Clifford on November 9, 2004

---------

1. The threat against you, like the murder of Van Gogh, tells all one needs to know about this type of extremism. 2. The threat against you is not only personal to you, but is the little visible part of a much large attack against civilized society by forces of darkness. 3. It is your responsibility to contact authorities.
- By: vern on November 9, 2004

---------

Stay sane! Don't let the lunatics in the white house scare you. Yes, these threats are potentially dangerous, but go watch The Power of Nightmares before you descide they are too dangerous (its a BBS documentary obtainable via bittorrent from uknova.org). You should report the incident to police, but don't be stressed about doing so, its just good policy for the police to know when people are running about making death threats.
- By: Jeff on November 9, 2004

---------

As u well aware, this treats are very usuall here. you are free untill you don't speak. after speaking they are started to bound you. If they succeed, you turn to first point and without any danger for them. If you check the list of chain murders they are concentrated on highlighted guys only. I guess they want to hint you now and they may even start with a smooth punishment at first if be possible for them. If your rank be increased too much they treat you more seriousely.Sorry, it's just 3d world life style.
- By: Massoud on November 9, 2004

---------

If I were you I would immediately launch unilateral action against them, then once you've annoyed them a bit and driven them underground, go after that guy at Baskin-Robbins who has nothing to do with the case--following the sterling example of GW Shrub to the south. In fact, contacting the RCMP about death threats is only sensible. This is certainly a crime. Good luck.
- By: Ted on November 8, 2004

---------

The danger is not so much directly from Islamic Army, but from whatever insane psycho is looking for some flimsy justification for murder. You have no choice but to be on high alert now. I just wish we could do something to help.
- By: dzot on November 8, 2004

---------

This is the time that people around the world really think about what is going on in Iran and how dangerous and sick are Iranian's government and thei supporters.Be careful when they can kill Iranians people so easy they can kill other people even easier.Please Support our people we want free refrondom in Iran.We want democracy in our country.
- By: free iran on November 8, 2004

---------

They are part of a world-wide Islamic Insurgancy that has taken up arms against the West, primarily the citizens of the United States and Israel. These are enemies, not criminals and need to be treated as such, that is, killed or captured when we can - not subject to the rights of citizens. Bravo to you for sticking your thumb in their eye.
- By: Greg Johnson on November 8, 2004

---------

My view point?! This is a joke! They are trying to scare us.
- By: Hamed on November 8, 2004

---------

You need to find out who is behind the death threats so you can begin appeasing them as soon as possible. Don't let any of those republican amerikans tell you that confronting evil is the way to go. No! Ass kissing is the only thing these terrorists understand.
- By: twine on November 7, 2004

---------

Hossein, I understand they freak you out. Anybody might have felt the same way. However, I am quite sure that this is a hoax or at most a sheer empty threat by vicious people who think the only possible way to influence the deeply decentralized and distributed network of Farsi weblogs is to scare them. After all, most of us are young and might get scared easily. Just try to forget that your name is there for a moment and read the blog once again. I am sure you'll agree with me.
- By: Jafar on November 7, 2004

---------

I recommend that every blogger post an explicit insult to Islam prominently on their sites so that the sharks will not be able to pick off the little fish from the big school. It's interesting that people compare fundamentalists of various religions as having a lot in common, but no one would be the least bit worried about insulting any other religion in their blogs.
- By: jj on November 7, 2004

---------

Please be careful. Definitely let the RCMP know about this. Do not travel to Iran anytime in the near future. Most probably they are not that organized, but given their mental conditions you must be vigilant. Anyway congratulatiosn as well. Beside the dangers, this is something you should be proud of.
- By: An Iranian Student (AIS) on November 7, 2004

---------

Their goal is to intimidate us to the point where we feel that the risk of speaking out about their evil is not worth the consequence. We should feel free in our own country... they want to take over... like they have in France. I saw you on Bill Maher last night and what he and the rest of his left-wing guests (and audience) don't understand is that these militant Islamo fascists want to destroy you, me and anyone who thinks or believes differently than they do. And thank God... (yes i did say God) that people like you have the courage to go on shows like Mr. Maher's and try to share with the blue state mentality that this EVIL really exists.
- By: jimbo on November 7, 2004

---------

God bless you and always speak your mind. You have my total support.
- By: Alice on November 7, 2004

---------

Take this SERIOUSLY, and turn it around and nail their asses, thei ISP's asses and everyone else to the wall. React agressively
- By: epaminondas on November 7, 2004

---------

I'm surprised you are taking this thing seriously. There are 440 other names on the lists, with locations all across the world, though the majority do seem to be in Iran. If they were really so well organized that they could make good on their threats to so many people who are so vastly spread, I doubt they'd be running from one free blog-host to another. If it gives you peace of mind to contact authorities, then by all means do it, but I think you are just giving them what they want: publicity.
- By: N on November 7, 2004

---------

Why is BlogSpot hosting this site? Has anyone tried to contact them? I went to their site to get an address to write to but could not find any. If anybody has an address for the site admins, please post it. This is unacceptable and must be stopped! Blogspot is owned by Google. Go to them.
- By: Dave on November 7, 2004

---------

Hey, you can buy a gun, right? At least get a recording of a cocking-shotgun, and set it to play when someone enters your apartment without permission. That works :-)
- By: sniper on November 7, 2004

---------

Be careful. Alert the police. And... speak up. The extremists are getting more vicious not because they are winning, but because they are losing and they know it. Soon Iran's ruling theocracy will fall before a popular revolt by the Iranians themselves -- just like the Shah did. Already there have been several large public protests in Iran against the regime. The second revolt is coming. And then the hated stormtroopers of the ayatollahs better watch out, because tens of millions of angry Iranians are going to want payback...
- By: N.N. on November 7, 2004

---------

Well, hopefully, just as easily as they are able to determine your name and contact information, similar tricks can be done to trace them via Blogspot. The real problem here is the big blog hosting facilities have few if any that can read Arabic, find hate speech and nip it in the bud. The web remains English-based. They can pick and pull an English word out in seconds flat. But the Arabic eludes them and allows the extremists to continue to put their bile online. Somewhere, someone somehow needs to develop a system (software) that can help pull terms that such raise red flags when they are posted in Arabic. There are numerous Arabic speaking programmers out there that should take this to task. There is no reason hate speech should exist anywhere on the web, no matter what the language.
- By: One man on November 7, 2004

---------

Report it. Post haste. It is an honour; but one which you are better off without. If you need to get in touch via email and I suspect alternative accomodation could be set up.
- By: Jay Currie on November 7, 2004

---------

The new weblog Address is http://islamicarmy.blogspot.com/. Your link is to the http://islamic-army.blogspot.com/ which is only the copy of persianblog weblog.
- By: Adabiate Kasif on November 7, 2004

---------

Take this threat very, very seriously. Theo Van Gogh obviously didn't. Don't think this is something new - Salman Rushdie could provide a bit of perspective on that front. Don't let this inhibit your writing - but do watch your back.
- By: Tim on November 7, 2004

---------

hoder - be careful. this is serious. your ideas and insights are important, but it is necessary to separate your web and real identities, as nihilia suggested. one day 'they' will be an adult and able to argue - but today 'they' are more than a few and are willing to live in a death culture. take care - an american christian who values your mind and ALL the people of the books.
- By: r on November 6, 2004

---------

I would be worried about your death threats and contact the authorities. You don't want to wind up like Dutch filmmaker Van Gogh. The murderers are obviously serious. I intend to start my own blog under a pseydonym.
- By: Name on November 6, 2004

---------

Tell the FBI too, even if you don't live in the US.
- By: Yehudit on November 6, 2004

---------

I too think you should let the RCMP know everything that you know, and just make them aware of the situation. This kind of thing, in addition to being worrisome, disappoints me because it seems that people cannot share their opinions openly without concern, and so must either censor themselves, or guise their identity. Be careful, and don't let this get you down. You're an inspiration for a very many of us.
- By: sanam on November 6, 2004

---------

sir-- i would arm myself-- the people that hunt u have no compunction about hurting u good and proper so i hope u'll personally protect urself-- Regard, kilroy (a concerned American)
- By: kilroy on November 6, 2004

---------

Be careful. Be safe. But keep doing what you're doing. Some day Iran will be a democracy, and it'll be in no small part thanks to people like you.
- By: miguel on November 6, 2004

---------

"I guess I have to inform Canadian police and contact Google to see whether they can trace them, especially via their emails in their Gmail account..." You guess?
- By: Eric on November 6, 2004

---------

Report it.
- By: paul on November 6, 2004

---------

I wish you safety and peace. I recommend you consider arming yourself for self defense and learning how to shoot accurately. The RCMP cannot always be there and you must be ready to defend yourself and your family. God bless you and don't let the bastards intimidate you. Just be vigilent and learn how to protect yourself. The murder of Van Gogh is one more showing that some of these morons are serious in their threats. Hell, they have the words of the Quran and the Hadiths to back them up.
- By: Del Simmons on November 6, 2004

---------

yes hossein, please take it seriously. i have always worried more about the people i don't hear from, than about those who openly (or telephonically or electronically or by snail mail) threaten me. but when it is this clear, and comes from people who have demonstrated their lethal abilities, you'd best report it. as events run against them, they may lash out. all the best, you'll get lots of support from the blogosphere.
- By: michael ledeen on November 6, 2004

---------

wow - is it possible we will begin to see canada grow up and recognize a real threat when it rears its ugly head? or will canadians refuse to take islamofascism seriosly until one of their own writers or film makers is murdered and left with an islamofascist rant knifed to his/her chest ala the netherlands... these islamowackos are nutcakes and must be taken seriously. it isn't enough to just sit around and mock americans because they have the temerity to face the enemy head on.
- By: kaluka kahleel on November 6, 2004

---------

I see it as a badge of honor. Wear it proudly and fight the good fight.
- By: The Christian Republican on November 6, 2004

---------

One side of me wishes congratulate you. There is a sort of intellectual accomplishment inherent in drawing the fire of these fundamentalist wackos. If they're threatening you, you must be doing something right. However, I also want you to be very, very careful. As other people have said, it could be nothing, but it could also be something. Just keep writing.
- By: Sean Kirby on November 6, 2004

---------

You are aware of what happened in the Netherlands this week? Director Theo van Gogh was murdered for criticizing Islam in his movie Submission Follow the story on this dutch blog: http://www.zachtei.nl/
- By: Frank on November 6, 2004

---------

The first thing you should wisely do, is to put your personal picture out of your Photoblog...otherwise you may be as famous as Van Gogh one day....
- By: Angel on November 6, 2004

---------

After Theo Van Gogh, I think you should take it seriously.
- By: Patricia on November 6, 2004

---------

sheesh, can't they just take a tip from texans and say "bless yer heart" instead of tossing death threats around when someone ticks them off?
- By: chaizzilla on November 6, 2004

---------

Yeah well eventually people outside the US will finally understand that this is a total war against these Islamofascists and George Bush is not the enemy the Islamic radicals are.... Good luck I hope you stay safe.
- By: Tom on November 6, 2004

---------

nice, i got my first islamic death threat a couple of days ago too, also you can watch the video of abbasi's speach in the persian sat. channel XTV aka Lahse, he's pretty hardcore... peace
- By: deev on November 6, 2004

---------

That's why I think political writers should draw a line between their web and real identity. Because what really matters are the Memes we spread and our identities are nothing but vehicles for them.
- By: nihilia on November 6, 2004

---------

Be careful. I hope they are just a bunch of common fools, but you never know with these people.
- By: A guy on November 5, 2004

---------

Dear Hossein, I think it is prudent that you contact the RCMP and provide them with the informantion you provided here. Hopefully it nothing but I still think you should take is seriously.
- By: ihath on November 5, 2004

---------

Global Guerrillas "Networked organizations, infrastructure disruption, and the emerging marketplace of violence. An open notebook on the epochal war of the 21st Century."
- By: Dimitar Vesselinov on November 5, 2004

---------

Name*:		Remember me
Email*:
URL:

Editor: Myself

November 5, 2004

Worrying death threat