AL-QAEDA RAVERS

The Straits Times points to a disheartening new study that suggests that the next generation of Islamic terrorists are just regular blokes:

HE ENJOYS drinking at pubs, goes clubbing at nightspots and participates in society as much as any other young second or third generation South Asian.

But he's no innocuous 'party animal'. He's the surprising face of the new generation of young terrorists being bred in the United Kingdom.

In an update of the terrorist threat after the recent arrests of suspects in several countries, the authoritative London-based defence and security consultancy Aegis Defence Services reveals the profile of some of the young men who are involved in terrorist operations in the UK.

Its latest Aegis Intelligence Report cites a senior British security source as saying that a surprisingly large number of those arrested earlier in the year, and now awaiting trial, do not come from the religiously-fervent, socially-detached background previously seen in terrorists.

Rather, they are well integrated into British society. 'They enjoy drinking, clubbing and generally participating in British society as much as any young second/third generation South Asian man,' says Aegis.

The original report cannot be accessed from the Aegis website, so details aren't available. But this again lays waste to the ridiculous 'root cause' theory of poverty breeding resentment, resentment breeding violence, etc...

The article instead suggests that there is a different 'root cause,' multicultural relativism. Citing Patrick Sookhdeo of the Spectator:

'Modern multiculturalism defines ethnic identity very much in terms of its history and religion. Thus, it encourages the rediscovery of historical background, culture and religion.'
The consequence of this is undesirable. Said Dr Sookhdeo: 'The attitudes of Muslim young people born and bred in Britain are being shaped by influences from outside which affect their identity and their ultimate loyalties.'
'Television is increasingly being used to reinforce this and to sell a message of repression and liberation,' he added in a reference to the Arabic TV network Al-Jazeera.
'If they are taught to consider the land in which they live as the enemy, what future do we have?'

Sookhdeo's point is well taken, but it needs to be expanded on. Cultural relativism is bad, but multiculturalism isn't necessarily a negative. The UK, for instance, would have benefitted quite a bit from an influx of enterprising Hong Kongers had they not been so stingy with handing out passports.

While neglecting to adapt to your new country is counterproductive, there is nothing inherently harmful about wanting to maintain cultural links with your former homeland.

When Aegis refers to South Asian men falling for Al-Qaeda's ideology it's probably not talking about young Indian men with a fondness for watching Bollywood movies on Zee. That would be more likely to promote spontaneous outbursts of synchronized dancing.

Yes, there has to be another factor at work here. There must be another reason why people who watch Al-Jazeera are more susceptible to terrorist influences than people who watch Bollywood musicals or Hong Kong gong-fu movies.

Damned if I know what it is though.