THE APPEAL OF THE ISLAMIC EXTREMIST MOVEMENT: OBLIGATION TO THE UMMA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06746842
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: October 18, 2018
• Case Number: F-2017-01387
• Publication Date: April 7, 2004

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
.?-A DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
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The Basis of the Appeal (U)
The DCI Counterterrorist Center has developed a
visual model of Sunni Islamic extremism, which can
be used to explain its appeal to Muslims, including
potential terrorist recruits.I The model, called the
"Ziggurat of Zealotry," depicts the process that
potential terrorists go through as they move from
passive support of Muslim causes to participating in
violence. The five levels of the Ziggurat represent
distinct changes in their ideological beliefs (see
figure).
the importance of
rhetoric at each level to persuade recruits to move up
the Ziggurat. The appeal plays on an individual's
feeling of obligation to the umma,2 the worldwide
Muslim community, which is depicted as being under
attack. As one ascends the Ziggurat, the ideas of
obligation, community, and threat evolve toward
portraying violence as the only solution for perceived
wrongs.
Level One�Obligation To Support Those Who
Defend the Umma
Occupants of level one of the Ziggurat may give
monetary support to violent causes, such as the
2 The Concise Dictionary of Islam defines umma as "A
people, a community, or a nation, in particular the
'nation' of Islam, which transcends ethnic or political
definition, at least traditionally and before the days of
modern, Western-style nationalism." (U)
7 April 2004
Palestinian intifadah, out of sympathy for fellow
Muslims and a strong sense of loyalty to the umma.
At level one, Muslims begin to think of themselves
more as members of the umma and less as citizens of
individual states.
Individuals at this level do not join groups based on
ideology�so there is no actual recruitment
involved�but they are susceptible to the message
that the umma is under attack, and therefore, one
should contribute to the cause of those who are
defending it.
Our model suggests that the perception of threat to
the umma has a direct impact on the number of
people holding such views (the size of level one).
This report was prepared by the DCI Counterterrorist Center's Office of Terrorism Analysis. Comments
and queries are welcome and may be directed to the Chief,
CTC 2004-30031
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Level Two�Obligation To Propagate the Faith
Level two marks the critical transition from passive
support of Muslims to active service to fulfill one's
obligation to the umma. Level two is dominated by
"da`wa" or "call" organizations, such as missionary
or proselytizing groups that stress an individual's
obligation to propagate the faith.
The size of level two is affected by the same factors
active at level one�primarily a sense of threat to the
umma�with the addition of new influences,
including:
� The organizational ability, scope, and freedom of
activity of the da'wa organizations.
� Lack of economic opportunity, which increases the
probability that young people will turn to da 'wa
organizations, where they may be exposed to
recruiters from higher levels of the Ziggurat.
Level Three�Collective Obligation To Defend the
Umma
Groups at level three believe that the only way to
defend the umma is by replacing corrupt regimes with
Islamic states. They are willing to use either political
means or violence to accomplish their goals. At this
level�which includes the international mujahidin
movement and self-described Islamic parties�the
obligation to the umma includes a collective duty to
defend the faith through jihad (a collective duty
means that if some Muslims perform the duty, others
are exempt).
The size of level three is strongly affected by:
� Perceived foreign occupation of Muslim lands�
although this factor is at work at every level of the
Ziggurat, it is particularly important for level three.
� The actions of governments of Muslim countries,
including economic mismanagement, corruption,
and crackdowns on radicals.
� The ability of international organizations and
networks to transport and train jihadist fighters.
At level three and above, individuals
may have come through da 'Iva organizations or
attended jihadist training camps that included
additional religious indoctrination. Their trust and
loyalty lies largely with their jihadist "brothers."
They trust clerics who are known in jihadist circles
and consider anyone linked to the government as
corrupt, including mainstream clerics.
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Level Four�Jihad the Only Way To Fulfill Your
Obligation to the Umma
Level four comprises largely terrorist groups who
believe that the only way to establish Islamic states is
through violence. Many of these groups were
influenced by al-Qa`ida.5 Their message is: the umma
is under attack by the infidels and each Muslim has
an individual duty to defend it, a duty that can only
be fulfilled through jihad. Level-four rhetoric makes
it clear that, for a Muslim, there is no act equivalent
to jihad. Propagandists quote hadiths, or sayings of
the Prophet, that convey this message or refer to the
example of the Prophet:
� "To stand in the line of Jihad for one hour is better
than the worship of 60 years." (Quotation from the
Prophet Mohammed)
� "If you march not forth, He will punish you with a
painful torment and will replace you by another
people." (Surat al-Tawbah: 3)
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Propagandists at level four of the Ziggurat further
develop the idea of reward for martyrs and their
families to secure their participation in violent acts.
Level Five�Global Terrorists: If You Are not
With Us, You Have Left the Umma
Al-Qa` ida is the primary occupant of level five,
which comprises those who believe that Muslims are
facing the greatest threat in their history, and they
will not be safe until the entire nation-state system is
abolished through jihad.
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Level five incorporates the beliefs of level four but
makes the idea of obligation to the umma more
specific and pressing. The enemy is sharply defined
as the Jewish-Crusader Alliance�the United States
and Israel, with the United States as the "head of the
snake." The umma itself is limited to those who share
al-Qa`ida's jihadi-Salafi beliefs. Examples of rhetoric
include the following excerpts from public statements
by Bin Ladin:
� "Whoever supports the United States, whether with
medical facilities or anything else, commits an act
of great infidelity that takes him out of the
community of Muslims." (November 2002)
� "Let each man come forth to kill these Jews and
Americans because it is the most obligatory duty
and the greatest sacrifice to kill them. . . . Do not
seek anybody's advice on killing Americans.
Proceed." (November 2002)
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Level One: Individuals who support fellow Muslims simply because they are Muslim.
Example: � Individuals who contribute to collection boxes in mosques or provide housing or other services to fellow muslims,
"no questions asked:'
Level Two:
Groups and individuals who seek to transform society to conform to their vision of Islam, through peaceful means.
Level Three: Islamic political parties who seek to create Islamic states through any means.
Level Four: Jihadi Salafi, groups who believe that Islamic states can be created only through violence.
Level Five: Globalists, jihadi salafis who believe that Islamic states can survive only if the global nation-state system is transformed.
-tEeREJ:
CTC 2004-00151 Al 4-04
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