Terrorists have taken to rap as a means to enticing youth in America to step up and join the jihad in the Middle East, a national security expert said.
Brigitte Gabriel, the president of ACT! for America, an activist movement aimed at instilling genuine security measures in the nation, said terror groups are also showcasing toys and articles of clothing, and promising adventure and challenge in order to recruit participants for the holy war.
“This shows you how creative they have become,” Miss Gabriel said during a Newsmax TV appearance. “How, on the creativity side at least, [they are] appealing to the young generation.”
The new recruiting campaign, “Jihad Cool,” entails a series of videos featuring fast-talking rap artists, dolls and T-shirts with pro-terror messages and the promise of fun and excitement, she said.
“After the bombing of the World Trade Center in 2001, we saw people in the Middle East wearing these shirts of the World Trade Center in flames and people jumping out,” Miss Gabriel told Newsmax. “They were wearing it proudly all across the Islamic world. It’s another way of branding and making the jihad something very cool, very hip.”
Ms. Gabriel also said that terrorism groups have been trying to recruit Americans for years.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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