Inside Vanguard's American Jihadi: Christof Putzel Reflects

I've noticed that a lot of Americans and other westerners attracted to Islam, whether it be mainstream or radical, seem in large measure to be not so much genuine believers as they are engaging in something akin to a role playing game, seeking to embrace what they see as an exotic, mysterious, possibly dangerous culture. I realize that Omar actually IS half Syrian, but this may have only heightened his identity crisis rather than mitigated it. His less dangerous friend Bernie and his mom both seemed 'lost' and lack a sense of who they were and all seemed to want to live more exciting lives than Daphne Alabama afforded them. With all the talk of Star Wars I wonder whether they saw Islam (and in Omar's case, jihad) as the closest thing to a 'real life' Star Wars experience available to them (I read a New York Times piece that said they used to pretend to engage on light saber duels at the local mosque).

Many American converts to Islam tend to wear exotic garb and beards and burkas more than western or immigrant 'cradle Muslims' and though native English speakers, they often effect a middle eastern accent when speaking (Hammani does this a lot). Seems to be an identity crisis issue of some sort. It often seems the case that white, Anglo and black American converts especially often seem to be attempting to 'ditch' their actual identities for something they see as more exotic. In some segments of the American black community their is also an element of 'machismo' associated with effecting a Muslim appearance.

I always thought it was odd that Louis Farrakhan's "Nation of Islam" (which is 'Muslim' in name only), which purports to be proud to be black, seem to wish they were Middle Eastern or North Africans; people who are really just swarthy Caucasians. Weird; it's like if there were white supremacist group calling itself "The Zulu Nation".

I also found Omar's former best friend to be a bit creepy, saying he couldn't say why he didn't join the jihad with Omar and saying that Somalia was a valid jihad situation. Omar is himself a westerner meddling in the affairs of a foreign predominantly Muslim country, encouraging other foreigners to join him, to impose a rigid fundamentalist theocracy on people their against their will. He seems to have just a few more cards in his deck than Omar (either that or he's just as nuts or evil but less willing to get himself shot at). His mother is also clearly squirrel bait.

Disturbing story; certainly doesn't speak well of Islam. Perhaps they could've shown some Muslims who were not either homicidal maniacs or apologists of same.

Africa has been under this type of Drama, for over 300 Years, before the Existence of the USA.

Very good Doc Mr. Putzel..Informative and current. Regarding American Jihadist Omar Hammami: To prove his conviction he should become a martyr. Otherwise he comes off as a self anointed promoter who doesn't realize he himself is an American Intruder into Somalia and the father of a child and wife he abandon, His actions are not convincing me that he is a true believer of Islam,

I agree with one statement Mr. Putzel says.

"There's never one thing that radicalizes somebody..." This has a lot of meaning pertaining to societies going head over heels for censorship. Typically, these life-altering problems have deeper roots than what appears on the surface.