Is This Ex-bouncy Castle Salesman the New Jihadi John? Sister of Anjem Choudary Follower Who Skipped Bail to Join ISIS in Syria Admits British Executioner 'Sounds Just Like Her Brother'

MAIL ONLINE: WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT / British spies race to identify masked jihadi who spoke with English accent / Claims circulate he is British fanatic Siddhartha Dhar, aka Abu Rumaysah / He was arrested in 2014 for supporting radical cleric Anjem Choudary and the banned militant group Al-Muhajiroun / Taunted police after fleeing to Syria with his wife and family while on bail / For more news on the latest ISIS video visit www.dailymail.co.uk/isis / If you recognise the boy or man, email simon.tomlinson@dailymail.co.uk or call 0203 615 1926

Speculation was mounting today that the ISIS executioner dubbed the 'new Jihadi John' is a British fanatic who skipped police bail to join the terror group in Syria.

British security agents are racing to identify the masked militant who spoke with a clear English accent in a sickening new execution video in which he is seen shooting an alleged British spy.

Reports have been circulating that he could be Siddhartha Dhar, a British militant who went on the run with his pregnant wife and family while under investigation by Scotland Yard in 2014.

Dhar's sister also fuelled speculation after saying she believed the ISIS gunman sounded very much like her brother.

The father-of-four from Walthamstow was one of nine men detained on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and supporting radical cleric Anjem Choudary and the banned group Al-Muhajiroun.

The former bouncy castle salesman later posted a picture of himself cradling his baby while brandishing an assault rifle to taunt security services whose blunders allowed him to escape. » | Simon Tomlinson for MailOnline | Monday, January 4, 2016

Sweden and Denmark Crack Down on Refugees at Borders

THE GUARDIAN: Danes step up controls at German border after Swedish move to impose identity checks on people travelling from Denmark

Sweden and Denmark have moved to drastically reduce inward refugee flows, as Scandinavian countries compete with each other to shed their reputations as havens for asylum seekers.

For the first time since the 1950s, from midnight on Sunday travellers by train, bus or boat have needed to present a valid photo ID, such as a passport, to enter Sweden from its southern neighbour Denmark, with penalties for travel operators who fail to impose checks. Passengers who fail to present a satisfactory document will be turned back.

“The government now considers that the current situation, with a large number of people entering the country in a relatively short time, poses a serious threat to public order and national security,” the government said in a statement accompanying legislation enabling the border controls.

Hours after the Swedish checks were introduced, Denmark announced it had stepped up border controls on its southern boundary with Germany.

Sweden’s move marked a turning point for the ruling coalition of Social Democrats and Greens, which earlier presented itself as a beacon to people fleeing conflict and terror in Asia and the Middle East.

“My Europe takes in people fleeing from war, my Europe does not build walls,” the Swedish prime minister, Stefan Löfven, told crowds in Stockholm on 6 September. But three months and about 80,000 asylum seekers later, the migration minister told parliament: “The system cannot cope.” » | David Crouch in Copenhagen | Monday, January 4, 2016

Iran's Leader Warns Saudis of 'Divine Vengeance' over Execution of Shia Cleric

THE GUARDIAN: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renews attack on Saudi Arabia over killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, saying the ‘political error’ will be punished


Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has renewed his attack on Saudi Arabia over its execution of a leading Shia cleric, saying that politicians in the Sunni kingdom would face divine retribution for his death.

“The unjustly spilled blood of this oppressed martyr will no doubt soon show its effect and divine vengeance will befall Saudi politicians,” state TV reported Khamenei as saying on Sunday. It said he described the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as a “political error”.

“God will not forgive... it will haunt the politicians of this regime,” he said. » | Reuters and Agence-France Presse | Sunday, January 3, 2016

Saudi Execution of Shia Cleric Sparks Outrage in Middle East

THE GUARDIAN: Iranian government and religious leaders say killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr will have serious repercussions for royal family

The Iranian government and religious leaders across the Middle East have condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric and warned of repercussions that could bring down the country’s royal family.

In a serious escalation of religious and diplomatic tensions in the region, councils and clerics in Iran, Yemen and Lebanon said the killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr would prompt widespread anger.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Hossein Jaber Ansari, accused Riyadh of hypocrisy. “The Saudi government supports terrorists and takfiri [radical Sunni] extremists, while executing and suppressing critics inside the country,” he told the Iranian state news agency. » | Nicola Slawson | Saturday, January 2, 2016

Middle East condemns Saudi execution of Shia cleric - live »

The German Chancellor’s New Year’s Address: Neujahrsansprache Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel

In her New Year’s address Merkel pointed to the „magnificent civic engagement we have seen and the comprehensive concept covering the political steps to be taken“. Angela Merkel thanked all voluntary helpers and full-time workers.

High Alert: Belgium to Cancel Festivities, EU Tightens Security

Belgium is increasing its terror alert level for New Year's Eve. And the Belgian Crisis Center warns festivities could be cancelled altogether.

Why Have Anti-Semitic Attacks on French Jews Nearly Doubled in One Year?

Last month's terror attack at a Kosher supermarket in Paris called attention to rising anti-Semitism in France. This week, attackers slashed three soldiers guarding a Jewish community center in Nice. French authorities believe a small number of radicalized young men from North Africa are responsible for a disproportionate share of these anti-Semitic incidents in France. Special correspondent Martin Himel reports.

A New Anti-Semitism? Why Thousands of Jewish Citizens Are Leaving France

Some Jewish citizens in France say there is a rising tide of a new, more dangerous anti-Semitism in the country. In turn, thousands are leaving for Israel and other countries. In an effort to reassure Jewish people in France that they are safe, the government has taken strict measures against anti-Semitic demonstrations. Special correspondent Martin Seemungal reports.

Anti-Semitism Today in Europe

This past year, worldwide outrage followed the events at Charlie Hebdo and the kosher market in Paris. As #JeSuisCharlie flooded the twitter-sphere, the supermarket attack brought European anti-Semitism into sharp focus. It is a critical time to look at the challenges facing world Jewry. Is anti-Semitism on the rise? What can be done about it? And, perhaps most hauntingly, are the Jews of Europe still safe?

Why Thomas Aquinas Distrusted Islam

BREITBART.COM: The 13th-century scholar Thomas Aquinas, regarded as one of the most eminent medieval philosophers and theologians, offered a biting critique of Islam based in large part on the questionable character and methods of its founder, Mohammed.

According to Aquinas, Islam appealed to ignorant, brutish, carnal men and spread not by the power of its arguments or divine grace but by the power of the sword.

Aquinas, a keen observer of the human condition, was familiar with the chief works of the Muslim philosophers of his day–including Avicenna, Algazel, and Averroes–and engaged them in his writings. Since Islam was founded and spread in the seventh century, Aquinas—considered by Catholics as a saint and doctor of the Church—lived in a period closer to that of Mohammed than to our own day.

In one of his most significant works, the voluminous Summa contra gentiles, which Aquinas wrote between 1258 and 1264 AD, the scholar argued for the truth of Christianity against other belief systems, including Islam.

Aquinas contrasts the spread of Christianity with that of Islam, arguing that much of Christianity’s early success stemmed from widespread belief in the miracles of Jesus, whereas the spread of Islam was worked through the promise of sensual pleasures and the violence of the sword.

Mohammad, Aquinas wrote, “seduced the people by promises of carnal pleasure to which the concupiscence of the flesh goads us. His teaching also contained precepts that were in conformity with his promises, and he gave free rein to carnal pleasure.”

Such an offer, Aquinas contended, appealed to a certain type of person of limited virtue and wisdom. » | Thomas D. Williams, PH.D | Sunday, December 227, 2015

ISIS' Leader Resurfaces in New Audio Message

It's more than half a year since the world heard from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the reclusive leader of ISIS. Jonathan Vigliotti reports on his latest message.

France: Anti-Arab Protesters Rally in Ajaccio Following Ban on Demonstrations

Hundreds of anti-Arab protesters rallied outside a local government building in the Corsican capital of Ajaccio, Sunday, following a ban on demonstrations imposed by the prefecture.

Far-Right on the Rise in Europe

Czech President: Migrants Should Be Fighting Isis, Not 'Invading' Europe

Milos Zeman's Christmas message was criticised
by the Czech prime minister

THE GUARDIAN: Milos Zeman says children, the old and sick deserve compassion but young single men fleeing Middle East should stay behind and take up arms

The Czech president, Milos Zeman, has called the movement of refugees into Europe “an organised invasion” and declared that young men from Syria and Iraq should stay in their countries to “take up arms” against Isis.

“I am profoundly convinced that we are facing an organised invasion and not a spontaneous movement of refugees,” said Zeman in his Christmas message to the Czech Republic.

Compassion was “possible” for refugees who were old or sick, and for children, he said but not for young men who should be back home fighting against jihadists.

“A large majority of the illegal migrants are young men in good health and single. I wonder why these men are not taking up arms to go fight for the freedom of their countries against the Islamic State,” said Zeman, who was elected Czech president in early 2013.

Fleeing their war-torn countries only served to strengthen Isis, he said. » | Agence France-Presse in Prague | Sunday, December 27, 2015

Pegida On Rise As Germany Divided Over Refugees

Refugee Dilemma: Germany warns of legal action against EU refugee resisters

Losing Faith: Americans Becoming Less Religious Especially Youngsters

If older Americans still seem to keep strong religious ties, the millennials neither believe in God nor affiliate themselves with any religion for whom X-mas is the time for sales and parties, rather than a religious date to celebrate. Non believers now make up nearly a quarter of the population.

Perhaps, this could be a troubling signal for a nation built on and controlled by Christian values.

Rise of ISIS Islamic State Documentary

The Islamic State, a hardline Sunni jihadist group that formerly had ties to al Qaeda, has conquered large swathes of Iraq and Syria. Previously known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the group has announced its intention to reestablish the caliphate and has declared its leader, the shadowy Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as the caliph.

The lightning advances the Islamic State made across Syria and Iraq in June shocked the world. But it's not just the group's military victories that have garnered attention — it's also the pace with which its members have begun to carve out a viable state.

MAPPED: Shocking March of the Far-right across Europe as Migration Fears Reach Fever Pitch

EXPRESS: FAR-RIGHT parties are on the march across Europe as the unprecedented migrant crisis gripping the continent fuels a surge in support for nationalist movements.

This shocking map shows how anti-immigration campaigners have enjoyed huge gains in this year's elections, whilst thousands have taken to the streets to protest against the overwhelming influx of migrants and refugees.

From Greece to Germany and Switzerland to Sweden, far-right protestors and parties have stormed the mainstream of European politics as voters rebel against years of predominantly socialist rule.

In France Marine Le Pen's controversial Front National came within a whisker of winning control over swathes of the country, whilst the traditionally liberal societies of Scandinavia turned their backs on moderates amid unprecedented migratory pressure.

As 2015 draws to a close, Express.co.uk has taken a look at the worrying shift towards the far-right and the inept responses of mainstream politicians which could see the continent once more gripped by fear and intolerance. (+ videos) » | Nick Gutteridge | Saturday, December 26, 2015

Islamic State Leader Baghdadi Goads West in Rare Audio Statement

THE TELEGRAPH: In what is believed to be his first public message in seven months, Isil chief warns Israel attacks are imminent

The leader of Islamic State has released an alternative Christmas message goading the West, saying [the] do not dare send troops to their territory.

In a rare audio statement - his first in seven months - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi said Western countries have "learned from" previous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Crusaders and Jews don't dare to come on the ground because they were defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said in his 23-minute statement.

The leader, who has rarely been pictured and has not been heard from since he was believed to have been injured in an airstrike by Iraqi forces in October, Russian or US-led airstrikes had failed to weaken the group, which was only "expanding and getting stronger".

"Be confident that God will grant victory to those who worship him, and hear the good news that our state is doing well. The more intense the war against it, the purer it becomes and the tougher it gets," he said.

He also called on Saudi citizens - the biggest contributor to Isil ranks - to "rise up" against their government as he dimissed the kingdom's newly formed Muslim coalition against the caliphate.

He also said Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) would soon be in Palestine to establish an Islamic state there. "Jews, soon you shall hear from us in Palestine which will become your grave," the voice, purporting to be Baghdadi, is heard saying. » | Josie Ensor | Saturday, December 26, 2015

Ex-Muslim to Obama: Islam Is the Disease, Terrorists Are Just Symptoms

Ex-Muslim to Obama: Islam is disease, terrorists are just symptoms, face the fact and speak the truth! A college educated Moroccan ex-Muslim under the pseudonym of "Brother Rasheed" confronts Mr. Hussein Obama's lies and delusion about Islam and ISIS with plenty of common sense and brutal facts, based on his education in "Religion Studies" for undergraduate and "Terrorism" for graduate programs, and his own personal experience as a Muslim (for more than 20 years, before converting to Christianity), and as a son of an imam dad.

"Brother Rasheed" says Islam is the root of problem, and terrorist organizations (ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Boko Haram, Al Shabaab) are just the symptoms, and until one goes after the root of the problem and not the symptoms, the never-ending cycle will just continue. Yesterday it was Al-Qaeda, today it is ISIS, tomorrow will be some other terror group.

Quite a few rhetorical questions ... ISIS stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. How can ISIS not be Islamic? ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi got a PhD in Islamic Studies (from Baghdad University). How could he not know more about ISIS and Islam than Obama? ... If Islam is not the reason for the bloodshed, why don't we see non-Muslims commit terror or suicide bombings, even in Muslim countries, living in the same economic condition as (if not worse than) the Muslims? If Islam is not the reason for the bloodshed, why do we see Muslim converts suddenly commit terrorist acts? ...

One liner at the end ... "By the way, I do NOT give out my full (real) name, because Islam is the religion of peace."