Anwar al-Awlaki and the 'Internet Imams'
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Date: 6 January 2010
The Bin Ladin of the Internet?
They’ve been compared to televangelists and called the “Dear Abbys” of Muslim extremists. So-called internet imams have been linked to a number of terrorist attacks, though most have never detonated a bomb or fired a gun at anyone. One of the most visible is Anwar al-Awlaki (pictured), an American born, self-proclaimed cleric known for his impeccable English and popular YouTube clips. Terrorism expert Jarret Brachman explains how they’ve used their grasp of the Web to lure some Muslims toward extremism.
Jarret Brachman, author of Global Jihadism: Theory and Practice and terrorism consultant to the U.S. government
A Muslim Response
Begins at 22 min 30 sec
Shahed Amanullah offers his take on the mystique of internet imams, and says the only way to stop them is to create a compelling alternative online. “If we don’t create that counter narrative,” he says, “all we’re doing is plugging holes when we should be draining the swamp.”
Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-Chief of Altmuslim.com
The Complex Legacy of Mary Daly
Begins at 30 min 55 sec
The feminist theologian known for writing “If God is male, then male is God” died on January 3rd at age 81. A poet and a philosopher of grandiose proportions, Mary Daly may be best remembered for refusing to admit male students to her women’s studies classes at Boston college. Serene Jones joins us to remember her complex legacy.
Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
No Praise, No Blame, Just So
Begins at 44 min 8 sec
Fourteen years ago, tragedy struck the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Years later, the small group of contemplative nuns reflects on how they came to forgive, but not forget, a horrific crime.
Pictured: a nun in traditional clothing, 1930.
Correction: In the audio version of this story, we incorrectly said the crime happened 13 years ago. It was 14.
Produced by Jessica Alpert at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
