Aafia siddiqui background

Thread Prompt: Research Aafia Siddiqui, her background, her arrest, and her prosecution. (A simple Google is enough, but do not rely on Wikipedia as a source.) Following the definitions given in the text, is she a terrorist? Why or why not? Why would ISIL want to trade her for captives that they held? Reply Prompt: For your replies, respond to 2 classmates, identifying at least 1 strength and 1 weakness in their reasoning. *Minimum of 150 words per reply Emily Turner United States v Aafia Siddiqui COLLAPSE After reviewing the case of Aafia Siddiqui, I believe the charges against her are accurate. The actions Ms. Siddiqui took against the American soldiers, and the items found in her possession are enough evidence to label her as a terrorist. Terrorism is defined as an act of violence on civilians or non-combatants, primarily for political purposes. Upon her arrest, Ms. Siddiqui had in her possession several documents on how to create chemical weapons and explosives, as well as notes in her handwriting labeling the United States as an enemy. These notes targeted the popular locations in New York City, which would be heavily populated if an attack had occurred. Several notes contained language used by radical Islamic groups, leading us to believe that the motive behind these planned attacks is political in nature. Siddiqui also possessed two pounds of sodium cyanide, a highly lethal poison even in small doses (United States v. Aafia Siddiqui). All of this evidence points towards a premeditated violent attack with a political motive. Siddiqui held a great deal of information related to attacks planned by terror groups, indicating she was trusted by members if leadership of the group. Her background as an MIT-trained neuroscientist, as well as being a board member of the Institute of Islamic Research and Teaching, can assist the terror group with organizing attacks and creating weapons. Her value to the group would very likely outweigh the value of the prisoners in custody. Juan Serna What is terrorism COLLAPSE Aafia Siddiqui once named the most wanted woman in the world, is an Islamic Muslim and member of a group known as Al Qaeda. Aafia played a major role in Al Qaeda and was known as Lady Al Qaeda. As out text stated, terrorism is a not easily defined. This is primarily because it is“…defined by different people within shifting social and political realities” (White, 2017). How Americans define terrorism is different than what those in Jordan might define as a terrorist group. There is a worldview by which everyone sees things. This is the dictating factor in whether a group like Hezbollah is seen as a terrorist group. For this instance, the focus will be from the American point of view. In this instance, Aafia is considered to be a terrorist. Aafia was convicted of firing at American officers as she “Allahu Akbar” (C. J. Hughes 2010). After being divorced from her first husband she married Ammar al-Baluchi, a nephew of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks in 2001. Aafia aided many terrorist groups throughout her stay in America.Aafia opened a PO Box for a terrorist accused of trying to blow up a gas station in The Baltimore area (Declan Walsh 2009). The US government allegedly reported that Aafia had been plotting many attacks on behalf of Osama bin Laden. Aafia was convicted and according to many governments reports that she aided many organizations in plotting attacks towards the United States. It does not take much for us to see and understand that Aafia Siddiqui is a terrorist in the eyes of Americans and most around the world. For Boaz Granor, he sees the attacks on civilians as the main defining focus of terrorism (White, 2017). Any group targeting civilians for the purpose of political purposes is found to be a terrorist group. The simple point that ISIL wants to trade her for any captives that they hold. This action alone raises many red flags. This terrorist was convicted of attacking Americans. She aided various groups in plotting attacks, attacks that cost many lives. Simply reading through the vast amounts of News reports online, it is a safe bet and saying that Aafia Siddiqui is a terrorist. ISIL wanted Aafia Siddiqui for a reason. ...