Several recent media reports have discussed a complex located near Hancock, New York in the Catskills Mountains called “Islamberg,” and its potential connection to Jamaat ul-Fuqra, a group that has declared its intent to purify Islam through violent means. Concern regarding this group and its militant aspirations has escalated due to recent arrests in the US linked to homegrown terrorist groups.

According to the media reports, Islamberg is a 70-acre complex that houses a community of primarily African American Muslims. The compound is not open to visitors and consists of several houses, a community center, a grocery store, and other makeshift facilities. The village also includes a learning center called the, “International Quranic Open University,” and a guard checkpoint to prevent others from entering the area. Historic reports have also indicated that several armed men continually patrol the outskirts of the complex, and that security measures are significantly increased when the community hosts guests, who are described by neighbors as men of Middle Eastern origin.

Additional reporting has indicated that the complex houses an alleged military training area, which includes ropes hanging from trees, an obstacle course, and a firing range. Furthermore, local residents have stated that they continually hear gunfire, as well as small explosions coming from the area. Neighbors have also stated that they have witnessed military-style physical training at the complex, and have seen several members of the community dressed in Port Authority uniforms.

Potential Connection to Terrorists

Islamberg is allegedly the headquarters of Muslims of the Americas Incorporated, a tax-exempt organization established in the 1980s by Pakistani cleric Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani. Gilani also formed Jamaat ul-Fuqra (JF) in 1980 in New York in an effort to fight the influence of Western nations on Islam. The two organizations have reportedly been linked through various court documents.

Jamaat ul-Fuqra

Jamaat ul-Fuqra (JF), or “community of the impoverished,” allegedly operates both in Pakistan and in North America, and actively recruits new members through social service organizations, particularly from the US prison system. Members also use such organizations to raise money, promote their cause, and arrange activities.

The majority of JF cells are located in North America, as members of the group purchase rural properties, particularly in the US, and form communities. According to reports, those who live in these compounds must agree to act according to the laws of JF. These complexes are built in areas across the US, to include: Buena Vista, Colorado; Falls Church, Virginia; Commerce, California; Onalaska, Washington; and Hyattsville, Maryland. It is believed that several of their compounds have paramilitary training areas. US officials have stated that numerous bombings, murders, and other felonies that have taken place in the US and Canada have been linked to these compounds.

Particularly in the 1980s, JF members carried out several terrorist acts, such as fire-bombings and assassinations, primarily targeting ethnic Indians. Among these incidents were:

– In July 1983, a member of JF placed a pipe bomb at a hotel owned by members of the Bhagwan Rajneesh cult in Portland, Oregon (Terrorist Attack).

– In 1984, the group was responsible for two bombings at the Vedanta Society temple and the Integral Yoga Society building in Seattle, Washington.

– During a raid by US officials in Colorado Springs in 1989, authorities uncovered numerous firearms as well as documents of the group indicating their potential targets in Los Angeles, Arizona, and Colorado. These included: oil and gas facilities; military sites; and individuals with Jewish or Hindu names.

– US authorities carried out a raid of a JF compound in Colorado in 1993, and seized bombs and other weapons, as well as plans for various terrorist attacks.

In the recent past, a large number of JF members have been arrested and charged by US officials for other criminal acts, such as murder, weapons smuggling, and fraud. The group is currently less robust than it used to be.

Future Implications

Of particular concern is the location of numerous alleged JF compounds, to include the suspected JF complex near Hancock, New York, which is approximately three hours from New York City. Many complexes are near critical infrastructure or high-value targets in the US, increasing the potential threat from JF cells, which are primarily composed of individuals born in the US.

Furthermore, the recent reports of the Islamberg compound come amid recent arrests and foiled plots in the US that have involved extremists engaging in paramilitary training in rural areas around the country.

– In May 2007, authorities arrested six individuals in New Jersey who were planning to kill US soldiers by launching an attack on the Fort Dix army base. The men allegedly trained at a firing range in Pennsylvania and in wooded areas in New Jersey, (Previous Report).

– In November 2006, officials arrested two Houston men who were plotting to travel to the Middle East to engage in battlefield jihad against US troops. The men trained in firearms and reconnaissance at shooting ranges and campgrounds in Texas.

The JF compounds, as well as the recent foiled plots highlight the potential threat posed by homegrown extremists in the US, who are increasingly attempting to plot and carry out larger scale attacks.

While the US does not face the same level of homegrown radicalization as many European and Asian countries, these individuals will continue to pose a significant challenge to authorities.