- Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt
Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt, [Myatt originally changed his name to Abdul-Aziz (which he has penned articles under) but has been accused that he was trying to hide his identity so on the advice of an Imaam he added the ibn Myatt so people would know who he was. [http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showpost.php?p=7269&postcount=9] ] (born 1950) - formerly known as David Myatt and David Wulstan [Some accounts give Myatt's middle name as William, such as the 1998 edition of Searchlight magazine [http://www.declarepeace.org.uk/captain/murder_inc/site/nazi.html] and Black Sun: Chapter "Nazi satanism and the new Aeon", Goodrick-Clarke, 2002. But, these accounts are seen as unreliable as the authors have allegedly never corresponded with Myatt. However, several authors did and confirm his middle name as Wulstan, namely Michael, George. (2006)
The Enemy of My Enemy and Kaplan, Jeffrey. (1998) "Nation and Race : The Developing Euro-American Racist Subculture", Northeastern University Press, 1998, ISBN 1-55553-331-0. Additionally, their is Myatt himself (qv his poetry and Greek translations).] Myatt - is British Muslim and a formerwhite nationalist political activist andneo-nazi .Before his conversion to Islam in 1998,Greven, Thomas (ed) (2006) "Globalisierter Rechtsextremismus? Rechtsextremismus in der Ära der Globalisierung". VS Verlag, p.62] Michael, George. (2006) "
The Enemy of My Enemy : The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right". University Press of Kansas, p. 147.] Woolcock, Nicola & Kennedy, Dominic. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2149297,00.html "What the neo-Nazi fanatic did next: switched to Islam"] , "The Times", April 24, 2006.] , Myatt was the first leader of the BritishNational Socialist Movement (NSM),[http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/audio_video/programmes/panorama/transcripts/transcript_30_06_00.txt|accessdate=2006-05-01|title=Panorama Program Transcript: 'The Nailbomber'"] , BBC Panorama, June 30, 2000.] Langenohl, Andreas Langenohl & Westphal, Kirsten. (eds.) "Comparing and Inter-Relating the European Union and the Russian Federation," Zentrum für internationale Entwicklungs- und Umweltforschung der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, November 2006, p.84.] and was identified by the British newspaper, " The Observer ", as the "ideological heavyweight" behindCombat 18 .Barnett, Antony. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,891761,00.html "Right here, right now"] , "The Observer", February 9, 2003.]Following his conversion to Islam, Myatt dissociated himself from nationalism and racialism, and has spoken openly about his contempt for racism [ibn Myatt, [http://www.davidmyatt.info/convert2.html David Myatt: From Neo-Nazi to Muslim] 2 Shaban 1428] [ibn Myatt, [http://www.davidmyatt.info/islam_race.html Nationalism, Race, Culture and Islam] 28 Jumaadi Al-Thaani 1425] [ibn Myatt, [http://www.davidmyatt.info/questions-dm.html Questions for David Myatt (Part 1)] Yaumul Ithnain 25 Jumaada al-Awal 1428] [ibn Myatt, [http://www.davidmyatt.info/questions2_ibnmyatt.html Islam, The Numinous Way, and Zionist Rumours] 26 Zhul al-Hijjah 1428] , and wrote that the only distinction that mattered was that between
Muslims (Mumin ) and the Unbelievers (Kuffar ) [ibn Myatt [http://www.davidmyatt.info/ibnmyatt_questions1.html Questions For Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt] question and answer session posted on an Islamic Internet forum between 3 Shaban 1427 and 16 Ramadan 1427] .Additionally, and subsequently following his conversion, he also became an advocate of Islamic martyrdom operations (Shaheed),Myatt, David. [http://web.archive.org/web/20050524194900/http://website.lineone.net/~davidmyatt/operations.html "Are Martyrdom Operations Lawful (According to Quran and Sunnah)?"] , retrieved May 1, 2006 from Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt's website, now removed.] [ [http://www.davidmyatt.info/questions_operations_jannah.html Questions Regarding Martyrdom Operations, Jannah and Jizya] retrieved April 30, 2008 from Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt's.] [ [http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showpost.php?p=9375&postcount=15 where he states:] "In respect of Sheikh Abu Baseer at-Tartusi, I incline toward the view that he might be mistaken in some of the things he has said, especially in relation to martyrdom operations in Dar al-Harb. For instance, he has spoken about some such operations being haram because they can or might or have resulted in the death of "innocent" people, and involve the Mujahid in "suicide". I have written several articles striving to express the view that I myself incline toward - such as "Thinking Like a Muslim" and "Are Martyrdom Operations Lawful According to Quran and Sunnah?" (the publication of which on the muslimcreed website was, I believe, one of causes which led the kuffar to close down that site) - which view of mine is that such operations are legitimate, according to Quran and Sunnah, and that it is an error to apply the terms and concepts of the kuffar, such as "innocent" and "civilian", to Deen Al-Islam, and that using such terms amounts to an imitation of the kuffar."] , expressed support for
Osama bin Laden [ibn Myatt, Abdul-Aziz - " [http://www.geocities.com/abdulazizibnmyatt/WhyISupportOBL.htm Why I Support Sheikh Usama bin Laden (Hafidhaullah)] ", 18 Thul-Hujja 1423] , theTaliban ,Michael, George. (2006) "The Enemy of My Enemy : The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right". University Press of Kansas, p. 147.] , referred tothe Holocaust as a "hoax.", and supported the killing of 'civilians' or non-combatants. [ibn Myatt [http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=762 Thinking Like A Muslim] , [http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=7233 In Reply to Sheikh Salman b. Fahd al-Oadah] , [http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?p=112787#post112787 Concerning Al Aqd Al Amaan: Covenants of Security] , [http://www.geocities.com/abdulazizibnmyatt/kaffirerrorofideology.htm The Kaffir Errors of Ideology & Islamo-Fascism] and in particular "Deen Al-Islam and The Question of Civilians". (See also 'The Kaffir Errors of Ideology & Extremism' in [http://www.geocities.com/abdulazizibnmyatt/FromNeoNazitoMuslim.htm 'From Neo-Nazi to Muslim'] )] ]An April 2005
NATO workshop heard that Myatt had called on "all enemies of the Zionists to embrace theJihad " against Jews and the United States.Karmon, Ely. [http://www.ict.org.il/apage/5208.php "The Middle East, Iran, Palestine: Arenas for Radical and Anti-Globalization Groups Activity"] .] Political scientist George Michael writes that Myatt has "arguably done more than any other theorist to develop a synthesis of the extreme right and Islam."Michael, George. (2006) "The Enemy of My Enemy : The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right". University Press of Kansas, p. 142.]Myatt came to public attention in 1999, a year after his Islamic conversion, when a pamphlet he wrote many years earlier, "A Practical Guide to Aryan Revolution", described as a "detailed step-by-step guide for terrorist insurrection,"Whine, Michael. [http://www.ict.org.il/articles/cyberspace.htm "Cyberspace: A New Medium for Communication, Command and Control by Extremists"] ] was said to have inspired
David Copeland , who left nailbombs in areas frequented by London's black, Asian, andgay communities. ] , BBC, June 30, 2000.] Three people died and 129 were injured in the explosions, several of them losing limbs.In addition to writing about Islam and National Socialism, Myatt has translated works by
Sophocles ,J. Michael Walton: "Found in Translation: Greek Drama in English", Cambridge University Press, 2006, pp.206, 221, 227]Sappho ,Gary Daher Canedo: "Safo y Catulo: poesía amorosa de la antigüedad", Universidad Nur, 2005.]Aeschylus , andHomer , and has written several collections of poems [http://www.geocities.com/davidmyatt/plink.html "The Poetry of D.W. Myatt"] .] and somescience fiction , using the name D.W. Myatt. [ [http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?keywords=D.W.%20Myatt&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AD.W.%20Myatt%2Ci%3Astripbooks D.W. Myatt's publications at Amazon.co.uk] .]Personal life
Myatt grew up in
Tanzania , where his father worked as a civil servant for the British government, and later in theFar East , where he studied themartial arts . He moved toEngland in 1967 to complete his schooling, and has said that he began a degree inphysics but did not complete it, leaving his studies to focus on his political activism. Myatt, David. [http://www.geocities.com/davidmyatt/notes1.html "Towards Identity and the Galactic Empire"] .] He is reported to live in theMidlands and to have been married three times.British anti-fascist magazine "Searchlight" has written of him: "He does not have the appearance of a Nazi ideologue ... [S] porting a long ginger beard, Barbour jacket, cords and a tweed flat cap, he resembles an eccentric country gentleman out for a Sunday ramble. But Myatt is anything but the country
squire , for beneath this seemingly innocuous exterior is a man of extreme and calculated hatred." "Searchlight", July 2000.]Political scientist George Michael has written that Myatt is an "intriguing theorist," with a reported IQ of 187, who has embarked over the years on a series of "
Faust ian quests." He studiedTaoism and spent time in a Buddhist and later a Christian monastery, Michael, George. (2006) "The Enemy of My Enemy : The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right". University Press of Kansas, p. 143.] and is alleged to have explored theoccult , as well asPaganism and what Michael calls "quasi-Satanic" secret societies, while remaining a committed National Socialist.Political activism
Myatt joined
Colin Jordan 'sBritish Movement , a neo-Nazi group, in 1968, where he sometimes acted as Jordan's bodyguard at meetings and rallies. [ Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas. "Hitler's Priestess: Savitri Devi, the Hindu-Aryan Myth and Neo-Nazism", NYU Press, 2000, p.215] From the 70s until the 90s, he remained involved withparamilitary and neo-Nazi organizations such asColumn 88 andCombat 18 , [Goodrick-Clark, N. (2001) pp.215-217 "". (chapter 11 in particular) ] [Lowles, N. (2001) "White Riot: The Violent Story of Combat 18". Milo Books, England; this edition 2003] and was imprisoned twice for violent offenses in connection with his political activism.Myatt was the founder and first leader of the
National Socialist Movement [Goodrick-Clark, N. (2001) p.50 ' ] of whichDavid Copeland was a member. He also founded the neo-Nazi organization the NDFM which was active in Leeds, England, in the 1970s, [Goodrick-Clark, N. (2001) p.217 ' ] and the neo-NaziReichsfolk group. [ Kaplan, Jeffrey. "Encyclopedia of White Power: A Sourcebook on the Radical Racist Right", Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc., 2000, pp. 216ff; pp. 512ff] .It is also alleged that he tried to establish a Nazi-occultist commune in
Shropshire . [" [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,891761,00.html Right here, right now] ", The Observer, February 9, 2003] [ [http://www.geocities.com/davidmyatt/biog.html David Myatt Biog ] ]Michael writes that Myatt took over the leadership of Combat 18 in 1998, when
Charlie Sargent , the previous leader, was jailed for murder.Alleged influence on David Copeland
In November 1997, Myatt posted an allegedly racist and anti-Semitic pamphlet he had written called "Practical Guide to Aryan Revolution" on a website run out of British Columbia, Canada by Bernard Klatt. The pamphlet included chapter titles such as "
Assassination ," "Terror Bombing," and "Racial War." [Vacca, John R. "Computer Forensics: Computer Crime Scene Investigation", Charles River Media, 2005, p.420 ISBN 1-58450-389-0] According to Michael Whine of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, " [t] he contents provided a detailed step-by-step guide for terrorist insurrection with advice on assassination targets, rationale for bombing and sabotage campaigns, andrules of engagement ."In February 1998, British police raided Myatt's home in
Worcestershire and removed his computers and files. He was subsequently charged with publishing hate material, but the case was dropped because the evidence supplied by the Canadian authorities was not enough to secure a conviction. [Vacca, John R. "Computer Forensics: Computer Crime Scene Investigation", Charles River Media, 2005, p.420 ISBN 1-58450-389-0]It was this pamphlet that, in 1999, allegedly influenced David Copeland, the London nailbomber — also a member of Myatt's National Socialist Movement — who planted homemade bombs in
Brixton ,Brick Lane , and inside theAdmiral Duncan pub onOld Compton Street in London, frequented by the black, Asian, and gay communities respectively. Friends John Light, Nick Moore, and Andrea Dykes and her unborn child died in the Admiral Duncan pub. Copeland told police he had been trying to spark a "racial war."According to the "BBC's" "Panorama", in 1998 when Myatt was leader of the NSM, he called for "the creation of racial terror with bombs."cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/audio_video/programmes/panorama/transcripts/transcript_30_06_00.txt|accessdate=2006-05-01|title=Insert title here] Myatt is also quoted by "Searchlight" as having stated that " [t] he primary duty of all National Socialists is to change the world. National Socialism means revolution: the overthrow of the existing System and its replacement with a National-Socialist society. Revolution means struggle: it means war. It means certain tactics have to be employed, and a great revolutionary movement organised which is primarily composed of those prepared to fight, prepared to get their hands dirty and perhaps spill some blood" ("Searchlight", July 2000).
Responding to the allegations, Myatt stated that " [n] either myself nor anyone else connected to the NSM can be held responsible for these bombs in any way," adding that, although " [a] ll bombs are terrible and barbaric" ... it is no excuse to say or write or believe that ... government-sponsored bombings are 'justified' because a state of war exists, while such bombings as the London 'nail bombings' can never be justified since they are 'terrorist'. It is no excuse because the individuals and/or organizations responsible for what are described as 'terrorist' acts believe or know they are fighting a war ..."cite paper |url=http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fmyatt.port5.com%2Ftexts%2Fno_regrets_a_reply_to_allegations_made_by_the_bbc.htm | accessdate=2006-05-01|title=No Regrets: A reply to allegations made by BBC|author=David Myatt] [ [http://www.gnosticliberationfront.com/david_myatt2.htm#no%20regrets No Regrets: A Reply to Allegations Made by BBC by David Myatt] ]
Conversion to Islam
Myatt converted to
Islam in 1998. He told writer George Michael that his decision to convert began when he took a job on a farm in England. He was working long hours in the fields and felt an affinity with nature, concluding that the sense of harmony he felt had not come about by chance. He told Michael that he was also impressed by the militancy of Islamist groups, and believed that he shared common enemies with Islam, namely "the capitalist-consumer West and international finance." Michael, George. (2006) "The Enemy of My Enemy : The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right". University Press of Kansas, p. 144.] [ibn Myatt, Abdul-Aziz " [http://www.geocities.com/abdulazizibnmyatt/autobiographicalnotes.htm Autobiographical Notes] ", Revised Yaumul Ahad 3 Jumaada al-Awal 1428]Some critics and observers have suggested that Myatt's conversion is insincere and "may be just a political ploy to advance his own failing anti-establishment agenda." cite news|url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/page.cfm?objectid=12645580&method=full&siteid=50002|accessdate=2006-05-01|title=Midland Nazi turns to Islam|date=2003-02-16|author=Amardeep Bassey|publisher=Birmingham Mail] Others, however, accept his conversion as genuine Miller, Rory (2007). British Anti-Zionism Then and Now. "Covenant", Volume 1, Issue 2 (April 2007 / Iyar 5767), Herzliya, Israel.] cite web|url=http://www.thecst.org.uk/docs/NATO%20advanced%20research%20workshop%2021%2008%2006.doc|accessdate=2007-03-23|title=Common Motifs on Jihadi and Far Right Websites] Steyn, Mark (2006). "American Alone", Regnery Publishing, USA, p.92. ISBN 0895260786] .
According to Fionnuala Bourke, Myatt wrote to
Nick Griffin , leader of theBritish National Party , in August 2004 urging him to embrace Islam cite web|url=http://www.davidmyatt.info/griffin.html|accessdate=2007-05-02|title=An Open Letter To Nick Griffin of the BNP] .Gerry Gable , editor of "Searchlight", dismissed the letter as a ploy: "Myatt is a self-publicist who has claimed to have taken up many guises, including being a monk. Satanism is probably his overriding inspiration. He still supports neo-Nazi groups and contributes to their websites. This letter is probably some kind of bluff in their favour." cite news|url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/printable_version.cfm?objectid=14485106&siteid=50002|accessdate=2006-05-01|title=Come and be a Muslim, Nick|date=2004-08-01|author=Fionnuala Bourke|publisher=Sunday Mercury] Myatt has always strenuously denied such allegations about Satanism: "For over twenty years, journalists, and [others] have been circulating rumours and making allegations about my personal involvement with Occultism and Satanism. This is despite the fact that I have denied and do deny ever having been a 'Satanist'... These rumours and allegations were started by, and are still circulated by, my enemies for one simple reason — to try and discredit me personally." "The National-Socialist" (March 1998, Thormynd Press, York, England).] .In addition, Myatt has repeatedly challenged anyone to provide any evidence of such malicious allegations, and even challenged two journalists - Nick Lowles (from "Searchlight") and Nick Ryan - to a duel for repeating such allegations, a challenge which they both declined. cite web|url=http://www.dwmyatt.info/jstatement_new.html|accessdate=2007-03-23|title=A Statement for Journalists] cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/davidmyatt/machinations1.html|accessdate=2007-03-21|title=The Machinations of Journalists]
According to an article in "
The Times " published onApril 24 ,2006 , Myatt believes that: "The pure authentic Islam of the revival, which recognises practical jihad as a duty, is the only force that is capable of fighting and destroying the dishonour, the arrogance, the materialism of the West ... For the West, nothing is sacred, except perhaps Zionists, Zionism, the hoax of the so-called Holocaust, and the idols which the West and its lackeys worship, or pretend to worship, such as democracy... Jihad is our duty. If nationalists, or some of them, desire to aid us, to help us, they can do the right thing, the honourable thing, and convert, revert, to Islam — accepting the superiority of Islam over and above each and every way of the West."Michael writes that Myatt's initial euphoria about Islam after his conversion did not last long, and he has recommitted himself to National Socialism, although he still admires Islam, and still uses his Muslim name on occasion. Michael, George. (2006) "
The Enemy of My Enemy : The Alarming Convergence of Militant Islam and the Extreme Right". University Press of Kansas, p. 146.] . Myatt denies this, and says he is still a Muslim. cite web|url=http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=1826|accessdate=2007-05-05|title=An Interview with Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt - IA Forums] cite web|url=http://www.dwmyatt.info/ibnmyatt_questions1.html|accessdate=2007-05-05|title=Questions for Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt] cite web|url=http://www.islamonline.net/livedialogue/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=61ud64|accessdate=2007-05-05|title=Islam OnLine]There has been some discussion on some Internet forums regarding whether some articles attributed to ibn Myatt were in fact written by him, or whether the dates given on some of those articles were genuine. Myatt has responded to this. [ [http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=1838 Omnipitus2006's obsession with Ibn Myatt - IA Forums ] ] [ [http://www.geocities.com/abdulazizibnmyatt/islam_honour_duty.htm Islam, Honour and Duty ] ] These rumours have brought some to question whether Myatt still is a Muslim. Myatt has responded to these allegations many times. [ [http://www.geocities.com/abdulazizibnmyatt/ibnMyattinMedia.htm Myatt in the media ] ]
"The Numinous Way of Folk Culture"
Myatt has written of what he calls "The
Numinous Way of Folk Culture" that " [o] ne way of effectively combating the New World Order is by creating new rural communities inspired by honourable, rational pagan/heathen beliefs — and the Numinous Way of Folk Culture is a step toward this.cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/davidmyatt/dm_interview.html|accessdate=2006-05-01|title=An Interview with David Myatt]He describes the "Numinous Way" as a new form of "heathenism" based on respect for the natural world and the principles of personal honour, compassion,cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/dwmyatt/compassion.html|accessdate=2006-07-11|title=Compassion, Empathy, and Honour] cosmic ethics, empathy, cite web|url=http://www.cosmicbeing.info/honour_question_suffering.html|accessdate=2007-05-05|title=Honour, Empathy and The Question of Suffering] [cite web|url=http://www.cosmicbeing.info/jstatement.html|accessdate=2007-05-05|title=A Statement for Journalists] loyalty to family, "folk" and community. The lifestyle is distinguished by the desire for personal freedom, the desire to learn, and a willingness to do one's communal duty. It is clear from Myatt's writings that the term "community" is defined in racial terms. He has written that those who uphold the "Numinous Way" should respect diversity and enhance their own culture while respecting the cultures of others, but that this should not lead to integration or to
miscegenation .
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