This porn overload hardly exonerates Motassadeq. It does raise a rather interesting series of questions that go directly to the ancient conflict of base human desire and religious piety. In other words, does al-Qaeda have an Elmer Gantry problem, or is this apparent madness for pornography designed to conceal a much more dangerous and brilliant method?
Whether in the fictional form of Elmer Gantry or The Scarlet Letter or in the real form of the downfall of Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Baker, stories of Christian Reverends who "stray" are prolific. Now the image of false religiosity intrudes into the most radical (and by its own account the most rigorous) form of Islam. Motassadeq's fascination with pornography is not unique. Inspections of other 9/11 terrorists' computer hard drives reveal extensive amounts of pornography. The 9/11 terrorists also frequented strip clubs - something no self-respecting follower of Islam would do.
Obviously pornography and terrorism are linked some way. Does al-Qaeda recruit its members in Internet chat rooms? Several captured terrorists are known to be frequent visitors to particular chat rooms and message boards. Perhaps the preferred "code" for attack planning is the language of sexual contact? Since pornography and Islam are two very incompatible ideals, porn sites are the last place investigators would expect terrorists to conduct their business, but often the place that seems the least likely is the most likely because it seems so unlikely.
One theory holds that al-Qaeda operatives visit strip clubs so they will seem to "fit in" with Western culture. Some data indicate porn sites are the most visited sites category on the Internet, but the annonymity among users of most porn sites would hardly convey the "I want to fit in" message. Combine with that the fact that most of the porn sites the terrorists allegedly visit offer content whose distribution is illegal in some countries, and you find another level of concealment: It is less likely anyone will report terrorist activities on porn sites because the reporter of the activities will risk prosecution for other reasons.
There is some investigation into the affiliation of various Islamic charities and terrorist organizations, but the terrorism/pornography link also warrants exploration. Perhaps the link is nothing more than a natural indication of the terrorists' immaturrity. Perhaps it is just a weird coincidence. Perhaps it is much deeper than that. All detainees should be questioned aboout their interest in pornography and why it should play such a peculiar role in a religion that does not allow a woman to show her face to a man other than her husband. In Islam any display of a woman's skin or hair is regarded as seductive and inappropriate. Therefore the logical conclusion is that porn sites are the ultimate gateway to succumbing to visual temptation. Succumbing to that extent of lack of restraint is not in keeping with the Koran's teachings. Those who say they give their lives for Allah and Mohammed no doubt taint their purity at the gates of Paradise for their avid voirism.
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