Longtime readers of Jihad Watch may remember Loonwatch, the hate site dedicated to smearing and defaming foes of jihad violence and Sharia oppression of women that was active about ten years ago, and was widely cited by Leftists and jihad enablers, even in the establishment media. It specialized in vicious personal abuse, ad hominem attacks, and windy “refutations” of my work and that of others that didn’t really refute a thing, but became additional platforms for more scorn and contempt for their targets.
In the article below, Asra Q. Nomani reveals that the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was behind it all along. Loonwatch has been inactive for years and so it scarcely matters at this point who was behind it. Years ago I was interested in suing the principal players involved in it for defamation, but could never find out exactly who they were. Now, of course, the statute of limitations has run out and no such action can be taken. It’s extremely curious that Nomani is going to the trouble at this late date to reveal what she knows, now that it is completely irrelevant information.
The story is strange. Exceedingly strange. Back in 2013, Asra Nomani contacted me. She was very friendly, sympathetic regarding the defamation I was getting from Loonwatch, and wanted to meet. So on August 5, 2013, we met for lunch at Union Station in Washington, D.C.; she brought along a young man whom she said was her nephew, which I thought was odd, as she had not said before that she was planning to bring anyone along, but the young man was as friendly as she was, so I didn’t think anything was amiss.
Nomani was quite interested in what I knew about Loonwatch. She volunteered the information to me that she knew the identity of Danios, one of Loonwatch’s most vociferous and unscrupulous attackers, whom I had wanted to sue for defamation. I asked her to tell me who he was, and she said she would, but not right away; she had some excuse that I have now forgotten, that made it necessary for her to tell me later. She said she would tell me soon. Meanwhile, she pressed me for everything I knew about one of the other public faces of the “Islamophobia” industry, that is, those who opposed and defamed foes of jihad terror, and I told her what I knew.
After the lunch, I asked her in emails several times to tell me who Danios was, as she had assured me she would do. However, she repeatedly and steadfastly refused, while growing progressively more hostile. After awhile, her hostility and determination to protect Danios was such that I started to wonder if she had been scouting for Loonwatch to see how much I knew about the people behind the Loonwatch website, and what kind of legal trouble, if any, they were in. That couldn’t possibly have been the case, right? But the story gets stranger from there: Danios went on to collect eight thousand dollars for a book that was to be a comprehensive refutation of my work, but then he absconded with the money, never producing the book or reimbursing his hapless donors. Then, eight years after my lunch with Nomani and her “nephew,” Danios finally revealed himself to be Javad T. Hashmi, the guy I debated in the fall of 2021. Asra appears to have protected him for years, for reasons unknown to me.
Now Nomani is apparently telling what she knows, when all possible statutes of limitations have run out, and the worst, most actionable material that Loonwatch published has been scrubbed from the moribund Loonwatch site. It even looks as if Nomani is still protecting Hashmi: note that in her article below, she reveals the identity of Loonwatch writers “Garibaldi” and “Emperor,” but not “Danios,” although she does mention him. Then, when discussing Ghazala Hashmi, she goes out of her way to tell us that Ghazala is not related to Javad Hashmi, whom she had not previously mentioned. Now, Javad Hashmi is hardly a household name, and it’s standard practice in articles and books to explain who someone is the first time he is mentioned, unless they’re internationally famous. Surely Nomani doesn’t think Javad Hashmi is internationally famous. Was she just careless in not explaining who he is? Or could there have been a previous mention of Javad Hashmi in the article that was removed? Might Asra Nomani, unaware that Danios has already outed himself, have removed an identification of Danios with Javad Hashmi from the article? Otherwise why does she bring up Javad Hashmi out of the blue in an article about Loonwatch, with which he was intimately involved, and yet never mentions that he was actually involved with Loonwatch?
Javad Hashmi himself, meanwhile, has gone from bad to worse. See the Twitter thread here for details.
What was Asra Nomani’s game all those years ago? I will probably never know. But a great deal more was going on, and likely still is, than she lets on with the crusading-for-righteousness pose she affects in the article below.
UPDATE Feb 22: After this post was published, Javad T. Hashmi tagged Nomani in a tweet about it, to which she responded with specific charges against him (which he unctuously denied, likely because Loonwatch’s archives have been carefully scrubbed so he can’t be shown to be lying so easily). Nomani did not deign to reply to my post above, or to explain why she protected Hashmi for so many years. But it is, in any case, clear that she knows he outed himself, and she discusses him at length in her book.
Incidentally, in her Unherd article, she also studiously omits all mention of my name from her lists of Loonwatch’s targets, although I was its chief target, and she had told me during our lunch that she was intending to publish a public defense of my work. I don’t need any defense of my work from her or anyone; it stands or falls on its own merits, but the point is that since then, it’s clear that while she rejects the character assassination of the Loonwatch writers, she has completely accepted that which is carried out by the likes of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and so would never defend publicly someone whom they have smeared as an “Islamophobe” and who is not in favor among Leftists. In any case, in the squabble between Nomani and the former Loonwatch writers, neither side appears to be exactly a paragon of integrity.
I’ve also just learned that in her new book, Nomani slyly endorses the defamatory smear word “Islamophobe” for me, saying: “People like Spencer are provocateurs whose confrontational style makes them easy targets for the term ‘Islamophobe.’ But they are armed with significant knowledge and aren’t always wrong.” I hereby challenge her, though she will likely never see this, to document an instance in which I am wrong about anything regarding Islam, jihad and Sharia. Nomani appears to be one of many who profess to oppose jihad violence and Sharia oppression while shunning (as if there were something wrong with them) or denouncing others who oppose the same things, in order to gain acceptance from the mainstream Left and establishment Right.
She also says in the book that she reneged on revealing to me Danios’ identity because she had to wait to corroborate it. In our conversation in August 2013, however, and in numerous email exchanges thereafter, she never gave a hint that she was not certain about the identity of Danios. So once again: why did she protect him all those years? And why all the duplicity?
“The acceptable face of radical Islam,” by Asra Q. Nomani, Unherd, February 21, 2023:
LoonWatch.com was born on April Fool’s Day 2009. At precisely 20:33:38, someone used the pseudonym “Zuhair Thomas” to register the new website with GoDaddy, an internet service provider based in Arizona. What “Zuhair” created was a platform for anonymous character assassins, who used the names of little-known fish species — “Emperor”, “Garibaldi”, “Danios”, “Darter” — to conceal their identities. Their targets were so-called “loons”: anyone who spoke out against Islamic extremism, or in favour of Muslim reform.
For years, they targeted me, calling me an “Islamophobe”. I am a Muslim. But I had had the temerity to call out Muslim establishment leaders who won’t acknowledge the Islamic extremism lying at the heart of crimes such as those of the Boston Marathon bombers….
After a decade of research, I have revealed the architects of LoonWatch in my new book, Woke Army. They are none other than officials at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, which presents itself as the face of American Islam and the nation’s largest Muslim “civil rights” organisation. It is anything but. Rather, CAIR is a front for an extremist form of Islam. (The organisation didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment.) I also discovered that it is not acting alone. Although the internet often makes cancellations seem like spontaneous uprisings, the kind of character assassinations taking place on LoonWatch are targeted attacks by a loosely organised coalition of leftists and Islamist sympathisers. They seek to destroy, in the court of public opinion, anyone who strays from the “progressive” party line….
The creation of LoonWatch — a watering-hole for these extremists — presented an opportunity to unmask some of the individuals enabling this hate. In 2018, I filed a defamation lawsuit, Nomani v. John Doe et al., winning the power to subpoena internet service providers for the real identities of 48 “John Doe” anonymous attackers. This led me to a treasure-trove of files, including one that revealed the identity of “Zuhair Thomas”.
His order was recorded in GoDaddy’s internal “Shopper Info” files with the note: “Verified by Fraud Dept — Customer OK”. But data in the documents makes it possible to identify “Zuhair” as Muhammad Tauseef Akbar, a staffer at CAIR’s Chicago chapter, who used the moniker “Garibaldi” to harass critics of the organisation. Over the years, the bills for the account he set up were paid by the credit card of Ahmed Rehab, a longtime official with CAIR’s national headquarters and the executive director of CAIR Chicago. Rehab’s email, home address and work phone number appeared on the documents, although he used “Emperor” as his fake name on LoonWatch. This GoDaddy account also bought other websites on which CAIR critics were anonymously attacked — including IslamophobiaToday.com and IslamophobiaSucks.com….
Establishment Muslims and their far-Left sympathisers strike more openly now. Earlier this month, on the floor of the Virginia Senate, state Senator Ghazala Hashmi, a Muslim American from India (no relation to Javad Hashmi), hurled the “white supremacist” smear at another Indian-American woman of colour, albeit a Hindu one….
Walter Sieruk says
One line of this above ,jihadwatch posting has the sentence title by Asra Q. Nomani which is “The acceptable face of radical Islam,”
Nomnai used that term “radical Islam. ” That in some ways is similar to using the term “Radical Muslim” which is actually a misuse of terms.
For example, the two words “Moderate Muslim” are actually Western term and not that well known in the Islamic Middle East. This is because what In the Islamic mindset in the Muslim Middle East as well as in Indonesia and other Muslim controlled countries what the non-Muslims of the Western nations view as “radical and “extremist” the Muslims of those places in the world see as “Normal” and even Devout and committed to the Cause of Islam.”
In addition , those “Moderate Muslims” are those of the Islamic worldview and non-devout and non –committed Muslims. The violent jihadists even see them as “hypocrites.” Therefore, this explains the jihadist chant of those jihad-minded Muslims in different Islamic terror organizations. When they chant out loud “Death to infidels and hypocrites.” Meaning Death to people who and not Muslims and people who are non- jihadist Muslims.
Concerning the last part of this above essay, the violent spirit of that vicious jihadist chant “Death to infidels and hypocrites.” The later word of the chant “hypocrites” in the jihad –minded Muslim worldview is further explain in the book titled JIHADIST PSYCHOPATH by Jamie Glazov , for on page 42 the reader is informed that “Islam mandates that devout and real Muslims must punish , and in some circumstances kill, those Muslims whom they regard as neither legitimate nor properly devout.”
Walter Sieruk says
Asra Q Nomani used the term “Radical Islam.” Many scholars on Islam ,such as Brigitte Gabriel and Robert Spencer, had explain that the terms “Radical Islam” and “Moderate Islam” Western terms and are unknown to the Islamic world. As one of their leader said “Islam is Islam”
Furthermore, a Muslim in an Islamic country would view that a Westerner would call a “Radical Muslim” in a Muslim nation he would be seen as a “devote Muslim” who is totally committed to the cause of Islam by the way of the violent jihad,
By contrast what a Westerner would call a “moderate Muslim’ many Muslims in Asia as well as the Middle East call a Muslim who is not really living up to his faith in Islam by not taking up arms in the violence and killing of the jihad for Islam.
Therefore many of Muslim, overseas , would call him a “hypocrite” This is way many devote Muslim who are violent jihadists gather together in a group and chant “Death to infidels and hypocrites ” Meaning “Death to non-Muslims and non-violent, jihadist Muslims.
somehistory says
My memory, which often fails or misdirects me, tells me that Mr.. Spencer wrote of this meeting with this woman and her “nephew” in a previous post.
mozlums pretend to be friendly, and often ask questions of non mozlums in a deceitful way to gain information, intending to use it against the one who takes them at *face value.”
Psychopaths do this, gaining information they can use to their advantage, often doing injury or hurt to the one answering the questions posed by the deceitful psychopath.
This mozlum woman, taught by her mozlum instructors to lie, wants to make some money off those with whom she interacted, pretending that she’s ome kind of *moral* mozlum.
Imo, there is no such thing as “moral mozlum.” Or a Truthful one.
Robert Spencer says
I don’t believe I’ve ever written about any of this before. But it may be that my own memory fails me.
somehistory says
Mr. Spence, you know more about your experiences than I, so you are probably right. It just seems that you did. Perhaps it was another person with whom you met .
In any case, thanks for the reply and for writing about it.today.
somehistory says
I’m sorry I left the “r” off your name.
GOLDMANN says
Mr Spencer ! . 🙂 I have been reading you column for a while now . ♥️ The truth you can be trusted to tell. I pray for your safety every day. 🙂 I am being informed what is happening in this world about Muslims .😡 all thanks to you. ♥️ Sir. God bless you . l bought l of your books. I admire your intelligent way of writing and speaking , l can’t understand the long words you write,wish l had the excellent vocabulary as you have . .♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Linde B. says
It does seem like Asra Q. Nomani was:
1) looking to pick Robert Spencer’s brain
because he is soooo very smart, 😎
2) wanting to be viewed as a lady who
thought Islam should not be depicted as
violent and prejudicial to non-Muslims
even though that is one of the basic tenets of Islam 😈 and
3) hoping to make a few bucks off a “tell
all” book she wrote about the nasty
guys in CAIR but did not want to seem
like she was “attacking” them, just stating
the facts of what they did to defend Islam
for the satanic religion it is. 🤪
Who will the next “Looney Bird” be? 😂
somehistory says
that sounds about right, Linde B.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Robert, in spite of the statute of limitations running out, if you ever need to sue CAIR, you can mention their involvement in Loonwatch, as well as the fact that they hid it so assiduously that they could not be sued, which is why they weren’t sued then when the Statute of Limitations still hadn’t run out
James Lincoln says
Infidel,
I’m not an attorney, but there are several exceptions to the statute of limitations.
Not sure if any one of them apply in this case…
https://www.rothmanlawyer.com/exceptions-to-a-statute-of-limitations/
NoLibsWelcomeHere says
CAIR is a terrorist organization. It’s supporters, members, and officers are terrorists. They should be treated as terrorists.
allahu’s snackbar! The place for pork!
Rod Serling says
I recall “Danios” as a particularly vile, deceitful, internet sociopath who dedicated years of his life to the character assassination of opponents of jihad and sharia, mainly Robert and Pamela. The Loonwatch (apparently part of CAIR if Nomani is right) crew focussed on others as well, anyone even a little bit well known who had anything critical to say about Islam.
I didn’t keep records of a lot of the terrible, vulgar, racist, and violent stuff they used to post in their “articles” or allow to be posted in their comment section, but Nomani should be able to produce the records.
Perhaps Nomani withheld Danios’ identity from Robert to save her “scoop”? But she appears to have used deception, as some journalists do, to obtain information from someone by making a false promise.
Rod Serling says
Update: I take back the “appears to have used deception”/ “false promise” part. I’m not in a position to comment on Nomani’s intentions or reasons. Otherwise, I stand by my comments about Loonwatch.
somehistory says
James, at one time there was a limit on charging a person with rape, so many, many of them got away with it.
Then, the law was changed so that DNA could be charged with rape. That way, if the donor was ever found, he could be tried and there was no limit to the number of years.
Also, there is a way to know who has written something by comparing something else they have written, because people use the same words, phrasing, etc. in everything they write.
As the crime of libel was committed by the creeps at loonwatch, but at the time their identities were unknown, and now some of them, at least, are known, a suit might be possible based on their writing habits. And on this woman having written about it. Of course, she would be called as a witness, like it or not.
Another thing is the State in which the crime was committed, as the site you cited makes clear. Where was the crime committed? That affects how long one would have to sue.
Most states have a limit of two or three years for a personal injury, such as, slipping down in a store, auto accident, etc,,, to make a claim for damages.
An attorney who deals in such things would know the options. And the attorneys on the site you linked, say they do such and are happy to consult.
It might just be worth a phone call. Perhaps it could be found that these liars were out of country, which also affects lawsuits.
James Lincoln says
somehistory,
Thank you for your detailed reply and added info.
There are exceptions to the statute of limitations in medical malpractice cases, depending upon the jurisdiction, etc.
Oftentimes, if person was harmed as a minor, they may sue if the injury was “discovered / appreciated” when they reach majority. Could be a lot of lawsuits moving forward regarding gender reassignment surgery on minors.
Also, in adults, a lawsuit may be filed against a surgeon if an injury was “discovered” many years after the surgery. The classic example is a retained sponge that had not been accounted for.
somehistory says
Thank you, James. Therre ae “laws” but for each one, there are usually many exceptions, and a person needs a competent attorney to sort it all out and help them.
And, lawyers need others experienced in research to assist in getting to the necessary information to help the client.
I recall some years ago when laws were changed to help young people who had been raped, molested, etc. but had forgotten about it until they were older. The laws made it possible to have the rapist/molester arrested and charged, even many years after the crime.
And this whole trans thingy….anyone’s guess about how many will see the inside of a courtroom….the fines and payouts to the victims could well bankrupt many so-called “doctors.”
somehistory says
related
“CAIR’s Shoot First, Ask Questions Never Defamation Defense
by Steven Emerson
IPT News
February 22, 2023
https://www.investigativeproject.org/9311/cair-shoot-first-ask-questions-never-defamation“
FarahNaeem says
Loonwatch was indeed an Islamist outfit. And Asra’s role is shameful, she should have supported you.
Did you know Ilisha? Her identity was outed too. She used to hang around at Harrys Place after Loonwatch, she was a major enabler of Loonwatch, her real name is Cheryl Lynn Hutchinson, from Ohio,
she converted to Islam, and Danios had her head Loonwatch
https://ilishalennawatch.wordpress.com/2021/11/06/ilisha-aka-lenna-of-loonwatch-i-can-haz-khilafah-and-world-community/
FarahNaeem says
Bob, you can still sue Javed Hashmi and Rehab Ahmad for defamation,