Charting Bin Laden's Death Among English-Speaking Jihadis Online

It's been four weeks since the death of Osama bin Laden. I thought it might be interesting to take a look at activities on one of the more significant English language jihadist forums -- Ansar Al Mujahideen. Click here for stats from the Arabic Hanein forum.

See also:

Charting Bin Laden's Death Among Arabic-Speaking Hardcore Jihadis Online

Charting Bin Laden's Death On An Arabic-Language, Jihad-Friendly Forum

Over the last four weeks, there were 525 threads created on Ansar, of which 111 were primarily concerned with bin Laden and his death. By way of comparison, 27 threads dealt mainly with the Arab Spring and only two were devoted to Anwar Awlaki (this among English-speaking jihadis, his supposed core constituency).

The following breakdown by week shows the progression of the story. Ansar was down two days during the first week and one day during the second week, but even so you can see the spike. At its peak, the death of bin Laden took up 37.1 percent of the forum's threads.

Of the Arab Spring threads, Libya and Yemen were very well represented, with other fronts receiving only an occasional mention. The "other" category includes the usual press releases from various jihad fronts, announcements of media releases and news stories about jihad from mainstream media.

Roughly a third of the bin Laden threads were based on mainstream news sources. The spike in postings on the second week came with the official confirmation of bin Laden's death by Al Qaeda, and a series of condolence statements from various AQ affiliates.

The data set includes threads deleted by moderators and threads with duplicate content posted by different authors. Exact duplicate threads were deleted. I judged the content based primarily on the headlines but looked up individual threads when the headline was unclear.

On the Arab Spring category, I had to make judgment calls on a couple of threads dealing with fighting in Yemen. Threads primarily concerned with AQAP were omitted from the count (there were only a handful like this), but threads describing fighting without citing AQAP in the headline were counted as Arab Spring references.

Here's a look at the bin Laden thread titles, sorted by date:

Is our Shaikh Osama Bin Laden dead?

Sheikh Usama bin Laden reported shaheed (Insha'Allah) by the kuffar

May Allah increase you rank in Jannah o Sheikh Usamah!

CNN : Inside the Raid of Killing "Sheikh Usamah"

::: Video Statement ::: Commander Waliu al-Rahman H.A / Sheikh Osama Bin laden is alive and doing well!

Ex-CIA Official - Bin Laden Should Be Respected

Fake Picture circulating of the Body of Shaykh Usama (Fake!!!!!)

IEA: Statement by the Official Spokesman about What Obama Announced Regarding the Martyrdom of Shaykh Usama Bin Laden 5/3/2011

The moment of the raid in pictures

::: Video Statement ::: Commander Waliu al-Rahman H.A / Sheikh Osama Bin laden is alive and doing well!

{{{{{obama Killed}}}}}

Usama is Alive!!! Sheikh Husain b. Mahmoud

Pakistan Refuses To Hand Over Bin Laden's Shot Wife To US

Yemen's Qaeda vows to avenge bin Laden

::: New Artcile ::: [ Sheikh Osama Bin Laden between Jihad and Martydom for the sake of Allah ] "By the poor servant of Allah (ANSAR)"

Advice to Muslims on the Death of Osama bin Ladin by Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad

As-Sahab Media ::Presents:: Why do not grieve over your heart? "By Sheikh Khalid al-Hosainaan H.A"

Top Al shabaab official denies he was killed

Egypt Salafi Cleric Says Bin Laden Died A Martyr

Obama REFUSES to release photos of OBL

# The Victory of Allah is near # As-Sahab Media ::Presents:: Jihad of the Soul "By Sheikh Khalid al-Hosainaan H.A"

Al-Andalus Media: Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb: "Condolence and Congratulation for the Ummah on its Loss of Our Shaykh Usama bin Laden

Al-Fajr Media: The General Command of Al-Qaedah: A Statement Concerning the Defiant Battle, and the Martyrdom of Sheikh Usama bin Laden (may Allah have mercy on him)

Al-Qaida group in Iraq supports Zawahiri, vows revenge for bin Laden death

GIMF: The General Command of Al-Qaedah "You Live a Praised Life and You Died a Marty"- A Statement Concerning the Defiant Battle, & the Martyrdom of Usama bin Laden R.A.

Interview: Michael Scheuer, former CIA bin Laden tracker

Osama bin Laden “Bleeds” US Economy, Strategy Remains In Place

Pakistan PM: 'We Did Not Hide Bin Laden'

Pentagon releases new Osama bin Laden footage

The Cost of bin Laden: $3 Trillion Over 15 Years

Dar Al Murabiteen Publications- Farewell O Honourable Shiekh!

Demo + Janazah in London for Shaykh Usama after Jummah

Islamic State of Iraq / Statement on the Martyrdom of the Mujahid Shaykh Usama bin Laden ||05-09

Kavkaz , UnJust Media "Command of al-Qaeda confirms martyrdom of Sheikh Osama bin Laden"

Reaction to Martherdom(InshaAllah) of Shaykh Osama(rahimAllah) from Turkey!

Statement of the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Regarding the Martyrdom of the Great Martyr Sheik Osama bin Laden

How Jihadis are reacting to bin Laden's death

I met Sheikh Osama Bin Laden

# Here We Renew The Covenant # A Collection of Video & Audio Statements "The

Legacy of Sheikh Usama bin Laden" (may Allah accept him)

Abdullah Azzam Brigades || Statement to the Ummah - Usama You are the Glory and the Splendor

Ansar al-Islam: Congratulating the Islamic nation on the occasion of the martyrdom of the Lion of Islam the Mujahid Abu Abdillah Usama bin Laden

Ansar al-Mujahideen Arabic Forum: Presents: Visual Excerpts from the Words of Shaykh al-Jihad {Osama bin Laden} may Allah accept him

In the Footsteps of Sheikh Osama Bin Laden

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan statement about the martyrdom of Sheik Osama bin Laden

Joint Statement from Shamukh al-Islam & Ansar al-Mujahideen Arabic Forum: The Rise of Our Imams, Verily We are Walking in Their Footsteps

Muslims VS Munafiq: Clashes between Muslims and Munafiq "Imam" in Kuwait regarding performing Salaat "al-Gha'ib"for Osama Bin Laden R.A (Images and video)

Somalia's al Shabaab vows to avenge bin Laden

Statement from Al-Fajr Center for Media || Condolences and Congratulations to the

Islamic Ummah on the Occasion of the Martyrdom of the Lion of Islam, Shaykh Usama

Statement from Al-Fajr Media Center: Condolence and Congratulations to the Ummah of Islam at the Event of the Martyrdom of the Lion of Islam, Sheikh Usama bin Laden

Statement from Minbar at-Tawḥid wa’l-Jihad: On the Martyrdom of Shaykh al-Mujahideen and Jihād, Sheikh Usama bin Laden (may Allah accept him in Eleeyeen)

Yemeni Al-Qaeda chief warns jihad will intensify

Bin Laden Sons Say U.S. Broke International Law

CNN: Reports about the escape of Hamza bin Osama bin Laden from the American raid on the Abbottabad

Flashpoint Partners: Exclusive Interview with TTP Spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan: Threatens Pakistan and US for UBL’s Death

I knew Bin Laden - Aljazeera program

Statement Issued by the Sons of Sheikh Usama bin Laden

Ansar al-Mujahideen Arabic Forum: Legacy of Sheikh Osama bin Laden may Allah accepted him (Video & Audio)

Missing: One 'Crown Prince Of Terror' (Hamza bin Laden)
Pictures from the Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen conference entitled: 'We are all Usama'

Somalia's Islamists vow to avenge bin Laden's death

The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan: The Martyrdom Of Sheikh Osama Will Not Benefit America

The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan: The Martyrdom Of Sheikh Osama Will Not Benefit America

Al Jazeera World: I knew bin Laden

Bin Laden's wife: 'I want to be martyred with you'

Eulogies and fury: Jihadists eager to avenge bin Laden's death

Noam Chomsky: My Reaction to Osama bin Laden’s Death

**TAKBIR!** |REVENGE| Twin bombs kill at least 80 FC apostates in Charsadda, Pakistan

Abu Mansour Al-Ameriki speech at the "We are all Osama" conference

AQAP: Crusader-USA Will Miss The Days When Shaykh Usamah (RH) Was Alive

How Did Shaykh Usamaah earn his martyrdom?

IEA: Martyrdom Of Shaykh Usamah Will Not Benefit Crusader-USA

Bin Laden death: Security fears for US Navy Seal team

English translation of "Interview of Shaykh Usamah bin Laden (Rahimahullah) with

Al-Jazeera reporter Tayseer Allouni on Shaban 5, 1422 A.H. (October 21st, 2001)"

Kuffar want to insult our Beloved Sheikh Osama (ra)

GIMF: Obituary and Congratulation to the Ummah of Islam for the Martyrdom of the Lion of Islam, Usama bin Laden

Sheikh Osama and Inspire Magazine

Pakistan Gov says Drone Strikes must stop, no enquiry for Bin Laden Raid

Get To Know Shaykh Usamah (RH) Through His Risalah

In the memory of beloved Sheikh OSAMA BIN LADEN

Obama's Grandmother Threatened by Al-Qaida

Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus: Emir Dokku Abu Usman (HA) talks about Sheikh Usama, the losses suffered by the mujahideen, and the Arab revolutions

Al-Qadisiyyah Media: Urdu Translation of the Statement Concerning the Defiant Battle, & the Martyrdom of Usama bin Laden R.A.

Chechnya: Amir Dokku Abu-Uthman Speaks On Shaykh Usamah Ibn Ladin (RH) & Casualties Of Mujahideen

Clarifying The Lame-Old-Claim Of Shaykh Usamah Ibn Ladin (RH) Being An 'Agent'

Youth Mujahideen Movement [General Command]: Message of condolence for the martyrdom of Imam Sheikh Usama bin Laden (May Allah Have Mercy On Him)

Youth Mujahideen Movement: Holding a Jihadist Conference entitled "We Are All Usama" in the Islamic province of Lower Shabelle (05/16/2011)

Al Qaeda after Bin Laden - Abdel Bari Atwan

Al Qaeda releases posthumous bin Laden audio recording

Munafiqeen Rejoice: Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-'Abbaad on the Killing of Bin Laden 'al-Khaarijee'

Osama Bin Laden's Death: A Leader's Wish Fulfilled | Abdel Bari Atwan

Pakistani Newspaper: Saifal Adel made acting al-Qaeda chief

Pakistani Taliban warns of Retaliation for Sheikh Usama's Martyrdom
So-

Called Scholars view of Sheikh Usama Ibn Ladin (Rahimahullah)

Why bin Laden was radicalized - Abdel Bari Atwan

"Shaykh Bin Laden's Wives and Children are Our Kinsfolk and Honour; Every Muslim is Duty Bound to Defend their Honour" - Abdel Bari Atwan

As-Sahab Media: presents: The Last Speech of the Martyr of Islam - as we see him - [Shaykh Usama Bin Laden] "To The Muslim Ummah"

"Security and Intelligence" - by the Commander Saif al-Adel with an Explanation by Abdullah Bin Adam

Last public word of Shaykh Osamah bin Laden RA)

Jihad Media Center: Presents: [Transcript] ~ [Graphic Design] of the Speech by the Lion, Sheikh Usama bin Laden "To the Muslim Ummah"

O American... this is Osama // Penned by Sheikh Husain Bin Mahmoud (H.A)

Anger simmers in Pakistani army over bin Laden raid

GIMF: The English translation of As-Sahab's audio release - The Speech by the Martyr of Islam (As We Consider Him‪)‬ The Mujahid Sheikh Usama Bin Laden - May Allah Have

Professor Abdel-Bari Atwan, commenting on the martyrdom of Shaykh Usama Bin Laden [(ARABIC)]

Sheikh Uthaymeen regarding his meeting with Sheikh Usama Rahimahullah
Tehreek Taliban Pakistan: The Expedition of Sheikh Usama bin Laden R.A {Karachi}

From Usama bin Laden to his muslim ummah (bosnian)

A consolidated statement of between AMEF, AMAF and Shumukh on the killing of Sheikh Usama Bin Laden R.A.

Sudan: Statement On Sh.Usamah Ibn Laadin by Dr. Abdul Hayy Yousef

The Allegiance of Commander az-Zarqaawee (Rahimahullah) to the Shaykh of the Mujaahideen, Shaykh Osamah ibn Ladin (Rahimahullah)

Soon with the Permission of Allah(swt) from As-Sahab Media Foundation

do they hate osama ra?

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Labels: Al-Qaeda, Anwar-Awlaki, Jihadist-Forums, Osama-Bin-Laden

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