Islamic State threatens to 'slaughter' controversial blogger Geller
The controversial anti-Islamist blogger earned the ire of the Islamic State (also known as ISIS, or ISIL) for creating an art exhibition in Texas that encouraged the public to draw cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
The threat was posted on the forum, which is favored by the IS and its supporters. The message said that Geller, or anyone who "hides or hosts her," would become "legitimate targets" for IS militants. The terrorist group also said they would send jihadists to "achieve her slaughter."
The message said that the attack by ISIS was only the "beginning of our efforts to establish a wiliyah in the heart of our enemy." However, the writers incorrectly spelt the world "wilayah," which means authority or governance in Arabic, the reports.The post, which has not been verified by independent sources, also added that the group had "71 trained soldiers in 15 different states ready at our world to attack." Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, California and Michigan were specifically mentioned as states where IS militants were operating.
The message also said 23 "fighters" had allegedly signed up to take part in "missions," which would be similar to Sunday's attempted terror attack in Garland, Texas, which ISIS claimed responsibility for.
The gunmen, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, who were roommates from Phoenix, both died in the attack, something the writers of the note said they were expecting, as they knew the event would be well protected. It later emerged that the organizers spent $10,000 on making sure the event would be safe.
"Our intention was to show how easy we give our lives for the Sake of Allah," the post said.
In response to the threats, Geller said she would step up her own public security, though declined to comment further on the issue. She did leave a small reply to the post on her website in which she spoke of the need to "stand up for the freedom of speech," adding that the threat "illustrates the savagery and barbarism of the Islamic State."
"They want me dead for violating Sharia blasphemy laws," Geller said. "What remains to be seen is whether the free world will finally wake up and stand for the freedom of speech, or instead kowtow to this evil and continue to denounce me."
The American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), which is led by Geller, organized the event in Texas, entitled "Mohammed Art Exhibition and Contest." She said she wanted to create it following the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris in January after the satirical magazine had published cartoons of the Prophet.
Following the shooting, Geller, who has been behind a series of anti-Hamas adverts displayed on transportation networks across the US, wrote a statement on her website saying: "This is war on free speech."
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