British think tank: Ridicule is a potent weapon against Al Qaeda

Demos says that terrorists have more in common with football hooligans and street gangs who are seeking “street cred” than with other Muslims.

It says those that turn to terrorism are often just “angry young men” who are rebelling against the status quo and see joining al-Qaeda as “cool,” “romantic” or “glamorous.”

The report says that satire could be used to strip the “al-Qaeda brand” of its glamour and mystique.

Jamie Bartlett, co-author of the report, said: “For a minority, al-Qaeda might seem a ‘cool’ gang to join, even though the truth is that its members are ignorant and incompetent.