Brachman coined the phrase "jihobbyist" (
portmanteau of
jihad and
hobbyist) in his 2008 book
Global Jihadism: Theory and Practice. It is used to denote a person who is not an active member of a violent
jihadi organization such as
Al-Qaeda or the
Somali Al Shabaab, but who has a fascination with and enthusiasm for
jihad and
Islamic extremism. Jihobbyists "are fans in the same way other people might follow football teams. But their sport is Al-Qaeda," he explained in an interview after the
2009 Fort Hood shooting by
Nidal Malik Hasan, a Muslim American soldier who showed an interest in
jihadist websites and views in the months prior to the shooting. In his book, Brachman says a jihobbyist "may be an enthusiast of the global Jihadist movement, someone who enjoys thinking about and watching the activities of the groups from the first and second tiers but generally they have no connection to al-Qaida or any other formal Jihadist groups."
Colleen LaRose, who was investigated for terrorism and was known by the online moniker "Jihad Jane" is one example of a jihobbyist. Aaron Weisburd, who founded
Internet Haganah, criticized the term, writing: "The problem is that the term jihobbyist conveys the notion that these guys are not serious, that they do not constitute a threat. In fact what these guys are doing is marking time while waiting for the opportunities and associations to appear that will allow them to become real jihadis." Brachman responded by saying, in part, "[The term jihobbyist is] potentially useful in that it introduces shades of grey into the discussion: it acknowledges that people can support al-Qaida and wish death upon Americans, without ever 'joining up' officially", and that "The term, 'Jihobbyism,' also runs the risk of creating a
false dichotomy between those who 'do' and those who 'talk.' The premise is flawed because 'talking' is a form of 'doing.' It may be less immediate in its consequences, but as we've learned, talking can actually be more dangerous than blowing stuff up: talking can serve as a force multiplier". ==Works==