10 UNITED STATES V. MOHAMUD D. Introduction to FBI Undercover Agent “Youssef” 1. The Initial Email Contacts On June 23, 2010, an FBI undercover agent, using the alias “Youssef,” emailed Mohamud at his truthbespoken account and instructed him to set up a new “hushmail” email account that would be secure and encrypted. Mohamud responded later that same day: “assalamu alaykum [God be with you] brother how are you[?]” Two days later, Youssef emailed Mohamud again: Wa alaikoom salem. hamdullah i am good brother thank you for asking. i’m sorry for the delay in our communication, we’ve been on the move. jazakallah khairan for responding so soon. are you still able to help the brothers? in sha’allah, i’ll hear from you soon. Salem, Youssef. Mohamud responded the same day that he was unable to travel: i have been betrayed by my family, i was supposed to travel last year but Allah had decreed that i stay here longer than my heart desired. i am trying to find a way to go. i do not think i will be able to go for a while. i need to save up and also clear up somethings [sic]. look for my emails inshallah, i will contact you when i am able to travel. pray for me that allah will free my passage from the lands of the polytheists, peace be upon the