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Bashir
A foremost exponent of the tiny minority of extremists is appealing to the vast majority of moderate, peaceful Muslims for support. From Straits Times, with thanks to Nicolei:
JAKARTA - Lawyers for jailed cleric Abu Bakar Bashir plan to lobby Indonesia's largest Islamic groups to support a battle against fresh terror charges, attorneys said yesterday. Bashir's supporters insist police are acting against him because of the US. Bashir's attorney will meet the Indonesian Ulamas Council - the country's most influential Islamic body - today, said lawyer Wirawan Adnan.Meetings with leaders of the large Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Islamic organisations will take place next week, he added.
'We hope these people will support our efforts,' he said.
The United States has reiterated its allegations that Bashir is a terror leader.
The militant cleric's supporters maintain that police are acting against him because of US pressure.
Last week, police officially named Bashir a terror suspect and said he was likely to be charged over alleged links with the Jemaah Islamiah terror group and 2002 nightclub bombings on Bali.
Bashir, 65, is now in jail for minor immigration offences after the Supreme Court cleared him of earlier treason and terror charges. He is due to be freed on April 30, but the fresh accusations against him make this unlikely.
'We have long believed there is extensive evidence of Abu Bakar Bashir's leadership role and personal involvement in terror activities,' said a US Embassy spokesman.
Bashir's lawyers said they hoped to generate public support and sympathy for their client, forcing the government to drop any new charges against him for fear of being seen as anti-Muslim.
Mr Adnan said the US wanted Bashir imprisoned because of his vocal support for Islamic causes worldwide.
The developments come at a politically sensitive time in the world's most populous Muslim nation, as candidates seek Muslim support ahead of presidential polls on July 5.
Asked about the evidence US officials said existed to back its claims, Mr Adnan pointed to accusations made about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.
'They lied once, they are lying again,' he said.
Bashir has denied involvement in terror activities, but has sharply criticised US policies in the Muslim world.
Yesterday, he endorsed the bombing of US interests in Iraq and called the Bali bombers misguided but praiseworthy fighters. He also indicated that attacking the US government on American soil was acceptable.
'If you want to oppose American interests with a bomb in Iraq, it can be done, in Afghanistan, it can be done, because they are conflict areas. Or, let's say, in America itself,' Bashir told reporters at a Jakarta jail.
Posted by Robert at April 20, 2004 10:03 AM
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"Bashir's lawyers said they hoped to generate public support and sympathy for their client, forcing the government to drop any new charges against him for fear of being seen as anti-Muslim."
"'If you want to oppose American interests with a bomb in Iraq, it can be done, in Afghanistan, it can be done, because they are conflict areas. Or, let's say, in America itself,' Bashir told reporters at a Jakarta jail."
jihad formula exposed........
Posted by: ted at April 20, 2004 11:19 AMHis name is Ba-Asyir, which is pronounced Baa-Asheer. The name is Yemeni in origin.
Posted by: Yusuf Smith at April 20, 2004 1:02 PMJust help me understand this now Yusuf. The problem you have with that story is his name is spelt wrong?
His advice that it's ok to bomb America though, thats not worthy of any comment? That the Bali bombers are praise worthy figures?
Keep the "Dream Speakers" nominees for the "Dream Conference" coming. Fourteen so far, excluding overlaps.
Posted by: cubed at April 20, 2004 1:38 PMO Bashir: Few Indonesians are likely to be allowed into the United States at any time, Mr. Bashir. And those that do get in will be closely scrutinized by the authorities.O Bozo Bashir, you have no knowledge about the veracuty of the Koran, its t4eachings, or its origins. They could easily prove fraudulent--especially in view of the fact that Islam PREDATES the koran by over 1000 years. You have absolutely NO physical proof to confirm any Islamic beliefs. The Koran states the world is flat. Whether or not Americans or other non-muslims are 'infidels' is your opinion. Nothing more. You don't scare us. Hell, you couldn't even outthink a snail. Any Indonesians' hopes of unleashing mayhem on the American people will come to nothing. And if they did, what do you think would be left of you and your rathole Islamic world empire?
Posted by: L'orange at April 20, 2004 11:28 PM
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