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Same media obfuscation in the original headline that I noted here. He didn't do all this because he is a Pakistani immigrant, or a high school dropout. He did all this because he believed that it was a proper response for him to make as a Muslim to the perceived injustice of Abu Ghraib. "Pakistani immigrant convicted in NYC plot," from AP, with thanks to Andrew Bostom:
NEW YORK - A high school dropout who drew the attention of undercover police with his anti-American rants after Sept. 11 was convicted Wednesday of plotting to blow up one of Manhattan's busiest subway stations in retaliation for the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.A federal jury in Brooklyn deliberated two days before convicting Shahawar Matin Siraj of conspiracy and other charges in a case that cast a spotlight on how authorities sought to monitor radical Muslims after the 2001 terrorist attacks. He faces up to life in prison.
Siraj, 23, listened to the verdict with downcast eyes. The defense had sought to portray him as an impressionable simpleton who was lured into a phony plot by a paid informant eager to earn his keep. Prosecutors disputed that claim, arguing that even if it was not the defendant's idea to bomb a subway station, no law-abiding citizen would have gone along with it....
Siraj and another man suspected in the plot, James Elshafay, were arrested on the eve of the 2004 Republican National Convention carrying crude diagrams of their target — the subway station in Herald Square, a dense shopping district that includes Macy's flagship department store. Elshafay immediately agreed to cooperate with the government.
Authorities said Siraj had no affiliation with known terrorist organizations. Instead, he caught the attention of the informant, Osama Eldawoody, and an undercover police officer with his anti-American rants at an Islamic bookstore where he worked....
"He said he was a talented brother and a great planner and that he hoped bin Laden planned something big for America," the officer said.
Inside the bookstore, Eldawoody wore a wire and chatted up Siraj. When the topic turned to the war in Iraq, the defendant recounted rumors among radicals that U.S. soldiers were sexually abusing Iraqi girls.
"That was enough for me," he said in one of a series of secretly recorded conversations played for the jury. "I'm ready to do anything. I don't care about my life."...
Testifying in his own defense last week, Siraj said he never had a violent thought before he fell under the spell of the 50-year-old Eldawoody. He said the older man became a mentor and instructed him that there was a fatwa, or religious edict, permitting the killing of U.S. soldiers and law enforcement agents.
Eldawoody had himself talked about "blowing up the buildings and blowing up the Wall Street places," the defendant said. He admitted taking steps to attack the subway station, but only after the informant inflamed him by showing him photos of prisoners being abused at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
"I used to just listen to him, but I never said 'Yes, I was going to do it,' or 'no' until the Abu Ghraib thing came up," he said.
Posted by Robert at May 25, 2006 9:50 AM
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ISLAM OFFERS SLAVERY AND MISERY...THE GOD OF THE BIBLE OFFERS FREEDOM AND JOY...WALIDS TESTIMONY......Nothing could change my heart, I could only die or a miracle needed to happen. The simplest way to describe myself is that I was one of those one would view on CNN throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails in the days of the Intifada or 'The Uprising'. I was one of these who Jews would call a terrorist. The interesting thing is that I was not only terrorizing but I was terrorized by my beliefs which required me to gain enough merit and good deeds to go to heaven. But I never was sure if my good deeds would outweigh my bad deeds in the scale when I would be judged by God. Of course to die fighting the Jews would ease Allah's anger towards my sin and I would then be secured a good spot in heaven with beautiful wide-eyed women to fulfill my most intimate desires. Either way, I won and terror was the only way.
I remember one time in Bethlehem all viewers clapped their hands with joy in a jam packed theater watching the movie, "21 Days in Munich". The moment we saw the Palestinians throwing grenades into the helicopter killing the Israeli athletes, hundreds of viewers yelled, "Allahu akbar!" (Allah is the greatest). This is the slogan of joy used by Muslims for victorious events.
http://answering-islam.org/Testimonies/walid.html
Posted by: storagemanager![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 25, 2006 10:04 AM
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President and First Vice-President extended congratulations to their Georgian counterparts on the country's national day.
In his message to Mikheil Saakashvili, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has expressed hope that the two countries' relations would further develop in all areas through mutual efforts and relying on the two nations' ancient and historic ties.
The president has also wished success for the Georgian nation and a world free from injustice and oppression for all the people around the globe.
(YES INDEED TIES TO RUSSIA DO IN FACT GO BACK THRU HISTORY AND IN THE FUTURE ALSO..EZEKIEL 37 & 38) no injustice or oppression...unless you are non-muslim...then you are slave scum...mahmoud runs around the world saying peace and security....allow me to show you your fate mahmoud......For when they shall say, PEACE AND SAFETY: SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COME UPON THEM. 1 thess 5:3
at May 25, 2006 10:28 AM
Shahawar Matin Siraj reflects the concerns that we all must have with Muslims; If they are in America, or American Citizens, what is their true allegiance to when they are thoroughly tested.
Can we be sure to trust Muslims serving in the military who have access to weapons or classified information? Can we always trust Muslims who have access to government foundations, and political leaders in Washington?
We have Islamic organizations camped in offices along the Potomac River just down from the Pentagon and across the river from the halls of the US Capital, and the White House; can we be sure that there are not Muslims there who are not planning in roads into the houses of Our American institutions either through violence or manipulation?
If this sounds like I'm being Islamaphobic,so be it.
Posted by: Mackie at May 25, 2006 10:36 AM
Regarding Muslim loyalty to America: in my
college town, there is a high-end, pricey but very
successful Middle Eastern 'delicatessen' store
run by a large Muslim Arab family from Lebabon.
They are extremely friendly and all smiles all
the time.
Nobody seems to mind that Al Jazeera runs 24/7
on the TVs mounted on the walls.
Their loyal customer base are (the very liberal)
university students and staff and the educated
locals.
When you try to talk to someone in this town about
the dangers of Muslim immigration, almost invariably
they bring up these very nice Lebanese immigrants
to prove that I'm wrong.
There is NO WAY to convince anyone in this town that Muslims are a danger,
and I end up looking like a racist jerk.
at May 25, 2006 10:54 AM
"When you try to talk to someone in this town about the dangers of Muslim immigration, almost invariably they bring up these very nice Lebanese immigrants to prove that I'm wrong."
-- from a posting above
The sheer idiocy of basing decisions on life-and-death matters on the basis of the flimsiest and most transparent behavior: the outward affability of Muslims (this has been famously analyzed by Mohammed Rasoel, and by many other ex-Muslims who try to explain the duplicity that comes so naturally to Muslims when they have to be nice, and only when they really have to be nice, to Infidels. Besides, there is by now such a long list of those who seemed, outwardly, so nice, so sweet, that quiet shy boy, that hardworking Intel engineer whose boss would "bet his life" on that engineer's innocence, that affable colleague at work who always remembers to ask after your wife and kids when all your fellow Infidels seem so coldly indifferent -- oh, for god's sake, it goes on and on.
What counts at that delicatessen are not the liquid brown eyes and the bustling about in accomommodating fashion. As you correctly note, it is that Al-Jazeera channel, which none of those admiring Infidel visitors, luckily for the Muslim proprietors, can undertsand, which is the only evidence that counts.
I would not buy a thing in such a place. No, let me correct that. I am going to guess that for some reason the nice family members often forget, here and there, to give receipts. Why, occasionally, they will just take the proferred cash and not even ring up the sale. True? And just possibly one of their most profitable lines is in selling lottery tickets. True? And if so, the state revenue boys will be interested in just how much money is not being declared. This happens again and again.
Perhaps, after all, you should take careful note of what goes on at that "family-run" delicatessen with Al-Jazeera in the background. And despite the smiles, and wiles, do not be fooled. And see what you think the real, as opposed to the declared, revenues, of this place might be. Then act accordingly.
Posted by: Hugh at May 25, 2006 11:16 AM
pakistani, irani, iraqi, lebanese, shia , sunni, balooch, pathan, georgian, saudi, somali, they do have a lot of names for muslims.
Posted by: arjun.sevak at May 25, 2006 11:35 AM
Their loyal customer base are (the very liberal)
university students and staff and the educated
locals...
Collaborators that will eventually have to be dealt with.
Posted by: tgusa at May 25, 2006 12:01 PM
massachusettsrepublican said i hate that i hate....it is not wrong to hate evil...muslim teachings of murder,rape,and pillage are evil........For we wrestle not aginst flesh and blood, but aginst powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against SPIRTUAL WICKEDNESS in high places.ephesians 6:12 ...I think islam fits this bill.
Posted by: storagemanager at May 25, 2006 12:03 PM
massachusettsrepublican:
For me; the word hate may be a bit strong in my subjective thinking. Sometimes hate causes us to act irrational and perform irrational acts which is what got people like Shahawar Matin Siraj in trouble in the first place.
Words like awareness,caution,and a knowledgable understanding of what can be found in those that practice and believe in the fundamental teachings of Islam may be a better path to follow to maitain objectivity.
There is this desire to make Islamophobia into a positive word (clear understanding of the jihadist thinking that has brought so much violence to the Western world).
Posted by: Mackie at May 25, 2006 12:04 PM
George, just advise them that all the terrorism in the last few years has been due to muslims. Jihad is in their religion and any muslim is potentially violent. Those people may never do anything themselves, and yet, by being islamic , they are condoning the terrorism. Actually those people who eat there are awfully brave... I would be afraid to.
Posted by: freewoman at May 25, 2006 12:19 PM
Some things and people are worthy of the effort required to hate. If something is evil, it is ok to loathe it. It is also ok to defend yourself against the aggression of others. Those who are too stupid to see, or who refuse to see, a problem are part of the problem. Tell the truth and shame the devil.
Posted by: MP at May 25, 2006 1:08 PM
"And I hate THEM for making Me a hater."
Don't beat yourself up for hating those who deserve to be hated. Unless you're a bald swami or an Amish elder on a placid farm commune or a zen buddhist monk or a Krishnamurthi whose life disconnected from the daily exigencies and annoyances and potential dangers of real life allows you to live in an ethical bubble, then it's perfectly reasonable, human and good to hate -- when there are people out there enthusiastically ready to murder and pillage in the name of Islam.
Posted by: Television at May 25, 2006 1:31 PM
Actually, the Middle Eastern food store
in question is rather high-end, they dont
sell lottery tickets. They have probably
the best wine selection in town. And the
best halva :)
Everything looks fine save for the unctous smiles
and their TVs tuned to Al-Jazeera.
Maybe it's just my immagination, but I do feel
the hatred hidden under the smiles.
As to talking academics into distrusting Muslims:
it is impossible, you'll only make them think
you're a racist.
at May 25, 2006 4:55 PM
"Don't beat yourself up for hating those who deserve to be hated."
Beating yourself up may be bad, but hatred is bad too. And people should not be treated as they deserve, but as is needful--otherwise we would never be able to forgive or relent. Fighting Islam may be needful, and hating the deeds done by jihadists is needful, but it is not necessary nor good to hate the people themselves.
So massachusettsrepublican is right to hate what he has become. But you should not hate yourself for becoming that way, any more than you should hate anyone else. Rather, we should resolve to struggle with our bad tendencies, where our consciences reproach us, and to love both neighbor and enemy. The Western way is a compound of the Greek and the Hebrew. Both Socrates and Christ would have agreed that the just man hates no-one, not his friends and not his enemies either. If ever we forget that, we have no business reproaching Muslims, for we have given into their way.
Does this mean we will never succumb to the temptation to hate? No. Few of us are saints. Certainly I am not. But it is worthwhile to try to be one.
So, massachusettsrepublican, don't listen to the counsels of hatred or despair, from within yourself or outside. Heed your conscience. Don't give in to the darkness inside, and don't be discouraged. Fight the good fight!
Posted by: anselm at May 25, 2006 6:06 PM
massrep-
Loathe, be nauseated, disgusted, repelled, sickened by, and suspicious of.
But hate should be reserved for diseased individuals. Like Zarqawi. Or Osama.
What I have always thought when seeing overt Mohammedans in America is:
if they don't want to be here as Americans, why are they here?
Having read the Koran, I knew the answer.
Advance troops.
Sappers.
Posted by: profitsbeard at May 25, 2006 6:28 PM
anselm....shun evil.......fear GOD.......hate all false ways...i could go on all day...of course we are to hate evil....its evil.....pray for your enemies to have a change of heart....but NEVER GIVE IN TO EVIL.
Posted by: storagemanager at May 25, 2006 7:11 PM
Hmmmm did anyone ask him if he's related to Naseem?
Posted by: Bohemond_1069 at May 25, 2006 9:12 PM
Hate only restricts the brain from assessing the present danger. I try to think about it as extreme malice, witch is correct and justified.
These are monsters we are dealing with. Soft stomachs will only lead to more death. They decided to kill children. Not me. Those who cant handle the dirty work, we understand. We are all in this together so do what you can and leave the rest to those of us who are unafraid of Gods judgment. If he decides I am unworthy I will accept that. Press on.
at May 26, 2006 12:17 AM
"anselm....shun evil.......fear GOD"
I would rather say: do good, and *love* God. This is the more positive and life-affirming way to put it.
"hate all false ways"
I would rather say: avoid all false ways. Some are honestly mistaken, not evil. Some are truly evil, and deserve hatred. Yet even in such cases it is the way that should be hated, not the people who practice it. Remember that all people, whatever they do, are made in God's image, and beloved by God, enough that God willingly gave his life for them. We must never hate what God loves.
"of course we are to hate evil....its evil"
In general, I would prefer to say that we should love the good and avoid whatever is contrary to it. Hatred is a corrosive tendency. It is a poor use of energy and it eats away at your soul. This does not mean that we should never feel strongly about anything, however bad. But it does mean that the occasions should be few and far between. Hatred, even of evil, too easily becomes pride and self-righteousness, bitterness, alienation, and other things that are very bad for the soul. Passions often distort judgment and deprive one of wisdom and perspective.
"pray for your enemies to have a change of heart"
Not only must you pray for your enemies; you must love your enemies and do good to them--if you follow Christ (and, equally, if you follow reason). And you must strive to do that even if circumstances should force you into fighting.
"but NEVER GIVE IN TO EVIL."
Quite. Giving in to hatred is giving in to evil. That is why we must all fight against that tendency.
Posted by: anselm at May 26, 2006 11:04 AM
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