
Al-Muhajiroun’s Sheikh Omar Bakri (BBC)
In a recent article about jihadist and radical Muslim organizations on the Internet I mentioned Al-Muhajiroun, the British Muslim group headed by Sheikh Omar Bakri, an open supporter of Osama bin Laden who has declared that his goal is to establish an Islamic state in Britain.
Now Al-Muhajiroun has issued a press release about the capture of Saddam Hussein. Their site doesn’t seem to be set up for direct links, so to find the release click on anything from the home page and then on Press Releases.
The release says that in order to understand “what really happened” regarding Saddam’s arrest, “we need certain political foundations giving insight into events occurring around the world both past and present, such as the collapse of the Khilafah [Caliphate] in 1924 forming the basis of recent Muslim history, since this was a milestone signifying the last rule, solely in accordance with the Shari’ah, on State level. In addition, we must bear in mind how the kuffar (i.e. non-Muslims) have been conspiring against Muslims throughout history, indeed the struggle between Haq (truth) and Baatil (falsehood) has always existed since the time of the Messenger Muhammad (saw). It is also vital that any analysis be from the perspective of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger Muhammad (saw) and his prophecies i.e. that certain events will occur prior to the Day of Judgment. This will shed proper light on the global Christian Crusade, led by the USA, against Islam and Muslims.”
This is common talk from radical Muslims: they all speak of wanting to restore the Caliphate — the unified rule of the Islamic community worldwide by a single leader, recognized as Muhammad’s successor — expand Sharia rule everywhere, and wage jihad against Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslims. On the Internet, a piece like this, with its appeals to Islamic teachings and Muslim pride, stands as a recruitment tool for radical Islam.
The press release then gives a series of reasons why Al-Muhajiroun believes that Saddam was “not in fact arrested on Saturday the 13th of December 2003, but at least 10 days beforehand.” The first one coincides with the most paranoid speculations of the far Left: “the delay in announcing the capture of Saddam Hussain by George Bush was timed to have the maximum impact for George Bush personally, His government generally and future plans for the region particularly.”
Reason #5 hangs the case that this is a war on Islam upon Saddam’s beard: “The US were keen to link the capture to Islam, Muslims and the so-called war against ‘Terrorism’. This connection was obvious with talk of Saddam’s beard, a clear Islamic symbol of a Muslim male and the Taliban. This is totally in line with their plea that they are fighting international terrorism (which their allies interpret as Muslim fundamentalist or Mujahideen). Psychologically, the beard being shown before and then after it has been shaved, together with Saddam being shown on his prayer mat, is vividly intended to motivate their own people, demoralize the enemy (i.e. Muslims) and destroy the Islamic inspiration. Especially when the supposed symbol of Muslim resistance (i.e. Saddam) is amazingly caught in a spider’ hole.”
Apparently Al-Muhajiroun missed the fact that Bush passed up going to church so as not to be seen speaking outside it about Saddam: “The link to a Christian victory against the perceived infidels, akin to the crusades of old, is the announcement just two days after the Christmas festivities were begun in the US, rounding off the Christian year with a victory for their Deen [religion] against the Muslims and Islam.”
But Al-Muhajiroun is not downhearted: “However, the truth is that it was the Mujahideen who were fighting the US and UK occupiers all along and their Jihad will be much clearer now that the confusion caused by Saddam’s presence has been removed. . . . The truth is that the Mujahideen have been carrying out wholesale bombing against the occupiers: some 42 operations a day. These operations are also ‘suicide’ ones, not a hallmark of the Iraqis but rather those who want to trade their life for paradise i.e. the likes of Al-Qaeda and other Mujahideen.”
And finally: “Promised increased operations by the Mujahideen will underline the fact that the war in Iraq is and has always been one of Islam against Kufr (i.e. non-Islam) and that Terrorism translates for the US, UK and their allies as Islam and Muslims. However, despite Bush’s antics news from the Muslim camp is that victory has been promised to the Muslims already by Allah (SWT) in this life and the next – it is just a matter of time before it is clear for all to see (Insha’allah).”
All this paranoid raving would be unworthy of attention were it not for the fact that people believe it, and have taken up arms on the basis of this kind of thinking. (Thanks to nicolei.)