After all, they opposed the war in Iraq; why on earth would Muslims be angry with them? And why indeed? I wonder if South African Mufti Ebrahim Desai could shed any light on that.
From AP, with thanks to Teri:
Two South Africans captured with a senior al-Qaida terrorist were plotting attacks on tourist sites in their home country, Pakistani officials said yesterday, a surprising target for Islamic terrorism given South Africa’s vocal stand against the war in Iraq and Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
South African officials cast doubt on reports of a terrorist plot, although this past spring, a top South African police official indicated that authorities had foiled plans to attack the country during its April 14 elections….
“They had some terror plans for South Africa,” Hussain said. He had no details on the plans or the timing of an attack, but an intelligence official based in the eastern city of Lahore said that authorities believe that the men wanted to target tourist sites in Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial center….
The reports sent shock waves through South Africa, where until recently many considered their country immune from terrorist attacks. South Africa, where about 2 percent of the 45 million population is Muslim, has been outspoken in its opposition to the Iraq war and its condemnation of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians….