From the Bridge For Sale Department: “Cleric Denies Urging Muslims to Take Up Arms.” From The Scotsman, with thanks to Anthony, an update on Omar Bakri’s jihad speech:
Asked if he was urging people to join Osama bin Laden’s terror network, he told GMTV: “That’s not true. Definitely I have very strong beliefs and maybe some controversial views.”
He said he was giving examples of groups “not necessarily a call inciting people to take any actions”….
Police are examining his webcast remarks, in which he told listeners they were “obliged” to join the Mujahidin and allegedly pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden.
Referring to his use of the word al-jihad or “holy war”, he said: “The word jihad always for you it means fighting and military fighting. Jihad is.. also to look for a good job, to look for a better wife , to study, even to fight.
“And the word weapon…ask any Muslims…it doesn’t mean always fighting.”…
Last year he sparked outrage by suggesting that an attack on a British school, as happened in Beslan, Russia, would be justified as long as women and children were not deliberately killed and only died in crossfire.
He once praised the 9/11 hijackers as the “magnificent 19”.
Search for Omar Bakri in the Jihad Watch archives and tell me how much you believe his denial.