No surprise here to anyone who has actually followed what Muslim leaders have actually said in recent years about terrorism, jihad, and Osama. From Australia’s Herald Sun, with thanks to all who sent this in:
EIGHT Islamic spiritual leaders who preach to hundreds of Muslims in Victoria each day refuse to accept that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the September 11 attacks.
Responding to a survey, the imams from suburban and regional mosques ignored bin Laden’s own confession.
Asked if bin Laden were responsible for the attacks that killed almost 3000 people, Carlton mosque imam Rexhep Idrizi said: “We don’t know.”
Acting Werribee mosque imam Riyad Ahmad said: “I have it only from one side. I’m not sure really.”
Fitzroy mosque acting imam Bilgim Alpay said: “I don’t know. It’s very hard to answer. There are a lot of political games.”
Only two of the 10 imams said bin Laden was to blame.
The Herald Sun asked the imams four questions relating to terrorism.
Some were reluctant to accept radical Muslim terrorists were behind the London bombings.All 10 condemned suicide bombings and most offered unconditional loyalty to Australia.
But the number who refused to blame bin Laden surprised some Islam experts.
Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Waleed Aly said “a furious mistrust of mainstream media” was likely to be at the heart of the imams’ views.
“Perhaps a feeling of being under siege creates a defensive response. Perhaps what they’re waiting for is some kind of clear trial in a court,” Mr Aly said.
In a video released just months after the September 11 attacks, bin Laden gloated over details of the atrocity in what amounted to a full confession.
The imams views did not reflect the broader Muslim community, Mr Aly said.
Of course not. This kind of thing never does. But when are we going to see that broader Muslim community actually do something?