We haven’t heard much about the hook-handed jihadist imam lately. Here’s an update, “Radical cleric faces terror trial,” from Reuters, with thanks to all who sent this in:
RADICAL cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri goes on trial in London today on 16 charges of stirring up racial hatred and urging the killing of non-Muslims.
Racial hatred. For pete’s sake. I would be happy to fly to London and testify on Abu Hamza’s behalf that he is not a racist. He has preached the ideology of jihad, including violence against and the subjugation of non-Muslims. He has not preached anything in the least racial. When are Western authorities going to adjust their categories to present-day realities? Probably never.
Hamza, who is also wanted by the US, will be the most high-profile figure to be tried in Britain charged with such offences since the September 11 attacks on Washington and New York.
The Egyptian-born cleric faces 10 charges of using public meetings to incite his followers to kill non-Muslims. Four of the charges say he urged the killing of Jews.
He is also accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to stir up racial hatred, one charge of possessing threatening, abusive or insulting sound recordings, and one charge under anti-terrorism laws.
If found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.