Still more assaults on freedom of speech. An update on this story from Asharq Alawsat (thanks to all who sent this in):
CAIRO, Egypt (Agencies) – The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq offered money for the murder of a Swedish cartoonist who recently produced images deemed insulting to Islam and promised a new offensive in Iraq during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in a statement carried by Islamist Web sites Saturday.
In a half hour audio file entitled “They plotted yet God too was plotting,” Abu Omar al-Baghdadi also named the other insurgent groups in Iraq al-Qaeda was fighting and promised new attacks, particular against the minority Yazidi sect that was recently devastated by massive car bombs. “We are calling for the assassination of cartoonist Lars Vilks who dared insult our Prophet, peace be upon him, and we announce a reward during this generous month of Ramadan of US$100,000 (¤72,000) for the one who kills this criminal,” the transcript on the Web site said.
During Ramadan, because that is a time when a Muslim intensifies his commitment to Islam. “They plotted and God too was plotting” is from Qur’an 3:54.