Not that this has anything to do with Islam. Everyone knows that people like this are twisting and hijacking the peaceful message of Islam. Oddly enough, however, although everyone knows this, no one has ever managed to explain exactly how the jihadists pull this off, and do so virtually unchallenged by such sterling moderates as Honest Ibe Hooper, Brave Ahmed Rehab, Salam al-Marayati, Ingrid Mattson, etc.
“Latest al Qaeda message eulogizes deceased leader,” from CNN, September 28 (thanks to James):
(CNN) — A purported audio message from Al Qaeda’s second-in-command appeared on radical Islamist Web sites on Sunday eulogizing Baitullah Mehsud, the former leader of the Pakistani Taliban.
“Baitullah managed to create a massive Jihadi movement that launched wars, ambushes and battles against the crusaders and their agents in Afghanistan,” said the speaker, identified as Ayman al-Zawahiri. “He also managed to clearly show that the Pakistani government is not Islamic but instead an infidel treacherous government working as a servant to the crusaders.”
The praise of Mehsud came nearly two months after his death in August. The militant group had previously acknowledged his death….
“To the Americans I say, you killed Mehsud, but you will not kill Islam or the Jihad,” the speaker said. “Islam doesn’t end by the death of one man.”…
“Jihad will go on until the liberation of Afghanistan and until you run away defeated from our land,” the speaker warned. “The global peace and security will not be achieved unless you withdraw from the lands of the Muslims.”