But they really should be blaming Islam, for in this fascinating piece from the Telegraph, it is taken for granted that someone who becomes more “religious,” i.e., more devout in his observance of Islam, will be liable to become fanatical and violent. Yet we are constantly told in the West that the truly devout Muslims abhor violence and terrorism. So why is it that when Taimur Abdulwahab al-Abdaly became more religious, he started breathing threats and murder against unbelievers? Yes, the Luton mosque imam says he argued with him and put him out of the mosque — and yet Luton is a hotbed of Islamic “extremism.” And so the questions linger, as always.
“Stockholm bomber: family blame Britain for radicalisation,” by Martin Evans, Gordon Rayner and Andy Bloxham in the Telegraph, December 13 (thanks to Rob):
The family of the Stockholm suicide bomber last night blamed Britain for his transformation from an “ordinary teenager” to an al-Qaeda fanatic.
Taimur Abdulwahab al-Abdaly showed little interest in religion as he was growing up in Sweden, channelling his energies into sport and partying.
But after he began attending Bedfordshire University in Luton “everything changed” as he became a strict Muslim with increasingly extremist views, even naming his baby son Osama in honour of the al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden.
On Saturday he blew himself up in a street full of Christmas shoppers in Sweden’s first suicide attack, after recording a message which promised to kill “your children, daughters, brothers and sisters” partly in revenge for the country’s support role in Afghanistan.
Abdulwahab’s radicalisation during his time in Luton once again raised questions over whether British universities are doing enough to stamp out the recruiting of extremists on campus.
In other developments:
* There were fears that Abdulwahab, 28, could have radicalised dozens of students after it was claimed that he preached at his old university in 2007, having been banned from his local mosque because of his extremist views.
* MI5 was investigating whether the bomber had links to other Luton-based terrorists, including one of the ringleaders of the 2004 fertiliser bomb plot. […]
A close friend said the family had been shocked by his transformation from an ordinary teenager to a religious fanatic after he left for Britain.
“There is no doubt that Taimur changed when he went to Britain,” said the friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He would drink beer with his friends and go nightclubs. He didn’t care about politics or religion. He even had an Israeli girlfriend. He had many girlfriends, he enjoyed life.
“His parents were even a little worried that he was having too much fun. But then he went to England to study in 2001 and everything changed.
“When he came back he had grown a beard and he was very serious. He talked about Afghanistan and religion and did not want to hang out with his friends.
“His parents were worried about him but they thought he was just going through a phase. No-one ever imagined anything like this. Everyone who knew him is devastated. His parents are heartbroken.”
Teachers at Holavedskolan College in Thanas remembered him as “a quiet student” who liked basketball, and a former classmate who would only give his name as Khaled, said: “We used to hang out together, drink together and play practical jokes together. They were good times. I remember him as a college student chasing girls and drinking beer.
“But when he came back he was a changed man. He told me that something had happened when he was in (Luton). I am sure of this. Someone had taken advantage of him and had brainwashed him.” […]
Anjem Choudary, the former head of al-Muhajiroun in Britain, told the Daily Telegraph he visits Luton “at least once a week” for meetings but added: “I can’t remember all the people I come across. His face and name are not familiar but Luton is a small place.”
He said the suicide bombing should be seen as a “severe warning” and “should not come as a surprise.”…
Oh, it doesn’t, Choudary.