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November 17, 2005

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Babar age 5 at a school fancy dress party.

MIM: Who is Babar Ahmed? According to the website put up by his supporters Ahmed is just a warm fuzzy guy, a cute 5 year old wearing a pirate hat with a skull and crossbones. On the Free Babar Ahmad website even his Aunt puts in a good word for him.

"....Babar Ahmad ia a truthful, peaceloving and lawabiding person who is always ready to help those in need. He is also a conscientious and loving person who is devoted to his parents and the family. On the whole I have known him to be an upright and honest person..." http://www.freebabarahmad.com/statements.php

Khala Jamal-un-Nisa (Aunt)

Which brings to mind Dr. Daniel Pipe's article on UK suicide bomber wannabee Sajid Badat entitled " But They Were Good to Their Mothers- murdering for militant Islam".

(see below)

The Luton Muslim website which is helping the family of Ahmad wage a campaign to free him, tells a totally different story. The website includes a call to martyrdom - entitled "The Noblest Death" Shahadah" and a letter in support of prisoners in Belmarsch by the terrorist organisation which goes under the name of the Islamic Observation Center. The founder of the IOC -Yasser Al Sirri, was jailed for his role in the assassination of the anti Taliban Northern Alliance leader Massood. The attack too place 3 days before the September 11th attacks on the US.

Babar Ahmad is a British Citizen who was born in London in 1974. He grew up and went to school in South London, where he had been living until his arrest on 5th August 2004.

Family Background

Babar's parents came from Pakistan in the early sixties. His father is now a retired Civil Servant who gave over 20 years of service to the Crown. His mother, a qualified Science teacher, has a Master's degree. Babar has three other siblings. Babar and all his siblings went to good schools and obtained professional degrees. One of his siblings is a qualified medical doctor. The family have always paid their taxes and served the community as law-abiding British citizens.

(Click here for childhood photo gallery)

Education

Babar went to a reputable public school where he obtained outstanding results at both GCSE and A-level. He was popular at school; well liked by teachers and fellow pupils. Like any other British boy, he thoroughly enjoyed all sports, especially football and cricket. His school reports would always highlight that he was helpful, well-behaved and popular.
He went to university in London where he obtained a Master's Degree with Honours in Engineering. Since graduating he has held a stable job in Information Technology Support at Imperial College, London.

Personality

Babar has always respected and followed the law of the land where he has spent his whole life. Where others have cut corners and tried to evade the law, Babar has been quick to remind them. He has never even got a parking ticket.
He has a real love of children. His kind and considerate nature endear him to all. No matter how busy he may be he always finds time to speak to and play with his nieces and nephews.
Babar has a very caring personality. Whenever a member of the family would be ill, he would stay up to attend to them. His youngest sister recalls that whenever she was unwell, he would sleep on the floor of her bedroom in case she needed anything in the night.
His kind nature is not only limited to people, but to animals too. The family once had a pet cat. Babar looked after the cat like a baby. Once the cat fell sick so in an attempt to cheer it up, Babar went to the local pet shop and spent £20 on toys and treats!
Babar would feel upset when he would see anyone in need or distress. Whenever anyone had a problem, no matter how small, he always did his best to help find a solution.
Like the rest of the family he was deeply affected and saddened by the events of 9/11. A relative, who the family have always been close to, was on the 106th floor of the North Tower and lost her life on that tragic day. Babar and his family shared the pain and anguish with her family in their desperate search for news of her well-being.
Much of the media continues to promote the ideology of guilty until proven innocent in cases such as Babar's. He is nothing like the evil, cold-hearted terrorist that the media and others have made him out to be. All those who have met, lived and worked with him unanimously agree that he is quite the opposite.

(Click here for statements from friends, work colleagues and family)

"....Where others have cut corners and tried to evade the law, Babar has been quick to remind them. He has never even got a parking ticket.
He has a real love of children. His kind and considerate nature endear him to all. No matter how busy he may be he always finds time to speak to and play with his nieces and nephews.
Babar has a very caring personality. Whenever a member of the family would be ill, he would stay up to attend to them. His youngest sister recalls that whenever she was unwell, he would sleep on the floor of her bedroom in case she needed anything in the night.
His kind nature is not only limited to people, but to animals too. The family once had a pet cat. Babar looked after the cat like a baby. Once the cat fell sick so in an attempt to cheer it up, Babar went to the local pet shop and spent £20 on toys and treats!
Babar would feel upset when he would see anyone in need or distress. Whenever anyone had a.problem, no matter how small, he always did his best to help find a solution..."

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MIM: The letter from the Islamic Observation Center below, in support of Ahmad and other prisoners in Belmarsch was posted.. The founder of the Islamic Observation Center is Yasser Al Sirri who was jailed in 2001 for his role in the assassination of the Northern Alliance Leader Massood;

http://www.ict.org.il/spotlight/det.cfm?id=699 Asylum seeker turned propagandist

The head of a London-based Islamic Center has been charged with complicity in the suicide bombing that killed Afghan opposition leader Ahmed Shah Massood. Yasser Tawfiq al-Sirri, 38, was detained on 23 October under Britain's new Terrorism Act.

Al-Sirri is not directly connected to the September 11 attacks
Police reportedly confiscated computer equipment and thousands of documents from al-Sirri's west London home and his office. Officials said that al-Sirri is suspected of "commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism." However, his arrest is not directly related to the September 11 attacks, and the United States did not request his detention.

According to court documents made public today, al-Sirri is charged with soliciting support for the Egyptian radical group al-Gamaa al-Islamiyya, raising funds for terrorism, stirring up racial hatred and making available property for the purposes of terrorism..."


"...Al-Sirri has lived in the UK since 1994, when he arrived in London from Sudan on a forged Yemeni passport. He was granted political asylum on the grounds that he faced persecution in his native Egypt. The Egyptian government maintains that al-Sirri was one of the military commanders of the Islamic Jihad, and sentenced him to death in absentia for his involvement in a 1993 attempt by the Islamic Jihad to assassinate the Egyptian prime minister.

In Egypt, al-Sirri had close ties to Jihad leader Ayman al-Zawahri, who is now bin Laden's second in command. Although al-Sirri insists that he cut ties with al-Zawahri in the mid-1990s, he recently said that he would soon publish a book written by al-Zawahri about his experiences in Egypt and Afghanistan.

A British police official interviewed by Newsday said that Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism branch is investigating al-Sirri's role in the assassination of Afghan opposition leader Ahmed Shah Massood. "He's being questioned on a range of suspected terrorist incidents," the official said. "His dissemination of an al-Qaida statement is only one of the issues we're investigating..."

http://www.lutonmuslims.co.uk/belmarshletter.htm

18-06-2004
On our behalf as the Islamic Observation Centre we call on the British authorities to stop these infringements of prisoners' rights in Belmarsh prison and all other British prisoners. We also call on all national and international human rights organisations, and all those with conscious to partake and swiftly act to stop these inhumane acts in prisons and to guarantee the minimum human rights, and to improve the situation of those imprisoned. We also request swift action to investigate these infringements which the prisoners suffer.

What is unfortunate is that despite the international world agreeing to a number of rights for prisoners, regardless of the state of affairs surrounding his arrest and imprisonment, we find these infringements in countries that claim to be upholders of human rights, and it is known that every human being has certain fundamental rights which are impermissible to break (or otherwise), this is considered as a treading upon his rights and honour. These internationally recognised rights are to be implemented in all the countries that agreed to and signed the agreements and treaties concerned.

The Islamic Observation Centre condemns and disapproves of these acts and infringements, and requests the British authorities to open an independent investigation to find out the ones responsible for these infringements, so that it may take the necessary legal action against them, and for them to stop these acts and consider the specific religious ascriptions of these prisoners. The British authorities should act against making the United Kingdom turn from a country that respects human rights to a human rights graveyard.

Source: Islamic Observation Centre
Friday Jumaada al-Awwal, 1425 AH / 25th June 2004

-------------------------------

MIM: This article urging Muslims to become martyrs was posted on the Luton Muslim Community website : http://www.lutonmuslims.co.uk/mowtbest.htm

The noblest death - Shahadah

O Muslims! Achieving noble and lofty objectives require enormous sacrifices in proportion. There can be no doubt that the higher an objective is, the greater its sacrifice must be. Therefore, if ones ultimate objective is to please Allah and hope to be granted Paradise, then defending Allah's religion and protecting His Book and sacred places ranks highest in attempting to attain His pleasure.

Sacrifice comes in many shapes, forms and levels, it can be performed through many different channels, but there is no doubt that the sacrificing of one's soul for the sake of Allah in order to defeat His enemies and support Islam is the very highest level. This is of course Shahadah, or martyrdom. The Prophet(SAW) exerted maximum effort to instil the magnitude of Shahadah as well as the concept of Jihad deep into the hearts of his companions and his followers who were to come after him. He(SAW) used two methods in order to achieve this objective:

Firstly: By repeatedly declaring his deep love and fervent wish for Shahadah. Abu Hurayrah(RA) narrated that the Prophet(SAW) said: "I swear by the One in Whose Hands my soul is, I wish that I would fight for the sake of Allah (i.e., Jihad ) and get martyred, then return and fight again and get martyred, then return and fight again and get martyred" (Bukhari & Muslim) What a wonderful wish coming from the purest of hearts! This is nothing except a reflection of deep love and overwhelming desire; a desire to attain Shahadah, which is one of the greatest paths to Paradise.

Secondly: By explaining the virtues of Shahadah and the ranks of the martyrs in Paradise as well as descriptions of their bounties, such as in the Hadeeth when Marwan said: "We asked 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud(RA) about the following verse: (which translates as): "And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision." (Aal-'Imran: 169).'He(RA) replied: "We asked the Prophet(SAW) about this verse and he replied: "Their (i.e., the martyrs souls) will live inside green birds that dwell in designated lamps which hang on the throne of Allah, they will roam freely in Paradise as they please, then return to these lamps"" (Muslim).

Ubada bin Samit (RA) narrates, that the Prophet (SAW) said, "The Shaheed is granted seven gifts from Allah(SWT) -
1. He is forgiven at the first drop of his blood.
2. He sees his status in Jannah (Paradise).
3. He is dressed in the clothes of Iman.
4. He is safe from the punishment of the grave.
5. He will be safe from the great fear of the Day of Judgement.
6. A crown of honour will be placed on his head.
7. He will intercede on behalf of 70 members of his family.
(Musnad Ahmed Tabrani, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.443, vol.2)

The pain that a martyr feels at the time of death will be reduced so greatly that he will only feel as if he was stung by a mosquito. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet(SAW) said: "A martyr only feels from the effect of being killed that which one would when being stung by a mosquito." (Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and others).

Moreover, the finest dwellings in Paradise are those of the martyrs. Samurah Ibn Jundub(RA) narrated that the Prophet(SAW) said: "Last night I was inspired (through a dream); I saw two men come to me and take me up a tree (in Paradise) then into a dwelling which was the best I have ever seen; they informed me that it was the dwelling of the martyrs." (Bukhari).

Also, the angels spread their wings over the body of a martyr as a form of honour, dignity and respect. Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah(RA) narrated: "My father's body was brought to the Prophet(SAW) on the day of Uhud. The disbelievers had mutilated it; I went to uncover his face when some of my family members stopped me. Then the Prophet(SAW) heard a woman crying, so he said:"Why are you crying? Do not cry, the angels are continuing to shade him"".

Among all the dwellers of Paradise, only the martyrs would wish to return to this life. This is due to the immense rewards and respect that have been mentioned in the previous Ahadith. Anas bin Malik(RA) narrated that the Prophet(SAW) said:
"Nobody who enters Paradise would ever wish to return to this life again, even if he was to be given the whole world and everything in it - except for a martyr; for he would wish to return and get killed ten times due to the honour that he received (in Paradise)."

and in another narration: "For what he finds as virtues of martyrdom." (Bukhari & Muslim).

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that these poignant prophetic words had such a great impact on the hearts of the pious chosen generation of the companions of the Prophet(SAW). It deeply instilled the concepts of Shahadah into their hearts along with the fervent wish of achieving this exalted status, so they toiled continuously to achieve it. There are a multitude of stories that demonstrate this, for example: Anas bin Maalik(RA) narrated:

"The Prophet(SAW) took off with his companions and they beat the polytheists in reaching Badr. When the polytheists arrived there, the Prophet(SAW) said: "None of you should do anything until I proceed." Then, when the disbelievers came closer to them, the Prophet(SAW) said: "Rise to Paradise, which is as wide as the distance between the heavens and the earth." 'Umayr Ibn Al-Hamam(RA) asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, is it really as wide than the heavens and earth?' He(SAW) replied: "Yes." Thereupon 'Umayr said: 'Bakh Bakh.' (an expression reflecting astonishment). The Prophet(SAW) asked: "What made you say Bakh Bakh?" He said: 'Nothing, except the desire to be of its dwellers.' The Prophet(SAW) said: "You will be of its people." Then 'Umayr(RA) took out some dates which he had in his arrow pouch and started eating them, then he stopped and said to himself: 'Indeed it would a too long a life for me if I were to live long enough to finish eating these dates' - then he threw them away and fought until he was killed."

Just look at how this companion viewed the few moments needed for eating dates as being too long a time to live! The words of people like these at the time of their martyrdom were as powerful as earthquakes, so much so that in some cases, words like these resulted in their enemies embracing Islam such as in the following narration:

Haraam Ibn Malhan(RA) was one of a group of companions of the Prophet(SAW) who had memorised the Qur'an and were experts in it. The Prophet(SAW) dispatched seventy of this group to inform a group of polytheist tribes about Islam and recite the Qur'an to them. However the tribes of Ra'l and Dhikwan from among these polytheist tribes betrayed and slaughtered the whole group of companions near a well called Ma'unah. As Haram(RA) was being killed, he screamed in front of his killer: "I swear by the Lord of Al-Ka'bah that I won!"After this, his killer went about asking people what these words meant (i.e., that Haram had won) until he was told that what Haram(RA) meant was that he had attained martyrdom. Due to this, the killer embraced Islam. This narration was mentioned in the book of Bukhari.

Some of the companions of the Prophet(SAW) would smell the scent of Paradise and it would make them unable to control their desire to fight strongly and valiantly to the death. Anas Ibn Malik(RA) said: "My uncle Anas Ibn An-Nadhr(RA) missed the battle of Badr, so he said to the Prophet(SAW): 'O messenger of Allah, I missed the first battle that you fought against the polytheists, but if Allah allows me to participate in the next one, then He will see what I can do.' Then, after the day of the battle of Uhud when the some Muslims retreated he went forth saying: 'O Allah I seek your forgiveness for what they have done (i.e., the Muslims for retreating) and I disassociate myself from what those have done (i.e., the polytheists for killing the Muslims)', as he continued going forth, he came across Sa'd Ibn Mu'adh(RA) and said: 'O Sa'd! I swear by the Lord of the tribe of An-Nadhr, it is Paradise (i.e., the reward for martyrdom). I can smell its fragrance close to Uhud.'" After the battle, Sa'd Ibn Mu'adh told the Prophet(SAW): "I swear By Allah, on that day I could not perform as he did." Anas Ibn Malik(RA) continued: "(After the battle) we found more than eighty gashes on his (i.e., Anas Ibn An-Nadhr's) body which were the result of swords, arrows and spears. In fact, the polytheists had mutilated his body so much that nobody could recognise who it was, except his sister, who identified him from his fingers." (Bukhari & Muslim).

Shaddad Ibn Al-Haad(RA) narrated: "A Bedouin came to the Prophet(SAW), accepted Islam and said: 'I wish to migrate (to Madinah)'. So the Prophet(SAW) asked some of his companions to take care of him. Then after a battle, the Muslims had gained some booty so the Prophet(SAW) divided it and gave the Bedouin's share to some of his companions to look after, as the Bedouin was still at the rearguard. When the Bedouin returned, they gave him his share, so he asked them: 'What is this?' they replied: 'It is your share from the booty which the Prophet(SAW) gave us to hold on to for you.' So the Bedouin took the booty and went to the Prophet(SAW) and asked: 'What is this?' The Prophet(SAW) replied: "Your share of the booty." The Bedouin said: 'This is not why I believe in you and follow you; rather, I follow you so that I can get shot by an arrow right here, (and then he pointed to his throat) then die and enter Paradise.' The Prophet(SAW) said: "If you are sincere then Allah will grant you your wish."After a short while, fighting resumed and the Bedouins body was brought to the Prophet(SAW) with an arrow in his throat at exactly the spot where he had pointed to the Prophet(SAW). Thereupon The Prophet(SAW) said: "He was sincere so Allah granted him his wish." Then using his own garment, the Prophet(SAW) shrouded the Bedouin, prayed the funeral prayer over him and was heard by his companions to say during the prayer: "O Allah! This is Your slave who migrated for Your sake and was killed as a martyr - and I testify to this".

Which testimony could ever be more honourable, sincere and truthful than this great one given by the Prophet(SAW)?

There are abundant examples from the lives of the companions of Prophet(SAW) which illustrate their burning desire to achieve martyrdom - and what a noble objective this is!

Also, in our time, many of the shining stars from the righteous of the Muslim nation have joined the caravan of martyrdom. These are the people whose blood testifies to their heroism and immense sacrifice; they are the martyrs of Bosnia, Kosova, Chechnya and before them Afghanistan, as well as many other Muslim lands.

Today we Muslims and indeed the entire world can witness the greatness of martyrdom being illustrated in the uprising of Palestine in general and Al-Aqsa in particular. This kind of stance, which revives the magnitude and virtues of martyrdom in the heart of the Muslim nation, is exactly what we need at this time. It is vital that the Muslims exert every effort to spread the love for achieving martyrdom just like the pious early generations of Muslims did. We must continue on the same road that they were on, which is that of our Prophet(SAW) and indeed all the prophets before him, in order to support our religion and defeat our enemies.

O Muslims around the world! It is obligatory on you to support your brothers and sisters in every country where they are oppressed. Do not forsake them, rather listen to the saying of your Prophet(SAW): "Any Muslim who forsakes his fellow Muslim at a time when his honour and sanctity are being attacked will have Allah forsaking him at the time when needs His support the most. Any Muslim who supports his fellow Muslim at a time when his honour and sanctity are being attacked will have Allah supporting him at the time when needs His support the most." (Ahmad & Abu Dawud).

Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA), Ummur Rubay bint al-Bara (the mother of Haritha bin Suraqa) came to the Prophet (SAW and said, "O Allah's Prophet! Will you tell me about Haritha? Haritha has been killed (Shaheed) on the day of Badr with an arrow fired by an unidentified person." She added, "If he is in Paradise I will be patient, otherwise I will weep bitterly for him." He said, "O mother of Haritha! There are gardens in Paradise and your son got Firdaus al-'Ala (ie the best place of Paradise)." (Sahih Bukhari, p.394, vol.1)

When the time of Khalid (RA) came to depart from the world, he said, "I reached every possible place for Shahadah, but it was written in my fate that I should die of my bed. In my opinion there is no deed more dearer than my waiting with my horse and shield in the darkness of night, the sky to be glittering due to the rain, waiting for the onset of dawn, so that I can attack the enemy." (al Jihaad, Ibn al Mubarak, p.88)

"Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'aan. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment." (Surah At-Tawbah: Ayah 111).

Who Is Babar Ahmad ?

An introduction to who he is: his background and his personality Babar Ahmad is a British Citizen who was born in London in 1974. He grew up and went to school in South London, where he had been living until his arrest on 5th August 2004.

Family Background

Babar's parents came from Pakistan in the early sixties. His father is now a retired Civil Servant who gave over 20 years of service to the Crown. His mother, a qualified Science teacher, has a Master's degree. Babar has three other siblings. Babar and all his siblings went to good schools and obtained professional degrees. One of his siblings is a qualified medical doctor. The family have always paid their taxes and served the community as law-abiding British citizens.

(Click here for childhood photo gallery)

Education

Babar went to a reputable public school where he obtained outstanding results at both GCSE and A-level. He was popular at school; well liked by teachers and fellow pupils. Like any other British boy, he thoroughly enjoyed all sports, especially football and cricket. His school reports would always highlight that he was helpful, well-behaved and popular.
He went to university in London where he obtained a Master's Degree with Honours in Engineering. Since graduating he has held a stable job in Information Technology Support at Imperial College, London.

Personality

Babar has always respected and followed the law of the land where he has spent his whole life. Where others have cut corners and tried to evade the law, Babar has been quick to remind them. He has never even got a parking ticket.
He has a real love of children. His kind and considerate nature endear him to all. No matter how busy he may be he always finds time to speak to and play with his nieces and nephews.
Babar has a very caring personality. Whenever a member of the family would be ill, he would stay up to attend to them. His youngest sister recalls that whenever she was unwell, he would sleep on the floor of her bedroom in case she needed anything in the night.
His kind nature is not only limited to people, but to animals too. The family once had a pet cat. Babar looked after the cat like a baby. Once the cat fell sick so in an attempt to cheer it up, Babar went to the local pet shop and spent £20 on toys and treats!
Babar would feel upset when he would see anyone in need or distress. Whenever anyone had a problem, no matter how small, he always did his best to help find a solution.
Like the rest of the family he was deeply affected and saddened by the events of 9/11. A relative, who the family have always been close to, was on the 106th floor of the North Tower and lost her life on that tragic day. Babar and his family shared the pain and anguish with her family in their desperate search for news of her well-being.
Much of the media continues to promote the ideology of guilty until proven innocent in cases such as Babar's. He is nothing like the evil, cold-hearted terrorist that the media and others have made him out to be. All those who have met, lived and worked with him unanimously agree that he is quite the opposite.

(Click here for statements from friends, work colleagues and family)

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http://www.danielpipes.org/pf.php?id=1336

From www.danielpipes.org | Original article available at: www.danielpipes.org/article/1336

But he was good to his mother: Murdering for militant Islam

by Daniel Pipes
Jerusalem Post
December 3, 2003

The news last week that police had arrested Sajid Badat at his home in Gloucester, England, shook many Britons.

The charges against him concerned his training with al-Qaida in Afghanistan and his possessing PETN explosives, the same substance would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid had tried to set off. Police believe Badat intended to carry off the very first suicide bombing in the United Kingdom.

But not everyone was shaken by this news. Gloucester's Muslim community esteemed Badat too much to credit the charges. One admirer called him "a walking angel" and "the bright star of our mosque."

Artist's drawing of Sajid Badat in the courtroom on Feb. 28, 2005 (Elizabeth Cook/PA Photo)

Another described him as "a friendly, warm, fun-loving character." A cousin insisted Badat was "nothing more than a friendly, sociable, normal young lad, who had lots of friends and did not hold extreme views in any way."

Interestingly, a similar gulf in attitudes recurs almost every time a supporter of militant Islam has either been arrested on terrorism-related charges or engaged in an actual terrorist operation.

Consider three other European examples:

  • "He was a very nice person. He used to train our kids. He was very jolly and always laughing." This eulogy by a mosque leader describes Wail al Dhaleai, a British immigrant of Yemeni origins who carried out a suicide attack against US troops in Iraq. Another mosque figure called Dhaleai a "jolly fine gentleman" and a neighbor noted how he went "out of his way to help the children." Dhaleai's martial arts coach added, "He just made you laugh. – I cannot say enough nice things about him. He was such a nice guy."
  • "He was just a big teddy bear – honorable and very polite – a well-liked and respected pupil": those are some of the depictions of Asif Hanif, a Briton of Pakistan origins who blew himself up in a Tel Aviv pub, killing three.
  • "He was smart, clever and kind, a really nice boy." That's Zacarias Moussaoui, sometimes known as 9/11's "twentieth hijacker," as described by his older brother.

The same admiration for accused terrorists also gets expressed in the United States:

  • "He was the nicest guy. He didn't mess with anybody," said Iyman Faris's former employer right after Faris, an Ohio trucker of Pakistani origins, had pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to provide support. Faris's stepson spoke endearingly of his stepfather's "very good sense of humor."
  • "Just a normal, good-natured young man who dreamed of a family of his own, whose young adult years in [Florida] were filled with driving children to school, buying groceries and taking college courses." That's the Miami Herald paraphrasing his family talking about Adnan Gulshair El'Shukri-jumah, a Florida-raised Saudi suspected of being an al-Qaida member who helped with 9/11, and someone the FBI considers "a very, very, very serious threat."
  • "She was an educated person, concerned with educating people about Islam." She here is Aafia Siddiqui as portrayed by her imam, a Pakistani woman sought for questioning about ties to al-Qaida.

And similar responses are found in the Muslim world – for example this case from Thailand's Muslim-majority south:

  • "Friendly and charming – a kind person," someone beloved by villagers for offering free health checks and cheap medicine; that's how a religious leader described Waemahadi Wae-dao, a medical doctor arrested on charges of planning to bomb embassies and tourist spots in Thailand.

Such high regard for terrorists has several important implications. First, it points to the adherents of militant Islam being indeed "normal, good-natured young" people, and not misfits. In common with other totalitarian movements, militant Islam finds support among many accomplished, talented, and attractive individuals – which renders it all the more dangerous a threat.

Second, the fact that those who murder on behalf of militant Islam often enjoy psychological soundness, educational attainment, sporting success, economic achievement, or social esteem suggests that Islamist violence cannot be reduced by adopting the "root causes" approach of addressing personal poverty and despair. The phenomenon needs to be fought head-on.

Third, that terrorists are (unsurprisingly) skilled at hiding their intentions has the unfortunate consequence of making them harder to discern and therefore spreads suspicion to the larger Muslim community. This in turn points to that community's heightened responsibility and incentive to ferret out potential terrorists in its midst.

Feb. 28, 2005 update: Sajed Badat, the "walking angel," pleaded guilty today to charges that he conspired with Richard Reid to blow up a U.S.-bound airliner in 2001 with a shoe bomb. He was sentenced to life in prison.

From www.danielpipes.org | Original article available at: www.danielpipes.org/article/1336

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