This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2312
August 28, 2006
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FORCED CONVERSION In the videotape released earlier on Sunday, Centanni and Wiig were shown separately sitting cross-legged, reading statements announcing that they had converted to Islam. At times in the video they were wearing long Arab robes. "I changed my name to Khaled. I have embraced Islam and say the word Allah," Centanni said. John Moody, a Fox senior vice president, said he was not aware of any conditions agreed for the release of the reporters, although the video appeared to play a factor. "I'm not sure about the reliability of what was said on that video," Moody said on the Fox Channel. The Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the kidnapping and warned the United States to free Muslim prisoners to prevent the two captives facing unspecified consequences. That deadline expired on Saturday. The United States said it would not make "concessions to terrorists". A statement from the captors before the men were freed had said the two journalists had to choose either Islam, a tax imposed on non-Muslims to be paid to a Muslim ruler, or war. "They chose Islam and that is a gift God gives those whom he chooses," the statement said. Previous kidnappings of foreigners usually ended after a few hours, or at most a few days, of captivity. (Additional reporting by Peter Cooney in Washington) Source: Reuters |
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2312