TEHERAN - Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief warned the United States and Britain that Iran would retaliate with missiles if attacked, state-run television reported.
General Yahya Rahim Safavi also accused US and British intelligence services of provoking unrest in the oil-rich southwestern Iran and providing bomb materials to Iranian dissidents.
Two bombings killed at least nine people in the southwestern city of Ahvaz on Jan. 21 , near the border with southern Iraq where 8,500 British soldiers are based.
"The world knows Iran has a ballistic missile power with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,300 miles)," Safavi said on state-run television. Israel is within that range.
"We have no intention to invade any country. We will take effective defence measures if attacked," he said.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Al Qaeda Running UK Prison
A leaked document from Britain's high-security prison for terror suspects says a radical and violent Muslim inmate gang is recruiting inmates for al-Qaida.The report obtained by The Mirror from the head of security at Belmarsh prison in London said a gang known as The Muslim Boys are terrorizing other prisoners, with beatings and slashings."Prisoners reported abuse, assaults, intimidation and threats," the document said after a December security review. "Some of the atrocities were carried out with impunity during associations causing victims to fear for their lives."The report said corrections officers fear they are losing control of the prison, and said 32 cell phones and 191 stashes of drugs were found at the jail between July and December.A source told the newspaper about 125 Muslim prisoners gather each week for a religious service, and six guards attend, but have no idea what they are talking about. Under Britain's human rights laws, the meeting cannot be recorded for translation
newspaper report
EXCLUSIVE JAIL RUN BY AL-QAEDA Fanatic thugs in razor attacks on prisoners Inmates are ordered to take up Islamic faith Chapel used to groom gang for terrorism
By Greig Box
VIOLENT Islamic extremists are terrorising inmates at Britain's toughest jail with an iron fist as they trawl for al-Qaeda recruits.
The gang of thugs - known as The Muslim Boys - intimidate frightened inmates at Belmarsh into joining their faith, beating those who refuse their bullying demands.
Some bloodied victims have been slashed by razor blades attached to toothbrushes. Others have had boiling water hurled over them. Prisoners say they are in fear for their lives.
The brutal brotherhood - whose gang on the outside is the Yard's Public Enemy No 1 - also host weekly "religious" meetings where it is feared members are groomed for terrorism by al-Qaeda chiefs.
Watching guards are helpless to take action as they do not understand what is being said. Some have been attacked at the "services".
In a bid to break the network, leaders have been transferred to other jails. But others step into their shoes.
The reign of terror is disclosed in a leaked report - seen by the Mirror - from Belmarsh's head of security.
Referring to a review in December, it declares: "Prisoners reported abuse, assaults, intimidation and threats. Some of the atrocities were carried out with impunity during associations causing victims to fear for their lives.
"Most of the perpetrators are believed to be members of the Muslim Boys gang who intensified their drive to recruit other prisoners to the fold.
"They force prisoners to accept the Muslim faith - those who refuse suffer assaults. They promise potential converts protection from other prisoners and staff who they challenge at every opportunity."
A source said: "These people are terrifying. Extreme Muslims are pulling together and the jail has experienced a surge in violence, drugs and intimidation.
"The Muslim Boys' gangmaster orders most of the assaults on fellow prisoners. They rule through fear and are very hard to infiltrate."
Security chiefs are most worried at the weekly seminars held by the gang in Belmarsh's multi-faith chapel.
Our source said: "Belmarsh has got a huge problem tackling the recruitment of terrorist cells.
"These people hold religious services every week. Around 125 Muslims attend and top members of al-Qaeda preach.
"None of the staff has a clue what they're talking about. Six officers attend each service, but all they can do is stand and watch.
"Those in the chapel could be planning a major terrorist attack but the officers wouldn't know.
"We can't even tape the service and get it translated because it is against Human Rights. It's frightening."
A former intelligence officer said last night: "This is extremely worrying. The degree of indoctrination in prison might be much higher and result in a recruit more dedicated to terrorism."
Category A Belmarsh, in South East London, holds Britain's most dangerous terror suspects.
They include the four men suspected of planning to bomb London and an inmate thought to be a "senior member of al-Qaeda in the UK".
The report details how one "prominent" inmate was seen becoming increasingly involved with Islam. It said: "He started attending Muslim services. In a phone conversation with his mother, he directed her to read some books that will convert her.
"He also associates with the Muslim Boys and took an active part in an assault on staff."
Two chiefs of the Muslim Boys were moved from the jail in December. Gangmaster 1 is now in Brixton. Gangmaster 2 is at Whitemoor jail, Cambs. He is serving life for murder.
The report discloses that officers fear they are losing control of Belmarsh which is awash with mobile phones and drugs. An astonishing 32 mobiles and 191 drugs were found at the jail between July and December.
Two prisoners with terror links were "perpetual" phone offenders.
Handsets are rented out with prisoners inserting their own Sim cards. A source at the jail said: "Officers are struggling to keep a lid on it."
The Brixton-based Muslim Boys are London's most feared gang.
They are said to carry out forced conversions at gunpoint and are thought to be behind at least two executions, violent robberies, attempted murders and drug deals.
The Prison Service said last night: "We don't comment on leaked documents. Each prison has an anti-bullying strategy. Prison governors also ensure any sign of radicalisation is vigorously challenged."
COMPULSORY ID cards would have only "limited value" in the fight against terrorism, Lord Carlile the Government's reviewer of anti-terror laws admitted yesterday.
GANGMASTER 1
'An extensive custodial history of drugs, assaults and threats of assaults to both staff and fellow prisoners. Members of his gang intimidate other prisoners and forcefully make them accept the Muslim faith. Those who yield are granted a false protection within the prison, whilst those who refuse suffer abuse, assaults and intimidation'
GANGMASTER 2
'In league with others he engaged in intimidation, assaults and recruitment of others into the Muslim Boys Gang/Muslim religion. The membership's aim is to confront staff and cause major disruptions to good in the prison. Has been seen, along with two others, going round the landing tooled up (armed with weapons). They bully fellow prisoners'
newspaper report
EXCLUSIVE JAIL RUN BY AL-QAEDA Fanatic thugs in razor attacks on prisoners Inmates are ordered to take up Islamic faith Chapel used to groom gang for terrorism
By Greig Box
VIOLENT Islamic extremists are terrorising inmates at Britain's toughest jail with an iron fist as they trawl for al-Qaeda recruits.
The gang of thugs - known as The Muslim Boys - intimidate frightened inmates at Belmarsh into joining their faith, beating those who refuse their bullying demands.
Some bloodied victims have been slashed by razor blades attached to toothbrushes. Others have had boiling water hurled over them. Prisoners say they are in fear for their lives.
The brutal brotherhood - whose gang on the outside is the Yard's Public Enemy No 1 - also host weekly "religious" meetings where it is feared members are groomed for terrorism by al-Qaeda chiefs.
Watching guards are helpless to take action as they do not understand what is being said. Some have been attacked at the "services".
In a bid to break the network, leaders have been transferred to other jails. But others step into their shoes.
The reign of terror is disclosed in a leaked report - seen by the Mirror - from Belmarsh's head of security.
Referring to a review in December, it declares: "Prisoners reported abuse, assaults, intimidation and threats. Some of the atrocities were carried out with impunity during associations causing victims to fear for their lives.
"Most of the perpetrators are believed to be members of the Muslim Boys gang who intensified their drive to recruit other prisoners to the fold.
"They force prisoners to accept the Muslim faith - those who refuse suffer assaults. They promise potential converts protection from other prisoners and staff who they challenge at every opportunity."
A source said: "These people are terrifying. Extreme Muslims are pulling together and the jail has experienced a surge in violence, drugs and intimidation.
"The Muslim Boys' gangmaster orders most of the assaults on fellow prisoners. They rule through fear and are very hard to infiltrate."
Security chiefs are most worried at the weekly seminars held by the gang in Belmarsh's multi-faith chapel.
Our source said: "Belmarsh has got a huge problem tackling the recruitment of terrorist cells.
"These people hold religious services every week. Around 125 Muslims attend and top members of al-Qaeda preach.
"None of the staff has a clue what they're talking about. Six officers attend each service, but all they can do is stand and watch.
"Those in the chapel could be planning a major terrorist attack but the officers wouldn't know.
"We can't even tape the service and get it translated because it is against Human Rights. It's frightening."
A former intelligence officer said last night: "This is extremely worrying. The degree of indoctrination in prison might be much higher and result in a recruit more dedicated to terrorism."
Category A Belmarsh, in South East London, holds Britain's most dangerous terror suspects.
They include the four men suspected of planning to bomb London and an inmate thought to be a "senior member of al-Qaeda in the UK".
The report details how one "prominent" inmate was seen becoming increasingly involved with Islam. It said: "He started attending Muslim services. In a phone conversation with his mother, he directed her to read some books that will convert her.
"He also associates with the Muslim Boys and took an active part in an assault on staff."
Two chiefs of the Muslim Boys were moved from the jail in December. Gangmaster 1 is now in Brixton. Gangmaster 2 is at Whitemoor jail, Cambs. He is serving life for murder.
The report discloses that officers fear they are losing control of Belmarsh which is awash with mobile phones and drugs. An astonishing 32 mobiles and 191 drugs were found at the jail between July and December.
Two prisoners with terror links were "perpetual" phone offenders.
Handsets are rented out with prisoners inserting their own Sim cards. A source at the jail said: "Officers are struggling to keep a lid on it."
The Brixton-based Muslim Boys are London's most feared gang.
They are said to carry out forced conversions at gunpoint and are thought to be behind at least two executions, violent robberies, attempted murders and drug deals.
The Prison Service said last night: "We don't comment on leaked documents. Each prison has an anti-bullying strategy. Prison governors also ensure any sign of radicalisation is vigorously challenged."
COMPULSORY ID cards would have only "limited value" in the fight against terrorism, Lord Carlile the Government's reviewer of anti-terror laws admitted yesterday.
GANGMASTER 1
'An extensive custodial history of drugs, assaults and threats of assaults to both staff and fellow prisoners. Members of his gang intimidate other prisoners and forcefully make them accept the Muslim faith. Those who yield are granted a false protection within the prison, whilst those who refuse suffer abuse, assaults and intimidation'
GANGMASTER 2
'In league with others he engaged in intimidation, assaults and recruitment of others into the Muslim Boys Gang/Muslim religion. The membership's aim is to confront staff and cause major disruptions to good in the prison. Has been seen, along with two others, going round the landing tooled up (armed with weapons). They bully fellow prisoners'
Friday, January 27, 2006
Hamza 'recruited for terrorism'
Alleged race hate cleric Abu Hamza was a recruiting sergeant for terrorism and murder, Old Bailey jurors have heard.
In his closing speech, David Perry, prosecuting, said Mr Hamza used "the most dangerous weapons available" - Islam, his civic position and words.
When Mr Hamza gave evidence in his defence, he said, "he did everything to avoid answering questions".
Mr Abu Hamza, 47, from west London, denies 15 charges, including soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.
During the trial the cleric has denied urging a "tinderbox" congregation at London's Finsbury Park mosque to go out and murder.
'Recruiting officer'
Mr Perry told the jury Mr Hamza made clear encouragements to kill when he gave lectures and sermons to various audiences.
For him Islam is not the inclusive, moderate and tolerant religion practised by millions, but a religion of bitterness, resentment and hostility David Perry Prosecutor
He said the preacher linked religious duty with a promise of spiritual reward.
"The defendant was a recruiting sergeant, a recruiting officer, for terrorism and murder," Mr Perry told the court. "In addition to his role as recruiting officer for homicidal violence, we say he was also preaching hatred.
"Through his threatening, abusive and insulting words, he preached hatred against Jews as a racial and ethnic group - not limited to Zionist Jews, or Jews in Israel, if that would not be bad enough - he preached hatred unqualified of the Jews."
Intelligence meetings
The jury has seen videos of Hamza preaching at the Finsbury Park mosque in north London.
"You may think, having seen these lectures and sermons, that for him Islam is not the inclusive, moderate and tolerant religion practised by millions, but a religion of bitterness, resentment and hostility."
Earlier the court was told Mr Hamza met with British secret services seven times between 1997 and 2000. He also met French security services and Special Branch officers at Scotland Yard.
Dates and details were given in admissions to the court. They said after an earlier arrest in 1999, police viewed 725 tapes seized. Some of those were of a similar nature to those featured in the present case.
Charges faced
Mr Abu Hamza faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which allege that he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.
He faces four other charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".
A further charge claims the defendant was in possession of video and audio recordings which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.
The final charge, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, accuses him of possessing the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which, it is claimed, contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
In his closing speech, David Perry, prosecuting, said Mr Hamza used "the most dangerous weapons available" - Islam, his civic position and words.
When Mr Hamza gave evidence in his defence, he said, "he did everything to avoid answering questions".
Mr Abu Hamza, 47, from west London, denies 15 charges, including soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.
During the trial the cleric has denied urging a "tinderbox" congregation at London's Finsbury Park mosque to go out and murder.
'Recruiting officer'
Mr Perry told the jury Mr Hamza made clear encouragements to kill when he gave lectures and sermons to various audiences.
For him Islam is not the inclusive, moderate and tolerant religion practised by millions, but a religion of bitterness, resentment and hostility David Perry Prosecutor
He said the preacher linked religious duty with a promise of spiritual reward.
"The defendant was a recruiting sergeant, a recruiting officer, for terrorism and murder," Mr Perry told the court. "In addition to his role as recruiting officer for homicidal violence, we say he was also preaching hatred.
"Through his threatening, abusive and insulting words, he preached hatred against Jews as a racial and ethnic group - not limited to Zionist Jews, or Jews in Israel, if that would not be bad enough - he preached hatred unqualified of the Jews."
Intelligence meetings
The jury has seen videos of Hamza preaching at the Finsbury Park mosque in north London.
"You may think, having seen these lectures and sermons, that for him Islam is not the inclusive, moderate and tolerant religion practised by millions, but a religion of bitterness, resentment and hostility."
Earlier the court was told Mr Hamza met with British secret services seven times between 1997 and 2000. He also met French security services and Special Branch officers at Scotland Yard.
Dates and details were given in admissions to the court. They said after an earlier arrest in 1999, police viewed 725 tapes seized. Some of those were of a similar nature to those featured in the present case.
Charges faced
Mr Abu Hamza faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which allege that he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.
He faces four other charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".
A further charge claims the defendant was in possession of video and audio recordings which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.
The final charge, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, accuses him of possessing the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which, it is claimed, contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
What price for an Islamic state?
The group, Hizb Ut Tahrir, is banned in many Arab countries as well as Russia and Germany for inciting racial hatred.
Dr Imran Waheed claims that thousands of British Muslims are calling for a complete revolution in the Muslim world.
When pressed on Israel, Dr Waheed makes it clear his party believes their end goal is the liberation of Muslim lands from "colonialism":
"It is the right of Muslims to resist occupation of their lands ... Israel does not have a right to exist." Tim Sebastian asks, "Your goal is the destruction of Israel ... You are happy with that?" "We are," says Dr Waheed.
When pressed on how this Muslim super state could come about, Dr Waheed talks of utilising armies across Muslim countries, in a kind of wake up call:
"All it takes is one phone call to a general in one of the armies in the Muslim world to realise its about time he rescued the dignity of Muslim people from the Western colonialists."
see video here..
Dr Imran Waheed claims that thousands of British Muslims are calling for a complete revolution in the Muslim world.
When pressed on Israel, Dr Waheed makes it clear his party believes their end goal is the liberation of Muslim lands from "colonialism":
"It is the right of Muslims to resist occupation of their lands ... Israel does not have a right to exist." Tim Sebastian asks, "Your goal is the destruction of Israel ... You are happy with that?" "We are," says Dr Waheed.
When pressed on how this Muslim super state could come about, Dr Waheed talks of utilising armies across Muslim countries, in a kind of wake up call:
"All it takes is one phone call to a general in one of the armies in the Muslim world to realise its about time he rescued the dignity of Muslim people from the Western colonialists."
see video here..
Friday, January 20, 2006
Offensive' remarks taken straight from Koran, defence says
COPIES of the Koran were handed to the jurors in the Abu Hamza trial yesterday as his defence argued that some of the cleric’s "offensive" statements were drawn directly from Islam’s holy book.
Edward Fitzgerald, QC, for the defence, said that Abu Hamza’s interpretation of the Koran was that it imposed an obligation on Muslims to do jihad and fight in the defence of their religion. He said that the Crown case against the former imam of Finsbury Park Mosque was "simplistic in the extreme".
He added: "It is said he was preaching murder, but he was actually preaching from the Koran itself."
Mr Fitzgerald cited two verses of the book that Abu Hamza would rely on, among many others, as theological justification for the words that had led to him being charged. They were Chapter 2, verse 216 and Chapter 9, verse 111. He said that all the great monotheistic religions had scriptures that contained "the language of blood and retribution".
Abu Hamza’s remarks, which the prosecution alleges amount to an attempt to stir up racial hatred against the Jewish people, were, Mr Fitzgerald said, a reference to the Hadith — sayings of the Prophet Muhammad — in which fighting between Jews and Muslims is predicted.
The Hadith says that the trees will call out to the Muslims "there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him".
The defence counsel said this was "a highly unusual case" because unlike most prosecutions for incitement to murder it did not involve someone telling a specific person to kill an identifiable individual.
Abu Hamza’s sermons had to be viewed in context, coinciding with conflicts in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia, Kosovo and the Palestinian territories. Mr Fitzgerald said that the West had initially been on the side of the Mujahidin in Afghanistan when they were fighting the Soviet Union army. There had even been a James Bond film, The Living Daylights, in which 007 fought alongside the Mujahidin.
He added: "Mr Hamza has said things that most people will find deeply offensive and hateful. But he is not on trial for describing England as a toilet. There is no crime of simply being offensive."
Edward Fitzgerald, QC, for the defence, said that Abu Hamza’s interpretation of the Koran was that it imposed an obligation on Muslims to do jihad and fight in the defence of their religion. He said that the Crown case against the former imam of Finsbury Park Mosque was "simplistic in the extreme".
He added: "It is said he was preaching murder, but he was actually preaching from the Koran itself."
Mr Fitzgerald cited two verses of the book that Abu Hamza would rely on, among many others, as theological justification for the words that had led to him being charged. They were Chapter 2, verse 216 and Chapter 9, verse 111. He said that all the great monotheistic religions had scriptures that contained "the language of blood and retribution".
Abu Hamza’s remarks, which the prosecution alleges amount to an attempt to stir up racial hatred against the Jewish people, were, Mr Fitzgerald said, a reference to the Hadith — sayings of the Prophet Muhammad — in which fighting between Jews and Muslims is predicted.
The Hadith says that the trees will call out to the Muslims "there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him".
The defence counsel said this was "a highly unusual case" because unlike most prosecutions for incitement to murder it did not involve someone telling a specific person to kill an identifiable individual.
Abu Hamza’s sermons had to be viewed in context, coinciding with conflicts in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia, Kosovo and the Palestinian territories. Mr Fitzgerald said that the West had initially been on the side of the Mujahidin in Afghanistan when they were fighting the Soviet Union army. There had even been a James Bond film, The Living Daylights, in which 007 fought alongside the Mujahidin.
He added: "Mr Hamza has said things that most people will find deeply offensive and hateful. But he is not on trial for describing England as a toilet. There is no crime of simply being offensive."
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Hamza's 'terror manual'
A DOZEN police officers seized 181 items from the home of alleged race hate cleric Abu Hamza in a pre-dawn raid, the Old Bailey heard today.
They included a ten volume Encyclopaedia of Afghani Jihad - which the prosecution allege was a terrorism "manual" containing a dedication to Osama bin Laden and suggesting a list of potential targets which included skyscrapers and Big Ben.
Hamza said he had been given it as a gift and had not read it, but kept it as a historical document, the court has heard.
Detective Sergeant Keith Asman who led the search on Hamza's premises in Shepherds Bush, west London in May last year, said two interpreters were with them who studied items written in Arabic to identify their content.
The police were looking for diaries, address books, passports, traveldocuments, maps plans or sketches, DS Asman told jurors.
Also on their search schedule were immigration papers, literature and books relating to politics, religion, devices, poisonous chemicals, notepads and personal correspondence.
The officer's evidence came as the prosecution ended their case. Hamza's defence case is due to start later.
Hamza, 47, from west London, faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 alleging that he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.
He also faces four charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "usingthreatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".
A further charge alleges Hamza was in possession of video and audiorecordings which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.
The final charge, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, accuses him of possession of a document, the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
za few videos i found
They included a ten volume Encyclopaedia of Afghani Jihad - which the prosecution allege was a terrorism "manual" containing a dedication to Osama bin Laden and suggesting a list of potential targets which included skyscrapers and Big Ben.
Hamza said he had been given it as a gift and had not read it, but kept it as a historical document, the court has heard.
Detective Sergeant Keith Asman who led the search on Hamza's premises in Shepherds Bush, west London in May last year, said two interpreters were with them who studied items written in Arabic to identify their content.
The police were looking for diaries, address books, passports, traveldocuments, maps plans or sketches, DS Asman told jurors.
Also on their search schedule were immigration papers, literature and books relating to politics, religion, devices, poisonous chemicals, notepads and personal correspondence.
The officer's evidence came as the prosecution ended their case. Hamza's defence case is due to start later.
Hamza, 47, from west London, faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 alleging that he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.
He also faces four charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "usingthreatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".
A further charge alleges Hamza was in possession of video and audiorecordings which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.
The final charge, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, accuses him of possession of a document, the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
za few videos i found
HOMOPHOBIC MUSLIMS ARE OK OF COURSE
A British Muslim leader is being investigated by the police for allegedly homophobic remarks made during a radio interview. Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said that homosexual practices were "harmful" and civil partnerships "not acceptable" last week. Interviewed on BBC Radio Four's PM programme on Jan 3, Sir Iqbal said: "If you look into the scientific evidence that has been available in terms of the various forms of other illnesses and diseases that are there, surely it points out that, where homosexuality is practised, there is a greater concern in that area." Asked if homosexuality was harmful to society, he said: "Certainly it is a practice that doesn't, in terms of health, in terms of the moral issues that comes along in a society - it is. It is not acceptable."Peter Rippon, the programme's editor, was telephoned by an officer at West End Central police station in London yesterday, who said that he was investigating a homophobic incident under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. This makes it an offence for a person to use "threatening, abusive or insulting words" within the hearing of "a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress" as a result. The prosecution must also establish that the defendant intended his words to be threatening, abusive or insulting or that he was aware that they may be. It is a defence for the accused to prove that his conduct was reasonable. The maximum penalty is a fine of 1,000 pounds. There is no suggestion that the BBC is facing prosecution and it rebroadcast Sir Iqbal's remarks in full on yesterday's PM programme. Sir Iqbal declined to comment further, saying he had not yet been contacted by the police. The investigation follows a letter in The Daily Telegraph on Jan 6, pointing out that Christians who expressed negative views of homosexuality had previously been contacted by the police and warned against their behaviour. Neil Addison, who wrote the letter, argued that if the police took no action against Sir Iqbal the Churches would be entitled to ask why Muslims were being treated differently from Christians. Sir Iqbal defended his comments in a statement on his website last week. "What I said was only to reiterate the well-known Islamic position that the practice of homosexuality is not acceptable," he wrote. "It is a sin. This view is shared in other scriptures, such as those of Christianity and Judaism."what did you expect.
Police confirm no charges to be brought against Sir Iqbal SacranieMonday 23 January 2006
"We are naturally very pleased by this news. To be honest, we thought it somewhat surprising when we heard that Sir Iqbal was being investigated by the police for merely articulating the mainstream Islamic viewpoint about homosexuality. We believe it is very important for faith leaders like Sir Iqbal to uphold the integrity of the family unit and underline its role in strengthening society," said a spokesperson at the Muslim Council of Britain.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Hamza told his followers that Allah loves blood
MUSLIM cleric Abu Hamza told his followers that Allah loves blood, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.
In a video of a sermon shown to jurors he called for the killing of Jews and said: "There is no drop of liquid as loved by Allah more than the the liquid of blood."
In a private address to followers, Hamza, 47, said: "Fight and kill the infidels wherever you find them. Wherever you find them, the unbeliever is killed, take them and seize them. Any person who hinders Allah, this man must be eliminated because he is a menace. He should be killed."
The court saw two videos from 1998 or 1999 and 2000 and extracts were read out from a 90 page transcript.
Hamza was also seen urging followers to arm themselves with AK-47 machine guns and join the Palestinian uprising against Israel.
He said: "If it is killing, just do it, it if is paying, pay, if it is ambushing, ambush, it it is poisoning, poison."
The Egyptian-born cleric who preached at Finsbury Park mosque, North London, claimed former US president Bill Clinton and late Foreign Secretary Robin Cook — were blackmailed by Israelis.
And in a question and answer session Hamza urged his audience to kill Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak by "stealing" his blood.
Hamza denies 15 charges, including nine of soliciting to murder. Trial continues.
z
In a video of a sermon shown to jurors he called for the killing of Jews and said: "There is no drop of liquid as loved by Allah more than the the liquid of blood."
In a private address to followers, Hamza, 47, said: "Fight and kill the infidels wherever you find them. Wherever you find them, the unbeliever is killed, take them and seize them. Any person who hinders Allah, this man must be eliminated because he is a menace. He should be killed."
The court saw two videos from 1998 or 1999 and 2000 and extracts were read out from a 90 page transcript.
Hamza was also seen urging followers to arm themselves with AK-47 machine guns and join the Palestinian uprising against Israel.
He said: "If it is killing, just do it, it if is paying, pay, if it is ambushing, ambush, it it is poisoning, poison."
The Egyptian-born cleric who preached at Finsbury Park mosque, North London, claimed former US president Bill Clinton and late Foreign Secretary Robin Cook — were blackmailed by Israelis.
And in a question and answer session Hamza urged his audience to kill Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak by "stealing" his blood.
Hamza denies 15 charges, including nine of soliciting to murder. Trial continues.
z
Monday, January 16, 2006
Hamza attacked 'sugar daddy West'
Controversial cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri accused Western leaders of being sugar daddies to Israel because they were being blackmailed, his trial has heard.
"Jews know how to control people. This is how they know how to control our leaders," he said in a sermon, played on videotape to the Old Bailey jury.
He also criticised the "dogs of the West" for not condemning Israel.
The 47-year-old, from west London, denies 15 charges, including soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.
'No peace treaty'
Jurors on the fourth day of Mr Abu Hamza's trial heard him tell a crowd: "Now all these dogs of the West they have to go now, none of them have condemned what Israel has done to the Muslims and the Palestinians.
"But as soon as three soldiers snatched from South Lebanon and some of them are being killed in Palestine they all go to their hands and knees - Robin Cook [the late former foreign secretary] to go there on his hands and knees, even Clinton [former US president]."
They are enemies to one another and Allah has cursed them Abu Hamza al-Masri Video shown to court
"Why they act like sugar daddy for Israel? Because they love the Israelis? No way!
"Because they hate them very much, but the Israelis know how to deal with them.
"They got a file for each one of these politicians, how much homosexual you are, how many money he has taken as bribe, whom his wife goes with, which child he has been abusing and they got all this against them.
"Jews know how to control people. This is how they know how to control our leaders."
In the video of the sermon, given in October 2000, Mr Abu Hamza said Muslims could not have a peace treaty with Jews - Allah had said that Muslims had placed enmity among them until judgment day.
"They are enemies to one another and Allah has cursed them," he said.
Whether you do it by the lamb, or you do it by a Serb, you do it by a Jew, you do it by any enemies of Allah Abu Hamza al-Masri Video shown to court
"This is why he send Hitler for them. Jews they have nowhere to go, they are going to be buried in Palestine all of them."
He went on to tell his audience that there was no liquid loved more by Allah "than the liquid of blood".
"Whether you do it by the lamb, or you do it by a Serb, you do it by a Jew, you do it by any enemies of Allah," he said.
That drop of blood "is very dear".
Mr Abu Hamza faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 alleging that he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.
He also faces four charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".
A further charge alleges he was in possession of video and audio recordings, which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.
The final charge, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, accuses him of possession of a document, the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
He denies all charges. The trial continues.
x
"Jews know how to control people. This is how they know how to control our leaders," he said in a sermon, played on videotape to the Old Bailey jury.
He also criticised the "dogs of the West" for not condemning Israel.
The 47-year-old, from west London, denies 15 charges, including soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.
'No peace treaty'
Jurors on the fourth day of Mr Abu Hamza's trial heard him tell a crowd: "Now all these dogs of the West they have to go now, none of them have condemned what Israel has done to the Muslims and the Palestinians.
"But as soon as three soldiers snatched from South Lebanon and some of them are being killed in Palestine they all go to their hands and knees - Robin Cook [the late former foreign secretary] to go there on his hands and knees, even Clinton [former US president]."
They are enemies to one another and Allah has cursed them Abu Hamza al-Masri Video shown to court
"Why they act like sugar daddy for Israel? Because they love the Israelis? No way!
"Because they hate them very much, but the Israelis know how to deal with them.
"They got a file for each one of these politicians, how much homosexual you are, how many money he has taken as bribe, whom his wife goes with, which child he has been abusing and they got all this against them.
"Jews know how to control people. This is how they know how to control our leaders."
In the video of the sermon, given in October 2000, Mr Abu Hamza said Muslims could not have a peace treaty with Jews - Allah had said that Muslims had placed enmity among them until judgment day.
"They are enemies to one another and Allah has cursed them," he said.
Whether you do it by the lamb, or you do it by a Serb, you do it by a Jew, you do it by any enemies of Allah Abu Hamza al-Masri Video shown to court
"This is why he send Hitler for them. Jews they have nowhere to go, they are going to be buried in Palestine all of them."
He went on to tell his audience that there was no liquid loved more by Allah "than the liquid of blood".
"Whether you do it by the lamb, or you do it by a Serb, you do it by a Jew, you do it by any enemies of Allah," he said.
That drop of blood "is very dear".
Mr Abu Hamza faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 alleging that he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.
He also faces four charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".
A further charge alleges he was in possession of video and audio recordings, which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.
The final charge, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act, accuses him of possession of a document, the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
He denies all charges. The trial continues.
x
Saturday, January 14, 2006
British Muslims called to take up jihad
Muslims living in Britain are facing two choices; either to migrate or to join the jihad, a key Islamic figure has said.
Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammed, leader of the now officially disbanded Islamic militant group Al Muhajiroun told United Press International Saturday that as the covenant of security under which Muslims previously lived in Britain has been broken, Muslims must now consider themselves at war.
"And I declare we should ourselves join the global Islamic camp against the global crusade camp," he said.
What violated the covenant, according to Sheikh Omar, was the anti-terrorist legislation introduced in the United Kingdom after the 9/11 attacks. If the British government would review these policies and release those detained without trial in Belmarsh prison and elsewhere, Muslims could live at peace in Britain. Otherwise, they must prepare themselves to fight.
"The response from the Muslims will be horrendous if the British government continues in the way it treats Muslims," he said, adding that suicide bombings were a possibility.
He called on Muslims to form a new coalition united behind al-Qaida with Osama Bin Laden as their leader.
This jihadi group would replace Al-Muhajiroun, which is no longer needed, he said. By dissolving such parties the Muslim community will have to come together, and as the judge of the Sharia court in Britain, he is the one to unite them, he added.
Those who did not wish to either leave or fight would not be regarded as Muslims, said Sheikh Omar, condemning in particular the Muslim Council of Britain for urging the Muslim community to cooperate with the British government.
"They are hypocrites, we don't believe they are Muslims," he told UPI. "In a time of crisis, who ever allies with them (the kuffaar -- non-believers) is one of them, so I don't believe they are Muslims in the first place."
"I doubt if one of them would dare to walk the streets of Mecca by themselves," he added.
Muslims are facing wars on two fronts, in Britain and abroad, he explained. Though they will live at peace in Britain should the government meet their demands, the fight will continue elsewhere in the Islamic world.
"We have the right to support our brothers and sisters abroad financially," he said. "They're recruiting us to join the British Army to go and kill our brothers and sisters. Why? We believe that everybody that does this becomes apostate, but we don't stop them because they can do whatever they want.
"But you see, why are they free to join the British Army, and train and go abroad to fight, but it is not free for us to go abroad and defend our homelands? They say because you are going to fight our army there. Why are you using your army there? Why do you want to be in our land in the first place?
The "aggressors" and "occupiers" should not claim they wish to solve the problems of Muslims in Iraq, he said. "You can't, you are the oppressors."
The declaration of Western governments that leaders such as Osama Bin Laden or Abu Musab al-Zarqawi can be killed in Muslim countries means there is no sanctity of Muslim property, he said.
"If they themselves cannot walk in the streets of Iraq or the streets of Baghdad or the streets of Riyadh freely, how can this British army walk there?"
"Either withdraw your own forces or don't expect Muslims not to support the Muslims abroad," said Sheikh Omar, adding that the West supports dictators abroad when they see fit.
If the government met those conditions, Muslims could continue to live peacefully in Britain, he said.
"After that there will be no need to fight anybody, we've been living in peace here for years, and we can continue to live in peace," he said. "We love Britain."
Sheikh Omar was speaking after at a conference in London ostensibly organized by Women's Dawah U.K., where around 600 attendees gathered to listen to his call for jihad.
Though he insisted the conference -- titled "The role of Muslims nowadays" was not organized by Al-Muhajiroun, a moderate Islamic source speaking on condition of anonymity that the radical Islamist group were indeed behind it.
The speakers, all leading members of the group, called for war against the kuffaar (non-Muslims) and lead chants as a projector screen showed images of dead American soldiers in Iraq.
As the infamous images of two planes crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center replayed again and again, the rapt watchers thrust their fists in the air and chanted "Allahu Akhbar! (God is great!)"
"Nine-eleven was one example of some people who chose to show us they are men, real Muslim men," said one speaker.
"The kuffaar has been trying to destroy Islam since the beginning of time, and will continue until the end of time," he said.
"Nine-eleven everyday happened to us but nobody really cares about what is happening," he continued. "Why is our blood so cheap?"
Osama Bin Laden "terrified them, he terrorized them, because they terrify us, because they terrorize us," he said.
The governments of the West must know that if they do not behave themselves we will "give them a 9/11 day after day after day!" he shouted, to furious chanting.
All the Muslim brothers and sisters, even the children, must now start their preparations, another speaker urged.
"Whether they be stones, whether they be sticks, whether they be knives, whether they be bombs, whatever they may be, prepare as much as you can," he said.
"It is our responsibility as Muslims to prepare, to fight," he said, calling on the crowd to "give up your lives for the sake of Allah."
"The crusade against Muslims by the British regime" is "indisputable", according to a Muslim lawyer and key figure in Al-Muhajiroun speaking at the conference.
The British and U.S. governments believe they are engaged in "a crusade for good against evil," allowing them to introduce "draconian" laws under which they can kidnap and detain Muslims indefinitely and indiscriminately spill their blood in places such as Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, he said.
Muslims must also beware of "the enemy within" -- moderate Muslims such as those on the Muslim Council of Britain, he said.
They side with "the Jewish conspirators, the Jewish occupiers and the Christian crusaders," he said, and "will sell out their Muslim brothers."
"Please raise your hands if you think the Muslim Council of Britain represents you," a speaker at the conference instructed the crowd.
All stayed silent.
"Put your hands up if Sheikh Osama Bin Laden represents you!" he called.
Every hand shot in the air, even those of three or four year old children and their mothers in the back rows. "Allahu Akhbar!" echoed through the hall.
The MCB, continued the speaker, even condemned the "beautiful" attacks in Madrid last year. The chants grew louder.
Muslims must reject the integrationist calls of such people, said Sheikh Omar.
Instead, an Islamic state must be established here in Britain, he said, an aim that is the duty of every Muslim.
"If people reject the call of mighty Allah," he continued, "... death will be inevitable."
To confirm this, images of people dropping dead and burning in flames appeared on the projector screen.
The face of U.S. President George Bush then appeared, surrounded by flames. The infamous post 9/11 clip in which he called on "every nation and every region" to choose their side is played on a loop. "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists," he said, again and again.
"You are not with him, you are with them!" Sheikh Omar shouted, to the chanting of the crowd.
Finally, the women who organized the event appeared, urging Muslim mothers to take their children out of kuffaar schools.
"We must teach our children where their allegiance is. There is no way we can do this if they are being taught by the enemies of Allah," one said.
Muslim mothers must teach their children to have passion for jihad and to take martyrs as their role models, she said.
Relating how her young daughter had delighted her by declaring her love for Osama Bin Laden, she said Muslim sons must be nurtured to be like the al-Qaida leader.
Neither should the battle be restricted to men, she said; not only should women encourage their husbands and children but they should also take up the struggle themselves.
"Go forth and prepare; fighting has been ordered on both of you," she said.
see video
Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammed, leader of the now officially disbanded Islamic militant group Al Muhajiroun told United Press International Saturday that as the covenant of security under which Muslims previously lived in Britain has been broken, Muslims must now consider themselves at war.
"And I declare we should ourselves join the global Islamic camp against the global crusade camp," he said.
What violated the covenant, according to Sheikh Omar, was the anti-terrorist legislation introduced in the United Kingdom after the 9/11 attacks. If the British government would review these policies and release those detained without trial in Belmarsh prison and elsewhere, Muslims could live at peace in Britain. Otherwise, they must prepare themselves to fight.
"The response from the Muslims will be horrendous if the British government continues in the way it treats Muslims," he said, adding that suicide bombings were a possibility.
He called on Muslims to form a new coalition united behind al-Qaida with Osama Bin Laden as their leader.
This jihadi group would replace Al-Muhajiroun, which is no longer needed, he said. By dissolving such parties the Muslim community will have to come together, and as the judge of the Sharia court in Britain, he is the one to unite them, he added.
Those who did not wish to either leave or fight would not be regarded as Muslims, said Sheikh Omar, condemning in particular the Muslim Council of Britain for urging the Muslim community to cooperate with the British government.
"They are hypocrites, we don't believe they are Muslims," he told UPI. "In a time of crisis, who ever allies with them (the kuffaar -- non-believers) is one of them, so I don't believe they are Muslims in the first place."
"I doubt if one of them would dare to walk the streets of Mecca by themselves," he added.
Muslims are facing wars on two fronts, in Britain and abroad, he explained. Though they will live at peace in Britain should the government meet their demands, the fight will continue elsewhere in the Islamic world.
"We have the right to support our brothers and sisters abroad financially," he said. "They're recruiting us to join the British Army to go and kill our brothers and sisters. Why? We believe that everybody that does this becomes apostate, but we don't stop them because they can do whatever they want.
"But you see, why are they free to join the British Army, and train and go abroad to fight, but it is not free for us to go abroad and defend our homelands? They say because you are going to fight our army there. Why are you using your army there? Why do you want to be in our land in the first place?
The "aggressors" and "occupiers" should not claim they wish to solve the problems of Muslims in Iraq, he said. "You can't, you are the oppressors."
The declaration of Western governments that leaders such as Osama Bin Laden or Abu Musab al-Zarqawi can be killed in Muslim countries means there is no sanctity of Muslim property, he said.
"If they themselves cannot walk in the streets of Iraq or the streets of Baghdad or the streets of Riyadh freely, how can this British army walk there?"
"Either withdraw your own forces or don't expect Muslims not to support the Muslims abroad," said Sheikh Omar, adding that the West supports dictators abroad when they see fit.
If the government met those conditions, Muslims could continue to live peacefully in Britain, he said.
"After that there will be no need to fight anybody, we've been living in peace here for years, and we can continue to live in peace," he said. "We love Britain."
Sheikh Omar was speaking after at a conference in London ostensibly organized by Women's Dawah U.K., where around 600 attendees gathered to listen to his call for jihad.
Though he insisted the conference -- titled "The role of Muslims nowadays" was not organized by Al-Muhajiroun, a moderate Islamic source speaking on condition of anonymity that the radical Islamist group were indeed behind it.
The speakers, all leading members of the group, called for war against the kuffaar (non-Muslims) and lead chants as a projector screen showed images of dead American soldiers in Iraq.
As the infamous images of two planes crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center replayed again and again, the rapt watchers thrust their fists in the air and chanted "Allahu Akhbar! (God is great!)"
"Nine-eleven was one example of some people who chose to show us they are men, real Muslim men," said one speaker.
"The kuffaar has been trying to destroy Islam since the beginning of time, and will continue until the end of time," he said.
"Nine-eleven everyday happened to us but nobody really cares about what is happening," he continued. "Why is our blood so cheap?"
Osama Bin Laden "terrified them, he terrorized them, because they terrify us, because they terrorize us," he said.
The governments of the West must know that if they do not behave themselves we will "give them a 9/11 day after day after day!" he shouted, to furious chanting.
All the Muslim brothers and sisters, even the children, must now start their preparations, another speaker urged.
"Whether they be stones, whether they be sticks, whether they be knives, whether they be bombs, whatever they may be, prepare as much as you can," he said.
"It is our responsibility as Muslims to prepare, to fight," he said, calling on the crowd to "give up your lives for the sake of Allah."
"The crusade against Muslims by the British regime" is "indisputable", according to a Muslim lawyer and key figure in Al-Muhajiroun speaking at the conference.
The British and U.S. governments believe they are engaged in "a crusade for good against evil," allowing them to introduce "draconian" laws under which they can kidnap and detain Muslims indefinitely and indiscriminately spill their blood in places such as Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, he said.
Muslims must also beware of "the enemy within" -- moderate Muslims such as those on the Muslim Council of Britain, he said.
They side with "the Jewish conspirators, the Jewish occupiers and the Christian crusaders," he said, and "will sell out their Muslim brothers."
"Please raise your hands if you think the Muslim Council of Britain represents you," a speaker at the conference instructed the crowd.
All stayed silent.
"Put your hands up if Sheikh Osama Bin Laden represents you!" he called.
Every hand shot in the air, even those of three or four year old children and their mothers in the back rows. "Allahu Akhbar!" echoed through the hall.
The MCB, continued the speaker, even condemned the "beautiful" attacks in Madrid last year. The chants grew louder.
Muslims must reject the integrationist calls of such people, said Sheikh Omar.
Instead, an Islamic state must be established here in Britain, he said, an aim that is the duty of every Muslim.
"If people reject the call of mighty Allah," he continued, "... death will be inevitable."
To confirm this, images of people dropping dead and burning in flames appeared on the projector screen.
The face of U.S. President George Bush then appeared, surrounded by flames. The infamous post 9/11 clip in which he called on "every nation and every region" to choose their side is played on a loop. "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists," he said, again and again.
"You are not with him, you are with them!" Sheikh Omar shouted, to the chanting of the crowd.
Finally, the women who organized the event appeared, urging Muslim mothers to take their children out of kuffaar schools.
"We must teach our children where their allegiance is. There is no way we can do this if they are being taught by the enemies of Allah," one said.
Muslim mothers must teach their children to have passion for jihad and to take martyrs as their role models, she said.
Relating how her young daughter had delighted her by declaring her love for Osama Bin Laden, she said Muslim sons must be nurtured to be like the al-Qaida leader.
Neither should the battle be restricted to men, she said; not only should women encourage their husbands and children but they should also take up the struggle themselves.
"Go forth and prepare; fighting has been ordered on both of you," she said.
see video
Hamza's 'gloat' at dead
PREACHER Abu Hamza gloated over the killing of 17 sailors in a suicide bomb attack on a US warship, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.The cleric used one of his "sermons of hate" to celebrate deaths aboard USS Cole caused by terrorists in Yemen in October 2000.A jury watched a video in which Hamza described the attack as a "martyrs’ operation against the dogs of the US Navy".Hamza said: "The fish are still eating them, thanks be to God. There are still many injured and there is also fear."Hamza also referred to the bomb attack on the British embassy in Yemen the following day and called for all His comments were on a three-hour video shot at the in North London in October 2000.On an earlier tape Hamza told his audience that killing a non believer — a "Kaffir" — was perfectly acceptable.He said: "Killing a kaffir for any reason, you can say it is OK, even if there is no reason for it."Hamza, denies 15 charges, including possession of a terrorism manual that listed Big Ben as a target.He has denied inciting racial hatred and encouraging murder. The trial continues.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Hamza: Sacrifice for Islam
The preacher compared Britain to a toilet — and told his congregation they must declare a holy war.He said that because they had no nuclear or chemical weapons for the "Jihad" they should use a "kitchen knife" or "mice poison".
Hamza — whose booming voice was heard by the jury for the first time — said the goal was an Islamic state, or Khilifa.
He wanted to see an Islamic leader in the White House.
In the two-hour rant, recorded in East London in 1997 or 1998, he told followers: "We have to do a bit of sacrifice — to get Khilifa . . . even if you have to endorse it by the sword.
"You have no choice. Why not be an asset to Islam? Why not sacrifice? Don’t escape, don’t hide, don’t put your head in the sand
He continued: "If you are not going to die on a Jihad, you are going to die on a zebra crossing.
"You can’t escape death, so look for a dignified one."
Hamza, 47, who allegedly had a terrorism manual listing Big Ben as a possible target, denies nine charges of encouraging his followers to murder.
He also pleads not guilty to inciting racial hatred and possessing material that could be useful to terrorists.
In the video the handless cleric, who preached at Finsbury Park mosque in North London, waves his hook and bangs the stump of his other arm.
Sitting behind a banner saying "Al Jihad", he declares: "Every court is a target. Every brothel is a target."
In a reference to Jews he is seen making a cutting motion across his throat with his hook.
In a second taped speech Hamza branded the British pagans. The trial continues.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Hamza 'had Big Ben as terror target'
Supporters of Abu Hamza outside court yesterday
Abu Hamza, the Muslim preacher, had a 10-volume terrorism manual at his home which was dedicated to Osama bin Laden and featured a list of targets including Big Ben, skyscrapers, airports and football stadiums, a court heard yesterday.
The Encyclopaedia of Afghani Jihad was written in Arabic between 1989 and 1999 with the help of Mujahadeen fighters in Afghanistan.
It featured sections on explosives, sabotage and assassination, the Old Bailey was told.
The first volume talks of a holy war against English, French and Communist "imperialists" who protect Israel.
It also refers to an "external pressure unit" which "belongs to the execution unit which operates abroad" and should be sent to a country "at least 10 years" before the Jihad starts.
Among the high-profile targets suggested are the "Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and Big Ben clock".
Targets where there would be bigger loss of life are suggested as "skyscrapers, ports, airports, nuclear plants, football stadiums and large congregations at Christmas".
David Perry, prosecuting, said it was a "manual, a blueprint for terrorism". "It includes all anyone ever needs to know if they want to make a home-made bomb or explosive."
Hamza, 47, who was born in Egypt and has lived in Britain for several years as a British citizen, is accused of nine counts of soliciting to murder, four counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and two counts of possessing abusive recordings with a view to distribution and possession of a document useful to preparing terrorism.
When police raided his home in west London in May 2004 they found more than 2,700 audio tapes and 570 video tapes, some of them labelled "Jihad", meaning holy war, the court was told.
Hamza was the preacher at Finsbury Park mosque before it closed in 2003. The terrorism encyclopedia was found on the top shelf in a ground- floor room of his house.
The jury saw pictures of Hamza's home in Shepherd's Bush. It contained boxes piled with blank tapes and others labelled "master", suggesting they were being prepared for distribution.
The tapes included sections on the evils of adultery, drink and e-number additives in food.
In one speech, delivered to a meeting in Whitechapel, east London, in 1997 or 1998 Hamza said the role of women should be to encourage their husbands to train children as young as 10 so they could become mujahadeen (holy warriors).
In a tape aimed at young people he said: "When you meet Allah you will be asked who was killed at your hands?"
Britain and Western nations were "100 per cent anti-Islam", he said in another tape, calling on his followers to spread Islam "by the sword" and adding: "European leaders only respect those that are strong."
He said: "Killing the kafir for any reason is OK, killing the kafir for no reason is OK," and he specifically singled out those that granted licences for "wine shops".
Hamza added: "We like blood and are addicted to it. When they say they love Allah they must ask themselves how much fafir blood they have spilt for Allah."
Describing non-believers as "germs and viruses" in another tape he added: "There is no drop of liquid loved by Allah more than blood of Serbs, Jews or any other enemy of Allah."
In a speech about a terrorist attack in Egypt, which killed 58 people in November 1997, Hamza told his audience the tourist industry should be Islamised and added: "While children should not be killed directly, their killing is permissible if they are in the target area."
Asked if suicide bombing was permissible he said: "People call it suicide to put people off. It is not called suicide, it is called martyrdom."
The court heard Hamza was calling for a worldwide "caliphate" of Muslim Shariah law and for a Muslim ruler in the White House.
Hamza claimed Jews were "blasphemous, traitors and dirty" and added that "Hitler was sent to torture and humiliate Jews", the court was told.
Mr Perry said Islam was not the subject of the trial and added: "It is quite clear no religion condones the murder or killing of innocent men, women or children or the dissemination of hatred and bigotry."
Hamza refused to answer questions when he was arrested but gave a statement claiming that Islam was on trial and he had never read the encyclopaedia, which had been given to him as a "gift". He denies all the charges.
The trial continues.
Do you have special knowledge or experience of these issues? The Daily Telegraph's letters page welcomes your views: mailto:dtletters@telegraph.co.uk?subject=The
Hamza 'urged followers to murder'
Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri told his followers it was their "religious duty to kill" non-Muslims, jurors heard as his trial began at the Old Bailey.
David Perry, prosecuting, said a "terrorism manual" was found at the cleric's home in London in May 2004.
It explained how to make explosives and organise a terrorist unit, he said.
Abu Hamza, 47, denies 15 charges including having a document "useful" to a terrorist and soliciting people to murder non-Muslims....
He is also accused of threatening behaviour with intent to incite racial hatred.
Mr Perry said Mr Abu Hamza railed against alcohol, adultery, democracy and said Muslims had an "obligation" to fight and kill kuffar (non-believers)....
"You will hear the tapes and we will hear that the defendant, Sheikh Abu Hamza, encouraged his listeners, whether they were an audience at a private meeting or a congregation at the mosque, to believe that it was part of a religious duty to fight in the cause of Allah, God, and as part of the religious duty to fight in the cause of Allah, it was part of the religious duty to kill."
See Qur'an 2:190-193; 9:5, 9:29; and a host of others.
Mr Perry said the cleric preached "intolerance, bigotry and hatred", especially against Jewish people.
The prosecutor stressed the case was "not a trial against Islam", or against its holy book, the Koran, but had been brought "because of what the defendant said"....
Hmmm. But what if what he said tallies with what is in the Qur'an?
see video.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Was this a kidnapping?
Kate Burton Looking Terrified? (where are the "kidnapped" parents? Holding the camera and mic?)A British human rights worker kidnapped in Gaza with her parents has spoken of their ordeal following their release. Kate Burton, 24, told the BBC they were treated well by their kidnappers during the two-and-a-half days they were held, but that her parents were "tired". Their captors, a previously unheard of group called the Mujahadeen Brigades, released a video denouncing the UK and threatening to take more hostages. She spoke of her sadness that her parents had had such a "desperate experience" during their visit to Gaza, but said she hoped to continue her human rights work there. She added that she could not say a bad word about her captors, who always asked whether they needed anything. The UK Foreign Office, who had a team of diplomats in Gaza, said it was pleased to confirm Kate, Hugh and Win (Helen) Burton had been freed and were "well and in good spirits". The previously unknown group made a list of demands and urged Britain to put pressure on Israel. They said if their demands were not met they would capture international observers in the forthcoming elections. Was this a kidnapping? Or was this a good way to get the media to focus on the demands of Gazas Islamic terrorists, while trying to portray them in as good a light as possible? I know what some of you are thinking, crazy conspiracies etc... So where are the kidnappers? Obviously they would have tracked them or arrested them as Ms Burton and her family were released? z
KILLED FOR NOT CONVERTING
A mother described yesterday hearing her son shot dead after he refused to convert to Islam.
Ruth Marriott told an inquest into her son's death that she heard gunshots on the day Adrian was shot five times in the head a few weeks before his 21st birthday.
Mr Marriott, an accountancy student and gang member, was killed in a park near his home in Brixton, south London, in June 2004.
Three members of a rival gang, known as the Muslim Boys, were cleared in September last year of conspiracy to murder Mr Marriott after the prosecution offered no evidence at the Old Bailey.
His mother told the inquest at Southwark Coroners' Court yesterday: "We heard the shooting. We heard gun fire.
"The thought did strike me that Adrian could be involved, but it was a fleeting thought. Then we heard from police the following evening what had happened.
"Adrian was told on the Sunday prior to his death that he would be killed if he did not become a Muslim by the Wednesday, which was the day he died."
Asked by the coroner, John Sampson, whether her son had taken the threat seriously, Mrs Marriott said: "I do not think he did."
She said she had last seen him on the afternoon he was killed.
"He was happy. He was pestering me to order something for him out of my catalogue," she said. "Adrian was very much a family man."
The coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Det Sgt John Stafford, who led the murder investigation, told the inquest that he was still searching for evidence to convict Mr Marriott's killers.
He said: "It does indeed remain a live matter. We are still keen to talk to z
Ruth Marriott told an inquest into her son's death that she heard gunshots on the day Adrian was shot five times in the head a few weeks before his 21st birthday.
Mr Marriott, an accountancy student and gang member, was killed in a park near his home in Brixton, south London, in June 2004.
Three members of a rival gang, known as the Muslim Boys, were cleared in September last year of conspiracy to murder Mr Marriott after the prosecution offered no evidence at the Old Bailey.
His mother told the inquest at Southwark Coroners' Court yesterday: "We heard the shooting. We heard gun fire.
"The thought did strike me that Adrian could be involved, but it was a fleeting thought. Then we heard from police the following evening what had happened.
"Adrian was told on the Sunday prior to his death that he would be killed if he did not become a Muslim by the Wednesday, which was the day he died."
Asked by the coroner, John Sampson, whether her son had taken the threat seriously, Mrs Marriott said: "I do not think he did."
She said she had last seen him on the afternoon he was killed.
"He was happy. He was pestering me to order something for him out of my catalogue," she said. "Adrian was very much a family man."
The coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Det Sgt John Stafford, who led the murder investigation, told the inquest that he was still searching for evidence to convict Mr Marriott's killers.
He said: "It does indeed remain a live matter. We are still keen to talk to z
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Wanted: Polish Muslim butchers
Warsaw - After dentists, nurses, bus drivers, catering workers and handful of plumbers, Britain is now turning to fill another gap in its market. Muslim halal butchers are being requested from Poland, said an ad posted in Poland.
The ad, published on the website of Poland's Association of Muslims and in the press in the northeastern Bialystok region, home to a sizeable Muslim community in overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Poland, was seeking to recruit "Muslims... who pray five times a day and adhere to the principles of halal cuisine, with no pork or alcoholic beverages".
They were needed to work in Muslim butchers' shops in Britain "for 40 to 60 hours a week for a wage of £5 to £7 per hour, depending on experience".
Neither the Polish nor British bureaus of the Polco job agency which posted the ad would comment to on where the jobs were based, whether any applications had been received and what benefits were on offer to successful applicants.
Poles flock to Britain
Britain was one of only three older EU members that fully opened their job markets to workers from new member states in the former communist bloc.
More than 290nbsp;000 eastern Europeans have applied to work in Britain since their countries joined the European Union in May 2004 according to figures published in November by the British government.
Most applicants were from Poland, accounting for 58% of the total.
Poland's Muslim community numbers between 20nbsp;000 and 25nbsp;000 out of a total population of around 38m.
Around one-quarter of Polish Muslims are descendants of Tatars who fled the Mongol warrior Genghis Kahn over 600 years ago, many settling in Poland's Bialystok region, near the border with Belarus.
The ad, published on the website of Poland's Association of Muslims and in the press in the northeastern Bialystok region, home to a sizeable Muslim community in overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Poland, was seeking to recruit "Muslims... who pray five times a day and adhere to the principles of halal cuisine, with no pork or alcoholic beverages".
They were needed to work in Muslim butchers' shops in Britain "for 40 to 60 hours a week for a wage of £5 to £7 per hour, depending on experience".
Neither the Polish nor British bureaus of the Polco job agency which posted the ad would comment to on where the jobs were based, whether any applications had been received and what benefits were on offer to successful applicants.
Poles flock to Britain
Britain was one of only three older EU members that fully opened their job markets to workers from new member states in the former communist bloc.
More than 290nbsp;000 eastern Europeans have applied to work in Britain since their countries joined the European Union in May 2004 according to figures published in November by the British government.
Most applicants were from Poland, accounting for 58% of the total.
Poland's Muslim community numbers between 20nbsp;000 and 25nbsp;000 out of a total population of around 38m.
Around one-quarter of Polish Muslims are descendants of Tatars who fled the Mongol warrior Genghis Kahn over 600 years ago, many settling in Poland's Bialystok region, near the border with Belarus.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Police ban Christian crime comic
An anti-violence comic by a Christian police group has been banned by the Metropolitan Police after being accused of ignoring other faiths.
The comic book, Cops and Robbers, has first-hand stories from criminals who have embraced Christianity.
But Scotland Yard said it will not distribute the comic without wider consultation with faith groups.
A member of the Christian Police Association (CPA) says the group aims to reverse the Met's decision.
'Disappointment'
"It is essential that we respond effectively to the needs of all faith groups and that the potential impact of any initiative is carefully considered," a Metropolitan Police statement said.
Des Brown, a convicted killer who now works in a Christian youth group, says he wants criminals to become Christians.
"The purpose of this comic is to put forward a story that people's lives can be changed by the power of Jesus Christ. That's the point of the comic."
Pc David Turtle, deputy chairman of the CPA, said: "We would express our disappointment to the commissioner and the Metropolitan Police Authority. We would be seeking ways in which this can be reversed."
The CPA is believed to have around 1,000 members within London's police force. The comic was designed to be given out to youths being held in custody cells.
Commander Alf Hitchcock, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "I welcome the involvement of the Christian Police Association - the Cops and Robbers publication is an innovative and positive concept.
"However, it is important that effective consultation takes place, in relation to the material, and that the needs of other faith groups are also considered as part of the ongoing work being undertaken by the Custody Directorate."
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