A Muslim who publicly declared his support for the Madrid terrorists and claims he wants to be a `martyr’ is being investigated by police. Hassan Butt, aged 24, from Manchester, featured in a TV programme which alleged that British Muslims are preparing to take up arms despite the efforts of the police and security forces. Butt, who has previously been arrested twice under the Terrorism Act, said he "envies" the Madrid bombers and that he too would like to become a martyr. He said: "It is my hope that by the age of 40 I am a martyr - and if I hadn’t I would probably be a bit dejected in not being among the martyrs of Islam."
| Hassan had his chance when he was recruiting Brit Muslims to fight in Afghanistan. There was nothing preventing him from joining them at Konduz or some other garden spot, but he passed on the opportunity. It's a lot easier to be brave when there's no live ammunition involved... |
Asked if he was prepared to follow other British Muslims to a terror training camp, he says he would be "honoured" and that he would have his mother’s support. But Chief Superintendent Tony Kane said: "Greater Manchester Police will be viewing the programme to determine what, if any, offences have been committed. The experience of Greater Manchester Police staff in dealing with our Muslim communities is that the vast majority of British Muslim are appaled by terrorist atrocities. Furthermore, they believe that Islam categorically forbids any such violence which causes death and mayhem. This view was clearly expressed in a letter to all British mosques by the Muslim Council of Britain."
| I don't know how much credence I'd put in those statements. But Hassan's a loudmouth and a would-be rabble rouser who should be disposed of, one way or the other... |
The Real Story with Fiona Bruce programme claimed many young men, like Butt, are influenced by London-based Omar Bakri, leader of the controversial al Muhajiroun group. It said he has recently defended the Madrid bombers and told young British Muslims, some as young as 10, that they must "kill and be killed" for Islam, that "suicide bombers would be guaranteed a place in paradise", and even that they should consider "flying a plane into 10 Downing Street". And, referring to the continued presence of British, Spanish and US forces in Iraq, it said he told an east London audience: "What happened in Madrid is all revenge. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life. Anybody (that) commits a crime he should be punished - that’s exactly what happened in relation to Spain. Objective number one - break the psychology of the occupier by hitting back in their homeland. To be worried about their own wives and loved ones. Prepare as much as you can from strength and from force to terrorise - because terrorism it is part of Islam." | We knew that. I think we caught on to that a few years back, in fact. |
|