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Down Under
Hostage freed but Islamist claims victory
2005-06-15
Today Douglas Wood, Australian hostage, was freed in a joint Iraqi-US military operation. You wouldn't know it as Sheikh al-Hilaly, in Iraq "negotiating" his freedom has claimed it as his personal victory and that Douglas Wood was released. Govt appears not to care now hostage is free and is letting him claim this victory.
The truth is, he wasn't released, he was freed in a military raid. But the following is how the original story is now being perverted:

Cleric to receive hero's welcome
AUSTRALIA's Islamic community is celebrating the release of Australian hostage Douglas Wood and the part played in it by its spiritual leader, Sheik Taj al-din al-Hilali. The sheik, a controversial figure in Australia, has spent much of the past month in Iraq trying to negotiate Mr Wood's release.
Including telling the Jihadis he supports their jihad, including telling Australia it's close relationship with the US was not helping Douglas Wood.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils says the sheik, or Grand Mufti as he is also known, knew as early as 2am (AEST) today that Mr Wood had been released
(freed by a joint Iraqi/US military raid)
by the insurgents who kidnapped him in early May, Council head Amjad Ali Mehboob said he had spoken by phone to the sheik, who was in Cairo. "He said everything had been set in place for Mr Wood's release for some time,
like last time he promised Wood would be released and he wasn't...
but he was very glad Mr Wood had been released," Mr Mehboob said. "The mufti risked a lot ... he is not in good health. "He will be joining the Wood family after he has had some check-up and things." Australian Muslims, who have long complained
repeatedly, vocally despite being protected by legislation and a PC media such as SBS who refuses to even report the word Islam and terrorist in the same sentence even when it is blatantly factually required. That's right we're all racists here...
of being discriminated against, particularly since the September 11 attacks in the US, believe the release of Mr Wood will provide a much needed boost to the community.
by lying about the importance of Hilaly in freeing Wood I suppose...
The sheik has been widely criticised in Australia over his reported speeches and sermons, seen by many as provocative.
Racist, anti-women, anti-gay, anti-jew, anti-kuffar...
He was quoted in a sermon a few years ago as saying Jews were the underlying cause of all wars.
And yet he was never taken to court... why?
He was also reported as praising suicide bombers and calling the September 11 attacks in New York "God's work". He claimed to have been mistranslated.
But he wasn't.
Posted by:anon1

#7  I think the CIA and the Iraqi Intellegence service should issue a big "Thank You!" to the sheik, tout suite...

That oughta cause some hilarity to ensue.
Posted by: mojo   2005-06-15 16:54  

#6  "AUSTRALIA's Islamic community is celebrating the release of Australian hostage Douglas Wood"

were they bollocks
Posted by: Nock Eyes Nilberforce   2005-06-15 15:00  

#5  He wasn't "released", assholes. He was "liberated". And I'm sure the Grand Muffy had about as much to do with it as I did.
Posted by: tu3031   2005-06-15 14:32  

#4  Me, too, Seafarious, but as PC culture down here has it, I am unlikely to see it except on Rantburg.

The MSM here will be UNABLE to print a story on the rescue of Wood without inflating Sheikh Hilaly's role.

Downer, in trying to be diplomatic, will not come out and say Hilaly is lying. He has already said it was "team Australia" and thanks to all Aussies coming together from diverse multicultural backgrounds.

It's becoming a propaganda coup for the multicultis regardless of the fact that it was actually our best allies and friends the US that we have to thank - again!
Posted by: anon1   2005-06-15 10:52  

#3  Thanks for the Down Under report. Surely your countrymen will be able to see thru the spin. I am keen to see the report of the actual raid.
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-06-15 10:13  

#2  Even more blatant claim by al-Hilaly:

AUSTRALIA'S leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Taj Aldin Alhilali, has thanked "honest Iraqis" for helping him organise the release of hostage Douglas Wood.

AUSTRALIA'S leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Taj Aldin Alhilali, has thanked "honest Iraqis" for helping him organise the release of hostage Douglas Wood. (Daily telegraph - "Sheikh thanks Iraqis for Wood")

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=3294007


Somebody is lying and I'm guessing it's al-Hilaly.
Posted by: anon1   2005-06-15 10:10  

#1  From earlier reports:
"Iraqi forces helped to free Wood"
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer later said a number of militants had been detained following the operation. (daily telegraph)

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=3291951

"Wood freed in military operation"

AUSTRALIAN hostage Douglas Wood is well and undergoing medical checks following his rescue more than six weeks after being kidnapped in Iraq.
...
Mr Wood was freed this afternoon by Iraqi and US troops in Baghdad, Mr Howard said.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=3292254

Posted by: anon1   2005-06-15 09:55  

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