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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Al-Qaeda mentor freed |
| 2005-07-04 |
| MUSLIM cleric who moulded the militant Islamic views of al-Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, sworn foe of US forces in Iraq, has been freed from prison in Jordan, Islamist and security sources said overnight. Issam Barqawi, better known as Sheikh Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, 43, was released on June 28 after a six-month detention at intelligence headquarters following his acquittal at a trial of Jordanian and Saudi sympathisers of al-Qaeda. Political sources were uncertain what prompted the release of Maqdisi, now under close surveillance by authorities at his house near Zarqa, east of the capital, where fellow Jordanian Zarqawi was born. "Maqdisi now has an ability to move more freely and reach out to his followers. This could pose a security risk and galvanise fundamentalists especially since Zarqawi remains at large," said one official who requested anonymity. Muslim scholars who follow Zarqawi's religious utterances on the internet say Maqdisi's teachings have had a profound influence on the militant's mindset ever since they shared a jail cell in Jordan from 1995 to 1999. "Zarqawi was a student of Sheikh Maqdisi, who was a source of inspiration for him in jihad (holy war)," said Mohammad Najjar, an Islamist scholar familiar with Maqdisi's background. Both men were freed in 1999 under a general amnesty issued by Jordan's King Abdullah. Maqdisi was later detained in another case, while Zarqawi left Jordan for Afghanistan. Some activists suggested Maqdisi's release could play a moderating role on Zarqawi, whose Tawhid and Jihad group is seen by US commanders in Iraq as the deadliest threat they face following a string of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings. The activists cited Maqdisi's letters to Zarqawi - published earlier this year on websites - that urged him "to avoid car bombings in public places and spare the blood of Muslim civilians as much as possible". "The letter sought to tell Zarqawi he agreed with him in the general goal of jihad in Iraq but was against his tactics, especially car bombings," Najjar said. Activists say the letter sought to advise Zarqawi to step up attacks on the US military but avoid bombings in populated areas that eroded popular support for the insurgency. Maqdisi, whose 19-year-old son Omar died in Iraq fighting US forces, called on Zarqawi not to alienate Iraq's majority Shi'ite Muslims, only those collaborating with US troops. The Sunni fundamentalist has long been accused by US military and Iraqi officials of seeking to provoke a sectarian civil war in Iraq. "Maqdisi told Zarqawi he shouldn't widen the circle of enemies and that the battle was not with all Shi'ites but collaborators, whether Sunni or Shi'ite," Najjar added. Zarqawi was said to have responded to Maqdisi's appeal by hinting that his advice was highly valued. Postings on websites affiliated to Zarqawi's group publicise Maqdisi's teachings along with his picture as a hero among jailed militants. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 al-Maqdisi is one of the spiritual leaders of the Salafist-Jihadist strem in Islam. Clerics like him and Abu Qatada legitimise rebellion against the (Muslim) state, which is what seperates them from most other radical clerics. |
| Posted by: Paul Moloney 2005-07-04 21:23 |
| #1 Now lead us to your dog. |
| Posted by: Whomoting Shomp1655 2005-07-04 15:36 |