Post by Teddy Bear on Aug 7, 2005 21:31:29 GMT
With Omar Bakri Mohammed in the news recently for inciting terrorism, I wanted to see what the BBC had reported in reference to him.
He first appears in this BBC article in 1998, following the US Embassy bombings
UK scorned as 'soft' on extremists
And on the following day we get this article which the opening line tells us
Anti-terror laws target Muslim extremists
Fundamentalist campaigner who has backed the American embassies' bombing. Omar Bakri Mohammed, leader of al-Muhajiroun,
A year later, in 1999, we get this:
Fatwa for 'gay Jesus' writer
In 2000 the BBC tells us in this article:
How the rebels keep fighting
Then we come to October 2000, the second intifada by the Palestinians against Israel has begun. This BBC article, which almost reads like an advertisement, has this:
UK Muslims urged to fight Israel
Following 9/11 we next get this:
A month later, after Blair gets death threats, we get this:
A few months later, on 7/1/2002 we get this article
UK 'terror target' claim dismissed
Where this al-Muhajiroun 'spokesman' is claimed to have said this
Does any statement so far appear to contradict any others that the mindset of Bakri has already uttered? So what now do the BBC allow Bakri to claim?
IN TOTAL CONTRADICTION to his previous quotes above, AND NO-ONE at the BBC picks up on it.
If you read all of the articles, you will see that this is not the only time he contradicts himself, as the prevailing political wind demands, without seemingly any BBC ears pricking up or pointing out the real story behind this man.
At best this is the shoddiest kind of reporting that one can imagine. To allow such an individual with dubious and possible harmful intent to make any kind of assertions he likes without any attempt to research the facts. The very fact that the laziest of reporters could simply have obtained previous statements he made on prior interviews with the BBC with as much ease as I did, simply typing his name into the BBC search engine - but none apparently did so.
Begs the question, is it really laziness by the BBC that made this disgusting excuse for journalism, or the desire to assist even the most radical of Muslim 'leaders' in their fervent desire to be accepted by the Muslim world as their friend and increase their media reach? Personally I think the latter - What scum they are.
This is treason by any other name.
He first appears in this BBC article in 1998, following the US Embassy bombings
UK scorned as 'soft' on extremists
Islamic radicals have a strong presence in the UK
The terrorist acts, in which more than 200 people were killed, were welcomed by at least one militant group, al-Muhajiroun.
Speaking on BBC Radio, Omar Bakri Mohamed, who heads the London-based organisation, vented his anger at America for its retaliatory air strikes against suspected terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan.
"It was the action of gangsters," said Mr Mohamed. His group has been linked to Osama bin Laden, the man blamed for the embassy bombings.
While he regretted the civilian casualties in the Africa bombings, Mr Mohamed said the attacks were justified.
Moderates angered
The comments of fellow al-Muhajiroun organiser, Anjem Choudray, are just as likely to enrage Britain's political moderates.
"One day the black flag of Islam will be flying over Downing Street," said Mr Choudray.
And on the following day we get this article which the opening line tells us
Anti-terror laws target Muslim extremists
Fundamentalist campaigner who has backed the American embassies' bombing. Omar Bakri Mohammed, leader of al-Muhajiroun,
A year later, in 1999, we get this:
Fatwa for 'gay Jesus' writer
An Islamic group based in the UK has issued a death fatwa against a playwright whose London stage production depicts Jesus Christ as a homosexual.
Terrence McNally was sentenced to death by the Shari'ah Court of the UK as his play, Corpus Christi, opened in London on Thursday night.
The play depicts Jesus Christ and his followers as a group of homosexuals. He is seduced by Judas Iscariot, but is later crucified as "king of the queers". It caused an outcry among Christians when it was staged during the Edinburgh Fringe festival during the summer.
Muslims regard Jesus as a messenger of God, and revere his mother, the Virgin Mary. The play was declared blasphemous by the Al-Muhajiroun - The Defenders of The Messenger Jesus.
Supporters of the group, which has around 800 members in the UK, handed out copies of the fatwah outside the play's first night at the small Pleasance Theatre, Holloway, north London.
The religious edict was signed by Sheik Omar Bakri Muhammad, judge of the Shari'ah Court of the UK.
In 2000 the BBC tells us in this article:
How the rebels keep fighting
It's been estimated that radical Islamic groups, some of which have declared a jihad or holy war against Russia, may have brought the Chechen rebels tens of millions of dollars.
London-based Sheikh Omar Bakri-Mohammed says his supporters in Britain are not alone in having sent money and hundreds of volunteers to Chechnya.
The recruits join the military wing of the International Islamic Front, headed by the notorious Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden, and are trained in Pakistan
Then we come to October 2000, the second intifada by the Palestinians against Israel has begun. This BBC article, which almost reads like an advertisement, has this:
UK Muslims urged to fight Israel
"A Syrian-born activist has called for Muslims in Britain to join a holy war against Israel following the outbreak of violence between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East.
Sheik Omar Bakri Mohammed said it was the duty of all Muslims to give support to the Palestinians.
"They are obliged to support their Muslim brothers in Palestine by raising funds, giving them complete moral support and even some of them going abroad to be joined with their Muslim brothers fighting against Israel," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "
Following 9/11 we next get this:
UK to monitor Islamic group
The activities of Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad are being monitored
The activities of a group of UK Islamic activists who have expressed support for the US terror attacks are being monitored by the home secretary.
David Blunkett is investigating comments made by the Al Muhajiroun group, but said he was wary of stirring up unrest by taking action against them, unless they break the law.
He has been urged to silence radicals such as cleric Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, the London-based leader of Al Muhajiroun, which has issued a decree calling for the murder of "those who wage war against Allah".
A month later, after Blair gets death threats, we get this:
Police investigate Blair 'death threat'
Scotland Yard is investigating comments allegedly made by a spokesman for a fundamentalist Muslim group based in London that Tony Blair is a "legitimate target" for Muslims.
A Pakistan-based spokesman for Al Muhajiroun is alleged to have said that anyone who "wants to get rid" of the prime minister would "not be punished under Islamic law but praised".
The comments have been denied by members of the Tottenham-based group. The spokesman in question is also reported in The Times to have denied making such a statement.
The comments were allegedly made by the spokesman during a telephone conversation to a journalist at the London office of the news agency Agence-France Presse (AFP).
He is also reported to have said that government buildings including Downing Street and British military installations were "legitimate targets".
However, within hours of the conversation the comments were denied.
The head of the group, Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, said he doubted anyone from the organisation would use such words.
"I think his comments might have been taken out of context because I doubt he would have said that," he said.
But a spokesman for AFP said the conversation was taped and the agency is "100% sure" its reporter had spoken to the right person.
The issue has been referred to the police and is being formally investigated.
A few months later, on 7/1/2002 we get this article
UK 'terror target' claim dismissed
Where this al-Muhajiroun 'spokesman' is claimed to have said this
Downing Street and sceptical British Muslim groups have dismissed claims that Britons recruited for the Taleban will return to the UK and launch terror attacks.
Hassan Butt, 22, from Manchester, told the BBC's Today programme that many would return home to launch terrorist attacks that "strike at the heart" of the UK.
The Lahore-based activist, who claims to be a "spokesman" for Islamic fundamentalist group al-Muhajiroun, says he has recruited 200 British volunteers to fight for the ousted Afghan regime.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating whether a prosecution can be launched against Mr Butt.
Mr Butt told the Radio 4 programme he would now personally encourage attacks on political and military targets in the UK.
He said that although many British Muslims had been "martyred", others could be bringing the war home from Afghanistan.
"If they do return I do believe that they will take military action within Britain," he told the BBC.
"One thing I've always tried to stress is the point that the mujahideen that are coming in from Britain should strike at the heart of the enemy which is within its own country, within Britain.
"Those mujahideen that are coming from America should strike, again, at the heart of America and I have always been in favour of this."
Does any statement so far appear to contradict any others that the mindset of Bakri has already uttered? So what now do the BBC allow Bakri to claim?
'....But Mr Bakri Mohammed, a spokesman for the al-Muhajiroun group, said ..."We are an ideological, political party. We do not recruit people to go and fight on behalf of anybody or to indulge in any military activities."
IN TOTAL CONTRADICTION to his previous quotes above, AND NO-ONE at the BBC picks up on it.
If you read all of the articles, you will see that this is not the only time he contradicts himself, as the prevailing political wind demands, without seemingly any BBC ears pricking up or pointing out the real story behind this man.
At best this is the shoddiest kind of reporting that one can imagine. To allow such an individual with dubious and possible harmful intent to make any kind of assertions he likes without any attempt to research the facts. The very fact that the laziest of reporters could simply have obtained previous statements he made on prior interviews with the BBC with as much ease as I did, simply typing his name into the BBC search engine - but none apparently did so.
Begs the question, is it really laziness by the BBC that made this disgusting excuse for journalism, or the desire to assist even the most radical of Muslim 'leaders' in their fervent desire to be accepted by the Muslim world as their friend and increase their media reach? Personally I think the latter - What scum they are.
This is treason by any other name.