Some more disturbing news from Australia.
Eight Islamic spiritual leaders who preach to hundreds of Muslims in Victoria each day refuse to accept that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the September 11 attacks.—-Asked if bin Laden were responsible for the attacks that killed almost 3000 people, Carlton mosque imam Rexhep Idrizi said: “We don’t know.”Acting Werribee mosque imam Riyad Ahmad said: “I have it only from one side. I’m not sure really.”Fitzroy mosque acting imam Bilgim Alpay said: “I don’t know. It’s very hard to answer. There are a lot of political games.”Only two of the 10 imams said bin Laden was to blame.The Herald Sun asked the imams four questions relating to terrorism and publishes their answers inside.Some were reluctant to accept radical Muslim terrorists were behind the London bombings.All 10 condemned suicide bombings and most offered unconditional loyalty to Australia.
However, Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Waleed Aly (no relation to Kirstey- ed.) believes their is a logical explanation for this.
But the number who refused to blame bin Laden surprised some Islam experts.Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Waleed Aly said “a furious mistrust of mainstream media” was likely to be at the heart of the imams’ views.“Perhaps a feeling of being under siege creates a defensive response. Perhaps what they’re waiting for is some kind of clear trial in a court,” Mr Aly said.
Sounds like a lame attempt to justify the unjustifiable. For a start..
In a video released just months after the September 11 attacks, bin Laden gloated over details of the atrocity in what amounted to a full confession.
But not to worry. Aly has another possible explanation.
Some Muslim leaders said imams may avoid condemning bin Laden publicly out of fear of retribution from local radicals who support the al-Qaida leader.“They feel pressure from the media one way and also from some groups (of radicals) in their own community,” said Deer Park imam Suad Ibisevic, who also refused to link bin Laden with September 11.“I think they are afraid to condemn.”
What I want to know is if this was the reason (which I doubt), then why aren’t these Islamic leaders reporting the radicals who “they are afraid to condemn” to the authorities? Surely these are the kinds of people who are likely part of an Al Qaeda sleeper cell, or at least covertly assisting the real terrorists.
In any event, Aly tries to cover all bases:
The imams views did not reflect the broader Muslim community, Mr Aly said.He said they had an administrative role and were not where the Muslim community generally went for political analysis.
Yeah..that’s the job of Fox News.
If you ask me, these Imans do believe that bin Laden was behind September 11. They just happen to support him 100%.
