ISA detainee 'brainwashed' by cell leader

MOHAMED Nazir Mohamed Uthman, one of 13 Jemaah Islamiah (JI) members detained under the Internal Security Act for terrorist-related activities, 'is now very remorseful and regrets his action'.

Mohamed Nazir, a 27-year-old bachelor, who used to work at PSA Corp, belonged to one of three clandestine cells that had planned to bomb certain targets here, including the American and Israeli embassies.

Now, he wants to teach younger Muslims 'the folly of his ways', said his lawyer, Mr Subhas Anandan.

He told The Sunday Times that Mohamed Nazir, who shot part of a reconnaissance video highlighting possible targets for terrorist acts in Singapore, 'never realised the far-reaching consequences of his actions'.

'He was glad that he was apprehended before grave harm was done. He is also glad the plans never got executed and no one was injured.

'He regrets the anxiety he caused his family and wants the chance to make amends.

'He said he will never be involved with these extremist elements again,' said Mr Subhas.

He was engaged to put forward the 'mitigating circumstances' of his client's case at a recent hearing by an independent advisory board convened to review the cases of the 13 JI detainees. The other men were not represented.

Mr Subhas said his client gave him permission to talk to The Sunday Times about his feelings since his arrest, and how he had been brainwashed by Ibrahim Maidin, 51, the leader of the JI's Singapore arm, who is also under detention.

The lawyer described his client as a devout Indian Muslim who, by the age of four, could recite the entire Quran.

Mohamed Nazir and his friend Mohamed Ellias, also an Indian Muslim, were looking for someone to teach them in English about Islam and the Quran's teachings when they met 'Ustaz Ibrahim' in 1998.

Ibrahim had 'a charismatic and hypnotic personality and he used selected Quranic verses to advance his extremist views'. He taught them to 'hate America' at weekly meetings either at members' homes or at a mosque.

Throughout history, Ibrahim told them, Americans had 'exploited and abused' Muslims. So, as 'good Muslims', JI members had to destroy the Americans, and if innocent lives were lost in the process, 'so be it', said Mr Subhas.

Mohamed Nazir was in Al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan between April and September 2000 for special training in sniping, ambush and assassination, and building bombs, he added.

He was within a month of completing his six-month stint, when he came home because he had hepatitis.

He and Mohamed Ellias Mohamed Khan, 29, who is also detained, shot a seven-minute segment of a reconnaissance videotape of potential targets for terrorist hits here.

Mr Subhas said Mohamed Nazir, whose IQ would put him in the top 20 per cent of the population here, wants to study for his O levels while serving his two-year detention. 'He also wants to take up Islamic studies and learn the correct interpretation of the Quran.'

I see, it's back to Islam = peace. Right.

Good find.

Let's see.

Conspiracy to cause death and destruction and to murder, in Harry Lee's Singapore?

Two year's detention under the ISA?

Say "sorry," study for "O Levels," walk FRee?

Now don't you be holding your breath down there, Mohamed, while you listen for the dreadful clunk of Changi Prison's swinging trapdoor as they hang your co-conspiritors ahead of you and, as your turn draws nearer, you hear and smell the evacuation of your friends' bowels and the high pressure hoses as the executioner's guards wash away their foul-smelling detrius -- and their lives -- and send them on their way to Hell!

And then its your turn ........

I love these jailhouse conversions. It only happens when they think they can get a "get out of jail free" card, get a sentence reduction, or get popped of death row.

I know, I know, I shouldn't doubt his sincerity, but allow me some skepticism.

The lawyer described his client as a devout Indian Muslim who, by the age of four, could recite the entire Quran....Mohamed Nazir was in Al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan between April and September 2000 for special training in sniping, ambush and assassination, and building bombs, he added.

Perhaps our more moderate Muslim friends can tell us which Surahs in the Holy Qur'an cover the special training Mr. Nazir received.

How can anyone who "could recite the entire Quran" by age 4 (let alone be in the top 20 percent, IQ wise) accept that building bombs, et al, has anything to do with their "religion?" Unless, of course that's what the Qur'an is really all about.

If Surah 1 = Kill, Surah 2 = Kill, Surah 3 = Kill, etc. reciting the Qur'an is easy (and answers my question).

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.