Replies

The name wouldn't really solve it. Al Qaeda has been actively recruiting individuals who do not meet their standard demographic profile. They are looking for light skinned, blondes and red heads, with blue or green eyes. They are less likely to arouse suspicion.

Another possible explanation for tattoos that don't fit is the permanency of tattoos. A convert, either from the prison system or elsewhere, may have a tattoo from a previous lifestyle that does not mesh with the jihadi image. It may be left intact even if they have the ability to alter or remove it so as to stay under the radar so to speak.

I'm not saying that's the case - but it's wise to consider all possible explanations until they have been ruled out.

The following are four recent Grenade incidents in addition to the story from today along Delaware coast.

#1 North Carolina

Grenades Found, Disarmed In Belmont
POSTED: 11:00 p.m. EST February 23, 2004

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/2868938/detail.html

BELMONT, NC --- -- Workers got a big shock Monday night when they discovered what looked like an explosive in the brush they were clearing.
They found a container that looked like an old piece of ammunition in Belmont.

The bomb unit discovered two hand grenades inside the container.
The Gaston County bomb unit examined the grenades and then destroyed them. They're not sure how they got in the bushes.

#2 North Carolina

Truck Carrying Goggles, Grenades Overturns

The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:40AM EST

http://newsobserver.com/nc24hour/ncnews/story/3322234p-2962163c.html

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A tractor-trailer carrying night vision goggles and white phosphorus grenades overturned Wednesday near the state National Guard headquarters.
Authorities blocked Reedy Creek Road after the accident while the scene was assessed.
National Guard spokesman Capt. Robert Carver said the truck was supposed to deliver the goggles to the North Carolina National Guard, but he didn't know where the grenades were to be taken.
There were no injuries and no danger to the public, Carver said.

#3 California

Warnings About Unexploded Bombs, Grenades Issued
Sweep Team Works To Clear Former Camp Beale
POSTED: 4:51 pm PST February 13, 2004
UPDATED: 6:05 pm PST February 13, 2004

http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/2847292/detail.html

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Before Beale Air Force Base, there was Camp Beale -- a massive World War II training base and firing range along the Yuba County-Nevada County borders. Long since shut down, the legacy of camp Beale lives on in the form of unexploded grenades, bullets and bombs.

Army Corps of Engineers spokesman A.R. Smith was at Wheatland High School Friday to warn students about the dangers of UXO, or unexploded ordnance.
"Stuff is still buried, but we don't have any idea how much is out there," Smith said.
The former Camp Beale spanned 90,000 acres and shut down in 1948.
"They had some bunkers where they practiced firing. They had firing ranges, tank ranges, bombing targets, a little bit of everything," said Army Corps of Engineers spokeswoman Betty Byrd. "Sometimes, things that were dropped by planes, if there were bombs that were dropped, they could have worked their way onto the ground a little bit."
In past sweeps, Byrd's team has found possible evidence of buried munitions, which is a concern as more and more development moves into the area.
"There are very few signs remaining of the old Camp Beale. But if you look way off in the distance at the Spenceville Wildlife Refuge, you can see the remnants of an old bunker once used for training. This will be an area of interest for the cleanup project," Byrd said.
For students and the homeowners who play and live on the site of Camp Beale, Byrd said there's no need to panic.
"I think the main thing is to be watchful," Byrd said.
A CYA spokeswoman said that if the allegations were ever formally filed, they would be investigated and prosecuted if necessary.

#4 Canada (I clicked on the link, but the story is no longer available)

Grenades Scare at Border
Edmonton Sun, Canada - Jan 26, 2004
... time yesterday after the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie, Ont., was shut down when customs
officers discovered what they believed to be hand grenades inside luggage. ...

Why not ask the scholar?
http://islamonline.net/fatwaapplication/english/display.asp?hFatwaID=8125

My question is regarding tattoos. My husband and I are both new Muslim converts. We are both Americans and lived a typical American lifestyle before reverting.

My problem is that my husband and I have extensive tattoo work done on our bodies. We would like one day to go to Hajj, in sha’ Allah. But, my husband is concerned that his extensive tattoos will cause him problems.

Due to the extensive nature of his tattoos, it would be so expensive to remove them that we don’t have removal as an option at this time. Also, that would maybe leave extensive scarring as well.

Shouldn’t we perform Hajj? As a female I do not have this worry since I am now covering, but my husband still has to worry about his arms and chest showing.

Date 18/Jan/2004

Mufti
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi

Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we implore Allah-from the depth of our hearts- to guide you along the path of truth and righteousness.

It is really a chance to congratulate you and your husband for becoming Muslims, and we hope you understand the tolerant teachings of Islam, whom Allah chooses to guide the baffled humanity to the safe shore.

Before answering your question, we would like first to ascertain that Islam has a solution for every problem, and the scope of the Shari`ah is not that stern as some may claim. Although tattoos are unlawful or haram to apply at first place, there is nothing wrong for new Muslim converts, who have no means to remove them, in leaving them. The tolerant teachings of Islam and its peaceful spirit makes it easy for new converts to become easily adapted to its unique environment, and matchless life style.

In short, a new Muslim convert cannot be casted out of Islam, after recently embracing it, for having no means to remove tattoos applied during his pre-Islamic life.

In his response to the question, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, states the following:

“First of all, I would like to stress the fact that it is haram to have tattoos on the body. However, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Islam takes away the sins done before it.”

Thus, if these tattoos cannot be removed easily or if you have to spend a lot of money to remove them, then you should not worry about them.

When Hajj becomes obligatory on you, you should perform it and do not neglect it because of tattoos on your body. No one should stop you from going to Hajj because of tattoos. I have seen hundreds of pilgrims, men and women, who come from some countries and they have all kinds of tattoos on their faces and bodies. It is forbidden in Islam, but among some tribes in Africa, unfortunately, it is still practiced, even among Muslims.”

You can also read:

What Islam Says on Tattoos

Is Body Piercing Permissible in Islam?

If you have any further comments, please don’t hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.