"I'm far more inclined to believe what they tell me than what an imam might say, and that shouldn't surprise you."
Not at all, but it also will prove a point that militant Imans will lie to THEIR OWN people when they get desperate enough.
I will be speaking to my friends in the next few days and will let you know their reply. Meanwhile, I would be interested to hear from you what you believe a 'militant imam' to be. How can a muslim who attends a mosque for example, tell the difference between an ordinary imam and an imam who is militant?
Now that IS something we agree on!