Al-Qaida in Iraq threatens to kill Egyptian diplomat

Baltimore Sun ^ | July 6, 2005 | Mariam Fam

[indcons]

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Kidnappers of Egypt's top diplomat in Iraq threatened to kill him because Egypt has allied with "Jews and Christians," according to a statement posted today on an al-Qaida-linked Web site.

Al-Qaida's religious court decided to hand over Ihab al-Sherif to its fighters "to carry out the punishment of apostasy against him," said the statement on the site associated with al-Qaida in Iraq. Under Islam, apostasy, or changing religion, is punishable by death.

The statement was ominous because al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has been responsible for beheading several foreign hostages, including American Nicholas Berg. Al-Zarqawi's group also has claimed responsibility for numerous car-bombings in Iraq -- many against Iraqi civilians.

Since al-Sherif, 51, was taken captive Saturday night, two more diplomats from Muslim countries have been ambushed in suspected kidnap attempts as part of what Iraqi officials say is an effort to sow a climate of fear and discourage Arab and Islamic countries from strengthening their ties to Iraq's new government.

Earlier today, the same Web site posted pictures of the Egyptian envoy's identification cards, saying it was proof that al-Qaida in Iraq had taken the envoy.

[indcons]

Muslim barbarians at work. Their terror tactics will not succeed. Now, the other Arab/muslim regimes know the monster they have created in wahabbi-inspired Islamofascism threatens their own regimes.

Egypt should send troops to Iraq in response.

[garyhope]

That would be a smart move on their part.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Well if they do, it will only solidify Egypt as an American Ally.

[Pyro7480]

Actually, this isn't just a Wahabbi issue. The first modern Islamic terrorist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, was founded in the diplomat's home country in 1928. Their long-time propaganda minister, Sayyid Qutb (executed by Nasser's regime in the 1960s), said that anyone who didn't want to fight the "infidels and Crusaders" are apostate Muslims, and could legitimately be killed.

[jmc1969]

Look at what happened when Zarqawi hit Spain, they became even more anti-American and left Iraq. So, I am not sure we can count on other countries reacting rationally to being attacked.

[cowboyway]

Muslim barbarians at work. Their terror tactics will not succeed.

Why is everybody so down on al-Qaida? They are just freedom fighters, like the American revolutionaries. /sarc

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I think Egypt was already coming around to see that we are doing god work in Iraq. So i think they will react much smarter than Spain did.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Just ask dork-head Brian Williams.

[Realism]

The Iraqis have already turned down troops from their Muslim neighbors. The Iraqis are smart people, they know who the real killers and thieves are.

[SwinneySwitch]

"Under Islam, apostasy, or changing religion, is punishable by death."

Religion of Peace?

[Robe]

I read somewhere that this guy (ambassador) is a relative of Mubarak . Can anyone verify?

[popdonnelly]

These are the people we're fighting against. Someone clue in the Democrats and the leftists.

[B4Ranch]

Dig upp the full name, not just al-Sherif and I'll research it for you.

[indcons]

From http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/2240791570: Ihab al-Sherif is the second Egyptian diplomat to be captured in Iraq. Muhammad Mamdouh Helmi Qutb, then Egypt's third-ranking diplomat, was briefly detained, but later released in July 2004 by a group of fighters who claimed they wanted to deter Egypt from deploying troops in Iraq.

[indcons]

I tried a basic Google search but was unable to come up with a connection to Mubarak.

[ex-Texan]

Most of these Ba'ath Party fascists are from Syria. Egypt ought to send some F-15's on "buzz the roof tops" missions to Syria.

"Wake Up, Asaad, wake up!"

[xusafflyer]

If you want a good book about how terrorism grew in Egypt, check out Mark Gabriel's book about Terrorism. He grew up an Egyptian muslim and converted to Christianity. I've read a couple of his books.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-4517991-7797515

[xusafflyer]

link doesn't work. Just look up Mark Gabriel on Amazon books.

[ArmedNReady]

That's no surprise. It would really be news if muslims were threatening to peacefully coexist with human beings. The earth would stop spinning on its axis if that happened.

[Cinnamon]

thos goes to all those people that think inaction will keep you safe... terrorists are animals, they have no honor or love for anything but death and destruction. they have hijacked a religion. they are evil. I love this Winston Churchill quote:

Famous Quotes & Stories of Winston Churchill

*
"Be Ye Men of Valour"
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"Blood, Toil, Tears & Sweat"
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"Captain of our Souls"
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"Child of the House of Commons"
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"A Dark and Deadly Valley"
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"Finest Hour"
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"I'd Drink It [Poison]"
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"I leave when the pub closes"
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"Linchpin of the English-speaking world"
*
"'Lousy' as a Parliamentary Expression"



*
"Never Give In"
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"Some chicken! Some neck!"
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"So much owed by so many to so few"
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"Sugar Candy"
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"This is not the end."
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"Total and unmitigated defeat"
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"Up with which I will not put"
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"War of Unknown Warriors"
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"We shall fight on the beaches."
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"We Shape Our Buildings"
*
Quotes Falsely Attributed



"Be Ye Men of Valour"

"Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar." This call and spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice was quoted by Churchill in his first broadcast as Prime Minister to the British people on the BBC - May 19, 1940, London.


"Blood, Toil, Tears & Sweat"

"I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." --Speech made to House of Commons on May 13, 1940, three days after becoming Prime Minister. Churchill first used it earlier in the day when he spoke to his Cabinet which represented all parties.

"Captain of our Souls"

Today we may say aloud before an awe-struck world: "We are still masters of our fate. We are still captain of our souls." Prime Minister's Speech on the War Situation, House of Commons, September 9, 1941


"Child of the House of Commons"

I am a child of the House of Commons. I was brought up in my father's house to believe in democracy. Trust the people - that was his message....I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American and my mother British, instead of the other way around, I might have got here on my own....I owe my advancement entirely to the House of Commons, whose servant I am. In my country, as in yours, public men are proud to be the servants of the State and would be ashamed to be its masters. - -Speech made to a Joint Session of the American Congress, December 26, 1941. Churchill went to America after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He predicted a "long and hard war." His speech was broadcast throughout the US, Canada and Britain.


"A Dark and Deadly Valley"

"Indeed I do not think we should be justified in using any but the more sombre tones and colours while our people, our Empire, and indeed the whole English-speaking world are passing through a dark and deadly valley." Speech given in the House of Commons, January 22, 1941