Posted on 08/24/2005 7:10:18 AM PDT by Pharmboy
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The FBI has launched an inquiry into the activities of a grocery store owner who is allegedly the U.S. leader of a radical Islamic group banned in parts of Europe and the Middle East, authorities said. Iyad Hilal, an Islamic author and philosopher who owns an Orange County market, hasn't drawn much attention to his writings or his role in the group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, which means Party of Liberation.
But since the July 7 bombings in London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has suggested banning the group there.
Hilal is apparently not suspected of any terrorist acts, but FBI terrorism investigators want to know more about his and the group's activities.
FBI spokeswoman Cathy Viray declined to call it an investigation but confirmed that "we're looking into the matter." She declined to comment further.
Hilal, 56, has lived in the United States for about 20 years and is an Islamic scholar whose writings argue that the religion is not compatible with democracy.
Georgetown University professor John Esposito, author of "Unholy War on Terror in the Name of Islam," said the group saw most Muslim countries as not following Islamic law.
"Theirs is a rigorous, hard-line view of the kind of government they want to see implemented in Muslim countries," he said. "To them democracy is a good thing for the West, but Islam doesn't need it."
The group advocates a return to the days when all Muslims were governed by a religious leader known as the caliph.
In a 1992 essay, Hilal wrote that Western countries contradicted the teachings of Islam.
Salam Al-Marayati, spokesman for the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles, said he did not believe Hizb ut-Tahrir advocated terrorism in the United States, but said he was not surprised the FBI was looking into the group.
"People in Washington think that those who want an Islamic state are terrorists. That's not always the case," Marayati said.
Radical cleric Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, former head of Hizb ut-Tahrir in England, identified Hilal as leader of the U.S. branch in a 2004 interview with the Terrorism Monitor, published by the Jamestown Foundation in Washington.
People in Washington think that muslims won't sometimes lie through their teeth in order to promote Mohammed's agenda. That's not always the case.
So why is he living in the US? I'll never understand these hypocrits.
Yes indeed...that's what struck me. Apparently these Islamists are not satisfied practicing their religion in their own homes within their own countries. No--they must take over our countries according to their religion.
I was going to make a really funny joke about Hilal meats, but this jerk and his stupid last name just made it to confusing. He should go to jail for that alone.
Owl_Eagle
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Yeah, and here's another little gem: "In a 1992 essay, Hilal wrote that Western countries contradicted the teachings of Islam."
So apparently, Mr.Marayati seem to know about this guy's activities for some time. however, he still did not have the coutesy to inform FBI about who is currently invoved with organizations such as Hizb.
soooooo; they will move here instead?
What/when are we going to 'get serious' with these people as well. (Of course, we have to be careful; where would 'Hollywood' go. . .)
Can't it be interpreted that these groups advocate the overthrow of our government? And isn't that illegal?
To replace the US Constitution with Sharia...how about subversive if not terrorist?
The bigger question is how did this information become public?
If there really is an FBI investigation, why in the world would they let the information out?
Something doesn't sit right here!
"People in Washington" do not think anyone else lies better than themselves.
If this guy doesn't like it here he should leave. It's not OK to live here, make money, and work against who and what we are. Get out.
"Eggsackley!"
As far as I know. . .and a 'you would think'. . .but with Liberal interpretations debated re the meaning of 'is'. . .perhaps that is too much to expect.
GW said. . .'with us' or against us'. . .and it would seem these folks by their own words and deeds; meet the standard of 'enemy' and should be dealt with accordingly.
I'm sure its all just another misunderstanding. Where's CAIR???
That is exactly what they want and won't stop (unless someone stops them first) until will all live under Islamic rule. But let's just keep building those mosques.
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