Posted on 10/25/2005 3:47:27 PM PDT by LibWhacker
Muslims rarely throw away leaflets containing possible extremist references because it is forbidden by their religion, a childhood friend of a failed Derby suicide bomber told a court.
Irfan Bhatti, who befriended terrorist Omar Sharif when they were at Bemrose School together between 1988 and 1992, told the Old Bailey yesterday that he had such leaflets at home.
But he denied that it meant he or anyone else with the literature held those same extremist views, the court heard.
Omar Sharif, of Northumberland Avenue, Derby, failed to blow himself up in a busy bar in Tel Aviv in 2003.
His accomplice, 21-year-old Asif Hanif, of London, detonated his bomb, killing three people and wounding 65.
Omar (27) fled and his body was found washed up off the Tel Aviv shore 12 days later.
Omar's brother, Zahid (39), and sister Parveen (37) deny failing to disclose information relating to a terrorism act. Parveen also denies inciting terrorism.
The jury had heard that leaflets and other literature of an extremist nature were found during police searches of Omar's home, as well as Zahid's home in Upperdale Road, Normanton, and Parveen's home in Breedon Hill Road after the terror attacks.
But Mr Bhatti told the jury that the literature was forever being handed out inside and outside mosques.
He said that because many of the leaflets contained sections from the Koran, it was against their religion to discard them.
The court heard how Mr Bhatti and Omar were like brothers, even after they separated to go to different sixth-form colleges and when Omar moved to a London university.
He said Omar would often talk to him about marriage, religion and other issues and said he was surprised when he heard of his attempted terrorist attack, as previously Omar had seemed against such actions.
"We had a very good relationship," he added. "We'd discuss everything that was a major issue for him. But I didn't know he'd decided to become involved with suicide bombings.
"I would have expected him to tell me of something so important. It came as a surprise to me that he did what he did."
The court heard Mr Bhatti had once seen Omar helping on a stall run by extremist group Al-Mujaharoun in Derby but said it was because the group was trying to introduce non- Muslims to Islam, a step that his friend would have agreed with.
Mr Bhatti added that he knew Zahid well and Parveen had been extremely helpful when his own mother died.
He said he had heard Zahid discuss fighting on behalf of Muslims but told the jury he would always say that it was forbidden. The trial continues.
What might be your predicted result?
You're taking this argument into a completely new arena.
"Honey, I would have thrown out that filthy magazine but out of respect for my muslim friends, I thought I should keep it...yes, here in the bathroom."
Freddie...you're talking to yourself again. What gives?
I'm talking to myself again because you didn't answer the question I asked.
"Muslims rarely throw away leaflets containing possible extremist references because it is forbidden by their religion"
Hmmm...
Scene 1: Character 1, stupid liberal sitting in living room reading NY Times.
"Gee honey, I guess Islam really is a false religion."
(of course, this could only happen in the Twilight Zone)
Just not sure what you are saying...have the pod people arrived in Oz?
No, it doesn't make it right, it makes it what it is, a democracy, the man you are asking to solve everything is no more than the face of the electorate. It's not GWB who has to make up his mind, it's the population of the 'free world' ...
Does it want to stay free, is it prepared to pay the price?
The Right says YES.
The Left says NO.
If GWB suddenly were to announce islam is the enemy, he would be left standing there alone, labelled as a religious right wing fanatic and all would be lost.
You keep saying to me WE NEED A PRESIDENT WHO LEADS and the only way you'll get that is if you make him Dictator of the US.
One day, if the fanatics push too hard and do something really really evil in the US, even worse than 9/ll, that's probably where this will end up.
I gotta go, the pod people just arrived at the door.
I wonder why they returned...job done and all that. Must want some tea.
Sorry but I will always disagree. We cannot look to the troops for leadership. We are all troop and we are all leaders at one time or another.
The concept of leadership is real (no poll taking necessary).
It's not GWB who has to make up his mind, it's the population of the 'free world' ...
Thank God, Churchill didn't think that way. Leadership says I am going into battle (and I may die)...you may come or not. Followers cannot lead.
Reread Henry V by Shakespear. He was going to fight the French at Agincourt even if he did it alone. That is leadership.
And here it is...
WESTMORELAND: O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day!
HENRY V: What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Read it...drink the power of the word. Harry won on earth and in heaven. And William S. had the gift to tell us about leadership.
Agincourt was the end of France. All due to the leadership of a small tired army.
Leadership.
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.