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Kidnapped Fox reporters "convert to Islam" on video
Reuters ^ | 8/27/06

Posted on 08/27/2006 2:59:20 AM PDT by Hannibal Hamlin

Kidnapped Fox reporters "convert to Islam" on video

Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:20 AM EDT

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Two kidnapped journalists for the American Fox News Channel appeared on a new videotape released by their captors on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, saying they had converted to Islam.

Palestinian Interior Minister Saeed Seyam said efforts were under way to secure the release of Fox correspondent Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, within hours.

Both journalists appeared to be in good health in the new video. They were seized on August 14 by a previously unknown group called the Holy Jihad Brigades.

The two men were shown separately sitting cross-legged, reading statements announcing that they had converted to Islam. At times in the video they were wearing long Muslim robes.

"I changed my name to Khaled. I have embraced Islam and say the word Allah," Centanni said.

Wiig called on leaders of the West to stop "hiding behind the 'I don't negotiate with terrorists' myth."

Interior Minister Seyam of the governing militant movement Hamas expressed optimism the ordeal for the two reporters would soon be over.

"Efforts are under way with several parties to secure their release within the coming hours," he told Reuters.

The Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the kidnapping and had warned the United States to free Muslim prisoners to prevent the captives facing unspecified consequences. The deadline expired on Saturday.

The United States has said it will not make "concessions to terrorists."

A separate statement from the captors said: "They chose Islam and that is a gift that God gives those whom he chooses."

A videotape released on Wednesday showed the two men, dressed in tracksuits, sitting on a blanket in front of a black background. They appeared fairly relaxed and in good health. Both said that they were fine and being treated well.

The kidnapping is the longest-lasting abduction of foreigners in the Palestinian coastal strip in more than a year.

The Hamas-led government has called for the men to be freed while several prominent militant groups in Gaza have denied involvement and also said the men should be freed.

Previous kidnappings of foreigners have usually ended after a few hours, or at most a few days, of captivity.


TOPICS: Extended News; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqsubhumanwastes; centanni; conversion; converts; forcedconversions; foxnews; hostages; islam; islamofascism; islamofascists; lyingterrorists; notareligionofpeace; notreligionofpeace; palis; religionofpeacenot; torturedconversions; trop; wiig
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To: Hannibal Hamlin

Well, there goes their ability to operate in Mohammeden countries.

Assuming they "converted" under duress, and have no intention of "being" Mohammeden, they will still be viewed as apostates and live under the death penalty if they recant their conversions.


21 posted on 08/27/2006 4:17:45 AM PDT by papertyger
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To: Yankee
Aw...now you've done it.

When they overthrow our country, they will search everyone's internet postings and hunt you down like a dog.

You're a dead man walking. /s

22 posted on 08/27/2006 4:18:11 AM PDT by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon)
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To: Traianus

As you did not supply a source, I decided to do it for you:

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Jihad
The Holy War of Islam and Its Legitimacy in the Quran

Ayatullah Morteza Mutahhari

Translated by:
Mohammad Salman Tawhidi

Published by The Islamic Propagation Organization, P.O. Box No. 11365/7318, Islamic Republic of Iran
Printed by Sepehr, Tehran, Iran1405-1985

http://www.al-islam.org/short/jihad/


23 posted on 08/27/2006 4:19:41 AM PDT by Fred Nerks (ENEMY + MEDIA = ENEMEDIA)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
Matthew 26:75

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

24 posted on 08/27/2006 4:27:45 AM PDT by Michael Goldsberry (Lt. Bruce C. Fryar USN 01-02-70 Laos)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin

Steve Centani, we do not blame you for telling these mosters what thay want to hear just so that you can stay alive. You are still a hero. We know that you will denounce them for the savages that they are once you are free.

Semper Fi'
Jarhead


25 posted on 08/27/2006 4:28:40 AM PDT by Buffettfan (VIVA LA MIGRA! - LONG LIVE THE MINUTEMEN!)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
A separate statement from the captors said: "They chose Islam and that is a gift that God gives those whom he chooses."

bwahahaha! CHOSE

26 posted on 08/27/2006 4:30:29 AM PDT by wildwood (thanking God steve and olaf are free)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
Wow, what a tribute to the Islam religion, that the only way they can get a Christian to convert is by gunpoint!

And no one should believe they actually converted.

sw

27 posted on 08/27/2006 4:33:41 AM PDT by spectre (Spectre's wife)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
They're on Fox now, meeting with the Palestinian PM. Plenty of forced smiles, it looks like.

I would come home, kiss the ground of the United States and never, ever leave again even to go as far as Canada or Mexico.

Since the kidnappers couldn't kill them, couldn't trade any prisoners for them, and couldn't get any money for them, a faux conversion to Islam is a way for them to save just a little face when releasing them.

28 posted on 08/27/2006 4:36:10 AM PDT by Sooth2222
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To: papertyger
They don't need to "recant". The word "gunpoint" was sufficient..

sw

29 posted on 08/27/2006 4:36:28 AM PDT by spectre (Spectre's wife)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
Forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint.
Sounds like a WAR CRIME...
30 posted on 08/27/2006 4:41:13 AM PDT by FDNYRHEROES (Always bring a liberal to a gunfight)
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To: Sooth2222
couldn't get any money for them

I wouldn't be certain of that. The Islam conversion garbage would be the sort of "in your face" icing on the cake these neanderthals would relish while they count the money.

31 posted on 08/27/2006 4:45:13 AM PDT by browardchad
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To: Hannibal Hamlin

We are witnessing the greatest anti-truth, anti-freedom, anti-life collective in the history of civilization.


32 posted on 08/27/2006 4:49:16 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: Hannibal Hamlin

All I can say is thank God they are safe.


33 posted on 08/27/2006 4:55:30 AM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet-prayers for Steve & Olaf & Israeli Soldiers))
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To: Hannibal Hamlin

I changed my name to Khaled. I have embraced Islam and say the word Allah," Centanni said

I would have changed mine to "Irving" or something, more original. Everybody in the NBA is named Khaled.


34 posted on 08/27/2006 4:59:03 AM PDT by Recon Dad (Marine Spec Ops Dad)
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To: tirednvirginia

Especially if one of their hooded thugs is standing by with a rusty knife ready to saw off my head! That thought horrifies me almost as much as burning to death!


35 posted on 08/27/2006 5:02:24 AM PDT by Muzzle_em (taglines are for sissies)
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To: Dallas59

I think if your religous convictions are weak you are open to other religions. Add kidnapping and the possible threat of beheading you become very open to other religions.


36 posted on 08/27/2006 5:04:12 AM PDT by baltoga
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To: Gaffer
Fox's competitors will be 'dragging that clip out' every time they want to slam Fox.

And it will sureley bring the competitor's ratings down further, IMHO.

37 posted on 08/27/2006 5:08:08 AM PDT by marvlus
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To: Hannibal Hamlin

If they said the formula then, as far as Mohammedans of all varieties are concerned, they converted and if they show signs that they converted back upon release then they are apostate and their lives are forfeit. The sentence just may get carried out if they return to Saracen territory or even in the US of A if they are too public about their apostasy. That is a source of unease re: the schoolkids who are required to say the formula in school courses in California. As far as the paynim are concerned those kids now have death sentences on their heads if they show that they were insincere.


38 posted on 08/27/2006 5:12:39 AM PDT by arthurus (Better to fight them over THERE than over HERE)
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
The ONLY reason Islam even exists rather than being an absolutely forgotten criminal enterprise of the 700's is the practice of forced conversions of captured soldiers (in one example in Central Asis, 160,000 defeated soldiers after a fierce battle being told they would be immediately executed if they didn't "accept" Islam).

Islam itself has always been what Nazism would be if Hitler had only thought to claim he was doing everything in the name of some god.

39 posted on 08/27/2006 5:13:08 AM PDT by wildandcrazyrussian
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To: Hannibal Hamlin
Previous kidnappings of foreigners have usually ended after a few hours,
or at most a few days, of captivity.

Is it just me or does anyone else say BULL$hiite to this comment??

40 posted on 08/27/2006 5:14:16 AM PDT by ThreePuttinDude ()..If the media doesn't report it, did it really happen ?..()
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