Women shunned to the end by hijacker

www.thetimes.com.uk ^ | Oct. 03, 2001 | Ian Cobain

[Texas Gal]

THE hijacker who flew the first aircraft into the World Trade Centre left a will barring women from his funeral and ordering those touching his body to wear gloves. He said that mourners should remain at his grave for an hour to keep him company after burial and pray that he be forgiven. In the document, found in a car at Boston’s Logan airport, Mohammed Atta ordered: “No one should cry for me, scream or tear his clothes and beat his face — those are foolish gestures.” The will, written in 1996 and leaked to the German magazine, Der Spiegel, gives 18 precise instructions for the preparation of his body for burial. “Neither pregnant women nor unclean people should say goodbye to me,” he orders. “Women must not be present at my funeral or go to my grave at any later date.” Another says: “Those who wash my body must be good Muslims. And there should not be too many people, unless it is absolutely necessary.” He also says: “He who washes around my genitals should wear gloves so that I am not touched there. “My clothes must be of three pieces of white material, but not of silk or any expensive material.” He requests that during his burial, earth should be thrown on to his body three times with the words: “You come from dust, you are dust and you return to dust. And from the dust a new person will be created.” “After that everyone should call God’s name and testify that I died as a Muslim, believing in God’s religion. All who take part in my burial should pray for my forgiveness. “People should stay at my grave for an hour so that I can enjoy their company. An animal should then be sacrificed and the meat be distributed among the needy.” Atta shied away from women during his eight years at Hamburg’s Technical University, and his father, a wealthy Cairo lawyer, described him as a “mother’s boy” who was reluctant even to shake hands with women. Mohamed al-Amir Atta, 65, said: “Many times I asked him to marry a woman of any nationality because he did not have a girlfriend like his colleagues. But he insisted that he would marry an Egyptian. We found him a bride who was nice and delicate, the daughter of a former ambassador.” But Atta said he wanted first to study for his doctorate. The woman’s father promised that she would be waiting when he returned. He never did.

[Texas Gal]

I am personally intrigued with the idea that this guy seemed to think there was going to be something left of his physical body to wash and dress in white garments.

[etcetera]

If they find anything, bury it in a pig skin...

[CurlyDave]

If we find the bodies of any of the hijackers we should take pains to bury them wrapped in pigskins. As I understand it, this is extremely offensive to muslims and some may even believe it prevents them from ever attaining heaven... Might give the next group a little something to think about.

[outpost44]

"three pieces of material...." I would think 3 Kleenexes would cover what's left....

[mtngrl@vrwc]

If we find the bodies of any of the hijackers we should take pains to bury them wrapped in pigskins. As I understand it, this is extremely offensive to muslims and some may even believe it prevents them from ever attaining heaven... Might give the next group a little something to think about.

Whan an excellent idea! Not like there is any chance of enough of Mr. Atta's remains being found to worry about burying.

[ladyinred]

He wrote the will in 1996 and at that time might not have known how he would die. That is probably why he is discussing how his body should be taken care of. How sick this is. I just will never understand this kind of culture.

[Pistolshot]

This tactic was used in the Phillipine Insurrection in the early part of the 20th century. Col. John J Pershing threatened the mullahs with..."splattering of pigs-blood on your houses and families and any who attack us and are killed will be buried in pig-skins." Consequently the mullahs made Pershing an Honorary Chieftan with little if any more trouble in his area of command.

Why is it we never remember the lessons of successful commanders?

Bin Laden MUST be captured alive. Since he is so adamant about his faith, he should be tried under Islamic law, sentenced to death and be-headed in public in front of a mosque. No entry into Paradise that way. And the by-product is the other "believers" would have to decide if their fate would be the same.

If we are to "win" this war on terrorism we must use the same tools that drive these individuals to action.
They are not afraid to die for their cause, as it is a greater working of God to them, however using that 'faith' as a tool against them will question their beliefs.

[Fulbright]

People out there, when you see somebody this weird, please contact the FBI or other law enforcement who will do a follow up. Follow your instincts. This group was so bizarre as to be laughable.

The next terror cells will probably come from totally Westernized Saudis and Egyptians and will not be as easy to detect, but detect you must.

[LenS]

Yeewwhh! Girls ..... cooties!

*g*

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

More intrigue.

[MissAmericanPie]

Sounds rather bossy, arrogant, and in love with himself. And they said it was just a summer thing. Wonder about the logic that asks others to pray for his forgiveness. If you are doing God's work, why would you then have to ask forgiveness? Maybe it's forgiveness for something else he was asking for.

[gopgen]

Nowhere does it say the 70 virgins must be girls...bet he likes the little boys, probably was in MEMBLA (Middle Eastern Man-Boy Love Association.)

[Silly]

I hope women aren't too offended by Atta's comments. He does not speak for most men. We think women are THE TOPS, and wouldn't want to live without them.

[Republic of Texas]

That's a nice story, but it ain't EVER gonna happen.

[MFSanders]

“He who washes around my genitals should wear gloves so that I am not touched there.

Don't worry.

[TomServo]

Posted yesterday.

[Irma]

Atta shied away from women during his eight years at Hamburg’s Technical University, his father, a wealthy Cairo lawyer, described him as a “mother’s boy” who was reluctant even to shake hands with women.

But he sure wasn't shy about MURDERING them.

[Junior]

Bury his remains with pork products and hire Jews to piss on his grave ...