Free Republic

Ed Husain's autobiography The Islamist: why I joined radical Islam in Britain, what I saw inside and why I left (Penguin, 2007) is a remarkably candid account of the life of a British-born Muslim who was initially seduced by radicalism but gradually came to his senses to return to the more spiritual and devotional Islam that had defined his early years. It is also an important work, in that it both carefully grounds the issue of radicalisation that has so dominated recent intellectual and political discussion of Muslim communities in Britain, and points to potential solutions. Ed Husain grew up...

Islamic Cleric Calls UK Soldier’s Beheading “A Courageous And Heroic Act” Pamela Geller Here again, the calls for murder and war in the cause of Islam comes from a cleric. So again we ask, what is being done to expunge the Quran (and Islam) from the violent teachings that inspire jihad? The cleric has praised the beheading.

Choudary: Refuses to discuss his dissolute youth At 39, Anjem Choudary should be a symbol of success for his peers. Born into the working-class family of a market trader in Welling on the outskirts of London, he has risen - thanks to the opportunities offered by the British education system - to become a qualified lawyer. But it is unlikely his old school will be inviting him to be guest speaker on prize-giving day. Their former pupil is not famous for his elegant oratory in court. Instead, the articulate Mr Choudary preaches hatred and murder in the streets of Britain...

The man who from safe and agreeably leafy north London suburbia offered his continual support to suicide bombers and refused to condemn the attacks of 9/11 and July 7, all the while ranting against the perfidies of western civilisation and its infidel cockroach minions, now wishes to return to the bosom of Satan as quickly as possible.

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...

Muslim cleric talks of No 10 suicide attacks 11.44PM, Fri Feb 18 2005 ITV News has been given exclusive access to a tape recording in which a radical Muslim cleric talks about flying a plane into Downing Street. Shiekh Omar Bakri Mohammed - who is based in Britain - talks of suicide bombings and says that an attack on No 10 would be reconcilable with the Muslim faith. He also claims that missions of "self sacrifice" and "martyrdom" would be welcomed by Allah. It is a statement that will horrify and disgust people across Britain, but he made these statements...

Extremist cleric staged al-Qaeda recruiting rally By Sean O’Neill and Richard Ford THE radical Islamist cleric whose internet sermons are being investigated by police has held a secret conference at which British Muslims were urged to join al-Qaeda. About 600 people, including women and children, punched the air and chanted Allahu akbar (God is greatest) as they were shown videos of hijacked airliners crashing into the World Trade Centre in New York on September 11, 2001. Omar Bakri Mohammed, the radical Syrian-born cleric, said that if the British Government did not relax its tough anti- terrorism laws, the response from...

ONE of Britain’s most controversial Islamic groups has insisted that it will push ahead with a rally in London despite being refused permission by the Mayor of London. Al-Muhajiroun, which endorses the use of violence, supports Osama bin Laden and campaigns to turn the UK into an Islamic state, is planning a “Rally for Islam” in Trafaglar Square to recruit new members on August 25. The Greater London Authority has refused permission for the rally, saying that it could cause offence. A spokeswoman said: “At previous rallies they have expressed anti-Jewish and homophobic comments that would be insulting to a...