Militant Mullah Meets Match in Comic at Norway Nightclub (Ansar Al Islam leader)

New York Times ^ | April 30, 2004 | CRAIG S. SMITH

[Eurotwit]

ARIS, April 29 - How much weight does a bearded mullah carry in a freewheeling liberal society like Norway's?

The country's well-known Muslim comic, Shabana Rehman, decided to find out Tuesday when she lifted the founder of Iraq's Ansar al-Islam terrorist group off the ground before a startled audience.

"If a small woman like me can lift him up, he can't be dangerous," Ms. Rehman said Thursday by telephone from northern Norway.

The cleric, known as Mullah Krekar, did not find the stunt funny. He went up smiling but was sputtering with rage by the time Ms. Rehman set him back down.

"I do not have the right to carry her like that and she has no right to carry or touch me," he exclaimed into his microphone. He vowed to sue and demanded that photographs of the stunt be destroyed.

But the Norwegian television station TV2 broadcast a videotape of the 5-foot-4 Ms. Rehman hoisting the portly preacher, her arms around his thighs. The country's news media gave the story ample coverage.

Many commentators reproached Ms. Rehman for humiliating Mullah Krekar and insulting his religious beliefs, which prohibit contact between unmarried men and women. Others championed what they saw as a political act to challenge conservative Islamic attitudes toward women.

Tuesday's incident took place at an Oslo nightclub called Smuget where Mullah Krekar was appearing to promote his new memoir, "In My Own Words." The mullah has won over many critics in Norway with his jovial, friendly manner. At the nightclub on Tuesday, he took part in a panel discussion after which Ms. Rehman, known for her parodies of conservative Islamic teachings, asked Mullah Krekar if he would submit to a "fundamentalist test." The mullah agreed but was taken by surprise when the comic suddenly lifted him in the air.

Ms. Rehman has lifted men in performances before, including several prominent Norwegians. Some found it funny; some were embarrassed.

Mullah Krekar's lawyer, Brynjar Meling, said the cleric planned to file a complaint with the police. On Thursday, his brother said the mullah would not press charges if Ms. Rehman apologized.

[Eurotwit]

The Mullah Krekar saga is increasingly becoming a soap opera.

Mullah attacked journalist

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/english/article220204.ece

Ex public official ill because of Mullah

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/english/article220070.ece

[Eurotwit]

Mullah ping.

[r9etb]

Shabana Rehman.

[bitt]

hot sh*t. do it again.

[Eurotwit]

Kung Fu Kalif

Soaring Sultan

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Luckily, there was no coffee in my mouth when I read your post. ;-)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Shame to waste that on the moose-limbs.

[nuconvert]

ROFLOL!

HA HA!!

Thanks for the Ping....LOL!!

[FITZ]

said the mullah would not press charges if Ms. Rehman apologized.

What a crybaby!!!

[nuconvert]

LOL! Mullah Humor Pong (con't)

[nuconvert]

Did she know who he was when she did this?

[Valin]

Nitpick
Others championed what they saw as a political act to challenge conservative Islamic attitudes toward women.

There is nothing conservative about this murdering thug.
/nitpick

At least to my way of thinking.

[Valin]

I'm assuming she did.
OH the shame of it all!

[Eurotwit]

Yes, the Mullah is an A-list star in Norway. He's been in and out of jail, but the government cannot get any charges to stick on him.

IMHO he should promptly be sent to the Kurds post June 30th.

He would not live long, he is responsible for massive crimes against humanity there being conducted by Ansar Al Islam. He is a spiritual leader these days, and give speeches urging suicuide bombings etc.

Send him to the kurds, good riddance.

As an aside, I quite appreciate Shabana Rehman. I don't dinf her funny at all as a comedian, and she is a bit of an idiot IMHO. But, she is very brave in attacking fundamentalist Islam. She has received plenty of death threats, and after this latest Krekar stunt I sure she is a little worried.

Cheers.

[Valin]

It's a good way of attacking these people as they have no sense of humor. They take themselve waaaay to seriously. never trust anyone who can't laugh at themselves.

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place."
Mark Twain

[nuconvert]

yeah....I'd be worried if I were Shabana. One of his crazy followers might try to kill her for doing what she did.

About the Kurd idea.......I Like It!

[Eurotwit]

I just watched the latest Krekar tape on the Norwegian news just now. He attacked the photographer from the TV station who showed the lift.

He screamed that they have betrayed "The jews, christians and muslims"

I am telling you.


He has totally lost it :-)

[nuconvert]

LOL!!!

MELTDOWN !

LOL!!

[nuconvert]

Well, if they drive him out of the country....they can drive him insane!

LOL!!

[nuconvert]

oops....
that should have read...
If they CAN'T drive him out of the country, they can drive him insane.

Oh, well.