Posted on 07/14/2005 11:43:59 PM PDT by Candor7
Virginia Muslim leader gets life in prison "Islamic Scholar Sentenced to Va. Prison," from AP, with thanks to all who sent this in:
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A prominent Islamic scholar who exhorted his followers after the Sept. 11 attacks to join the Taliban and fight U.S. troops was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison. Ali al-Timimi of Fairfax was convicted in April of soliciting others to levy war against the United States, inducing others to aid the Taliban, and inducing others to use firearms in violation of federal law.
The cleric addressed the court for 10 minutes before his sentencing.
"I will not admit guilt nor seek the court's mercy. I do this simply because I am innocent," al-Timimi said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg said al-Timimi "hates the United States" and has called for its destruction.
"He's allowed to do that in this country," Kromberg said. "He's not allowed to solicit treason. He deserves every day he gets."...
Prosecutors portrayed al-Timimi, a native U.S. citizen, as having "rock star" status among his followers, who frequently heard his lectures at a small mosque in Falls Church.
In particular, prosecutors said, the defendant wielded enormous influence among a group of young Muslim men in northern Virginia who played paintball games in 2000 and 2001. Authorities said they were a "Virginia jihad network" training for holy war around the globe.
Nine members of the group have been convicted for their roles in the conspiracy, with prison terms ranging from three years to life.
Al-Timimi's lawyers argued that their client merely suggested that Muslims may want to leave the United States after Sept. 11 because of the potential for a backlash against them.
But he was accused of telling a group of young Muslim men just days after the attack that an apocalyptic battle between Muslims and nonbelievers was at hand and that Muslims were obligated to engage in holy war. He told the group that defense of the Taliban was a requirement and that U.S. troops were a legitimate target, according to court testimony.
Several of the men who heard Al-Timimi's speech traveled days later to Pakistan and began training with a militant Islamic group called Lashkar-e-Taiba, officials said. Some testified that their goal was to obtain training that would allow them to fight alongside the Taliban, though none actually made it to Afghanistan.
Funny how he was just "suggesting" that it might be good to leave the US because of backlash, and some thought that the best way to do that would be to go to Pakistan and join the jihad.
Another thought:
Al-Timimi was "accused of telling a group of young Muslim men just days after the attack that an apocalyptic battle between Muslims and nonbelievers was at hand and that Muslims were obligated to engage in holy war."
This is hatred. This is incitement to violence. Yet when I tell the world that Al-Timimi said these things, and on what basis he was believed, I am the one accused of hatred. This rhetorical pirouette is one of the most potent weapons the jihad has in the Western world today.
It is also a fact that large groups of Muslims join in large scale Paintball games in Virginia and Delaware. Nothing wrong with that. They are just blowiing off a little steam. Boys will be boys!
Right.
Timimi's parents were Iraqi immigrants.
Since when did religious speech become illegal?
Louis Farrakahn says the same crap and he gets his pick of the young boys in the Nation of Islam.
Why the double standard?
Timimi's parents were Iraqi immigrants.
Sent here by Saddam?
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