Fatwa against Musharraf

[Guest guest]

UK group issues fatwa against Musharraf

 

LONDON: A British Islamic group has issued a fatwa or decree calling

for the assassination of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for

backing the US against the Taliban and Saudi exile Osama Bin Laden.

 

Omar Bakri Mohammed, head of the Al Muhajiroun, issued the fatwa

during an interview on BBC Radio. The group is linked closely with

other Islamic groups that claim to recruit young Muslims in Britain

to aid jehad.

 

Bakri Mohammed said: "The fatwa itself declares General Musharraf

apostate and, therefore, Muslims in the army should not support him.

They should punish him for his crimes."

 

"The fatwa is calling on Muslims all over the world to stand together

and support Muslims in Afghanistan and to reject the authority of

Musharraf."

 

Musharraf has decided to render support to the US in military strikes

against Afghanistan in retaliation for last week's attacks on

American cities. The US suspects bin Laden, who is being sheltered by

the Taliban, to be behind the attacks.

 

The decree has drastically changed the image of Musharraf in Britain -

- from a military dictator to a moderate Muslim opposed to terrorism.

 

British minister for Europe Peter Hain has asked the police to see if

he can be prosecuted for making the demand.

 

The law in Britain is uncertain on what action can be taken in the

face of such public commands to kill someone. Islamic groups in

Britain had earlier echoed fatwas to kill celebrated author Salman

Rushdie but they could not be prosecuted for it.

 

The fatwa on Musharraf seems serious in the light of facts that a

large number of young British Muslims have been recruited for

terrorist attacks abroad.

( IANS )