Western Resistance: UK: Most Muslims Keep Extremist Literature, Court is Told

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October 25, 2005

UK: Most Muslims Keep Extremist Literature, Court is Told

Irfan Bhatti was a friend of Omar Sharif at Bemrose School, between 1988 and 1992. Omar Sharif later went to Israel with a companion, 21-year old Asif Hanif of London. Sharif and Hanif were going to be suicide bombers. Asif Hanif set off his bomb, and killed three Israelis, wounding 65. Omar Sharif, originally of Northumberland Avenue, Derby, went into a Tel Aviv bar, explosives attached. His bomb did not detonate, and 12 days later, 27-year old Sharfif's body was discovered washed up from the sea on the Tel Aviv coastline.

Irfan Bhatti was giving evidence at the Old Bailey, London, in the trial of Zahid Sharif (39) and Parveen Sharif (37), brother and sister of Omar Sharif. They are accused of failing to disclose information relating to a terrorism act. Parveen is further charged with inciting terrorism. Both deny the charges.

According to This is Derbyshire, the jury was told that leaflets and other literature of an extremist nature were discovered in searches of Omar Sharif's home, and also in the homes of his brother and of his sister.

Irfan Bhatti told the court that such literature was constantly being handed out at mosques, and because many contained sections from the Koran, it was deemed anti-Islamic to discard them. Bhatti told of his close relationship with the failed suicide bomber. "I would have expected him to tell me of something so important. It came as a surprise to me that he did what he did," he said.

Bhatti has seen Omar Sharif set up a stall run by Islamist group (and supporters of terrorism) Al-Muhajiroun in Derby, but stated that as the group was trying to introduce non-Muslims to Islam, Sharif would have approved.

Bhatti stated that he also knew the defendants well. When his own mother had died, Parveen Sharif had been supportive. He said he had heard Zahid Sharif discussing fighting on behalf of Muslims, but told the jury that Zahid had always said it was forbidden. The trial continues.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 25, 2005 8:59 AM