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November 18, 2006
Russia: Devout Muslims Try to Reignite Jihad in North Caucasus
After suffering a number of major defeats in the past year against Russian security forces, the Islamic jihad in Russia's North Caucasus region is trying to regroup and instill a sense of mission in devout Muslims by calling for the murder and maiming of `infidels'. Indeed, what better way can devout Muslims show their love and devotion for Mohammed, the 7th century Arabian warlord, and the blood-thirsty Islamic deity, Allah.
In a video posted on the Internet, a man identifying himself as Emir Seyfullah, the nom de guerre of Anzor Astemirov, said he headed the Caucasus Front of Islamic fighters in Russia's republic of Kabardino-Balkariya. He called upon Muslims across Russia to unite and rise up against Moscow's rule, and that Muslims who cooperate with Russian authorities would be the first to be targeted.
"For some time we have put up with those who considered themselves Muslim, but now everything will be different,'' Astemirov warned on the video. "Now, we'll look closely at who is a Muslim in deed and not only in word.''
Speaking in Russian, with the occasional quote in Arabic, he said Islamic terrorists planned "large-scale operations'' soon in Kabardino-Balkariya.
``The only law we recognize is that of Allah, and those who don't want to submit to Allah and live by his laws will be punished,'' said Astemirov, who added that devout Muslims must ``wage jihad against the system of international satanism'' and he promised the ``fire of hell'' for those who stand against Allah.
Astemirov is thought to be the mastermind behind an Islamic attack against a federal drug agency office in Nalchik, the capital of Kabardino-Balkariya, in December 2004, as well as a bold daytime attack by rebels against police and security offices in that city in October 2005. At least 139 people died in that raid, including 94 Islamists, according to state officials.
This story about Astemirov is insightful for yet another reason. It's another expose of the duplicity of some western media. The video clearly shows that Astemirov and his ilk are merciless brigands who are willing to sacrifice their own people on an altar to the bloodthirsty deity, Allah.
However, the American news agency, Associated Press, whose pro-Islamic bias has long been a serious concern to human rights groups, gives us the impression that Astemirov and his kind are freedom fighters defending their way of life against Russian oppression, and who seek to rightfully punish lapsed Muslims.
(for instance, see the AP article in the International Herald Tribune)
Posted by Jean de la Valette at November 18, 2006 2:56 AM
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