Tuesday, October 12, 2010

From Israel National News.com

Al-Qaeda Magazine Interviews 'Proud' Traitor to US


by Elad Benari
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Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released on Monday the second issue of its English-language magazine called Inspire. The 74-page edition features an article by a 24 year-old former resident of North Carolina and New York City named Samir Khan.

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) released excerpts from the interview on its website Monday. The cover page of the article, entitled "I Am Proud To Be a Traitor to America”, states that the article will tell "the story of the Muslim American jihadi Samir Khan. After working a few years in the jihad media sector in America, he packed his bags and left for Yemen to help the mujahidin. This is an account of how he happily became a traitor to America and why he chose to make such a decision."

Some notable excerpts from Samir Khan's story as quoted by both MEMRI andFox News are: "I am a traitor to America because my religion requires me to be. We pledge to wage jihad for the rest of our lives until either we implant Islam all over the world or meet our Lord as bearers of Islam."

Khan describes himself as "Al-Qaeda to the core" and praises Osama bin Laden, calling him "leader of this global fight" against the West. He also criticizes the US for what he calls "kill[ing] millions of Muslims around the world" and "get[ting] away with it wearing a tuxedo." The article also describes how Khan become a devout Muslim and "could no longer reside in America as a compliant citizen."

Khan also talks about traveling to Yemen and mocks the FBI for spying on him, saying that it was they who allowed him to leave the US. He discusses what it feels like "to officially become a traitor" and states he is "prepared to make sacrifices."

The first edition of Inspire was released in July, and some have speculated that its intent is to recruit American-born and UK terrorists. US officials told Fox Newsafter the first edition was released that Khan was likely a key player behind the magazine. According to officials, his old website and blog's graphics bear a strong resemblance to the graphics found in the magazine.

Besides Khan’s article, the latest issue of Inspire also features "exclusive" comments by radical cleric Anwar Awlaki , wanted "dead or alive" by the United States for inspiring terror including the Ft. Hood murders, and who talks about "The Mardin Declaration," which was a condemnation of terrorism by Muslim scholars meeting in the Turkish city of Mardin in March. The cover story relates to operations taking place in the Abyan region of Yemen.


(IsraelNationalNews.com)