Two of Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's three relatives being held hostage have been released. The group Ansar al-Jihad had threatened to behead them if the US led assault on Falujah was not stopped [previous entry here]. Well, we stopped. See this is how you reach peace in a warzone--you win. Xinhua:

Two relatives of Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who were kidnapped last week, have been released and a third relative still remains in captivity, said a spokesman for Allawi on Monday.

The two women relatives of the prime minister were released on Sunday, but there was still no word on Allawi's cousin, said the spokesman, without giving further details.

Others: Backcountry Conservative, Digger

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Kennethh Bigley was memorialized today in a service held in Liverpool. Bigley was murdered by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the man who is arguabley the most dangerous terrorist in the world. Rest in Peace Mr. Bigley. It is my belief that we honor your memory best by hunting down those resposible, and killing them like the dogs they are.

(Pictured right: An image of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and followers shortly before they murder Kenneth Bigley)

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Earlier report on Andrea Cianferoni here. I'm glad to hear she was freed. AGI:

The plane travelling from Amsterdam carrying Andrea Cianferoni, the young aid worker taken hostage in the Philippines and released after circa 48 hours, landed in the 'Amerigo Vespucci' Airport in Florence just a few minutes late. Cianferoni was picked up from the plane by police agents and brought by police car to their offices in the airport. Awaiting Andrea were his parents, brother and a small crowd of friends and acquaintances.

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Dick Cheney admitted to hospital (probably George Washington University Hospital), based on complaints about shortness of breath.

(Simuntaneously launched from Demosophia, Report du Jawa, & Anticipatory Retaliation)

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Before GWOT-Pakistan openly supports Taliban and exports radical Islam and nuclear technology all over the world.

After the GWOT-Pakistan becomes an ally, closes radical madrasas, ends it's nuclear exporting business, arrests or kills hundreds of al Qaeda terrorists, and is hunting for the remaining few.

This AP piece in the Billings Gazette gives me hope. One thing not mentioned in the quoted part below, is that the General interviewed said he does not believe Osama bin Laden is in Waziristan as many in the West have speculated:

Between 7,000 and 8,000 Pakistani forces have been deployed in a three-pronged offensive in the eastern reaches of the rugged region this week, the latest in a series of bloody military operations that have left at least 170 Pakistani soldiers and nearly 300 militants, including 100 foreigners, dead since March.

Using artillery and helicopter gunships, the army says it has overrun several rebel bases and killed between 30 and 40 militants _ although it has so far only recovered six bodies.

Among the villages taken is Nano, the home of Abdullah Mehsud, a one-legged former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who has emerged as a rebel leader since he was freed from U.S. custody in March. The 28-year-old rose to prominence after allegedly masterminding the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers last month. He remains at large...

But Khattak claims success. He estimated that the number of foreign guerrillas has dwindled from 500 or 600 in March, to around 100 now. He says the rest have died, fled or been captured, although he could cite only one, a young Tajik, who had been caught alive.

He contended that the entire western portion of the region, controlled by the Wazir tribe, had been pacified. Five renegade leaders signed a peace deal with the government this week. However, a bomb attack in the main town of Wana on Saturday that killed at least three soldiers and one passer-by showed the threat of sporadic attacks remains.

In the eastern portion, home to the Mehsud tribe, about 300 local fighters are still putting up resistance alongside the foreign militants, but Khattak expected the entire region would be under army control within the next two months.

"I hope we should not take long. By the end of this year, we should be able to see a very peaceful South Waziristan," he said.

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Look, all these anti-France posts of late have a point. The point is not that France should not have invaded the Ivory Coast without UN approval. The point is that when the Left talks about the invasion of Iraq being illegal, they are being hypocrites. The fact is that the Left, just like the Right, doesn't care one iota about the UN when their causes are being pursued. It just so happens that the Left's cause celebre is always anti-Americanism. Via Jeff Quinton this news:

Ivory Coast is to file suit with the International Court of Justice against the French military which it accuses of killing some 60 Ivorians when it allegedly cracked down on anti-French riots in Abidjan.

"Ivory Coast will go to the International Court of Justice to seek measures to protect its territory and people," Ivorian Human Rights Minister Victorine Wodie said in a statement read out late on Friday on television..

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The Llamas want to know who will be the first up and coming blogger to beat Wonkette in the TTLB ecosystem? Honestly Steve, since you're the only one of us who's met her, maybe you could tell us if any of would really want to get on top of her in the Ecosystem.....But it should be noted that Mrs. Shackleford is a redhead, so I do know how to treat them. Go vote for the Jawa now!! I can't let Bill, Ace, Goldstein, Commissar, or Jeff mount her before I do!! Go vote!!

In a related poll, yours truly is losing to David Anderson in Digger's 'favorite blog' competition. I like David and all, but if I'm going to get beat by any one it's gonna be Michelle Malkin or Jane Novak--not some dude. Now go vote here too!!

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UPDATE: This is an archive page. For the latest information on terrorist communiques and videos, please go to the MAIN PAGE here.

UPDATE 5/10: Army of Ansar al-Sunna website releases images of Japanese hostage Akihiko Saito. Images, story, and link to website.

UPDATE 4/22/05: Islamic Army in Iraq shoots down civilian helicopter, murders survivor. Story, images, and video here.
-----------------------------------

Buried in this story is the news that the Army of Ansar al-Sunnah, the Army of Islam in Iraq (Islamic Army in Iraq), and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq (formerly Tawhid and Jihad) now confirm working with one another in anti-Coalition terrorist activities. I have reported several times in the past that various terrorist organizations have been cooperating in Iraq, but until today there was no official confirmation from the groups themselves. Also, no mainstream publication seemed to have picked up on the odd cooperation that was happening between these formerly unrelated groups with different political visions of a future Islamist state.

Zarqawi's terrorist group (formerly known as Tawhid and Jihad) is a Sunni organization operating in the former Ba'athist strongholds of the Sunni triangle. The Army of Ansar-al Sunnah operates in areas in and around the Kurdish areas in Northern Iraq, although it's operatives are probably Sunni Arabs. The Army of Islam in Iraq operates in Southern Iraq and is a Shia organization modeled after Hamas and Hizballah--with possible links to the Iranian government.

During two of the Army of al-Sunnah's videotaped beheading murders at least one person present identified themselves as a member of Zarqawi's group (Oct. 15th and Oct. 11th). Earlier today, I also noted that one of the hostages freed in the Fallujah assault was a Syrian man "taken by the Islamic Army in Iraq, a Shia terrorist organization which operates in the south of Iraq....More evidence that terrorists are willing to set aside sectarian differences for the sake of a common goal." I guess my hunch was confirmed. more...

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1 "...the odd cooperation that was happening between these formerly unrelated groups with different political visions of a future Islamist state..." "...terrorists are willing to set aside sectarian differences for the sake of a common goal." Ain't it fantastic? The US invasion of Iraq is the greatest force for uniting terrorist groups against the United States of any foreign policy decision in history. It's what counterterrorism experts predicted, of course, so no one should be surprised. Then, counterterrorism experts really didn't plan this war. As I recall -- let me think -- oh, yeah, they warned against it. I only wish we could anger ALL the crazies around the world, make ALL of them want to kill us. But so many people to anger, so little time and money to carry out constant preemptive invasions. *sigh*

Posted by: trr at November 13, 2004 06:48 AM (rfoJk)

2 trr--you suffer from the omniscience fallacy. You're 20/20 hindsight is remarkably accurate. When hundreds of experts make varying predictions, it is only after the fact that you can realize which ones were worth listenning to and which ones weren't.

Posted by: Rusty at November 13, 2004 12:11 PM (JQjhA)

3 Too bad Bush VETOED the Pentagon plans take out Zarqawi in 2002. Zarqawi was in northern Iraq, (ie the American-protected zone of Kurdish autonomy) and the Pentagon repeated tried to get permission to attack. See the Wall Street Journal from 10/25/04 on page A3. In the article, Gen. John M. Keane, the US Army vice chief of staff at the time, is quoted calling the Zarqawi camp "one of the best targets we ever had." See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4431601/ and the 5/14/04 Slate article http://slate.msn.com/id/2100549/ on this topic. Just another one of Bush's colossal blunders in Iraq.

Posted by: Will X at November 17, 2004 11:24 AM (8oNb4)

4 After reading and seeing what the Afgan rebels do and say. Its proof we have the best man and men for the job, like President Bush, Mr Rumsfeld and the USMC. Wear can you find better men.

Posted by: R Harlow at December 27, 2004 02:35 AM (sbITB)

5 does anyone really think it was a good idea to turn a controlled country-albeit tyrannical- into a chaotic place where Islamic extremest groups could gather and get real combat experience as well as trading ideas and training? yeah really helped our cause.

Posted by: conway at February 07, 2005 12:23 PM (vktv1)

6 Army of Ansar Al Sunnah are likely to create more chaos in Iraq than Zarqawi group.Let not USA make mistake to view Ansar Al Sunnah as a secondary target.Suicide bombing in US Army camp was carried out by Ansars not Zarqawi.

Posted by: Dilip at February 20, 2005 02:01 AM (5rYU3)

7 i am happy about what abu mussab al zarquawi is doing in iraq and i hope only more and more american soldiers will die in iraq allahu aqbar i live in canada and at the appropriate time they 2 will face attacks i promess that to all muslimins .allahu aqbar

Posted by: zoulouman at March 28, 2005 01:13 AM (7fsHg)

8 i was surfing along and came across your website. i really enjoyed it. thanks! this site is very informative. i hope to see more in the near future, wishing you all the best!

casinos: noble poker

Posted by: casinos: noble poker at March 30, 2005 01:08 AM (n34wm)

9 Its only a matter of time before all muslims will be singled out as a result of the worlds growing hatred towards them. god and religion are nothing but food for a feeblemind.

Posted by: American at April 21, 2005 07:25 PM (YIK0U)

10 zoulouman, I hope you and your ilk end up in blown to pieces. F**K Y*U, you aren't the only one with a bad temper.

Posted by: GroundPounder at April 21, 2005 09:26 PM (4BJEf)

11 zoulouman, Thank you for telling us where you reside ,i promise you that The canadian RCMP will jail your arabic dirty muslim ass Sooner than you think ,i think i heared that saddam Hussien dated your mum for a while too ,is that true?

Posted by: Crusader at April 21, 2005 10:02 PM (9lu+/)

12 iraq islamic amry are cowards and always will be

Posted by: david at April 23, 2005 07:58 AM (6krEN)

13 dear sir .thanks for all.you prove to the world what is iraq.usa is under high pressure. iraq is not afghanestan. please concentrate on american army and person supporting usa rule in iraq only .iraq person have no rule.all waiting you from their real heart to end this invading by gun ,the same way they invide iraq .thanks allot ,we as usall person we are proud , god and islam with you.

Posted by: adel at April 23, 2005 01:25 PM (OTA0w)

14 zoulouman, As one of those american soldiers you want to die I will be happy to give you a shot. I have been there. You and your kind sure talk a good game til the shooting starts. Your buddy Zarquawi's days are numbered. If you are such the Islamic hero you should go be with him, my brother soldiers who are currently serving there now will be happy to accomodate you both.

Posted by: relentlessone at May 09, 2005 03:36 PM (nIxUW)

15 If we keep infighting among nations, and we don't make peace and bring all that must be said into the open then we will never unite as one Terra, as one Earth. Sadly, this appears to be the fault of not the Jihadi's (for americans: in the Middle East, they have this thing called faith; get some), but the fault of nations like my home country of america that screw around halfway across the world even when the President himself said,"I will not police the world" on his Inauguration

Posted by: al-muzzamil_that means "the shrouded one" in arabic at May 24, 2005 10:28 PM (BcHLU)

16 fuck all americans there fucking stupid all of them i know iraq will lose but the holy war has just begain every country i know hates america one day america will fall and the american flag will burn HA HA HA HA allahs army is coming and soon all americans will burn in hell BITCH!!!!

Posted by: jake at July 04, 2005 06:32 PM (Cnla2)

17 America has no religon theres too many gays and lizbians and every war I know has american soldiers in it why dont they stop poking there FAT noises in every ones bussinas I mean what the fuck is wrong with Bush and religon is the most importent thing in the world. I think what Iraq is doing is just fighting back against them. I think that every american soldier should be shot dead in iraq Ha they think there librating the Iraq people. Now thats funny librarting my ASS!

Posted by: Franky at July 04, 2005 06:46 PM (Cnla2)

18 My name is Abil I was born in afganistan I moved to Canada in 1997 I am a muslim but that dosent mean I am a terroirst I hate Osama for what he did to my country that fuckin cowerd and I hate anyone that follows Osama They are exstremist they belive what there cause is for allah. My lord allah did not want voilance he wanted peace for all of us muslim or non-muslim it dosent matter. Whan I grow up I will fight against terroirst scum like Osama and I will defand Canada for what it gave me freedom. This site is sick but for the people that want America destroyed like the ASSHOLE JAKE AND FRANK AND ZOULOUMAN THEY CAN FUCK THEM SELFS.

Posted by: Abil.T at July 05, 2005 12:39 PM (Cnla2)

19 Jake, Frank and Zoulouman: A word of advise: Watch your families, watch your back when you are out at night, always make sure you turn around an dknow what is happening aound you: piece by piece your loved ones will die and you will watch every single one of them until they are all gone and you will see a barrell in front of your face: Then ask yourself: WAS IS WORTH IT? Heel has only just begun for you and believe me you will pray for it to stop. Well: IT WON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: !ME! at August 03, 2005 03:26 PM (rhNt8)

20 Jake, Frank and Zoulouman: A word of advise: Watch your families, watch your back when you are out at night, always make sure you turn around an dknow what is happening around you: piece by piece your loved ones will die and you will watch every single one of them until they are all gone and you will see a barrell in front of your face: Then ask yourself: WAS IS WORTH IT? Heel has only just begun for you and believe me you will pray for it to stop. Well: IT WON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: !ME! at August 03, 2005 03:29 PM (rhNt8)

21 everyone on this planet needs to get along somehow before we destroy ourselves. except for one thing: WE MUST GET RID OF ALL THESE MUSLIMS!!! they are bad, bad, people. I mean, what kind of a religion has the word jihad in it's bible? There is no religion on earth that condones violence except Islam, so let's get rid of these people. I think it's tiime for a couple of nukes on the Middle East or at least deport all these fuckers from the U.S.!!!!

Posted by: rich at August 03, 2005 08:26 PM (81vZ3)

22 I think the an ansar al-sunnah army are cowards and a bitch to the heart. Sure anybody can get away with murder dress like a civilian especially when they all look a like, I know I was over there. Only bitches hit when they enemy hand is back is turned. We are coming at them straight up, but they shoot a few shots and run like the bitch they are. All of this about in the name of allah is a lie, they are animals and the rest of them that fight like a bitch. It really is time for us to stop acting too nice and get smart. If they want to sneak out of bushes to attack so shall we. We should hide in homes and observe from a home, stores or buildings and catch they scary bitch asses and kill them all. I just can't stand to fight in a bitch way. They talk and claim they can handle the U.S. but do so like a bitch. I wish I knew their website I would call all of them a bitch.

Posted by: bj at August 04, 2005 01:19 AM (KVasi)

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Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has posted an audio message to his followers on an Islamist bulletin board. In the taped message, Zarqawi praises those resisting the US offensive in Fallujah, and urges them to fight on. He also claims that victory is near for those fighting the American troops. However, the tape also implies that Zarqawi himself has fled Fallujah, an indication that he does not believe the city can be held. CBS reports that in a written statement introducing the audiotape at the internet site, the poster wrote that the tape was "short and hasty" because of the "grave" circumstances--another indication that Zarqawi and his al Qaeda in Iraq are on the run. For over a month now, internet websites linked to Zarqawi's terrorist group (formerly known as Tawhid and Jihad) have been abandoned. All of Zarqawi's recent communications have been posted to Islamic bulletin boards--perhaps another indication of the increasing pressure the US is putting on him. CBS News:

"As for you heroes of Islam in Fallujah, praise for your Jihad, praise for your nation, praise for your religion. (Have) one hour's patience, and then you will see the results," the speaker said after identifying himself as al-Zarqawi.

"Rejoice my nation. There is no doubt that God's victory is on the horizon," the speaker said, adding a challenge to "the Americans to show the truth of what goes on on the battleground."

The speaker also said Kurds and Shiites serving with the Iraqi forces have "sold their religion" and claimed the U.S.-Iraqi offensive in Fallujah had been blessed by "the infidel's imam," Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

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How come these guys always use so many capital letters. Incidentally, this is a Frenchie living in the Netherlands (I traced his IP). That's the Dutch to all of those in my Intro class. Yes, the land where they are now learning the price of dhimmitude is not worth it and are paying for it in blood. So, without further ado--a letter from a cheese-eating surrender monkey to my dear readers:

US'IANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JEALOUS OF THE FRENCH BECAUSE YOU'RE A MONGREL PEOPLE,WITH NO ROOTS,NO IDENTITY,NO MEMORY,THE MURDERERS OF THE TRUE AMERICANS:THE AMERINDIANS:THE INDIANS AND THE RACIST EXPLOITERS OF YOUR MINORITIES.

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Scotsman:

A Venezuelan man swiped a policemanÂ’s pistol and opened fire today at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, injuring a police officer and two security guards, officials said.

The man, aged in his 30s, was taken into custody after the incident, which took place as he was being questioned for attempting to enter a restricted area of the Paris monument, police officials said.

The suspect grabbed the pistol while he was handcuffed behind his back, the officials said. The man was not further identified, and an investigation was under way.

The officer was hit in the arm, and a security guard suffered a bullet wound to the shoulder. The other security guard was grazed by a bullet.

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More benefits from the Fallujah invasion. One of the hostages that was freed yesterday (earlier report here) turned out to be the Syrian driver of the two French hostages that have been missing since August. What is so interesting about this is that the French hostages were taken by the Islamic Army in Iraq, a Shia terrorist organization which operates in the south of Iraq. Fallujah is a Sunni stronghold and said to be the base of operations for Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq. More evidence that terrorists are willing to set aside sectarian differences for the sake of a common goal. Xposed:

A Syrian man found handcuffed in a house in Fallujah is the driver who was taken hostage with two French journalists by militants in August, U.S. military officials said Friday.

Mohammed al-Joundi, discovered late Thursday by U.S. Marines sweeping through the city, told military officials he had been separated from the journalists about a month ago, Marine Capt. Ed Bitanga said.

There have been no signs of journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, a U.S. military spokesman said. The trio disappeared Aug. 20 on a trip to the holy city of Najaf.

"We can confirm that the driver of the two French hostages has been rescued," the spokesman said....

At one point, al-Joundi was blindfolded and interrogated by his captors in a room where he saw a black flag with crossed swords, Bitanga said.

The driver also said he saw several other hostages being held, including two Czech nationals - one of whom was injured. He did not specify how many others he saw.

The hostage said he doesn't know what happened to the two Frenchmen after he was separated from them, Bitanga said.

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UPDATE: Al Jazeera:

Iraqi armed fighters have kidnapped an American who works as a manager at Baghdad airport.

In a videotape sent to Aljazeera, the captors identified themselves as the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a group which has previously seized foreigners working with US forces.

Arabic TV station Al-Jazeera has broadcast a videotape showing what it says is an American contractor of Lebanese origin held hostage in Iraq.

The balding, middle-aged man was shown carrying a US passport and an identification card in the name of Dean Sadek. He was sitting in front of a green wall.

Al-Jazeera did not air any audio but quoted Sadek as saying all businesses should stop cooperating with US authorities.

The Qatar-based television said the kidnapping was claimed in the name of the 1920 Revolution Brigade, a known insurgent group. The name refers to the uprising against the British after World War I.

It's not immediately clear when or where Sadek was kidnapped.

Others: Slant Point, Quinton, Joyner, Alan Brain

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It seems he looks after them in the field, too.

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Via M.H. King this post from Craig's List. Loyal minions are hereby ordered to respond to this ad--and to lose the fight. Hell, why not just pick a fight with any Kerry supporter and lose?

Straight male seeks Bush supporter for fair, physical fight

I would like to fight a Bush supporter to vent my anger. If you are one, have a fiery streek, please contact me so we can meet and physically fight. I would like to beat the shit out of you.

It looks like Ace and the Headmistress found it too.

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Chad at In the Bullpen brings this WaPo article to my attention, which forwards the thesis of Michael Clarke, director of the International Policy Institute at London's King's College, that al Qaeda will begin to fragment and cease to be a global threat in the upcoming years. Chad's take is also very interesting. I would only add that al Qaeda's demise is ultimately meaningless for long-term security planning. It is the ideology of al Qaeda that threatens our way of life, not it's organizational structure. When al Qaeda ceases to exist, I will bid it good riddance. But another jihadi ideology bent on bringing about the global caliphate will only take it's place.

Clarke said he envisaged the network breaking down into smaller, disparate cells which would be more easily infiltrated and dealt with, bringing an end to the group's ability to carry out major attacks along the lines of the Sept. 11 attacks

"Terrorism will go back to being about more local issues. It will be reduced to a level which people can live with," he said....

Clarke pointed to Iraq, where Baathist supporters of deposed president Saddam Hussein were fighting alongside foreign Jihadists linked to al Qaeda although the groups had nothing in common.

Ultimately the Baathists would go their own way and pyramid would be weakened.

Clarke noted that even association with bin Laden's network had proved damaging to the cause of other militants such as Chechen separatists.

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The Commissar is back in the map making business. As usual, bloggers will find this iteration of his now famous blog-stunt superbly done and funny.

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Sometimes the snide remarks just come too fast to process through your brain and to your fingertips. Too.... many... one... liners..... can't... get... brain... to... focus... Ok, it's been a long day and this was just too funny to pass up.

CNN (via Simon who says It gives new meaning to "All rise"):

A Romanian judge has quit after being accused of starring in an X-rated video, officials said.

Simona Lungu, 36, a judge at the Bucharest Tribunal, was investigated by judicial authorities over allegations that she acted in an adult video that was sold in Denmark.

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I read Robert Spencer's two weblogs (Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch) on a daily basis, so I was pleasently surprised (and a bit flattered) when a few days ago he dropped a comment over here at the Jawa. An essay of his appears in today's Front Page Mag:

The problem, in short, is not the race, but the ideology of Muslim immigrants. For over thirty years, besotted EU officials have concluded pact after pact with the Arab League that made for massive Muslim immigration into Europe without assimilation. Would the new European Muslims accept European pluralism? That was assumed — betraying a shocking naivete and ignorance of what Islam has historically taught about the nature of society and the proper relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The problem is not racism, but precisely a clash of civilizations, or a clash between two radically opposing views of how society should be ordered. Another news item from Holland last week vividly illustrated that fact: when Dutch artist Chris Ripke commemorated van Gogh by painting a mural featuring the words “Thou shalt not kill,” a local mosque leader complained to police. The mural, you see, was “racist.” The police obediently sandblasted away the offensive message.

Patel insists that Hizb is no threat to the west, but part of it. But he adds that the west "needs to understand what is really an inevitable matter, and that is that Islam is coming back, the Islamic caliphate is going to be implemented in the world very soon ... The Muslim people need to realise that the way in which they will restore a form of dignity and bring civilisation back to the Islamic world is to establish a modern caliphate."

The call to re-establish the caliphate, the single Islamic state that existed for a millennium and a half, until the end of the Ottoman empire in 1924, forms the thrust of the group's message. But its call for Muslims to be strong is not just political; it is also religious: "Secularism has failed the world" declares a Hizb poster.

Bringing the caliphate back will not be easy: at one debate on the future of Iraq, held just off Brick Lane, an American journalist warned the audience that America, China and India would never tolerate an Islamic state "strung like a belt across the world. There would have to be a response."

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