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British Terror Suspect Has Long History of Angry Islamism

Friends say war in Iraq fueled doctor's anger

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2007 11:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – Bilal Abdullah, a young Iraqi doctor who is one of the chief suspects in last week's terror attacks in Britain, was a militant Islamist as far back as medical school in Baghdad and while studying for British exams in Cambridge, friends say. Abdullah would cheer at reports of insurgent attacks on Americans and British troops in Iraq, as well as Shias, the Los Angeles Times reports.
 

"He saw Shias as apostates," said a former friend. And when a rommate in Cambridge seemed more interested in playing the guitar than prayer, Abdullah showed him a video of a beheading, and said: 'If you don't listen to me, remember that this is what my people do—we slaughter."  Abdullah was the passenger in the jeep driven into Glasgow airport, and a suspect in the explosives-packed London cars as well.

Forensic officers at the scene of Saturday's attack on the terminal building at Glasgow Airport Glasgow Scotland, Sunday July 1, 2007.  Police arrested two men - one on fire - after a Jeep Cherokee was driven into the main doors of the airport before bursting into flames Saturday in a...
Forensic officers at the scene of Saturday's attack on the terminal building at Glasgow Airport Glasgow Scotland, Sunday July 1, 2007. Police arrested two men - one on fire - after a Jeep Cherokee was...   (Associated Press)
Forensic officers at the scene of Saturday's dramatic attack on the terminal building at Glasgow Airport Glasgow Scotland, Sunday July 1, 2007.  Police arrested two men - one on fire - after a Jeep Cherokee was driven into the main doors of the airport before bursting into flames Saturday in...
Forensic officers at the scene of Saturday's dramatic attack on the terminal building at Glasgow Airport Glasgow Scotland, Sunday July 1, 2007. Police arrested two men - one on fire - after a Jeep Cherokee...   (Associated Press)
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