Al-Qaeda Denounces Obama

Deputy warns Muslims of 'polished words' before Cairo speech

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2009 7:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Al-Qaeda isn't waiting for President Obama to address the Muslim world to criticize him. In a new video, the group's No. 2 leader called Obama a "criminal" on the eve of his visit to the Mideast and said his "bloody images" cannot be concealed by "theatrical visits or polished words," the BBC reports. The president plans a major address to Muslims in Cairo on Thursday.

Ayman al-Zawahiri called Egyptian officials who will welcome Obama "slaves" and said they are complicit in turning Egypt into an "international station of torture in America's war on Islam." Some analysts think the new al-Qaeda message is a sign the group is worried that Obama may sway minds, notes the AP.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Ayman al-Zawahiri, in an undated video image. (AP Photo/ HO/ IntelCenter, File )

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

(Obama's) messages have already been received by the Islamic world when he visited the Wailing Wall, put on his head the Jew's cap and prayed their prayers, though he claims to be Christian. - Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Radical Cleric Abu Qatada Freed From UK Prison

British officials call him a threat to national security

(AP) - Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric whom British officials say is an al-Qaeda figurehead and a threat to national security, was freed from an English prison into virtual house arrest late today, British media reported. Judicial officials acknowledged earlier in the day that the 51-year-old extremist preacher's release from Long Lartin jail was imminent, but declined to comment on the reports from the BBC and Sky News , citing operational concerns. More»

Bin Laden 'Right-Hand Man' Set for Release in Britain

Abu Qatada to face 22-hour curfew in London

(NEWSER) - A radical cleric described as Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man" in Europe is set for immediate release from a British maximum security prison. Abu Qatada will be housebound for 22 hours a day in London, where he'll wear an electronic tag and face stringent rules on phone and Internet use, the Guardian reports. Bail terms allow Qatada full access to his family, though they will prevent him from taking his youngest child to school, notes the Telegraph . More»

Bin Laden Told Kids: Move to US or Europe

Pakistan is holding them in security compound for now

(NEWSER) - Osama bin Laden advised his children against a life of terror, according to one of his brothers-in-law. "He told his own children and grandchildren, go to Europe and America and get a good education," says Zakara al-Sadah, whose sister was the al-Qaeda chief's fifth wife. For now, Sadah claims, Pakistani authorities are holding nine bin Laden children and three wives—including Sadah's sister—in an Islamabad security compound against their will, reports the Daily Mail via The Sunday Times . More»

Al-Qaeda: Help Syria Boot Assad

Al-Zawahri confirms terror group seeking to turn tide in Syrian uprising

(AP) - Al-Qaeda's chief has called on Muslims from other countries to support rebels in Syria seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, saying they cannot depend on the West for help. Ayman al-Zawahri, in a videotaped statement released late yesterday, asked Muslims in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey to join the uprising against Assad's "pernicious, cancerous regime." All four states border Syria. The statement confirms Assad's claims and US suspicions that the terror group has had a hand in the 11-month uprising. More»

US Suspects al-Qaeda Behind Syria Bombings

Group may be looking to exploit the chaos

(NEWSER) - Al-Qaeda's Iraq branch is moving into the chaos in Syria, and is responsible for two recent bombings and most likely yesterday's bombing in Aleppo , US officials tell McClatchy . Intelligence reports seem to back up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad assertions—disputed by the opposition—that al-Qaeda has been involved in the 11-month uprising. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Al-Qaeda Denounces Obama