By Judi McLeod
Friday, December 15, 2006
Yesterday's news headline stated, "Blind Sheikh' Near Death; FBI Issues Terror Warning." Unfortunately, too few people even know who "the Blind Sheikh" is, and fewer still understand the significance of the Islamic murderer's his death in a U.S. prison to his Islamist followers. Omar Ahmad Rahman (a/k/a Omar Abdel-Rahman), 68, is the Egyptian-born terrorist leader known as "the Blind Sheikh" who is serving a life sentence as federal inmate number 34892-054 for "seditious conspiracy" for his role in murderous terrorist activities and plans inside the U.S., including the February 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center – an attack that took the lives of 11 people and injured thousands of others. Rahman was arrested in 1993 and convicted in 1995 of also plotting to blow up the United Nations headquarters, the federal building in New York, as well as other New York bridges and tunnels. His life as an Islamic terrorist spans decades, and includes his involvement in the plot to assassinate Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
Rahman is the leader of the Egyptian-based terrorist group Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (a/k/a The Islamic Group), a terrorist group responsible for numerous murderous acts including the infamous massacre of 58 tourists and 4 Egyptians in Luxor in November 1997.
There is a very sound basis for the warning, according to analysts of the Northeast Intelligence Network director Doug Hagmann. Despite his incarceration, Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman continues to be revered by Islamic terrorists worldwide who view him as their spiritual leader. Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri have consistently promised to exact revenge against the United States if Abdel-Rahman dies while in U.S. custody. Rahman's relevancy in jihad circles was kept alive, to a degree, by the heinous, anti-U.S. actions of Lynne F. Stewart, a currently imprisoned attorney who represented Rahman and passed his "blessing" for a resumption of terrorist operations to his Islamic terrorist group in Egypt.
Noting that the 68 year-old terrorist suffered a major medical emergency on or about December 6, 2006, the FBI issued a special bulletin warning law enforcement officials to be extra vigilant as Rahman's death could potentially lead to Islamic terrorist attacks inside the United States in reprisal for his death in a U.S. prison. Rahman, who has suffered from diabetes and heart problems for some time, was taken to a hospital in Springfield, Missouri where he underwent a blood transfusion. Physicians also discovered that he has a tumor on his liver. His overall prognosis is poor, according to reports. It is also interesting to note that Rahman has historically contributed to his own health problems; in 2004, he tried to worsen his diabetic condition by consuming large quantities of candy.
Although the FBI situational awareness bulletin was softened by the pronouncement that the bulletin was being issued out of "an abundance of caution," the warning reminded authorities that Rahman had previously called upon Islamists to conduct reprisal attacks should he die while in U.S. custody.
In an al Qaeda sponsored press conference in 1998, Rahman's last will and testament was distributed, stating, in part:
"My Brothers...If they [the Americans] kill me, which they will certainly do – hold my funeral and send my corpse to my family, but do not let my blood be shed in vain. Rather, extract the most violent revenge, and remember your brother who spoke the truth and died for the will of God...The Mujahid Sheikh Omar Abdel al Rahman. In the name of God the kind and merciful."
In a rambling video released to coincide with the fifth anniversary attacks of the September, 11, 2001 attacks, al-Qaeda deputy Ayman al-Zawahri also cited the continuing imprisonment of the sheik, stating: "I call on every Muslim to make use of every opportunity afforded him to take revenge on America for its imprisonment of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman."
Analysts of the Northeast Intelligence Network suggest that the announcement of Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman's death could trigger an automatic increase in Rahman's stature, from terrorist to martyr. His death could result in a rekindling of interest in the plans that Rahman was unable to execute prior to his arrest – in particular, those plots against assets in the greater New York City area. Thanks, in part, to the actions of Lynne Stewart, it is equally likely isolated incidents of terrorism could result in Egypt as well. Most importantly, however, are the terrorist operatives inside the United States who will feel compelled to avenge the death of Rahman – now a martyr – while in the hands of an infidel nation, stated Doug Hagmann, director of the Northeast Intelligence Network.
Mr. Hagmann dismisses a dissenting opinion of terrorism expert Dia'a Rashwan, an expert at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, Egypt who was interviewed by the media and said that Abdel-Rahman's death would not be likely to incite huge attacks in the United States because "he is closer to an Egyptian militant group than to al-Qaeda" and "does not enjoy such a status on international level." Added Rashwan, "I expect some small and easy violent acts and attacks, especially in Afghanistan, in retaliation to his death and to keep the name of Omar Abdel-Rahman as a martyr."
As Islamic terrorists like to revisit unfinished plans, I would absolutely suggest that an increased vigilance in security for all assets and strategic locations within New York City is indeed warranted. Although the death of Rahman could be a long time coming despite his current medical condition, we must remain vigilant and think outside of Western terms. Confining our defensive posture to Western thought is one reason we are not as secure as we should be five-and-a-half years post 9/11, stated Mr. Hagmann.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement