Abu Uzair

Abu Uzair (born Sajid Sharif in 1968) is the leader of the The Saved Sect, an organization the British government has designated and banned as terrorist, and a leading member of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah. Uzair, formerly a member of Al-Muhajiroun, is a Pakistani-Briton. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4449714.stm New group replaces al-Muhajiroun] BBC News] [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article552908.ece Preachers may face treason charges over 7/7] The Times] [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1109334-3,00.html Generation Jihad] TIME Magazine]

Uzair preached at Finsbury Park mosque. [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006060518,00.html Preachers who hate UK] The Sun Online]

Terrorism in the United Kingdom

The head of the anti-terrorism department of the Crown Prosecution Service has considered prosecuting him for terrorism-related crimes in the past. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,5258905-117079,00.html Radical cleric leaves, but his legacy remains] The Guardian] [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/radical-imams-threatened-with-treason-charges/2005/08/08/1123353263119.html?from=moreStories Radical imams threatened with treason charges] The Sydney Morning Herald]

He has praised the September 11, 2001 attacks as "magnificent" and said that if he knew about plans to carry out a suicide attack he would not alert the police. [http://www.americandaily.com/article/8761 The end of treason] The American Daily]

Interviews

"TIME Magazine" interview

Uzair grew up in a secular househould, smoking and visiting night clubs in his youth. His religious views became more conservative when he attended a university in Britain. He told "TIME Magazine", "I wanted some inner discipline. Since I have come to Islam, I have a lot of tranquillity." Speaking on terrorism, "The majority of Muslims in the U.K. are frustrated, but they cannot speak. They will not condone the London bombings, but inside they believe that Britain had it coming. Muslims are being killed all over the world through the foreign policy of the U.K. and U.S. Many feel they cannot sit around and do nothing about it. What is the difference between a suicide bomber and a B-52? I really feel that war has been declared on Islam."

"BBC News" interview

In an interview with "BBC Newsnight", Uzair said, "We don't live in peace with you any more. The banner has been risen for jihad inside the UK, which means it's allowed for the bombers to attack... I would never go to the police because I believe that spying on Muslims is never allowed. I am a British citizen but I am a Muslim first, a Muslim second and a Muslim last. Even if I am British, I don't follow the values of the UK - I follow the values of Islam." Uzair said the British government had broken the "covenant of security" with British Muslims.

ee also

* Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt
* Abu Izzadeen
* Anjem Choudary
* Khalid Kelly
* Hassan Butt
* Andrew Ibrahim
* Sulayman Keeler
* Abu Hamza al-Masri
* Omar Bakri Muhammad

References