Omar Bakri Muhammad (Arabic: عمر بکری محمد `Umar Bakrī Muḥammad; born Omar Bakri Fostock in 1958 in Syria) is an Islamist militant leader who was instrumental in developing Hizb ut-Tahrir into a major organization in the United Kingdom before leaving the group and heading another Islamist organisation, Al-Muhajiroun, until its disbandment in 2004.
For several years Bakri was one of the best-known, high-profile Islamic radicals based in London, and was frequently quoted and interviewed in the UK media. He vowed in December 2004 for example that Muslims would give the West "a 9/11, day after day after day," if Western governments did not change their policies.[1] He has been described both as "closely linked to al-Qaeda"[2] — he released prepared statements from Osama bin Laden after the 1998 United States embassy bombings[3] — but also as the "Tottenham Ayatollah," who has "long been regarded as little more than a loudmouth."[4]
In 2005, following the 7 July 2005 London bombings the Times reported that "a dozen members" of his group Al-Muhajiroun "have taken part in suicide bombings or have become close to Al-Qaeda and its support network."[4] Shortly after, he left the UK, where he had sheltered for 20 years, for Lebanon. While there he was informed by the Home Office that he would not be allowed back into the UK.[5] Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said on November 12, 2010 that Bakri was among 54 people sentenced by a military court to life in prison with hard labor after being accused of acts of terrorism.[6] After the decision Bakri told reporters, he would "not spend one day in prison", and said, "I will not hand myself in to any court. I do not believe in the law in Britain as in Lebanon," It was reported on November 14 2010 that he had been arrested by the Lebanese police and was being transferred to Beirut.[7]
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Bakri was born into a wealthy family in the ancient city of Aleppo, Syria. According to Jon Ronson his family had "chauffeurs and servants and palaces in Syria, Turkey and Beirut."[8]
From the age of five he was enrolled in the al-Kutaab Islamic boarding schools (a primary school not teaching children anything but how to recite and keep Quran by heart) where he studied the Qur'anic Sciences, Hadith (the sayings of the Prophet of Islam and his Companions), Fiqh (Islamic Religious Philosophy), and Seerah (The detailed biography of the Prophet of Islam), etc.[9] During his early adulthood Bakri continued his studies through Musahaba (companionship) with numerous noteworthy and respected 'Ulema of Ash-Shaam studying Usul al-Fiqh, Al-I'jaaz, Arabic Language, I'lm al-Khataba, I'lm al-Tassawuf, Fiqh and Ilm as-Seerah.
Later, Bakri joined the Shari'ah Institute at Damascus University where he then studied Fiqh and Shari'ah.
Bakri joined the Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a young man but did not participate in their 1982 Hama revolt against the Syrian Ba'ath Party and the government of Hafez al-Assad.[9]
When he completed his studies, obtaining a BA in Shari'ah and Usul al-Fiqh. In 1977 he left Syria, where he was wanted for being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and moved to Beirut, Lebanon[9] where he began his studies in Shari'ah. Bakri obtained his MA in Fiqh ul-Madhaahib from the Imaam Uzaie University, Lebanon.
In 1979 he left Lebanon and moved to Cairo, Egypt where he studied at Al-Azhar University for six months. He left Al-Azhar before he could get a degree due to disagreements with his teachers.[9]
In December 1979 he moved to Saudi Arabia, where he joined the Madrassah Al-Saltiyyah studying[9] and completing a Diploma in Jami' Al-Qur'an. At this time he also completed a thesis entitled, 'Nizaam al-Khilafahfil Islaam'.
Throughout his life, Bakri states that he joined many Islamic movements including Muslim Students, Ebad ul-Rahman, al-Ikhwan (al-Tali'ah section), and Hizb ut Tahrir. According to an interview with "Jamestown Special Correspondent" Mahan Abedin, Omar Bakri joined Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) in Beirut and maintained contacts with it in Cairo, and started an HT cells in Saudi Arabia" where "by 1983 I had built a team of 38 brothers." However, when he learned that "HT leaders in Kuwait were reluctant to form or organize any activities in Saudi Arabia," where HT was banned, it came as "a huge shock" and led to his suspension from the party. "Therefore on March 3, 1983 — the 59th anniversary of the destruction of the Ottoman Caliphate — I launched a separate organization [in Jeddah] with the help of these 38 brothers and called it Al-Muhajiroun."
In 1984 the Saudi Arabian government arrested Bakri in Jeddah, but released him on bail. The government arrested him again in December 1985 in Riyadh.
Bakri moved to the United Kingdom on January 14, 1986.[9] Later he travelled to the United States to study English after which he traveled back to the United Kingdom to assume the leadership of Hizb ut-Tahrir and become their spiritual leader.
In the UK he worked for ten years helping to build up Hizb ut-Tahrir. In 1996 Bakri split with Hizb ut-Tahrir over disagreements on policy, style and methods, declaring Al-Muhajiroun an independent organisation[9] and continued as its Amir until 2003.
He initially founded the group as a mainstream organisation supportive of international Islamist causes. The group did not directly associate itself with jihad movements.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks Bakri praised the attackers as "magnificent",[10] and changed his leanings towards the theology and philosophy of Al Qaeda. Bakri then stated that he had become a Salafi Muslim.[9] Media outlets and British Muslims criticised him for his open support for various international jihadist organisations.
On September 13, 2001 Bakri told the Daily Mail, "When I first heard about [the September 11, 2001 attacks], there was some initial delight about such an attack. I received a phone call and said, 'Oh, wow, the United States has come under attack.' It was exciting."[11]
According to The Times newspaper, Bakri was left alone by British law prior to July 2005 despite actions such as an issuing a fatwa "containing a death threat against President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan" because
Bakri, who acts as [al-Muhajiroun's] spiritual leader, insisted that his followers obey a "covenant of security" which, while encouraging terror abroad, forbade them from carrying out attacks in Britain.[4]
But "the authorities may have been lulled into a false sense of security," because the covenant was not permanent.[4] In November 2004 Bakri disbanded Al-Muhajiroun, saying that "all Muslims should unite together against a hostile West." Three months later Bakri said this "covenant of security" was no longer in force[4] having been violated by the British government. "Experts note," according to the Times, that the July London bombings followed "four months later".[4]
The same article reports "The Sunday Times has identified more than a dozen members of ALM who have taken part in suicide bombings or have become close to Al-Qaeda and its support network." Including Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan "a computer expert now in a Pakistani prison", Zeeshan Siddiqui, from Hounslow, west London, Bilal Mohammed from Birmingham, and Asif Hanif.[4]
Bakri has claimed an estimated £250,000 in state benefits since claiming asylum in Britain in 1986.[12] He is currently banned from returning to the United Kingdom.[13]
His main students were Khalid Kelly, Anjem Choudary, Sulayman Keeler, Abu Izzadeen,[14] and Abu Uzair, a trained civil engineer who leads or led the Savior Sect.[15]
On August 6, 2005 Bakri left the United Kingdom following stories that the UK Government were planning to investigate certain Muslim clerics under little-used treason laws. He was banned from returning by British Home Secretary Charles Clarke stating that Bakri's presence in Britain was "not conducive to the public good."[10] He subsequently took up residence in Lebanon. During the 2006 Lebanon War, he tried to flee Lebanon on a Royal Navy vessel evacuating British citizens. He was turned away by the British Navy however.[16]
In 2005 Bakri made a televised appeal to the captors of Norman Kember, a hostage in Iraq. After his speech Bakri said, "I appeal myself to them, you see, that to show guidance and mercy to any victim in their hand. But after that I can't myself guarantee anything except to tell you these people mean business."[17]
Bakri has reaffirmed the fatwa on Salman Rushdie, saying from Lebanon, "Rushdie will continue living his life in hiding. Any fatwa will stand until it is fulfilled. He is always going to be worried about a Muslim reaching him."[18][19]
During an online question and answer session a Vigil member asked Bakri if Dublin Airport should be a terrorist target because U.S. troops transit there on the way to Iraq. Bakri told the member to "hit the target and hit it very hard. That issue should be understood. Your situation there is quite difficult therefore the answer lies in your question." He also said the 7/7 London bombers were in "paradise."[20]
On the July 27, 2007 edition of Newsnight, a special edition was entitled 'Battle for Islam' which Gavin Esler presented on the battle for the heart and soul of Islam[21] Omar Bakri featured live from Lebanon alongside Reza Aslan in Los Angeles, Benazir Bhutto in the studio in London with Maryam Namazie.
Currently he heads the Atibaa' Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah movement.
Bakri is, or was, married to Hanah and has seven children.[22][23]
Bakri, in his 2008 article, 'Omar Bakri Muhammad responds to media attack on family', states that "The truth is that my family comprises of [sic] six children (three males and three daughters); Muhammad (30 years old, married with 2 children); Yussra (27 years old, married with 3 children); Abdul Rahman (21 years old, married); Rukan (18 years old, married with no children); Rayah tul Islam (13 years old) and Bilal (10 years old)."[24] His daughter Yussra has worked as a pole-dancer is different clubs in the United Kingdom.[25][26][22]
British newspapers have called him the "Tottenham Ayatollah",[27] while former Conservative MP Rupert Allason described him as a "terrorist who believes in planting bombs and blowing up women and children in Israel."[28] Roland Jacquard, an expert on Islamic terrorism, said that "every al-Qaeda operative recently arrested or identified in Europe had come into contact with Bakri at some time or other."[2]
In January 2005 The Times monitored live, 90-minute internet lectures from Bakri in a chatroom in which he told listeners, "I believe the whole of Britain has become Dar al-Harb (land of war). The kuffar (non-believer) has no sanctity for their own life or property." He said Muslims should join the jihad "wherever you are" and told a woman she was allowed to do a suicide bombing. In another broadcast he said, "Al-Qaeda and all its branches and organizations of the world, that is the victorious group and they have the emir and you are obliged to join. There is no need... to mess about." Two days later, in another broadcast, he said that dead mujaheedin "are calling you and shouting to you from far distant places: al jihad, al jihad. They say to you my dear Muslim brothers, 'Where is your weapon, where is your weapon?' Come on to the jihad."[29]
Andrew Dismore, a Labour MP, said, "With these words he may well be committing offences under the Terrorism Act and other legislation. I will be raising this immediately with the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police."[29]
Commenting on the September 11, 2001 attacks, The Times claims he said "I am very happy today. As much as I regret the innocent people who passed away, with the USA you must pay." on his website.[29] The Montreal Gazette however claims that he said in an interview "If Islamists did it—and most likely it is Islamists, because of the nature of what happened—then they have fully misunderstood the teachings of Islam. ... Even the most radical of us have condemned this. I am always considered to be a radical in the Islamic world and even I condemn it."[30] There may not be a contradiction, depending on the interpretations of the statements.
Bakri, discussing the 2004 Madrid train bombings, is alleged by The Times to have said, "What happened in Madrid is all revenge. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life."[29]
On October 24, 2006 British anti-terror police stopped Omar Bakri's son, Abdul Rahman Fostok, at Heathrow Airport, and seized £13,000 that he intended to deliver to Bakri in Lebanon. The money was held under the Proceeds of Crime Act, pending an investigation, but Fostok was allowed to board his flight.[31] Responding to this, Bakri said,
"I am not expecting any problem with the money but if I do not get it there will be trouble. I will take action because it is my property. God says you must do all in your power to get something back if it is taken from you - even if it costs you your life. They will be playing with fire."[32]
Bakri claims that the money is a gift, but it has been reported that Bakri told followers on the Paltalk website in June 2006 that if they wanted to send him money for the financing of "mujahideen" they should do so through his son Fostok, who "keeps [a] low profile." He posted Fostok's cell phone number and invited them to call him directly.[33]
On 31 January 2007 British police arrested nine suspected terrorists who were allegedly planning to kidnap, torture, and behead a British Muslim in the army, all of which would be videotaped and later broadcast on the internet. The soldier had served in the War in Afghanistan, but had returned home to Britain on temporary leave. On 4 February secret recordings of Bakri Muhammad emerged in which he calls for the attack. Bakri told listeners,
"When you meet [Westerners], slice their own necks. And when you make the blood spill all over, and the enemy becomes so tired, now start to take from them prisoners. Then free them or exchange them until the war is finished. Verily they remind the sunnah of removing the head of the enemy. They remind the sunnah of slaughtering the enemy. They remind the sunnah of how to strike the neck of the enemy. We saw him in his brother's house. They removed the head of the enemy. Use the sword and remove the head of the enemy."[27]
He previously called for a kidnapping-terrorist attack in 2005. In another incident he said he hoped someone would "capture British Muslims who are in the Army over there."[27] He has said that a Beslan-style attack is alright if children are not deliberately killed.[34]
British journalist Jon Ronson's "Them: Adventures With Extremists", a documentary and book published in 2001, depicts Ronson's interactions with Bakri.
Ronson depicts Bakri as a charismatic orator who calls for the black flag of Islam to fly over 10 Downing Street, the stoning of fornicators, and closing of pubs before a cheering crowd of 5000.[8] He tells Ronson, "I cannot take a day off, an hour off, even a minute off. I will take time off when I am with Allah, when I die in the battlefield and become a martyr."[35]
But he also describes Bakri as living in a semi-detached council house, enjoying watching Disney's Lion King video, being unable to hold a fish caught on a fishing line, and calling himself "actually very nice."[36][37]
In a phone call after the 9/11 attack on the evening of his arrest and release without charge, Bakri tells Ronson,
"Oh Jon, I need you more than ever now. You know I am harmless, don't you? You know I am just a clown. You know I am laughable, don't you? ... Why don't people believe you when you tell them that I am just a harmless clown?"[38]
Future Television interviewed Bakri on August 11, 2005. Bakri said he did not have ties to Al Qaeda, calling it a "media creation" and said he did not intend to return to Britain. During the interview, Bakri said "I left Britain on my own accord though I have not been accused of anything there or in Lebanon... but the London attacks are the reason I have returned". According to media reports, Lebanese police arrested Bakri "as soon as he left the building after the interview. the Police was waiting where they arrested him as soon as he exited the building . They hadn't seen the interview, nor were we warned beforehand that this could happen." Police later said the arrest was "a routine arrest to determine his reasons and if his residency in Lebanon is legitimate." Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi later said Bakri was arrested as a "precautionary measure."[39]
British Ambassador to Lebanon James Watt said, "We made no request for his arrest, nor for his extradition. As far as I am concerned, this is a very simple story — it is a Lebanese citizen who returned to Lebanon and has been arrested by the Lebanese police. We have nothing to do with it and it's not in our place to comment on what has happened."[39]
In mid-November 2010, according to media reports Bakri said he had been sentenced to life in prison in Lebanon in a terrorism case that he knew nothing about.[6]
On trying to get back to Britain during the bombing of Lebanon
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