Zawahiri urges Americans to convert to Islam

DUBAI: Al Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri urged Americans on Saturday to convert to Islam in a video featuring a converted United States national sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who spoke particularly to American soldiers.   

 

In the 48-minute video, Zawahiri presented ‘Azzam the American’, and urged the "American people in particular and Westerners in general to listen to the extremely serious words of our brother Azzam the American concerning their fate".

 

"Our brother Azzam the American is trying to lead his own (people) from obscurity towards the light. Listen to him," insisted Zawahiri, who wore a white tunic and turban.

 

In an Arabic translation of a poorly audible English statement, a man previously identified by the FBI as Adam Yahiye Gadahn said: "I call on all Americans and other infidels to embrace Islam."   

 

Gadahn, who also recited Koranic verses in fluent Arabic, was also dressed in white tunic and turban.   

 

"I call especially on those who have fought for the illusory Crusader plan of (US President George W) Bush in Afghanistan, Iraq and everywhere else, to convert to Islam," he said.

 

"Time is running out. Choose the right path before it is too late, before you meet the sad end that thousands have (already) known," Gadahn added.

 

"You know very well you will not win the war and that Bush and his gang see you as cannon fodder. You know very well that they do not care about your security and that they are not looking out for your welfare."

 

Gadahn said he has rejoiced to learn of American soldiers that had converted to Islam, and cautioned them to be careful.

 

"I advise you to take all precautions in practicing your religion and in deserting the army" so as not to be exposed to reprisals that others have suffered for rejecting "American terrorism." 

 

According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Gadahn, 28, "is being sought in connection with possible terrorist threats against the United States".

 

Saturday's video was released a day after Gadahn's birthday, and ahead of the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks against the United States.

 

Gadahn converted to Islam in 1995 and traveled to Pakistan in 1998.

 

In May 2004, then US attorney general John Ashcroft said Gadahn was an Al-Qaeda supporter who translated documents for the group.   

 

Last September, in a video broadcast by US television network ABC, he threatened Al Qaeda terror attacks on Los Angeles, California and Melbourne, Australia.

 

The video shown Saturday was entitled An invitation to Islam and produced by Al-Sahab, which specialises in recordings for militant Islamist groups, and Al-Qaeda in particular.   

 

The last time Zawahiri appeared in a video was on August 5, when he anounced that key players from the Egyptian group Jamaa Islamiya were joining Al Qaeda, a claim the group denied the next day.