"An Alternative Explanation to Islamic Extremism
17/08/2005
Is it necessary for an Islamic extremist to grow a beard, shave his moustache, wear traditional dress, and use violent fundamentalist terminology in the manner of the terrorist parodied in the film Al Irhabi (the terrorist) starring Adil Imam?
I asked myself this question as I read about the arrest of Luay Sakra, a young Syrian man taken into custody last week in Turkey for allegedly planning to carry out bombings and terrorist attacks in Istanbul. I read in Turkish publication how Sakra had met Abu Musab al Zarqawi in Iraq. He was quoted as saying he received training in explosives at a military camp affiliated with al Qaeda, in northern Iraq. Turkish security sources stated the suspect was the head of al Qaeda in Turkey. He is also believed to have played a role in the Istanbul bombings in November 2003, which killed more than 60 people."
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