Mentor of A Murderer: Cleric Praises London Killer and Former Student

If you want to know what kind of man could commit the grotesque act this week in butchering a man on a London street while posing for cameras, you might want to meet his teacher. In Tripoli, Lebanon, Syrian-born cleric, Omar Bakri, founder of banned British Islamist group Al Muhajiroun, saw the same video that we saw. While we recoiled at the savagery, Bakri rejoiced in what he called the “courage” and faith of Michael Adebolajo in murdering Lee Ridgy. Our disgust was matched by the cleric’s delight in seeing a former student murder in the name of Islam. He gave the interview as his son, Osama, played at his feet . . . yes, named after that Osama.

Bakri said that “When I saw the footage I recognized the face immediately . . . A quiet man, very shy, asking lots of questions about Islam.” He describes the killer as “standing firm, courageous, brave. Not running away. Rather, he said why he carried (it out) and he wanted the whole world to hear it.”

He assured everyone Adebolajo is now in paradise since “The prophet (Mohammad) said an infidel and his killer will not meet in Hell. That’s a beautiful saying. May God reward (Adebolajo) for his actions.”

He added the question “was he a man or not?”

No, he hit an innocent man with his car and then butchered his body. He is a murderer, and you, Mr. Bakri, you are the mentor of a murderer.