'Magnificent 19' risks further outrage
The extremist Islamic group al-Muhajiroun risked further outrage today by calling a press conference timed to start at nine minutes past 11 on the second anniversary of the Twin Towers attacks.
It will be used to announce the venues for the group's "Magnificent 19" rallies, which have been advertised with flyers showing the faces of the September 11 hijackers alongside Osama bin Laden and the World Trade Centre on fire.
Omar Bakri Mohammed, one of the leaders of al-Muhajiroun, said four venues around the UK would be announced.
At those venues 19 speakers will talk about the lives of the 19 hijackers.
A fatwah against Muslims serving with British and US forces in Iraq will also be read out.
Mr Mohammed said the first rally would be held in London after tomorrow's press conference, followed by events in Birmingham on Friday, Manchester on Saturday and Leicester on Sunday.
Outlining the motives behind the "Magnificent 19" rallies, Syrian-born Mr Mohammed appeared to compare the hijackers to folk heroes but he also claimed the events were not a celebration.
He said: "It's the magnificent 19 not the magnificent terrorists or the magnificent heroes.
"Robin Hood was magnificent but he was an outlaw, the Magnificent Seven were outlaws."
He added: "It's significant for everyone to remember the day the whole world changed. We need to look at what their motives were.
"We have 19 speakers and each of them will speak about the life of one individual, where they came from, their culture, what made them go to America and do this. All these questions need answers.
"We are mot going to say this is a happy moment or this is a sad moment but look at the cause and effect.
"I am expecting British Muslims who carry falsehood to be angry with us but Muslims around the world are praising this - we are not British Muslims we are Muslims in Britain."
Flyers for the rallies have gone round the world on the Internet. They carry two mobile numbers for those wanting to attend to ring.
Home Office officials and the intelligence services are expected to monitor the rallies and the press conference which is being held at al-Muhajiroun's north London offices.
The group's website, where the press conference was announced, claims the "Magnificent 19" is a "commemoration" rather than a "celebration".
