Abu Abdullah: Hmm,
I’m doubtful that they named him specifically as a freedom
fighter. Although the Americans saw Abdullah Azzam (RH) as
beneficial to their cause, I don’t think they honestly perceived
him as a freedom-fighter. I think they foresaw problems for
themselves later on, as he was always critical of America.
He would warn against Muslims getting too close to the Americans.
He would give speeches saying that we shouldn’t think that
the Americans are supporting the cause, but that it was the
Mujaahideen who are sacrificing their lives and repelling
the Russians.
Al-Istiqamah: You
were finally acquitted. Does the “terrorist” label ever disappear?
Abu Abdullah: I was acquitted,
but it’s as if I have been indirectly arrested. My family
are shunned by the local community. I’m not allowed to travel
– they have confiscated my passport. Life is made difficult
for my friends; many fear that if they are seen talking to
me, their houses might be raided or they might be followed
by MI5.
Al-Istiqamah: Have
you been approached by MI5?
Abu Abdullah: I’ve been
approached once. In the beginning I was very frightened and
I didn’t know how to deal with them.
Al-Istiqamah: Did
they come to your house?
Abu Abdullah: No, they
met me outside. In the beginning I was very unsure whether
according to my Islamic Shari’ah (principles) it is permissible
to speak to them or not. Then I spoke to someone who explained
to me that when MI5 approach anyone, their outlook is negative.
They already have their mind made up. They are looking for
faults either in you or some other Muslim. No matter how much
a person speaks to them or shows goodness to them, their agenda
is only to dig the dirt. As Muslims, we aren’t allowed to
do that. They wanted me to work for them, but I refused.
Al-Istiqamah: Do
you see the MI5 as attempting to do what the police can’t
do, as their hands are tied? That MI5 are basically the police
with the gloves off?
Abu Abdullah: Yes
and no, and I’ll explain why I say that. Nowadays you have
the SO15 unit, which is police and MI5 working together. So
although you’re right to a certain extent, I think now when
the police want to intimidate someone, they’ll use MI5. And
when MI5 don’t find a way to get through to that person, they
get their house raided by the police. Police in this country
have a lot of powers now to go into someone’s house, confiscate
their property, which is often held indefinitely, sometimes
even for a year after they have been acquitted. Then you see
that the police are the ones working with their gloves off.
MI5 will approach people, try to talk to them and get you
to work for them…
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