Online document: the full text of Osama bin Laden's "letter to the American people", reported in today's Observer. The letter first appeared on the internet in Arabic and has since been translated and circulated by Islamists in Britain.

Observer Worldview

Sunday November 24, 2002

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

"Permission to fight (against disbelievers) is given to those (believers) who are fought against, because they have been wronged and surely, Allah is Able to give them (believers) victory" [Quran 22:39]

"Those who believe, fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghut (anything worshipped other than Allah e.g. Satan). So fight you against the friends of Satan; ever feeble is indeed the plot of Satan."[Quran 4:76]

Some American writers have published articles under the title 'On what basis are we fighting?' These articles have generated a number of responses, some of which adhered to the truth and were based on Islamic Law, and others which have not. Here we wanted to outline the truth - as an explanation and warning - hoping for Allah's reward, seeking success and support from Him.

While seeking Allah's help, we form our reply based on two questions directed at the Americans:

(Q1) Why are we fighting and opposing you? Q2)What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you?

As for the first question: Why are we fighting and opposing you? The answer is very simple:

(1) Because you attacked us and continue to attack us.

a) You attacked us in Palestine:

(i) Palestine, which has sunk under military occupation for more than 80 years. The British handed over Palestine, with your help and your support, to the Jews, who have occupied it for more than 50 years; years overflowing with oppression, tyranny, crimes, killing, expulsion, destruction and devastation. The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals. And of course there is no need to explain and prove the degree of American support for Israel. The creation of Israel is a crime which must be erased. Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its*price, and pay for it heavily.

(ii) It brings us both laughter and tears to see that you have not yet tired of repeating your fabricated lies that the Jews have a historical right to Palestine, as it was promised to them in the Torah. Anyone who disputes with them on this alleged fact is accused of anti-semitism. This is one of the most fallacious, widely-circulated fabrications in history. The people of Palestine are pure Arabs and original Semites. It is the Muslims who are the inheritors of Moses (peace be upon him) and the inheritors of the real Torah that has not been changed. Muslims believe in all of the Prophets, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all. If the followers of Moses have been promised a right to Palestine in the Torah, then the Muslims are the most worthy nation of this.

When the Muslims conquered Palestine and drove out the Romans, Palestine and Jerusalem returned to Islaam, the religion of all the Prophets peace be upon them. Therefore, the call to a historical right to Palestine cannot be raised against the Islamic Ummah that believes in all the Prophets of Allah (peace and blessings be upon them) - and we make no distinction between them.

(iii) The blood pouring out of Palestine must be equally revenged. You must know that the Palestinians do not cry alone; their women are not widowed alone; their sons are not orphaned alone.

(b) You attacked us in Somalia; you supported the Russian atrocities against us in Chechnya, the Indian oppression against us in Kashmir, and the Jewish aggression against us in Lebanon.

(c) Under your supervision, consent and orders, the governments of our countries which act as your agents, attack us on a daily basis;

(i) These governments prevent our people from establishing the Islamic Shariah, using violence and lies to do so.

(ii) These governments give us a taste of humiliation, and places us in a large prison of fear and subdual.

(iii) These governments steal our Ummah's wealth and sell them to you at a paltry price.

(iv) These governments have surrendered to the Jews, and handed them most of Palestine, acknowledging the existence of their state over the dismembered limbs of their own people.

(v) The removal of these governments is an obligation upon us, and a necessary step to free the Ummah, to make the Shariah the supreme law and to regain Palestine. And our fight against these governments is not separate from out fight against you.

(d) You steal our wealth and oil at paltry prices because of you international influence and military threats. This theft is indeed the biggest theft ever witnessed by mankind in the history of the world.

(e) Your forces occupy our countries; you spread your military bases throughout them; you corrupt our lands, and you besiege our sanctities, to protect the security of the Jews and to ensure the continuity of your pillage of our treasures.

(f) You have starved the Muslims of Iraq, where children die every day. It is a wonder that more than 1.5 million Iraqi children have died as a result of your sanctions, and you did not show concern. Yet when 3000 of your people died, the entire world rises and has not yet sat down.

(g) You have supported the Jews in their idea that Jerusalem is their eternal capital, and agreed to move your embassy there. With your help and under your protection, the Israelis are planning to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque. Under the protection of your weapons, Sharon entered the Al-Aqsa mosque, to pollute it as a preparation to capture and destroy it.

(2) These tragedies and calamities are only a few examples of your oppression and aggression against us. It is commanded by our religion and intellect that the oppressed have a right to return the aggression. Do not await anything from us but Jihad, resistance and revenge. Is it in any way rational to expect that after America has attacked us for more than half a century, that we will then leave her to live in security and peace?!!

(3) You may then dispute that all the above does not justify aggression against civilians, for crimes they did not commit and offenses in which they did not partake:

(a) This argument contradicts your continuous repetition that America is the land of freedom, and its leaders in this world. Therefore, the American people are the ones who choose their government by way of their own free will; a choice which stems from their agreement to its policies. Thus the American people have chosen, consented to, and affirmed their support for the Israeli oppression of the Palestinians, the occupation and usurpation of their land, and its continuous killing, torture, punishment and expulsion of the Palestinians. The American people have the ability and choice to refuse the policies of their Government and even to change it if they want.

(b) The American people are the ones who pay the taxes which fund the planes that bomb us in Afghanistan, the tanks that strike and destroy our homes in Palestine, the armies which occupy our lands in the Arabian Gulf, and the fleets which ensure the blockade of Iraq. These tax dollars are given to Israel for it to continue to attack us and penetrate our lands. So the American people are the ones who fund the attacks against us, and they are the ones who oversee the expenditure of these monies in the way they wish, through their elected candidates.

(c) Also the American army is part of the American people. It is this very same people who are shamelessly helping the Jews fight against us.

(d) The American people are the ones who employ both their men and their women in the American Forces which attack us.

(e) This is why the American people cannot be not innocent of all the crimes committed by the Americans and Jews against us.

(f) Allah, the Almighty, legislated the permission and the option to take revenge. Thus, if we are attacked, then we have the right to attack back. Whoever has destroyed our villages and towns, then we have the right to destroy their villages and towns. Whoever has stolen our wealth, then we have the right to destroy their economy. And whoever has killed our civilians, then we have the right to kill theirs.

The American Government and press still refuses to answer the question:

Why did they attack us in New York and Washington?

If Sharon is a man of peace in the eyes of Bush, then we are also men of peace!!! America does not understand the language of manners and principles, so we are addressing it using the language it understands.

(Q2) As for the second question that we want to answer: What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you?

(1) The first thing that we are calling you to is Islam.

(a) The religion of the Unification of God; of freedom from associating partners with Him, and rejection of this; of complete love of Him, the Exalted; of complete submission to His Laws; and of the discarding of all the opinions, orders, theories and religions which contradict with the religion He sent down to His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Islam is the religion of all the prophets, and makes no distinction between them - peace be upon them all.

It is to this religion that we call you; the seal of all the previous religions. It is the religion of Unification of God, sincerity, the best of manners, righteousness, mercy, honour, purity, and piety. It is the religion of showing kindness to others, establishing justice between them, granting them their rights, and defending the oppressed and the persecuted. It is the religion of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil with the hand, tongue and heart. It is the religion of Jihad in the way of Allah so that Allah's Word and religion reign Supreme. And it is the religion of unity and agreement on the obedience to Allah, and total equality between all people, without regarding their colour, sex, or language.

(b) It is the religion whose book - the Quran - will remained preserved and unchanged, after the other Divine books and messages have been changed. The Quran is the miracle until the Day of Judgment. Allah has challenged anyone to bring a book like the Quran or even ten verses like it.

(2) The second thing we call you to, is to stop your oppression, lies, immorality and debauchery that has spread among you.

(a) We call you to be a people of manners, principles, honour, and purity; to reject the immoral acts of fornication, homosexuality, intoxicants, gambling's, and trading with interest.

We call you to all of this that you may be freed from that which you have become caught up in; that you may be freed from the deceptive lies that you are a great nation, that your leaders spread amongst you to conceal from you the despicable state to which you have reached.

(b) It is saddening to tell you that you are the worst civilization witnessed by the history of mankind:

(i) You are the nation who, rather than ruling by the Shariah of Allah in its Constitution and Laws, choose to invent your own laws as you will and desire. You separate religion from your policies, contradicting the pure nature which affirms Absolute Authority to the Lord and your Creator. You flee from the embarrassing question posed to you: How is it possible for Allah the Almighty to create His creation, grant them power over all the creatures and land, grant them all the amenities of life, and then deny them that which they are most in need of: knowledge of the laws which govern their lives?

(ii) You are the nation that permits Usury, which has been forbidden by all the religions. Yet you build your economy and investments on Usury. As a result of this, in all its different forms and guises, the Jews have taken control of your economy, through which they have then taken control of your media, and now control all aspects of your life making you their servants and achieving their aims at your expense; precisely what Benjamin Franklin warned you against.

(iii) You are a nation that permits the production, trading and usage of intoxicants. You also permit drugs, and only forbid the trade of them, even though your nation is the largest consumer of them.

(iv) You are a nation that permits acts of immorality, and you consider them to be pillars of personal freedom. You have continued to sink down this abyss from level to level until incest has spread amongst you, in the face of which neither your sense of honour nor your laws object.

Who can forget your President Clinton's immoral acts committed in the official Oval office? After that you did not even bring him to account, other than that he 'made a mistake', after which everything passed with no punishment. Is there a worse kind of event for which your name will go down in history and remembered by nations?

(v) You are a nation that permits gambling in its all forms. The companies practice this as well, resulting in the investments becoming active and the criminals becoming rich.

(vi) You are a nation that exploits women like consumer products or advertising tools calling upon customers to purchase them. You use women to serve passengers, visitors, and strangers to increase your profit margins. You then rant that you support the liberation of women.

(vii) You are a nation that practices the trade of sex in all its forms, directly and indirectly. Giant corporations and establishments are established on this, under the name of art, entertainment, tourism and freedom, and other deceptive names you attribute to it.

(viii) And because of all this, you have been described in history as a nation that spreads diseases that were unknown to man in the past. Go ahead and boast to the nations of man, that you brought them AIDS as a Satanic American Invention.

(xi) You have destroyed nature with your industrial waste and gases more than any other nation in history. Despite this, you refuse to sign the Kyoto agreement so that you can secure the profit of your greedy companies and*industries.

(x) Your law is the law of the rich and wealthy people, who hold sway in their political parties, and fund their election campaigns with their gifts. Behind them stand the Jews, who control your policies, media and economy.

(xi) That which you are singled out for in the history of mankind, is that you have used your force to destroy mankind more than any other nation in history; not to defend principles and values, but to hasten to secure your interests and profits. You who dropped a nuclear bomb on Japan, even though Japan was ready to negotiate an end to the war. How many acts of oppression, tyranny and injustice have you carried out, O callers to freedom?

(xii) Let us not forget one of your major characteristics: your duality in both manners and values; your hypocrisy in manners and principles. All*manners, principles and values have two scales: one for you and one for the others.

(a)The freedom and democracy that you call to is for yourselves and for white race only; as for the rest of the world, you impose upon them your monstrous, destructive policies and Governments, which you call the 'American friends'. Yet you prevent them from establishing democracies. When the Islamic party in Algeria wanted to practice democracy and they won the election, you unleashed your agents in the Algerian army onto them, and to attack them with tanks and guns, to imprison them and torture them - a new lesson from the 'American book of democracy'!!!

(b)Your policy on prohibiting and forcibly removing weapons of mass destruction to ensure world peace: it only applies to those countries which you do not permit to possess such weapons. As for the countries you consent to, such as Israel, then they are allowed to keep and use such weapons to defend their security. Anyone else who you suspect might be manufacturing or keeping these kinds of weapons, you call them criminals and you take military action against them.

(c)You are the last ones to respect the resolutions and policies of International Law, yet you claim to want to selectively punish anyone else who does the same. Israel has for more than 50 years been pushing UN resolutions and rules against the wall with the full support of America.

(d)As for the war criminals which you censure and form criminal courts for - you shamelessly ask that your own are granted immunity!! However, history will not forget the war crimes that you committed against the Muslims and the rest of the world; those you have killed in Japan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Lebanon and Iraq will remain a shame that you will never be able to escape. It will suffice to remind you of your latest war crimes in Afghanistan, in which densely populated innocent civilian villages were destroyed, bombs were dropped on mosques causing the roof of the mosque to come crashing down on the heads of the Muslims praying inside. You are the ones who broke the agreement with the Mujahideen when they left Qunduz, bombing them in Jangi fort, and killing more than 1,000 of your prisoners through suffocation and thirst. Allah alone knows how many people have died by torture at the hands of you and your agents. Your planes remain in the Afghan skies, looking for anyone remotely suspicious.

(e)You have claimed to be the vanguards of Human Rights, and your Ministry of Foreign affairs issues annual reports containing statistics of those countries that violate any Human Rights. However, all these things vanished when the Mujahideen hit you, and you then implemented the methods of the same documented governments that you used to curse. In America, you captured thousands the Muslims and Arabs, took them into custody with neither reason, court trial, nor even disclosing their names. You issued newer, harsher laws.

What happens in Guatanamo is a historical embarrassment to America and its values, and it screams into your faces - you hypocrites, "What is the value of your signature on any agreement or treaty?"

(3) What we call you to thirdly is to take an honest stance with yourselves - and I doubt you will do so - to discover that you are a nation without principles or manners, and that the values and principles to you are something which you merely demand from others, not that which you yourself must adhere to.

(4) We also advise you to stop supporting Israel, and to end your support of the Indians in Kashmir, the Russians against the Chechens and to also cease supporting the Manila Government against the Muslims in Southern Philippines.

(5) We also advise you to pack your luggage and get out of our lands. We desire for your goodness, guidance, and righteousness, so do not force us to send you back as cargo in coffins.

(6) Sixthly, we call upon you to end your support of the corrupt leaders in our countries. Do not interfere in our politics and method of education. Leave us alone, or else expect us in New York and Washington.

(7) We also call you to deal with us and interact with us on the basis of mutual interests and benefits, rather than the policies of sub dual, theft and occupation, and not to continue your policy of supporting the Jews because this will result in more disasters for you.

If you fail to respond to all these conditions, then prepare for fight with the Islamic Nation. The Nation of Monotheism, that puts complete trust on Allah and fears none other than Him. The Nation which is addressed by its Quran with the words: "Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers. Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of believing people. And remove the anger of their (believers') hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." [Quran9:13-1]

The Nation of honour and respect:

"But honour, power and glory belong to Allah, and to His Messenger (Muhammad- peace be upon him) and to the believers." [Quran 63:8]

"So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be*superior ( in victory )if you are indeed (true) believers" [Quran 3:139]

The Nation of Martyrdom; the Nation that desires death more than you desire life:

"Think not of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive with their Lord, and they are being provided for. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them from His bounty and rejoice for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers." [Quran 3:169-171]

The Nation of victory and success that Allah has promised:

"It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it victorious over all other religions even though the Polytheists hate it." [Quran 61:9]

"Allah has decreed that 'Verily it is I and My Messengers who shall be victorious.' Verily Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty." [Quran 58:21]

The Islamic Nation that was able to dismiss and destroy the previous evil Empires like yourself; the Nation that rejects your attacks, wishes to remove your evils, and is prepared to fight you. You are well aware that the Islamic Nation, from the very core of its soul, despises your haughtiness and arrogance.

If the Americans refuse to listen to our advice and the goodness, guidance and righteousness that we call them to, then be aware that you will lose this Crusade Bush began, just like the other previous Crusades in which you were humiliated by the hands of the Mujahideen, fleeing to your home in great silence and disgrace. If the Americans do not respond, then their fate will be that of the Soviets who fled from Afghanistan to deal with their military defeat, political breakup, ideological downfall, and economic bankruptcy.

This is our message to the Americans, as an answer to theirs. Do they now know why we fight them and over which form of ignorance, by the permission of Allah, we shall be victorious?

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2002

Answers

Osama issues new call to arms

Observer Worldview

Jason Burke, chief reporter Sunday November 24, 2002 The Observer

A chilling new message from Osama bin Laden is being circulated among British Islamic extremists, calling for attacks on civilians and describing the 'Islamic nation' as 'eager for martyrdom'.

Details of the 4,000-word letter from the terrorist leader emerged as the British Government issued its strongest warning yet last night that attacks by bin Laden's al-Qaeda organisation on the UK are 'inevitable'.

Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said: 'We face an enemy who will attack us in Britain as well as overseas... British workers in New York or tourists in Bali or residents of London or Birmingham.' O'Brien said there was a threat of 'well planned attacks' on 'British national institutions, commercial and financial infrastructure and on many aspects of our everyday life'.

Security authorities in Europe and America are concerned al-Qaeda is planning a major strike. Two weeks ago bin Laden issued a message on an audio cassette, proving he was alive and raising fears it presaged new attacks.

Britain, with its close support for America in the war on terror and Iraq, is a prime target and analysts believe any military action against Saddam Hussein would provoke a spate of revenge attacks by Islamic militants. Sources described the mood in Whitehall and at Scotland Yard as 'jumpy'.

The translated letter was originally posted in Arabic on a Saudi Arabian website previously used by al-Qaeda to disseminate messages. Within the last two weeks British Islamists have translated the letter, the most comprehensive explanation of bin Laden's ideology to be issued for several years, and posted it on English-language websites run from the UK.

The letter was sent to hundreds of subscribers to an email list run by Mohammed al-Massari, the UK-based Saudi Arabian dissident whose Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights has opposed the al-Saud regime for more than a decade. Yesterday al-Massari denied he supported terrorism in any way. Al-Massari has recently been granted permanent residence in Britain, a move which angered foreign governments who claim that the UK is still a haven for extremists.

Al-Massari's email and bin Laden's letter show ideological similarities. Both stress that the 'holy war' is defensive.

Bin laden issues a direct threat to the West: 'Anyone who tries to destroy our villages and cities, then we are going to destroy their villages and cities. Anyone who steals our fortunes, then we must destroy their economy. Anyone who kills our civilians, then we are going to kill their civilians.'

Most of his letter comprises a lengthy list of grievances against the West. The fugitive terrorist, who is believed to be hiding in the border regions between eastern Afghanistan and Pakistan, mounts a sustained attack on the 'immorality' of Western society.

The letter has been posted on a number of Islamist websites. One carried bomb-making information. Another offered a link to a site with information on chemical and biological weapons.

Although there is no way to confirm the authenticity of the letter beyond all doubt, senior Arab journalists in the Middle Eastern media believe the letter is from bin Laden. 'It is an extraordinary glimpse into his mind,' one told The Observer.

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2002

here's a response from JJ at sierra times ( http://www.sierratimes.com/02/11/24/arst021124.htm)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Jihadi: A Response from the American People Unsigned - Just Like Theirs' Published 11. 24. 02 at 20:56 Sierra Time

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Recently, we have come upon the writings of those in far away lands explaining the reason why Jihadi (holy war - as you refer) is to be waged upon the American people. As much as we appreciate the passion the author may have for the concerns of Islam, I believe many of the principles laid forth it their manifesto show that when it comes to Real Americans, the author is misinformed, which in turn leads to hypocrisy. Many in far way lands would expect the typical American reply to be that of quoting United Nations resolutions, or entertaining an endless debate on the historical justification of the Jewish state in what you call Palestine. As this author will do neither, you may soon learn that many Americans agree with the opinions that follows.

Keep in mind, you followers of the Jihadi, that if the American government were determined to kill Muslims and destroy Islam, we are not Russia. Three nuclear subs can change a lot of history - and geography. With that in mind, our response.

1. (a: i-iii)Israel/Palestine: Throughout human history, wars have been fought among men over issues that simply could not be resolved peacefully. As a result of these wars, the victor acquired the land of the vanquished (Mohammed serves as proof of this). As the person or persons who wrote the statement appears to be astute of history, we do recall that after the Jewish people established the nation of Israel, the non-Jews were told to leave the area. Several wars waged on the Israelis (approximately 55 years ago, 36 years ago, 30 years ago, and 23 years ago, respectively) by your people followed. In each of these wars, your forces were defeated. In most cases, the victor (Israel) had the right to acquire territory. But in each case, American intervention prevented this from taking place. So as much as you lay blame on the Americans for the attack on Palestine, it is American policy itself that has prevented Israel from complete occupation and domination over all of Judea, Samaria, the Sinai Peninsula, Lebanon, Greater Syria, the Nile Delta Valley, and even parts of Saudi Arabia. If your goal is to keep Arabs lands in control of Arab people, the words we use to show such appreciation is thank you.

You seem to think the American people agree with the policy its government has taken towards Israel based on the vote of the American people. The fact is Americans would enjoy nothing more than to end much of the financial aid to troublesome countries such as Israel...

and the Palestinian Authority.

and Egypt.

and Pakistan.

and Syria.

and Saudi Arabia.

and Yemen.

and Turkey.

and Oman.

and even Iraq.

Is this becoming clearer to you, or have you simply chosen to ignore the fact that American taxes have not only supported these governments, but many of its people have helped build the infrastructure many Muslims now use for food, water, medicine and other benefits to Islam that are too numerous too mention?

If American policy toward Israel bothers you, perhaps you will feel better if the next time the Zionist army starts rolling into your lands, we will simply change the channel, and let the winner call when they are done. [Here is a hint: Stop blowing up their children in busses, and they will probably stop killing your people in return. It is called peace.]

In fact, as you boast about how you sent the Russians running away from Afghanistan, we do recall the American weapons that were given to you which were key to your victories. We never heard a thank you for that, either.

We have been seeing more recently a general theme from the Islamic world of kill as many infidels as possible, and then play the victim that their anger is visited upon you in return. With this attitude, there will be nothing but a continued cycle of violence that will only escalate. This escalation of violence could halted, but we will cover that later.

You wrote in section 1b: ...You attacked us in Somalia; you supported the Russian atrocities against us in Chechnya, the Indian oppression against us in Kashmir, and the Jewish aggression against us in Lebanon... Last I heard, we were trying to feed people in Somalia - partly because the violence unleashed against infidels (as you call them) caused a famine upon the land. There was food delivered to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, but the food could not even be delivered (Allahs warriors at it again). I do not recall giving one dollar to the Russian army for their actions in Chechnya (but I do recall a few destroyed apartment buildings in Moscow prior to them saying enough is enough). And as for Lebanon: We suppose people should just expect military shells to be dropped on their homes, say, Praise be to Allah and do nothing about it.

You see, our culture doesnt work that way. In fact, most of us actually do place a value on human life. Of course, you will disagree. After all, sending teen-age women back into a burning building because they were not dressed properly, sentencing innocent women to be gang-raped, and causing riots that kill over two-hundred people over a comment made in a newspaper are just some of the ways your culture is better than everyone elses - I guess.

But let us get to the part where you are misinformed: You say that we, the American people are responsible because we choose to pay the taxes and support the government. Did you witness our last presidential election? It was clear that the nation was divided over whom to choose as their president. But (and here is a major difference between you and I) we did not blow any thing up over it. It was handled in a civilized manner. Secondly, you assume that we voluntarily pay these taxes. We do not. If we do not pay our taxes, it may lead to this government killing us. Yet if we pay them, you say you will kill us. Where is Allahs justice in that?

This is not the first time we hear the excuse that since we pay taxes to the government, we are responsible. Strangely that back on September 11, 2001, Jihad didnt target those planes into the buildings where the taxes are collected, but where people who were only working to feed their families, have no choice in paying taxes (and not persecuting Muslims) were located. (Pentagon and other military targets not withstanding; after all, war is war).

Next, you wrote: ...(d) You steal our wealth and oil at paltry prices because of your international influence and military threats. This theft is indeed the biggest theft ever witnessed by mankind in the history of the world. .. We have news for you: whenever we put fuel into our vehicles, we have to pay for it. Last time I checked, your governments (and your people) receive compensation for the oil, and it makes your leaders (and financial supporters) rich. If you think you are being paid a paltry price, then raise the price and let the market dictate supply and demand. This is another issue in which you have been misinformed about Americans: If it were our decision, we would not be purchasing any oil from your part of the world whatsoever. Many of us would rather drill for our own oil. Others believe alternatives to oil should be used to power vehicles and other devices. Within ten years I am told, most of our vehicles will not even require oil - your oil - in order to operate as they do today.

You wrote: ...(f) You have starved the Muslims of Iraq, where children die every day. It is a wonder that more than 1.5 million Iraqi children have died as a result of your sanctions, and you did not show concern. Yet when 3000 of your people died, the entire world rises and has not yet sat down. ..

Get Real. There was recently an election in Iraq. According to the Iraqi government, their leader received almost 100% of the total vote. If the Iraqi children are starving, perhaps it is time after 20 years to choose better leaders. After all, Iraq has some of the largest fresh water reserves and prime river valleys for agriculture outside the United States. Perhaps growing food on your own may actually feed those starving Muslims.

By the way, if this nation is so sick and corrupted, why do Muslims keep trying to come here? Yes, we are sure that some of them wish to kill us, and cause death and destruction that has become too common across the world - all traceable back to your faith. Other Muslims (as they tell us) simply want to get as far away from you as possible. If this nation is so wicked, one way of making the world a better place is to tell your own people not to come here. Those that are here that agree with you should leave - as you tell us to pack our luggage and get out of your countries, our response is check your taxis at the airport, turn that hack license in, take the next flight out -- and take your jihad preachers with you.

What, will we hear complaints then about how your civil rights are being violated?

You responded in Question 2: ...(1) The first thing that we are calling you to is Islam...

Or what - you will keep trying to kill us? If this is the way you covert people to your religion, then you clearly lack the faith to allow a person to convert of their own free will. Free will by the way, is in fact one of the principles of this nation, and right now - the only thing allowing your people into our country and other countries. You see, a person is free to practice whatever religion he believes - so long as it is not harmful to others. Can we build a church in Saudi Arabia? Can we build a Synagogue in Pakistan? Are any Buddhist temples safe in Kashmir? Can a non-Muslim even visit Mecca?

Answer: No, they cannot. Yet a Muslim can visit Rome or Jerusalem. You preach segregation from others. Please do not preach tolerance to us. Please do not preach to us that your religion is ...is the religion of unity and agreement on the obedience to Allah, and total equality between all people, without regarding their color, sex, or language. .. And you call us hypocrites??

You stated: ...(a)The freedom and democracy that you call to is for yourselves and for white race only; as for the rest of the world, you impose upon them your monstrous, destructive policies and Governments, which you call the 'American friends'. Yet you prevent them from establishing democracies. When the Islamic party in Algeria wanted to practice democracy and they won the election, you unleashed your agents in the Algerian army onto them, and to attack them with tanks and guns, to imprison them and torture them - a new lesson from the 'American book of democracy'!!!...

Oh, has this become a racial issue as well? You want Shariah - your Islamic law to rule all your people - all over the world. Then you want us to seek Islam. This means to us - you wish to rule the world. Sorry, you are not going to be elected. But since it is democracy you seek, we will make a deal: you can have Algeria - if you allow democracy to take place in Iran. If you truly wish for an Islamic nation, convince your brothers not to leave their homeland, and you shall have it.

As you can see, there are cultural differences that we simply will not agree on. But it is not a reason for us to wage war upon you. Try to understand this: the world has grown intolerant of your holy war. Your followers murder people and themselves anywhere, at any time. Thus, people fear you. We choose not to live in fear. Therefore as you kill, you will be hunted and killed. Since your soldiers choose not to wear the uniforms of any military organization (you hide among civilians), you will lead others to believe that all of you are the enemy. There are many of your people who do not believe in what you believe. But simply because of who they are, they must endure extra humiliation whenever getting on a plane, a bus or even driving on a road. Is this what you desire for your people?

Perhaps this escalation of death and destruction could have been avoided by not using the funds you have acquired from oil revenues for making bombs and training in methods of Jihad, but doing what others have done - funding political campaigns. There are many Americans who desire an end to the laws against drugs and our governments actions against drug users who harm no one but themselves. There are many to do not desire much of the sickness that is in America. There are many Americans who do not desire the current system of taxes. There are many Americans that wish to use our own oil. And yes, there are many Americans (Christians and Jews) who desire our government stay out of affairs in your region of the world - and the whole world for that matter. Although these Americans may not be the majority here we are many. But again, we do not seek to wage war against innocence to force change. We do not wish to kill our own brethren against our own laws and the laws of our own God, only to cry injustice and kill more if and when a government responds to protect the whole of the people.

Yes, we the People of America wish to be free. We wish the same for your people. But under no circumstance can or will even the most desirous among us tolerate or condone the ruthless and indiscriminate murder of non-combatants in office buildings, buses, planes, movie theaters, in their homes, night clubs, churches, synagogues, commercial ships, and even non-Muslims who are so strong in their faith they travel to distant lands to help Muslims. Yes - you have sought to murder them as well. You have seen that America will respond to attacks against its people. You have also seen the Americans themselves will respond if threatened with more destruction. It does not need to be said that further acts against Americans will only cause further actions in our defense. Our president has frequently said this is not a war against Islam - yet you do not believe him. It seems you truly want a war against Islam. As those from your faith continue to wage war against the innocence of the world, I fear you shall one day have your wish. To conclude our response, you stated:

...(6) Sixthly, we call upon you to end your support of the corrupt leaders in our countries. Do not interfere in our politics and method of education. Leave us alone, or else expect us in New York and Washington...

Our response: We call upon you to end your support of hatred against non-Muslims - and live in peace among men. Do not wage war in American Soil. Do not interfere with our way of life and our education. Do not make threats against us. Leave us alone, or else expect us in Medina and Mecca.

We hope this clears things up.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23; Verus 1-6

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

good comeback.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2002