Usama, Motoons, Europe and Maldives

This is a time to be extra vigilant and on the alert. Reprinting the motoons have driven many Muslims into a mad frenzy again.

In a new five-minute audio message bin Laden has accused Europeans of abandoning the "etiquettes of disputes and morals of fighting" by allowing newspapers to republish cartoons insulting the prophet Muhammad.

Bin Laden said he considered the reprinting of the cartoons a more serious offense than the killing of women and children. He also said that the revenge for republishing the cartoons "will be more severe."
Bin Laden concludes his message by saying if there are no checks on the Europeans' freedom to speak, then there will be no checks on his freedom to act.

What does this mean for us here in the Maldives?

The majority of tourists are from Europe. Since the Bali bombings there have been reports that Al-Qaeda has considered action in Maldives. And we have already had one bomb attack that targeted tourists.

It would be foolish to think, now that gang has been busted up, things are under control and there will be no more attacks.

Most Maldivians consider Usama bin Laden to be a true Islamic hero. There are people with strong links to terror cells in Pakistan and there are Maldivians who have been trained to do terror activities. Even now the local mullahs are beating their chests and shaking and twitching over the cartoons. It is very possible that Al Qaeda and their agents in Maldives will perpetrate an attack on European tourists in Maldives.

This threatening message from Usama bin Laden is a warning that Maldivians who are against terror must take very seriously.