Imam Al Awlaki Says He Did Not Pressure Accused Fort Hood Gunman Nidal Hasan

WASHINGTON — A radical Muslim cleric with suspected links to al-Qaida considered himself a confidant of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused in the Fort Hood shootings, The Washington Post reported Monday.

But the cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, insisted in an interview with a Yemeni journalist contacted by the Post that he did not pressure Hasan to harm Americans. Al-Awlaki is a former imam at a Falls Church, Va., mosque where Hasan and his family occasionally worshipped.

Al-Awlaki, a native-born U.S. citizen, left the United States in 2002, eventually traveling to Yemen. He said Hasan first e-mailed him in December 2008. Eventually, al-Awlaki said, Hasan came to view him as a confidant.

"It was clear from his e-mails that Nidal trusted me," al-Awlaki told the journalist. "Nidal told me: 'I speak with you about issues that I never speak with anyone else.'"

He showed the journalist his correspondence with Hasan but would not provide it to the Post. He said Hasan questioned the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and said the Army psychiatrist cited Islamic law that demanded "that what America was doing should be confronted."

"So Nidal was providing evidence to Anwar, not vice versa," said the Yemeni reporter, Abdulelah Hider Shaea.

Hasan, 39, was charged last Thursday with the Nov. 5 shooting spree at Fort Hood, in which 13 people were killed.

The imam told Shaea that the Fort Hood attack was acceptable under Islam. "America was the one who first brought the battle to Muslim countries," al-Awlaki said.

Al-Awlaki also denounced Muslims who condemned the attack. "They say American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan should be killed," the imam argued, "so how can they say the American soldier should not be killed at the moment they are going to Iraq and Afghanistan?"

Al-Awlaki is considered to have deep and close links with al-Qaida, former U.S. intelligence officials have told The Associated Press. In 2001, al-Awlaki had contact with two of the Sept. 11 hijackers, according to law enforcement officials.

Comments

[justicia]

Something that most commentators, including those here, have failed to comment on is what an American crime Hasan has committed. A Muslim he certainly is, and his motivation may well have been distress over the wars the USA is conducting against Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, what strikes me for my vantage point a long way from the USA is how much this man's actions resemble the way angry, deranged Americans deal with their rage: buy the all too readily available gun(s) and go shooting randomly, or systematically. I think Americans have to face this aspect of the terrible crim Hasan has perpetrated instead of shouting 'Islamic terrorism!'.

[Amock]

Hey! Remember the Right's holy montra "GUNS don't KILL people, People KILL people"

[langej]

Any Imam who has not issued a fatwa against or called for jihad against Al Qaeda and the Taliban has Muslim blood on his hands. These two organizations have murdered more Muslims than all the western forces combined. Anyone who does not condemn them lies each time he says Salam Aleikum.

Just as any Irish priest who did not condemn the IRA and ex-communicate any member of its military wing has Christian blood on his hands, any Irish protestant minister than did not condemn the UDA and ex-communicate any member of its military wing has Christian blood on his hands. They lied each time the gave the benediction.

[Amock]

You started it NO You started it! Question is HOW do we end it? Violence will ONLY led to more of the same from BOTH sides of this fence. Muslim Americans and really anybody who kinda looks "Arabic" will be punished or worst and Americans like me living in the Middle East will be a target. So I don't have the answer but I know that violence will not get you what you seek! It has not worked for Hamas, it has not worked for Hasan at Fort Hood, it did work for Al Qaeda at 9/11. Can we atleast try a different approach this problem? Both both sides must be willing to talk. If your only talk is that I must die because the Quran direct you to do so then there is not alot of wiggle room here. May the better armed Man prevail.

[Oleg1]

While nice, this sentiment is borne from utter unfamiliarity with goals, methods and fanaticism of most Miltant Jiahdsits.
People who grow up in safe American suburbia and never travel around the world are laboring under the myopic and somewhat arrogant impression that everyone thinks like them.
Wrong.
The world is full of wicked and dangerous unscrupulous people.
I hope that unlike people in London, New York, Beslan, Mumbai and Bali, you never get to meet them.

[Amock]

WELL now that just might be a bit of a problem for me seeing that I live in JEDDAH!

[Amock]

Not only do I reside in JEDDAH as an Expatriate BUT I also read the Quran and associate with Wahhabi Sunni Muslims in their very homes. So I THINK I know a thing or two about residing in the Middle East and the problems they face. I have also lived in Vogelweh Deutschland, Vancouver BC, as well as BOTH coast of the USA!

[Amock]

Sounds ALOT like LA!

[CrisOmg]

Not really a reply to your post...

Would you be willing to explain the term "Son of Allah"? I know plenty of Christians who would have no issue AT ALL with the term Son of Christ - even Warrior for Christ would probably go down without much effort...

I see it a lot in news articles and never in anything but a derogatory light.

I understand what it COULD mean, but I'm suspicious we're attaching a stigma to it that need not be there. It seems a strange phrase to me - a sort of amalgam of Christian and Muslim beliefs.

Thank you.

[howieone]

couldn't agree more with the correspondent that said we have to pass on feeling responsible for things we don't like in places out of country and that maybe those folks don't want us correcting the situation. can he give that same message to the libs so drastically attempting to meddle so much with me and mine over here.

[ghee99]

"Imam Al Awlaki Says He Did Not Pressure Accused Fort Hood Gunman Nidal Hasan"

yeah, right!

[Durango]

That should be easy enough to prove.

Seeing as the NSA no doubt has all the communications between them.

Had it before the shootings as a matter of fact.

[CrisOmg]

Also, if what you seem to believe is true, he wouldn't have needed to pressure him.

All he would have to do is not deny it...

[Gould123]

I don't believe a word in this article! I doubt if this man would sit down w/anyone an talk!

[notb observer]

There doesn't seem to be a lot of "vetting" that goes on within islam as a whole, to ensure that at the very least, imams represent the best of the islamic tradition. On the one hand, I think that it's the "organized" aspect of any religion that is responsible for the majority of religious problems, but on the other, without some form of general agreement, muslims are being represented by a wide array of perspectives on their faith, not to mention political ideologies, since they make no distinction between the two spheres of influence. It's hard to imagine such a system leading to any form of consensus and coherent leadership, which is probably a blessing in disguise for the West.
If the reporting is accurate, one thing we should keep in mind is that it was Hasan who contacted Awlaki, knowing that this imam was considered a radical, that he had fled the US and that he apparently had some association with some of the 9/11 terrorists. Even if unproven, these factors alone should have led Hasan to steer clear of this man rather than contacting him for "guidance", while at the same time putting himself at considerable risk given that he was a member of the military... I find it hard to believe that there were any "good intentions" behind Hasan's contacts with this supposed holy man.

[Oleg1]

I partially agree with you. But it is not the "organized component that is the essence of the problem.
It is the very hardware of this religion which posses two fundamental notions: aggressive religious imperialism and solipsist intolerance. While most religions have elements of the same, only this one still preaches single minded commitment to these two elements of the dogma.
Luckily, the overwhelming dominance of the West ( and now Far East) is acting as a retardant.

[Durango]

There is no central authority in Islam.

One's relationship with God is between the individual and God. If you do what is required, which is spelled out in detail, no one has the right to question your religion.

Which is something bin Ladin and his fanatics don't understand. And will be at least responsible for in Ladins failures.

[Oleg1]

Durango, I appreciate your effort to define your religion. It is an interesting read for a Westerner.
But there are some serious inconsistencies in your statement.

1. Contrary to your contention there IS a central authority in Islam, It is the Koran. I hope you don't disagree.

2. Your statement "if you do what;'s required" is inconsistent with facts. NO ONE knows "what's required!" Since god doesn't talk back, then ALL decisions are based on the interpretation of man-written words and customs. In this case-- 6-7th century Arabic tribal customs with added expansionist policies of subsequent centuries,

3. Bin Laden and Jihadist theorists understand their religion perfectly well. Perhaps all too well. Their theoretical writings are based on strict interpretation of the laws. I have never heard anyone accuse militant Islamic theorists of misquoting Koran. But I am a Westerner. Can you cite any misquotations of Al Qaeda or Muslim Brotherhood theorists?

[InYourWorld]

Question is did he pressure him NOT to?

[joshrox]

And we should believe him why?

[CrisOmg]

Then don't.

[Littlewords]

Look, I did not pressure him nor the 9/11 attackers. They merely came to me for spiritual guidance and I obliged offering words of wisdom and of love.

Thank you, and oh ya before I forget...de@th to the infde1s and de@th to the great S@tan.

[Killjoy]

Note that he said did not pressure..only suggest.

[Oleg1]

Well if the ideological enemy of U.S.says something, then it must be true. To the hearty cheering of various intentional and unintentional traitors.

[Amock]

Guess now YOU will start to understand how an Arab feels at the hands of America's misguided and one sided polices towards them! Try to live in Gaza/West Bank for just one day and YOU will see WHY they are so pissed! Of course your expected respose to this will be "scr*w them" thus proving my point.

[Amock]

How is that 'SURGE" working out for you now in IRAQ as you hunker down behind your 16 foot high walls in the Green Zone?

[EmmaJ76]

What happened at Ford Hood was a tragedy, and my heart goes out to those affected, but at the same time, the amount of speculation as to why Hasan did what he did and the reaching conclusions that have been put out BEFORE any kind of proper investigation are only dangerous and not healthy to making sure that justice and reason are found.

Lets allow the investigation and stop using this to one) create fear about a bogey man that may or may not exist two) cause division and suspicion on people who love America just as much as anyone else and should not be held accountable for a minority of people and instead three) keep strength through unity which is what I have always admired the USA for.

[ForeverXL]

There is no real speculation, it is already known why Nidal Hasan did it and it has everything to do with the faith that he follows devoutly. The WaPo got a nice article/slideshow on it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/11/10/GA2009111000920.html

It is the political correct 'elite' that will try its hardest and best to delink it from anything Islam. But it is hard to delink when various Islamic persons pop up and make all connections as clear as it could be: yet for some it is never clear enough. I guess they live in a parallel wonderland.

[TellMeSumn]

It is already known by the clairvoyant WaPo? I see.

[TellMeSumn]

If you were an atheist/pr­ogressive/­conservati­ve serving in the military of a country that has invaded a country of 98% atheists/p­rogressive­s/conserva­tives and you know many in that military believe that atheists/p­rogressive­s/conserva­tives are terrorists by default. Would you feel right with yourself?
There are U.S. soldiers who return from war and become suicidal. We say they suffer from PTSD. The ones who live in the war situation, waking up everyday to sounds of planes hovering over their towns and anticipating another funeral, perhaps theirs, because they know that some of their countrymen, women and children will die as the bombs drop from sky, are terrorists when they strap bombs to themselves?
Is it wrong to sympathize with the people who live in these invaded and occupied countries?
When should the CIA take out a 'terrorist' who plans to enter the U.S. to attack it's citizens? When they get into the country, or when the intention has been established, even though they are not yet in the country? Ref. Major Hasan's alleged reason for the massacre.
When should someone sympathize if at all, with people who die everyday in countries(that never attacked the U.S.) where the U.S. military kills people just for violently protesting the violent invasion?

I'm only trying to get people to view this situation from another perspective. Whether you agree with that perspective or not, there is a different perspective and is as legitimate as how you see yours.

[howieone]

ok but what then do you see as the correct path. i don't care why he did it, only that he did it and then i want to also kill him. end of story. life for some even if not him goes on. deal with it.

[Oleg1]

"When should someone sympathize if at all, with people who die everyday in countries."
Major Hasan didn't just "sympathise," he murdered.
Is this what you approve of?

[EmmaJ76]

That's not what he meant and you know it.

[zermatt]

This sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy comedy routine:
If you are friends with Al Awlaqi, you might be an Islamic terrorist.
If you contact al-Qaeda and send them money, you might be an Islamic terrorist.
If you scream “Allahu Akbar” while killing American soldiers, you just might be an Islamic terrorist.