Al-Qaeda's YouTube Debate

[Lemur]

We absolutely have to take up a collection to fly Devastatin' Dave to this event ... I mean, it's an open forum, right? I can think of no other Orgah who would do us as proud as DD ...

Al-Qaeda to give 'open interview'

Al-Qaeda's media arm, al-Sahab, has invited individuals, organisations and journalists to submit questions for an open interview with Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Advertisements posted on Jihadist websites said questions sent to them over the next month would be passed to al-Qaeda's deputy leader for his reply.

It said the questions would be sent "without alteration, whether it comes from someone who agrees or disagrees".

The offer also came at the end of an interview by Zawahiri posted on Sunday.

In the video, also produced by al-Sahab, Zawahiri said the US-led coalition in Iraq was "defeated and looking for a way out" and said the decision of UK forces to "flee" Basra showed insurgents were gaining strength.

Iraq took formal responsibility for security in Basra province on Sunday, four-and-a-half years after the invasion.

'Brief and focused'

The adverts published by al-Sahab invited "individuals, organisations and media establishments" to submit questions for an "open interview" with Zawahiri by sending them by 16 January to the websites where it usually posts its messages.

"Care should be taken in making the questions brief and focused," the advert asked.

"We also ask the brothers, the supervisors [of the websites] to collect the questions and transmit them without alteration, whether it is comes from someone who agrees or disagrees," it added.

The advert finished with al-Sahab saying that "with God's help and support" it will try to publish Zawahiri's answers to the questions "as soon as possible".

Egyptian-born Zawahiri has emerged as al-Qaeda's most prominent spokesman in recent years, appearing in at least 16 videos and audiotapes this year - four times as many as its leader, Osama Bin Laden.

The two have evaded capture since US-led forces overthrew the Taleban in Afghanistan following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US. They are thought to be hiding on the Afghan-Pakistan border.

IntelCenter, an organisation which monitors Jihadist websites, said the invitation was the first to have been issued by a high-ranking al-Qaeda leader.

Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University in Washington DC, said al-Qaeda wanted to "look more cutting-edge and give the perception of greater legitimacy".

"It shows how this group with 7th Century ideology is exploiting 21st Century media capabilities," he told the Associated Press.

Mr Hoffman said it also revealed that Zawahiri was trying to portray himself more like a true leader than a "homicidal thug" by opening himself up to questioning in a similar fashion to televised political debates.

[Odin]

We absolutely have to take up a collection to fly Devastatin' Dave to this event ... I mean, it's an open forum, right? I can think of no other Orgah who would do us as proud as DD ...

Al-Qaeda to give 'open interview'

Al-Qaeda's media arm, al-Sahab, has invited individuals, organisations and journalists to submit questions for an open interview with Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Advertisements posted on Jihadist websites said questions sent to them over the next month would be passed to al-Qaeda's deputy leader for his reply.

It said the questions would be sent "without alteration, whether it comes from someone who agrees or disagrees".

The offer also came at the end of an interview by Zawahiri posted on Sunday.

In the video, also produced by al-Sahab, Zawahiri said the US-led coalition in Iraq was "defeated and looking for a way out" and said the decision of UK forces to "flee" Basra showed insurgents were gaining strength.

Iraq took formal responsibility for security in Basra province on Sunday, four-and-a-half years after the invasion.

'Brief and focused'

The adverts published by al-Sahab invited "individuals, organisations and media establishments" to submit questions for an "open interview" with Zawahiri by sending them by 16 January to the websites where it usually posts its messages.

"Care should be taken in making the questions brief and focused," the advert asked.

"We also ask the brothers, the supervisors [of the websites] to collect the questions and transmit them without alteration, whether it is comes from someone who agrees or disagrees," it added.

The advert finished with al-Sahab saying that "with God's help and support" it will try to publish Zawahiri's answers to the questions "as soon as possible".

Egyptian-born Zawahiri has emerged as al-Qaeda's most prominent spokesman in recent years, appearing in at least 16 videos and audiotapes this year - four times as many as its leader, Osama Bin Laden.

The two have evaded capture since US-led forces overthrew the Taleban in Afghanistan following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US. They are thought to be hiding on the Afghan-Pakistan border.

IntelCenter, an organisation which monitors Jihadist websites, said the invitation was the first to have been issued by a high-ranking al-Qaeda leader.

Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University in Washington DC, said al-Qaeda wanted to "look more cutting-edge and give the perception of greater legitimacy".

"It shows how this group with 7th Century ideology is exploiting 21st Century media capabilities," he told the Associated Press.

Mr Hoffman said it also revealed that Zawahiri was trying to portray himself more like a true leader than a "homicidal thug" by opening himself up to questioning in a similar fashion to televised political debates.

"It shows how this group with 17th Century ideology is exploiting 21st Century media capabilities," he told the Associated Press."

Bolded part altered by myself, funny how one small change in a statement like this could be representative of the Bush Admin

Intresting that they would make this choice, if its truly an open forum then it might be fairly entertaining to watch.

[LittleGrizzly]

i think were to busy focusing on the negative when it comes to Al-Qaeda, this is a chance to explore our future leaders opinions on a range of issues such as global warming and the state of the english football team

[Viking]

"Where is Bin Laden?"

[TB666]

"Can Allah make a burrito so hot that he himself cannot eat it ??"
I wanna see him answer that.

[Xiahou]

It said the questions would be sent "without alteration, whether it comes from someone who agrees or disagrees".

Oh no, I'm sure they really mean it....
Sometimes they really manage to crack me up.

[HoreTore]

Some questions I would love to have them answer:

1. Where were you when Oddvar Brå broke his staff?

2. Is Hareide the best coach for Norway? If not, who is?

3. Do you think Andresen will lead VIF to glory or shame?

4. Do you share the opinion that volleyball is an utterly gay sport, and if so, will it be banned when you take over the world?

5. Is there really any need for any sport other than football?

[CountArach]

"Have you ever personally committed a suicide bombing?"

[Kralizec]

"Can Allah make a burrito so hot that he himself cannot eat it ??"
I wanna see him answer that.

I suggest that we spam whatever site they're using with this question...I want an answer.

[TB666]

I suggest that we spam whatever site they're using with this question...I want an answer.

Yeah but the thought has occured to me that he might not know what a burrito is hence might dodge the question based on that.
So I suggest we change burrito to falafel since the chances are higher that he would know what that was.

[Geoffrey S]

"Did you, or did you not have sex with that woman, Cindy Sheehan?"

[Megalos]

"Is it true that Michael Jackson is the love child, of Osama Bin Laden and Dick Cheney?"

[Devastatin Dave]

If you guys buy, I'll fly. Please bury my head next to my grandpappy.

[Al Khalifah]

"Have you watched the movie Fahrenheit 9/11 ? If so, what did you think ?"

I'd be curious to know the perspective of a group of Islamic fundamentalists on this exciting 'documentary' of contemporary conspiracy theory.

Alternatively,
"Have you watched the movie Fahrenheit 9/11 ? If so, at what point did you start shouting out loud the glaring floors and circular logic in Michael Moore's argument ?"

Cos if anyone could, it would be them!

[Incongruous]

"Did you draw any inspiration from the Two Towers? If so how many Uruk-hai do you have?"

"What is you're impression of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club band?"