A judge in the United States orders a toilet to be installed facing Mecca for a jailed terrorist imam.
An Al Qaeda cleric has secured yet another concession in his peculiar «toilet jihad». He is now demanding that assistants be assigned to wash him so that he can pray properly clean.
Abu Hamza
Generated by AI
[social-share align=»right» style=»button» mobile_app=»desktop»]
[social-share align=»center» style=»icon» mobile_app=»mobile»]
Abu Hamza al-Masri, known as “the hook imam”, is one of the most famous and feared Islamist clerics in the United Kingdom. He preached hatred in London, where he defended al-Qaeda and justified attacks such as those of 11 September. He has been linked to the 1998 kidnapping of British tourists in Yemen, in which four people died. He has also been implicated in providing protection to terrorist figures and in attempting to establish an al-Qaeda training camp in Oregon.
In 2012 he was extradited to the United States after a lengthy legal process. In 2015 a federal court sentenced him to multiple life sentences for his links to terrorism and his role in jihadist activities. The nickname ’Hook Imam“ comes from the metal prosthesis he wears on his right hand. He lost his fingers while handling explosives during his time in Afghanistan. His image, with the hook and often with an eye patch, became a symbol of Islamist fanaticism in the British media.
Hamza's battle to observe Sharia in prison
Once imprisoned in the United States, Abu Hamza began a new battle. No longer with sermons or weapons, but with lawyers. He argues that, according to Sharia, he needs special conditions to remain “pure” and be able to perform the five daily prayers.
He demanded halal food and the right to take part in collective prayers. Also required adapted showers with multiple jets, including a low-level one for performing ablutions before prayer. In addition, he obtained a hairbrush, an electric toothbrush and nail-clipping services at the expense of the North American taxpayer.
But his obsession is the lavatory. He complained that without a proper system he could not clean himself according to Islamic law. At first they gave him a special brush, which he rejected. He then demanded a bidet and for the toilet to be oriented towards Mecca.. Finally, a judge ruled in her favour and the prison installed bidets and special toilets in her cell.
The “toilet jihad» now includes assistants who wash it.
Now the cleric is demanding another step in his «toilet jihad». He is insisting that the prison provide him with personal assistants to help him wash himself every time he uses the toilet. He claims that his prostheses prevent him from fulfilling the purity rituals his religion requires before prayer. His lawyers argue that denying him this assistance violates the United States Constitution., which guarantees the free exercise of religion even for a person convicted of terrorism.
Their complaint is that the prison system does not take sharia into account. According to Islamic law, Muslims must observe strict hygiene rules before praying. They cannot urinate standing up, they cannot have their backs turned on Mecca when they relieve themselves and, above all, they must wash with water after using the toilet because the Prophet did not use paper..
The ritual involves a thorough cleansing of the intimate parts to ensure the state of purity required for prayer. According to Sharia, after using the toilet, the process This includes passing the middle finger of the left hand several times from the anus to the scrotum, and then using the thumb and index finger around the penis to remove any remaining urine.. Abu Hamza claims that, because of his prosthetics, he cannot do everything on his own and therefore demands personal assistants to help him comply with these requirements.
The cost of religious freedom
The case has highlighted a dilemma that divides judges and public opinion. On the one hand, the US Constitution protects the right to practise religion even in prison. On the other hand, he is a man sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism who has secured extraordinary privileges at the taxpayers' expense.
Every time the courts rule in their favour, a new demand emerges. Halal food, prayers, adapted showers, toothbrushes, nail clipping, toilets with bidets oriented towards Mecca, and now personal assistants. No one knows where this “toilet jihad” will end.” but the legal battles and the adaptations have already cost more than $100,000. And all this without knowing what the true limit of religious freedom will be within the walls of a maximum-security prison.
More about United States
Sharia law in the US is supported by 75% of Muslims, 41% of atheists and up to 20% of Christians.
The "feminist" governor of New York puts on the hijab
Minneapolis adapts municipal loans to Islamic law
Texas governor cracks down on Muslim footwashing at Dallas airport
Massachusetts pushes a commission for Muslims to propose laws and officials of their choosing
Minnesota adopts a flag reminiscent of Somalia's because it better represents "communities"“
A public water park in Texas advertises itself as a “Muslim-only” space”
More Perceptions of
ERC, PSC and Comuns oppose combating political Islam in the European Parliament.
Azerbaijan expels students who wear Islamic headscarves from school
Sharia law in the US is supported by 75% of Muslims, 41% of atheists and up to 20% of Christians.
France now has a halal meat supply without the need to sacrifice animals facing Mecca.
The United Kingdom gives away a thousand hijabs in six months to immigrants arriving via the Channel
US Muslim politicians train Canadian Muslims under the slogan "From the mosque to the city hall"«
Teacher fired in Austria for denying a Muslim woman a prayer room
Canadian government normalizes Islamic prayer during workday
Lleida bans the burqa except if worn for religious reasons
Italy bans burqa and niqab but only in schools
The Generalitat pays tribute to the racist Abu Bakr al-Turtuxí as an anti-racist icon
A student residence in Scotland imposes Islamic law in common areas
Kazakhstan threatens to close private schools that allow hijab
A Catholic university in Belgium incorporates Islamic chants into the opening mass of the course
A Muslim family in Granada chooses a Catholic school and demands that the courts teach Islam there
Phrase of the Week
Image of the Week
-Don't you have cousins?