Germany: Al-Qaeda calls German Muslims to Jihad

Germany: Al-Qaeda calls German Muslims to Jihad


Germany remains on alert after the release of the third al-Qaida message in a week, this time calling on Muslims in Germany to take part in jihad, or holy war, authorities said Friday.


"We are taking this seriously," German Interior Ministry spokesman Stefan Paris told reporters. He said the still image with an audio message released Thursday was not seen as increasing the existing terror threat facing Germany, which holds parliamentary elections Sunday.


In the third message a masked person presumed to be Bekkay Harrach, who uses the pseudonym Abu Talha, speaks about piety and service to Allah.


German authorities and international intelligence groups said they believe all three German-language videos were made by Harrach, a German of Moroccan background believed to have lived for years in Bonn. Authorities say he could now be in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area.


The person in the third video says the best way for a "sinful Muslim seeking redemption ... is participation in jihad," according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which analyzed the video. No specific threats were mentioned.


The first video came out a week ago with a threat linked to German troops' presence in Afghanistan and the election — prompting authorities to step-up security at airports and train stations.


The second al-Qaida message mentioned Afghanistan and the issue of sin in Islam.


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Source: AP (English)

See also:
* Germany: Al-Qaeda warns of 'next 9/11'
* Pakistan: German families recruited to 'Jihad colony'