Egyptian Cleric Tawfiq Al-Afni Leads Pro-Al-Qaeda Demonstration in Tahrir Square, Threatens U.S. and the Jews

Following are excerpts from statements delivered by Egyptian cleric Sheikh Tawfiq Al-Afni at Tahrir Square, Cairo, posted on the Internet on November 18, 2011. Sheikh Tawfiq Al-Afni is a member of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ). He was imprisoned in Egypt for 18 years until his release after the Egyptian revolution. He is known to be among a group of EIJ members who rejected Sayyed Imam's revisions on jihad[1].

Tawfiq Al-Afni (in interview): "First of all, Islamic law is the only source for legislation. […]

"In addition, I would like to say to the whole world that the Prophet Muhammad prophesized that the return of Islam was inevitable. Why do they fear Islam? When Islam rules, justice, compassion, and goodness will prevail. So why do people fear Islam?" […]

"I say to the people who fear Islam: Are you thieves that should fear the chopping off of hands? Are you alcohol-drinkers that you should fear being flogged?"

Tawfiq Al-Afni (On stage): "Sheikh Osama bin Laden is a man who waged Jihad for the sake of Allah, and we pray that Allah will unite us with him and the martyrs in Paradise. My brothers, in Islam, we say with great pride that we adhere to the Jihad for the sake of Allah…"

Crowd: "Allah Akbar.

"Allah Akbar."

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "We are not waging Jihad for worldly benefits or for positions. By Allah, we have only come to pledge our allegiance to Islam. We wage Jihad for the sake of Allah and the Koran. […]

"We respond to Your call. Please turn our skulls into a ladder for your glory."

Crowd: "We respond to Your call. Please turn our skulls into a ladder for your glory."

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "We say to infidel America: By Allah, if you contemplate coming to Egypt, you will encounter men who love death more than you Americans love life…"

Crowd: "Allah Akbar.

"Allah Akbar."

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "I say to the Jews: if you contemplate harming Egypt or its Muslim people, you will encounter men who seek death more than you seek life…"

Crowd: "Allah Akbar.

"Allah Akbar."

Man in crowd: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad is here."

Crowd: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad is here."

Man in crowd: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad is here."

Crowd: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad is here." […]

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "Oh Allah, grant us martyrdom for your sake."

Crowd: "Amen."

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "Say with me: [The revolution] is Islamic, Islamic…"

Crowd: "Islamic, Islamic…"

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "It is Islamic, Islamic…"

Crowd: "Islamic, Islamic…"

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "It is neither Eastern nor Western…"

Crowd: "Neither Eastern nor Western…"

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "It is neither Jewish nor American…"

Crowd: "Neither Jewish nor American…"

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "You return, oh Islam…"

Crowd: "You return, oh Islam…"

Tawfiq Al-Afni: "You will rule, oh Koran…"

Crowd: "You will rule, oh Koran…" […]

[1] For more on Sayyed Imam's revisions, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/report.htm?report=3111¶m=AJT