On March 22, 2012, the Belgian jihad group Sharia for Belgium posted on its YouTube channel a brief message from its spokesman, Abu 'Imran, regarding Toulouse shooter Muhammad Merah. Speaking against the backdrop of the Al-Qaeda flag, Abu 'Imran expresses doubt that Merah belonged to the jihad group Fursan Al-'Izza, calling it a non-violent organization. He blames French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his government for Merah's actions, saying that Sarkozy wants "to launch a crusade against each and every Muslim who stands up for his religion," and that "France is the greatest terrorist in Europe." Calling on the French to rise up against their government and to pressure it to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, he asks why the Muslims of France are expected to condemn Merah, who is a brother and a fellow Muslim, and adds, "If he did something bad, his Lord will punish him... and if he did something good, his Lord will reward him..." ...
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