Osama Bin Laden never goes out of news…at least completely! Whenever we think that we have had enough of his antics and warning signals to the Western world, again he crops up, like a bolt from the blue, and issues a new ‘fatwa’. He has now threatened the European Union (EU) with dire consequences and grave punishments for Prophet Mohammad’s cartoons which had already generated enough controversies. The cartoons were first published by the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten in September 2005 but a furor erupted only after other papers reprinted them in 2006. At least 50 people were killed in the protests against the publication of the cartoons, which Muslims say are an affront to Islam. However, newspapers which have reprinted the cartoons, argue they are defending the right to media freedom.

Bin Laden’s message was entitled “The Response Will Be What You See, Not What You Hear”, according to the password-protected Ekhlaas Web, which carries messages and statements from Al Qaeda-affiliated groups around the world. The belligerent fundamentalist has even spoken of a new crusade in which Pope Benedict of the Vatican was apparently involved to carry on the war against Islam.
The Al Qaeda leader, blamed for the September 11 attacks on U.S. cities, issued a number of messages late last year after a hiatus of well over a year, leading to fervent speculation that he might be dead or incapacitated.

Bin Laden, who is believed to be hiding in remote areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has tended to release messages to mark significant dates or events. Ironically, this message release also coincides with the fifth anniversary of US-led invasions of Iraq. Bin Laden said Europe was intentionally targeting Muslim women and children at the behest of their “unjust ally who is close to departing the White house”.

Though European Intelligence bureau do not seem to be particularly perturbed by this ominous threat, it’s a matter of concern because his supporters and the radical Islamic followers all over the world are immensely motivated by his words and might think of turning them into action.
via Reuters