FRENCH MUSLIM STARES DOWN ISLAMIC STATE TO DECLARE JIHAD

Paris, 21 Safar 1437/3 December 2015 (MINA) – A French Muslim who created headlines when he went on national television in France to declare jihad on Islamic State (IS) extremists says he is not deterred by the death threats he has received since.

In the wake of the Paris attacks, Mohammed Chirani, a specialist in religious radicalisation, delivered an impassioned speech telling IS that Allah would not protect them, Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Know that our dead, the innocent French citizens, are in paradise,” he said.

“And your dead, the terrorists, are in hell.”

Holding up a copy of the Koran and his French passport, he said he would use both to wage jihad against the extremists.

“I’d like to say we’ll wage jihad against you with the Koran,” he said.

“I’d like to tell the traitors who deceived France, betrayed their country and burned their IDs, that we are kissing our documents.”

His address received national acclaim in France, but he also received death threats from Islamic State.

Chirani told Lateline that he was not worried

“I believe in God. Until I achieve my destiny I will not leave this life I am sure of that,” he said.

“I lived in Nigeria during the civil war from nine to 19 and I was prepared all my life for this confrontation against fanatics.

“So I am not surprised and I am ready.” (T/P006/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)