© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Egyptian Informant: 'Prince of Jihad' the Blind Sheikh Still Major Threat to U.S.
Blind Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman smiles inside an iron cage at the opening of court session, 06 August 1989 in Cairo. Abdel-Rahman, spiritual leader of Egypt's main armed group the Moslem fundamentalist Jamaa Islamiyya, was jailed for life in January 1996 for his role in terrorist attacks, including blowing up the World Trade Center in New York in February 1993 and an assassination bid against Egyptian President Mubarak. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Egyptian Informant: 'Prince of Jihad' the Blind Sheikh Still Major Threat to U.S.

Omar Abdel Rahman, better known as the "Blind Sheikh," and his sinister past as the mastermind of the first World Trade Center bombing needs no introduction. Now, new information has surfaced indicating that the ailing, incarcerated jihadist remains as significant a threat to U.S. interests as ever.

According to Emad Salem, a former Egyptian military officer and FBI informant coming out of witness protection, the U.S. must remain vigilant and not ease up on the 74-year-old imam's prison sentence, nor transfer him, because the sheikh is still dangerous

Otherwise, "he will kill Americans," Salem told NBC 4 New York in an interview. "He will kill anyone who disputes what he says with a fatwa."

Ironically, Salem actually warned U.S. officials about the impending 1993 World Trade Center attack that claimed six and injured more than 1,000 prior to its occurrence but his words went unheeded. After the bombing, Salem agreed to become an FBI informant and somehow became the sheikh’s personal assistant and bodyguard.

During his time as informat in Jersey City and in Brooklyn, Salem recorded the Blind Sheikh ordering the execution of Americans. The Egyptian said he is concerned about mounting pressure from Muslim Brotherhood leader and newly elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to release Rahman out of American custody. 

The Blind Sheikh's sons wrote on their website that "America will pay a terrible price" if their father is not released.

"The rain begins with one drop. America should expect more violent reactions if it does not release the sheik," their note said.

Watch Salem's insightful interview below:

In yet another entry on their website, Rahman's sons, according to NBC 4, claimed to be speaking for their father, who urged Egyptians to vote for Morsi in Egypt's presidential election, "because he is the candidate who represents Islam and represents the revolution."

Thus, the Blind Sheikh is still able to relay his messages and motivate current and aspiring jihadists with seeming ease.

“When are we going to wake up and smell the coffee?” asked Salem. “This man is dangerous in prison. What will happen when he is out of prison?”

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?