British al-Qaeda recruit talks exclusively to the Daily Mirror

    British Muslim Abu Omar has told how the mastermind behind 9/11 urged him to carry out a suicide bombing in London. Omar, who joined al-Qaeda after travelling to Afghanistan to study Islam under the Taliban, was asked during a private meeting with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to become “a martyr”. Omar said: “He asked me if I’d be interested in doing a martyrdom operation. I just laughed and said there was no way I could do that.” Mohammed – described by the 9/11 Commission as the “principle architect” of the atrocity – did not attempt to pressure Omar into a suicide role. But he was encouraged to take an active part in al-Qaeda attacks in the British capital by carrying out surveillance missions for bombers. And he and other recruits were summoned to meetings with Mohammed and other al-Qaeda leaders and asked to propose terror targets. Omar, who ditched all links with al-Qaeda as soon as he got back to the UK, told of his incredible experiences during a meeting with the Mirror in a secret London location. Between nervous puffs on a cigarette, the quietly spoken Londoner said: “It was the most terrifying and strangest time of my life. I now realise I was terribly naive back then. I’d definitely say it was a huge mistake and if anyone else was thinking of doing the same thing I’d say, ‘Just don’t do it’. “I am very lucky to have got out of Afghanistan alive and I massively regret going. I will look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.” Chris Hughes reports.

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