18 December 2010
MI5 and antiterrorist police are attempting to unravel what transformed the father-of-three into a terrorist.
But moderate Muslims in Luton, where Iraqi-born Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly lived for almost ten years, claim the authorities are to blame for turning a blind eye to the activities of hard core jihadi sympathisers in the area.
Unimpeded by the police, the group, now calling themselves “The Reflect Project” are accused of mounting a campaign of intimidation and violence against those who disagree with them.
Followers of the radical cleric Omar Bakri Muhammad, who is currently being held in jail in Lebanon on terror charges, the group are led locally by Ishtiaq Alamgir or “Sayful Islam” — Sword of Islam — a former inland revenue accountant.
Earlier this year Mr Alamgir helped organise the protest against the homecoming of troops from the town after their tour of Afghanistan, which ended in violence and several arrests.
