Unleashing Muslim Youth

"Islam is the religion that does not die when its followers die or get killed. And it does not come to a stop when they get captured or imprisoned."
"At the same moment where you are shackling my hands and intend to bury me alive, you are at the same time unleashing the hands of hundreds of Muslim youth, and you are removing the dust of their minds."
"Soon, and very soon the whole world will see the end of these theatre plays that are also known as trials."
Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, former Al-Qaeda spokesman

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith was convicted in a terrorism case.
 Credit AL-JAZEERA, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

"You sir, in my assessment, are committed to doing everything you can to assist in carrying out Al-Qaeda's agenda of killing Americans -- guilty or innocent, combatant or noncombatant, adult or babies, without regard to the carnage that's caused."
"[Abu Ghaith demonstrated] no remorse whatsoever [nor any uncertainty] about the justification for what was done. As recently as 15 minutes ago, you continue to threaten."
Justice Lewis A. Kaplan, U.S. District Court, Manhattan

"We will continue to rely on this robust and proven system to hold accountable anyone who would harm our nation and its people."
"[The] trial, conviction, and sentencing have underscored the power [of civilian courts] to deliver swift and certain justice in cases involving terrorism defendants."
U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.

"[Abu Ghaith was facing] the harshest of penalties for talk -- and only talk. [My client acted like] an outrageous daytime 'shock-radio' host, or a World War II radio propagandist for a losing ideology."
Stanley L. Cohen, lead defense lawyer

Mr. Abu Ghaith’s lawyers, Geoffrey Stewart, left, and Stanley L. Cohen, outside federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday. Credit Yana Paskova/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images


Mr. Cohen, defense lawyer for the most senior adviser to Osama bin Laden, his son-in-law, claimed that his client had never actively been involved in specific acts of terrorism. A federal prosecutor, on the other hand, informed the presiding judge in Abu Ghaith's terrorism trial that though the accused hadn't been an "operational terrorist", he was "just as valuable, if not more so, than the person who strapped a suicide vest on himself and detonates a bomb."

The niceties and civilizational humanity of American Democratic action in full display playing out in the trial of a man who was the principal voice forwarding Osama bin Laden's drive to recruit new young suicide bombers to involve themselves as martyrs to the cause of Islamist universalism in its heroic striving toward becoming an international caliphate. To take its rightful place in history amended.

Before his sentence was pronounced, the accused saw no need to defend himself, since he was acting in the name of the Almighty. Nor did he request leniency, since the civilian court that was passing judgement on his piety -- his devotion to Islam and his fulfillment of Islam's stern injunction to jihad was beyond reproach -- utterly lacked credibility as a spiritual authority in a matter that was certainly beyond the criticism of a degraded society like that of all America represents.

He would, he stated with placid devotion to his theological ideology, not "ask for mercy from anyone except God", warning of the repercussions the harsh treatment meted out to him by the American justice system would be certain to bring on the country and its people. His March conviction on three counts: conspiracy to kill Americans, providing material support to terrorist, and conspiring to do so, has finally culminated in his sentencing.

A U.S. federal judge in Manhattan on Tuesday sentenced the man to life in prison. This is the American way, needless to say. Meting out the kind of justice that merits life as a captive in a detested, foreign country to one who sees mercy in the slaughter of non-Muslims, since their death saves them from a debauched life of evil in refusing to surrender to Islam. The government had argued there was "no fathomable reason to justify a sentence other than life" for this man.

So, he is given life. Since jihadis credit martyrdom as the divine reward for their heroic efforts on behalf of Islam, he is denied his reward. He may live where others died a horrible death because of the plans carried forward by Al-Qaeda, and his father-in-law-mentor to bring jihad to America, then exulting over the supreme success of September 11, 2001. "No sentence can restore what was taken from the families of Al-Qaedas victims", said Preet Bharara, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

"But today's sentence ensures that Sulaiman Abu Ghaith will never be free to incite or support mass murder again", he concluded. No fear; there are plenty to take his place with equal passion and conviction. Though none may have had the privilege that this man experienced through marital and ideological-theological affiliation. When he was tasked by his mentor after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks to continue delivering the message of jihad.

"He said, 'Come in, sit down'. He said, 'Did you learn about what happened? We are the ones who did it." And Abu Ghaith obligingly described for the court that his father-in-law informed him he wished him "to deliver a message to the world", giving Abu Ghaith "some points and you build around them that speech". And so, he did. Justifying the attacks, threatening more to follow, urging the faithful to join the effort.