British Muslims assail attack

LONDON — For years, radical Islamic activists have operated freely in Britain, raising money for their cause, beaming satellite TV spots or running Internet sites condemning America in support of al-Qaida.

But even supporters of Osama bin Laden's ideology say the London bombings were the wrong thing to do.

"The goal here was illegitimate," said activist Yasser al-Sirri.

Al-Sirri, head of the Islamic Observation Center in London, said Muslims who live in Britain — even those who consider the host government their enemy — have an Islamic duty under an unwritten "security covenant" to obey the country's rules.

His comments suggest a possible split within Britain's radical Islamic community about how to wage the struggle against the West — through terrorism like Thursday's bombings or through psychological warfare as well as violence only in clearly defined combat zones.

"God says if anyone wants to do something (against the country), he must leave that country and fight them outside. . . . He can go to Iraq and fight the American forces there, or British forces, but he shouldn't (kill British civilians). What's the fault of the civilians?" said al-Sirri, an Egyptian accused by the United States of sponsoring terrorism in Afghanistan.

He said Islam puts limits on the form and extent of jihad, or holy war, one can wage. Many Britain-based Islamic radicals also fear the attacks will lead to a crackdown that will prevent them from operating freely. "I am sure many of the radicals are extremely unhappy with what happened. It will make their lives more difficult now. They will not be able to do things as freely as they used to," said Mishari al-Thaydi, a Saudi writer who follows Islamic militants closely.

True, the British government supports the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And bin Laden had warned that Britain, as well as some other European countries that have troops in those countries, would be the target of an attack.

Some radical activists were convinced London would not be hit. It was too useful, the thinking went, as a base for transmitting bin Laden's message worldwide.

Despite a recent tightening of security — including a Prevention of Terrorism Act that allows authorities to place terror suspects under house arrest — Britain's long history of tolerance has given Islamic extremists the impression that they could operate undisturbed as long as they don't make trouble.