A preacher known for influencing the 7/7 bombers has expressed admiration for the White Widow while incarcerated in a high-security prison. Shaikh Abdullah al Faisal, aged 62, is currently serving an 18-year sentence in a New York correctional facility for his involvement with ISIS. He was deported from the UK in 2007 after a seven-year sentence for incitement to murder.
US prosecutors in 2023 labeled him as one of the most influential English-speaking terrorists globally, attracting numerous followers to terrorism. Some of his disciples reportedly include notorious extremists like Richard Reid and Zacarias Moussaoui. Despite his imprisonment, Faisal continues to convey his extremist views, cautioning about the radicalization efforts of groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda.
Faisal openly praised the White Widow, Samantha Lewthwaite, notorious for orchestrating the 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Kenya. His favorable remarks about her have stirred criticism, especially from survivors of the 7/7 bombings. Sajda Mughal, a survivor of the attacks, voiced strong opposition to Faisal’s potential return to the UK for “de-radicalization” purposes, citing concerns about his influence on vulnerable individuals.
Regarding his time in prison and interactions with individuals like Germaine Lindsay, Faisal denied responsibility for radicalizing them, instead attributing their actions to external factors like political conflicts. He boasted about his purported influence on thousands of people globally and criticized Western foreign policies for inciting violent reactions.
Faisal’s history includes past convictions in the UK for soliciting murder and inciting hatred, leading to his deportation and subsequent radical preaching activities across the world. Despite facing multiple legal challenges, Faisal remains defiant, denying the charges against him and appealing his conviction while advocating for Sharia Law in the UK.
The preacher’s notoriety extends to his involvement in various extremist activities and his role in influencing individuals like Germaine Lindsay, highlighting the dangerous repercussions of radical ideologies. His controversial statements and actions continue to spark debates about the spread of extremism and the need for stringent counter-terrorism measures.
