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Terror Fears as Blind Sheikh Faces 'Medical Emergency'

December 14, 2006 11:31 AM

Blind_sheikh_sick_nr The imprisoned al Qaeda spiritual leader known as the "Blind Sheikh" suffered a "medical emergency" at the Springfield federal prison last week, and the FBI is warning his death could lead al Qaeda to launch terror attacks against the United States in reprisal.

According to an FBI bulletin, obtained by ABCNews.com, the 68-year-old Omar Abdel-Rahman began to spit up blood on Dec. 6, and was rushed from prison to the emergency room of St. John's Regional Hospital in Springfield, Mo. 

"He accepted a needed transfusion to replace lost blood. While he was under examination, medical authorities also discovered a tumor on his liver," the FBI situational awareness bulletin noted.

Omar Abdel-Rahman, convicted in 1996 of conspiring to blow up New York City landmarks, has long suffered from diabetes and heart ailments and has spent much of his imprisonment at the Springfield Medical Center for federal prisoners.

The FBI bulletin reminded authorities that the sheikh had previously called for reprisal attacks in the case of his death in prison.

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The bulletin cited what it said was his last will and testament distributed at an al Qaeda press conference in 1998.

"My Brothers...If they [the Americans] kill me, which they will certainly do – hold my funeral and send my corpse to my family, but do not let my blood be shed in vain. Rather, extract the most violent revenge, and remember your brother who spoke the truth and died for the will of God...The Mujahid Sheikh Omar Abdel al Rahman. In the name of God the kind and merciful."

The FBI bulletin also notes, "During Ramadan of this past year, al-Qa'ida in Iraq (AQI) released a videotape encouraging all Muslims in Iraq to exert efforts in capturing Western personnel so that they may be exchanged for the release of the Blind Sheik, suggesting that the Blind Sheikh remains a significant source of inspiration for AQ and their sympathizers."

Following emergency treatment at St. John's, Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman is now back at the federal medical facility where he has been housed.

December 14, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (202)

User Comments

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You know I do not care if the Al Qaeda attack us or not. People are going to die one way or another. Do you know that 20% of the people in this coutry would not defend themselves or their families if someone broke in their homes to kill them?. We are a nation of Baby's and deserve everything that happens to us.

Posted by: Mike Jones | Dec 14, 2006 12:27:33 PM

When this guy passes away. Tell me where he is buried so I can go and dessicrate his grave. I do not care if the Muslim Extremist's attack us. I will be ready for them.

Posted by: Mike Jones | Dec 14, 2006 12:29:53 PM

He accepted a blood transfusion.
The blood used for the transfusion makes him a blood brother to the donar(s). We have treated him better than we have the vanishing American Indians. His blood has been shed in vain and replaced with some so called impure blood making him unworthy of burial in his own country (as a pure blood - whatever he is). Unless his fellow terrorist prisoners donated their blood specifically to him - In my opinion he is a man without a country. In saving his life through transfusion he gave his life and his soul to his enemy. It's amazing what one drop of blood will do.

Posted by: just1vet | Dec 14, 2006 12:30:56 PM

1 down couple more thousand to go

Posted by: Bob | Dec 14, 2006 12:33:24 PM

It is time to tell the Muslim clerics throughout the world that passive endorsment by their silence to the murders committed in the name of their view of God is tatamount encouraging those activities. The cleric's are the rulers of Islam. Politics are a joke in a theocracatic culture. Most of the Muslims in Iran, Iraq, Pakastan, and Afganastan do not recognize boarders or political leaders. Democracy is a foreign concept, and they learn to fight as children. Tell the clerics that the US will no longer accept thier brand of savagery and that future attacks will be met with swift and devistating reprisals.

Posted by: Grumpy Grandpa | Dec 14, 2006 12:42:28 PM

Honestly I am not afraid if we get attack. If they attach us okay we might lose some people , but they better get ready because they will lose more and trust me they are not going to have 1,000 virgin waiting for them on the other side. So brign it on Al Qaeda!

Posted by: Navy Wife | Dec 14, 2006 12:50:47 PM

Where does it say that if the shiekh passes away we have to notify the world? His body was convicted of a crime and his body should remain in US custody until the debt is paid.

Posted by: Steve | Dec 14, 2006 12:53:10 PM

Turn the other cheek.
Love your enemies as you love your friends.

Posted by: Kyle Smith | Dec 14, 2006 12:53:35 PM

Rather, extract the most violent revenge, and remember your brother who spoke the truth and died for the will of God...The Mujahid Sheikh Omar Abdel al Rahman. In the name of God the kind and merciful."

Comical Logic sums it up.

Posted by: Ironmike | Dec 14, 2006 12:57:01 PM

if he wants to remain dry in the grave, he better be buried in a raincoat.

Posted by: mark | Dec 14, 2006 12:58:30 PM

what can we say

Posted by: f wahab | Dec 14, 2006 12:59:49 PM

If this is a government ploy to scare our citizens into boosting Bushes approval ratings -- it won't work!! Ask Henry Bonilla. I live in San Antonio, TX and wondered how Bonilla's Ads tying his rival, Ciro Rodriguez, to terriosts activities. Such a vile, last minute attempt to affect the election outcome backfired and Ciro Rodriguez won with a ten point gap. No one buys this political crap any more!!

Posted by: Phyllis Culbert | Dec 14, 2006 1:00:27 PM

Perfect timing!! By the time the ACLU and the Liberal Democrats get through undermining Home Land Security they will be able to send a Nuke to Capital Hill via UPS. America, prepare for battle on our home soil.

Posted by: Russ B. | Dec 14, 2006 1:04:47 PM

If his passing is going to cause an uproar, why is it being broadcast to the world?

Posted by: J | Dec 14, 2006 1:05:42 PM

Bring em on, i got my shotgun loaded

Posted by: michael jordan | Dec 14, 2006 1:08:58 PM

I am sure he would have rather been executed, but putting him in a Federal Prison has nearly erased him from history.

Posted by: BenMurphyNYC | Dec 14, 2006 1:14:15 PM

Bring it on ! We Americans stand together !!!!!!!

Posted by: American Citizen | Dec 14, 2006 1:14:54 PM

Why are we even taking care of this piece of garbage, Let him and the rest them rot.

Posted by: Ticked off American | Dec 14, 2006 1:21:16 PM

Where is all of the outrage by Muslim's condemming the Brutality being associated with this religion. Is the Muslim religion peaceful or is it's ultimate goal to wipe out all non muslim religions off the face of the earth?

Posted by: Mike Jones | Dec 14, 2006 1:21:38 PM

Strange that Richard Esposito chose to begin his article by calling Abdel-Rahman an "imprisoned al Qaeda spiritual leader".

In paragragh four, Esposito finally gets around to mentioning that Abdel-Rahman was convicted of "conspiring to blow up New York City landmarks.".....You know those landmarks...like the first World Trade Center bombing where six people died and many were injured. But hey, they did die in a New York City landmark. You've got to love the American media.

Posted by: Buzza | Dec 14, 2006 1:30:29 PM

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