Nasser al-Awlaki, the father of al-Qaida ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki, has released a YouTube video encouraging others to follow his deceased son's terrorist teachings. The video was released through the YouTube channel of British Islamist group United Ummah, the latest reincarnation of the recently banned organization Muslims Against Crusades.
"Anwar was assassinated because of his teachings," Nasser said in his video address, which was played at a protest in front of the American Embassy in London on December 2nd. "He had qualities and traits that could have taken him places in this world, but he chose this path and gave it his best, the path of Allah. It is the job of all of us to spread his knowledge and keep it alive," he emphasized.
Anwar al-Awlaki's teachings have motivated large numbers of Western Muslims to carry out attacks on their home countries, or to travel to places of jihad in the Muslim world. Anwar began making recordings on general Islamic topics, but with hints at his radicalism, nearly 12 years ago. After leaving the United States following questions about his role in helping the 9/11 hijackers, he became a popular speaker during his time in Britain and Yemen. His fame was based on strong speaking skills, an ability to weave Western cultural references into sermons, and the volume of his recordings.
His father Nasser became famous when he appealed to the United States to stop drone strikes targeting his son. Nasser al-Awlaki's suit, which was promoted by the ACLU and other civil liberties organizations, ended when a U.S. federal judge dismissed his case on procedural grounds. Shortly thereafter, Anwar was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike, and Anwar's son, Abdul Rahman, was also killed in another air strike in al-Qaida territory.
The attendees of the recent pro-Awlaki rally were arrested by British authorities on charges of being members of a banned organization, violent disorder, and obstruction. The protest had been organized by United Ummah to protest "the recent spate of anti-Muslim drone strikes that have been launched by the U.S. government against innocent Muslims."