Author: Reuters
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 9, 2001
Osama bin Laden's sympathisers went
online to express mingled admiration and concern for the hardline Islamist
after his dramatic televised call for Muslims to rise up against the United
States.
"I swear he made me shiver when
he appealed to the Muslim world for help - and I know there won't he any
country that will lend him an ear," Wissam, a Palestinian, told an online
community.
"How strong this man is! He has
a solid faith and power of will. With those, he can accomplish the impossible,"
Nada, an Egyptian woman, told a cyber-room originally devoted to discussion
of the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.
Her comments were typical of remarks
filed on several political Arabic chatrooms that registered bursts of activity
after Laden broadcast is statement on Sunday evening.
An Islamist told a chat room that
was dominated by Arab Muslims: "I hope to see America's end soon, God willing
... I am very optimistic. What Laden said carries a lot of indications."
Another fan said that he feared
the Muslim militant "would become a memory in our history if he didn't
get help. We should not stand till and watch." Some contributors left the
chatrooms after pro-Laden correspondents made their remarks.
An English-language room started
by some chatterers under the name "Bin Laden fans..." was closed by the
service administrators, who had said they would not tolerate rooms that
expressed what they called terrorist or racist comments.
