In a video address, jihadi leader Sheikh Saqr Al-Jihad called to commit martyrdom and to be placed in Paradise "along with the Prophet Muhammad... Sheikh Osama [bin Laden], and Sheikh Abdullah Azzam." "Oh, how we miss them," wailed the sheikh, who, wielding a dagger, said: "We are not here because we love this world, but because we want to chop [our enemies'] heads off."
Following are excerpts from the video address, which was posted on the Internet on April 25, 2013:
Saqr Al-Jihad: "What were things like when the Prophet Muhammad left Mecca for Medina? Did he have a gun? Did he have an AK-47? Did he have a knife? By Allah, he did not. He said: 'Abu Bakr, fear not, there are only two of us, but Allah is with us.' Allah bestowed calm upon him. This is a great example of devotion and the placing of one's trust in Allah. 'If you support Allah, Allah will support you.'
"By Allah, this knife, this AK-47, tanks, and all types of weapons – nothing comes out of their barrels unless it is ordained by..."
Crowd: "Allah!" [...]
Saqr Al-Jihad: "We will conquer Syria and then Palestine, Allah willing. Allah willing, this knife... This gun will shoot at the heads of the Jews, and at the Alawites before them." [...]
"Purify yourselves, and perhaps Allah will place us in Paradise, along with the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Othman, Ali, and Sheikh Osama, and Sheikh Abdullah Azzam. By Allah, how we miss them. By Allah, how much we cry. But our sins have prevented us from meeting them. May Allah hasten our martyrdom.
"We are confused: Should we die as martyrs or wait for victory? We see conquests, victory, and all this pure blood, and we say: Oh Lord, postpone our martyrdom so we can witness victory. But all these younger men and martyrs... What do I have in this world, dear brothers? There were people, even leaders, who violated the shari'a."
[-Unintelligible-]
"Does anyone remember them? History has forgotten them. Khattab, on the other hand... Switch on any young man's cellphone, and you'll see a picture of Khattab, not of Qadhafi or anyone...
"Who among you knew Khattab? I used to live with these people, brothers. But the martyrs are living alongside Allah, and also in this world. Don't say that they are dead. They live. What are they doing alongside Allah? Sleeping? No, they are sustained by Allah. They are happy. 'Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those who have not yet joined them – that there will be no fear concerning them.'
"Oh brothers, seek the help of Allah. By Allah, my brothers, we have had victories and conquests, and now, at the end of time, you should seek the help of Allah. Turn your bare chests towards the enemy. Be ready for martyrdom.
"A brother drives a car or a big truck, shouts 'Allah Akbar!', and then presses the button and does not fear death. In Iraq, one brother from Kyrgyzstan drove a truck three times into the ranks of the enemy. The first time, there was nobody there, so he left the truck and blew it up by remote control. Then, he brought the second car, but no one was there. On the third time...
"'Among believers there are men...' Some men are real men, and some men are not. May Allah let us be among the real men. 'Among the believers there are men who have been true to their pact with Allah, some of them have been killed, while others are still waiting.'
"Oh Lord, have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon the weak among us. Protect us, and make us victorious soon. Your poor wretched servants, Your Muslim servants, have gathered here for the sake of Islam. Oh Lord, don't let them down. Oh Lord, victory is near. Grant us victory. Protect us in the sky, on the ground, and from the planes. Protect us from the enemies. Oh Lord, we are not here because we love this world, but because we want to chop their heads off.
"Brothers, we want to shout 'Allah Akbar' in Burj Al-Baroud very soon, even tomorrow."
Crowd member: "Say: 'Allah Akbar.'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Crowd member: "Say: 'Allah Akbar.'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Crowd member: "Say: 'Allah Akbar.'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Saqr Al-Jihad: "Allah willing, we will be tomorrow in Palestine. Forgive me, brothers. I must go. Good night and goodbye." [...]
