This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5309376.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Al-Qaeda calls on US to convert Al-Qaeda calls on US to convert
(21 minutes later)
Al-Qaeda has urged non-Muslims - especially in the US - to convert to Islam, according to a new videotape.Al-Qaeda has urged non-Muslims - especially in the US - to convert to Islam, according to a new videotape.
The call is made by a man identified on the film as "Azzam the American", a convert also known as Adam Gadahn who is wanted for questioning by the FBI.The call is made by a man identified on the film as "Azzam the American", a convert also known as Adam Gadahn who is wanted for questioning by the FBI.
He says ignorance of Islam leads Westerners to accept wars waged by their governments and Israel against Muslim countries.He says ignorance of Islam leads Westerners to accept wars waged by their governments and Israel against Muslim countries.
The video opens with an introduction by al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri.The video opens with an introduction by al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Separately, Palestinian militants who held two Fox News journalists hostage for almost two weeks last month vowed to target all non-Muslims who entered the Palestinian territories.Separately, Palestinian militants who held two Fox News journalists hostage for almost two weeks last month vowed to target all non-Muslims who entered the Palestinian territories.
"Any infidel blood will have no sanctity," the Holy Jihad Brigades group said in a statement posted on the internet."Any infidel blood will have no sanctity," the Holy Jihad Brigades group said in a statement posted on the internet.
The group, which was previously unknown, had forced the captured journalists to convert to Islam at gunpoint, according to one of the released hostages.The group, which was previously unknown, had forced the captured journalists to convert to Islam at gunpoint, according to one of the released hostages.
'Misery''Misery'
In the al-Qaeda tape posted on an Islamic website, Zawahiri made a brief statement urging viewers to listen carefully to the message, entitled: "An Invitation to Islam".In the al-Qaeda tape posted on an Islamic website, Zawahiri made a brief statement urging viewers to listen carefully to the message, entitled: "An Invitation to Islam".
The video is introduced by al-Qaeda deputy leader Zawahiri
The speaker in the new video was identified as Azzam the American and appeared in the video dressed in a turban and seated in front of a computer.The speaker in the new video was identified as Azzam the American and appeared in the video dressed in a turban and seated in front of a computer.
Gadahn is believed by US authorities to be running al-Qaeda's propaganda operation.Gadahn is believed by US authorities to be running al-Qaeda's propaganda operation.
He is thought to have appeared with his face covered in a 2004 video shown by ABC News in which the speaker threatened al-Qaeda attacks.He is thought to have appeared with his face covered in a 2004 video shown by ABC News in which the speaker threatened al-Qaeda attacks.
"To Americans and the rest of Christendom we say, either repent [your] misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself," he said in English on the new tape."To Americans and the rest of Christendom we say, either repent [your] misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself," he said in English on the new tape.
"But whatever you do don't attempt to spread your misery and misguidance to our lands," he added."But whatever you do don't attempt to spread your misery and misguidance to our lands," he added.
"Ignorance" of Islam "causes the people of the West to rapturously applaud when Israel perpetrates wholesale slaughter of Muslims in Lebanon and Palestine," he added."Ignorance" of Islam "causes the people of the West to rapturously applaud when Israel perpetrates wholesale slaughter of Muslims in Lebanon and Palestine," he added.