'Bomb' nut: I'm sorry
By PAUL THOMPSON
and SUN ONLINE REPORTER
A MUSLIM protester who dressed as a suicide bomber today apologised 'wholeheartedly' to the families of the July 7 bomb victims.
Omar Khayam, 22, claimed it was not his intention to cause offence.
But he said his protest was still valid because of the hurt caused to Muslims across the world following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman today said the Government would support the police if they decided to take action against any protesters over scenes outside the Danish Embassy in London on Friday and Saturday.
And Scotland Yard has set up a special squad to investigate if any offence has been committed.
Khayam said: "I found the pictures deeply offensive as a Muslim and I felt the Danish newspaper had been provocative and controversial, deeply offensive and insensitive.
"Just because we have the right of free speech and a free media, it does not mean we may say and do as we please and not take into account the effect it will have on others.
"But by me dressing the way I did, I did just that, exactly the same as the Danish newspaper, if not worse.
"My method of protest has offended many people, especially the families of the victims of the July bombings.
"This was not my intention.
"What happened in July was a tragedy and un-Islamic.
"I do not condone these murderous acts, do not support terrorism or extremism and would like to apologise unreservedly and wholeheartedly to the families of the victims.
"I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me to protest in this way."
Asked if he would carry out a similar protest again, he replied: "No, I would not do it again, it has caused offence to a lot of people.
"I did not want to provoke any violence, it was just to make a point."
Khayam last night came forward to admit he was the "fake terrorist" pictured with a band of twisted extremists in London.
And he vowed yesterday: "I would be prepared to wear that jacket again."
The call for police to arrest him and other chanting yobs at the demo came from all quarters.
Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "It is time the police acted."
Khayam, a building student from Bedford, told the Sun last night: "I’ve done nothing wrong."
Amazingly, he added: "I wasn’t trying to appear like a terrorist at all.
"Yes I was on the protest but I didn’t even carry any placards or shout any slogans.
"I can’t believe all the attention that I’ve received as I didn’t consider it such a big thing.
"I admit that it may have appeared in a bit of a military style and a bit provocative but that’s not illegal in this country."
Khayam was even condemned by one of the organisers of the demos, the Hizb ut-Tahrir group.
Taji Mustafa said: "The image of a man dressed as a suicide bomber is not one we support."
Asgaqr Bukhari, chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, said: "All the placards and chants were disgraceful."
thesun.co.uk
By PAUL THOMPSON
and SUN ONLINE REPORTER
A MUSLIM protester who dressed as a suicide bomber today apologised 'wholeheartedly' to the families of the July 7 bomb victims.
Omar Khayam, 22, claimed it was not his intention to cause offence.
But he said his protest was still valid because of the hurt caused to Muslims across the world following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman today said the Government would support the police if they decided to take action against any protesters over scenes outside the Danish Embassy in London on Friday and Saturday.
And Scotland Yard has set up a special squad to investigate if any offence has been committed.
Khayam said: "I found the pictures deeply offensive as a Muslim and I felt the Danish newspaper had been provocative and controversial, deeply offensive and insensitive.
"Just because we have the right of free speech and a free media, it does not mean we may say and do as we please and not take into account the effect it will have on others.
"But by me dressing the way I did, I did just that, exactly the same as the Danish newspaper, if not worse.
"My method of protest has offended many people, especially the families of the victims of the July bombings.
"This was not my intention.
"What happened in July was a tragedy and un-Islamic.
"I do not condone these murderous acts, do not support terrorism or extremism and would like to apologise unreservedly and wholeheartedly to the families of the victims.
"I understand it was wrong, unjustified and insensitive of me to protest in this way."
Asked if he would carry out a similar protest again, he replied: "No, I would not do it again, it has caused offence to a lot of people.
"I did not want to provoke any violence, it was just to make a point."
Khayam last night came forward to admit he was the "fake terrorist" pictured with a band of twisted extremists in London.
And he vowed yesterday: "I would be prepared to wear that jacket again."
The call for police to arrest him and other chanting yobs at the demo came from all quarters.
Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "It is time the police acted."
Khayam, a building student from Bedford, told the Sun last night: "I’ve done nothing wrong."
Amazingly, he added: "I wasn’t trying to appear like a terrorist at all.
"Yes I was on the protest but I didn’t even carry any placards or shout any slogans.
"I can’t believe all the attention that I’ve received as I didn’t consider it such a big thing.
"I admit that it may have appeared in a bit of a military style and a bit provocative but that’s not illegal in this country."
Khayam was even condemned by one of the organisers of the demos, the Hizb ut-Tahrir group.
Taji Mustafa said: "The image of a man dressed as a suicide bomber is not one we support."
Asgaqr Bukhari, chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, said: "All the placards and chants were disgraceful."
thesun.co.uk
