More on the Liege Attack

Nordine Amrani


(Hat tip to American Power)

The below is an amateur video taken in the immediate aftermath of the attack in Liege this week. It comes from The Telegraph.





Here is an update from Le Figaro (in French).

http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2011/12/14/01003-20111214ARTFIG00227-cinq-morts-dont-un-bebe-dans-une-fusillade-a-liege.php

Without translating the entire article, it describes the discovery of a cleaning lady's body at Amrani's residence. It is believed that he lured her into his residence and killed her before proceeding to St Lambert Square. An autopsy was being conducted to determine if she had been raped. The article also describes how Amrani took up a position above a bakery facing the square by which a Christmas market was set up. He began firing randomly at those on the square with a Kalachnikov before throwing three hand grenades. The article also stated that Amrani was dressed in a combat unifom. A journalist who witnessed the attack stated that (Amrani) was alone, seemed in control, and intended to kill as many people as possible.

Let's face it. The question everyone is asking is whether there was any radical religious motivation for this attack because the killer was assumed to be a Muslim. The Belgian government, within hours, stated that this was an isolated incident not connected to terrorism. In some quarters, they are being criticized for rushing to judgement in favor of political correctness. This may or may not be a fair criticism.

The below article in The Mail (UK) has extensive photo coverage. One person who knew Amrani stated that he was not Muslim. (Amrani was born in Belgium of Moroccan parentage.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073578/Nordine-Amrani-Inside-home-crazed-Liege-killer-launched-Belgium-grenade-attack.html

The question is being asked whether there was an Islamic motivation behind the shooter's actions. The killer, Nordine Amrani, was a Belgian citizen of Moroccan descent. His name (Nordine) apparently means, "light of the religion". As stated, the Mail article quotes someone who knew him that he was not Muslim.

Here is what we know.

Amrani was a criminal who had been sentenced in 2008 to 58 months in prison for possession of weapons and cannibis. He was released early. On the day of the shooting, he had been summoned for questioning on sex-crime activities. He was a gun aficionado and felt that he was being victimized by the legal system.

Prior to going to the scene of the attack, he murdered a house cleaner at his residence.

To date, there are four victims killed including a baby. One-hundred and twenty-two persons were wounded. Six are in grave condition. Belgian authorities believe Amrani took his own life.

The attack was carried out in front of the courthouse on St. Lambert Square, which was packed with Christmas shoppers.  

There were rumors of a prison break at the time of some gang of robbers who were on trial. The courthouse was also the scene of  the trial of a  Pakistani family on trial for an honor-killing. A Pakistani newspaper had published a report that there was a connection. This has not been substantiated. It would appear that none of this was related.

Is this an incident that should blamed on Islam? It all goes to what was in the killer's mind. Assuming he was acting on his own, it all goes to his motive and his thinking. If he was simply mad about his legal situation in Belgium, that's one thing. Without smearing all Moroccans, there is definitely an issue of crime in Europe being carried out by Moroccans that may or may not have anything to do with religion. If this is simply a criminal who snapped, then the Moroccan community will have to deal with the backlash, unfortunately. If, on the other hand, he was heard saying anything about, "Allahu Akbar" (of which I have seen nothing indicating) while he was carrying out his act, then the backlash will affect the entire Muslim community in Belgium. At this point, we don't even know if Amrani was a Muslim or not. It may not be fair, but the Belgian authorities have a responsibilty to put the whole truth out there. The Belgian public has every right to know about any threats they may be facing. At the same time, it seems premature to attach this act to any religion.