Cleric told boys reward for martyrdom was 72 virgins in paradise, court hears

A Muslim cleric accused of preaching the murder of "unbelievers" told his male followers that the reward for religious martyrdom would be 72 virgins in paradise, the Old Bailey was told yesterday.

Abdullah al-Faisal urged an audience including children and teenage boys to adopt a "jihad mentality" and undergo military training to fulfil their responsibility to kill Jews, Hindus and Westerners, the court was told. The 39-year-old cleric allegedly made the comments during one of a series of meetings advertised as study circles, which were held across Britain over four years.

The jury watched a video recording of Mr Faisal after the 11 September attacks telling up to 150 young Muslims that the Koran justified the terrorising of "kaffirs", or unbelievers. He said: "When there is a legitimate target, you strike at it. If women and children die, they become collateral damage. Is it permissible to drop bombs on a kaffir nation, even if Muslims live there? It is permissible and the Muslims become martyrs."

The court was told that Mr Faisal, who was born in Jamaica and lived in Stratford, east London, wanted all boys aged 15 or over to receive military training in the school holidays. Explaining how fighting for Islam was a state of grace, the preacher said: "Even if you are hit by a cruise missile, the pain will feel like that of a mosquito bite." The compensation for death would be the right to "eat from the fruits of paradise" and the company of 72 virgins.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Faisal, a convert to Islam who studied in Saudi Arabia, repeatedly preached racial intolerance and murder at the meetings, which were then recorded on to video and audio cassettes.

The preacher is alleged to have distributed copies of eight of his speeches, carrying titles including Them Versus Us and No Peace with the Jews, to 15 specialist Islamic bookshops.

Mr Faisal denies five counts of soliciting murder and two charges of inciting racial hatred using insulting language. He also pleads not guilty to possessing and distributing illegal recordings. The cleric claims his teachings are taken directly from the Koran. The trial continues.