Extremist name a 'medallion' for radical preacher

Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary said he viewed being called an extremist or fanatic as a "medallion" during lectures, a trial has heard.

Mr Choudary is alleged to have taken a role in directing banned terrorist network Al-Muhajiroun (ALM), his trial at Woolwich Crown Court has heard.

He is on trial alongside Khaled Hussein, 29, from Edmonton in Canada, who is charged with being a member of a banned organisation.

Both men deny the charges.

On Friday, prosecutor Tom Little KC continued opening the prosecution’s case.

Jurors heard that Mr Choudary was regularly giving online lectures to a group in America called the Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS).

Prosecutors allege that Mr Choudary directed the terrorist organisation for a significant period of time from 2014 onwards, and encouraged support for the group by addressing online meetings of the Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS).

Jurors have heard that the New York-based ITS and ALM were "one and the same".

On Monday, Tom Little KC read extracts from a lecture by Mr Choudary given on 12 June, 2022.

Mr Choudary said: "You can never do enough Dawah [teaching of Islamic faith] my dear brothers.

"And it's the best of the best, the highest form of good for commanding good against evil is jihad in the path of Allah, and there's nothing better than that."

Mr Choudary also said those who do not support mujahideen do not have "enough conviction in Allah".

He told viewers: "You know the more attacks you have, as our beloved Sheikh, may Allah bless him, used to say, it's a medallion on my chest.

"'What do you want to call me? Bye, bye, OK, another medallion. Extremist? Another one. Fanatic, OK. All of these they will carry on with their judgments'.

"I'm the one they call fanatic for your sake Allah. This is good. We attack for the sake of Allah because this is Sunnat Allah [way of god]."

In another lecture a week later, he said: "Like Allah said in the Koran: 'And prepare against them whatever you can of power and of steeds of war'".

"And terrorising the enemy is what - the reason - is the reason why you prepare steeds of war. The ruling is that it is a duty because Allah says as much as you can."

The 57-year-old also said indulging in "evils" such as alcohol, drugs and pornography should lead to "punishment".

Also on trial is Khaled Hussein, 29, from Canada, who prosecutors say was a "follower and dedicated supporter" of Mr Choudary.

He has pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM while Mr Choudary denies directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

The trial continues.