Omar Bakri Muhammad and The Hits: Difference between pages

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{{Mergeto|4Music|date=August 2008}}
'''Omar Bakri Muhammad''' ({{lang-ar|'''عمر بکری محمد'''}}; born '''Omar Bakri Fostock''' in 1958 in [[Syria]]) is an [[Islamist]] militant leader and activist. He was instrumental in developing [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]] into a major organization in the [[United Kingdom]] before leaving the group and heading another Islamist organisation, [[Al-Muhajiroun]], until its disbandment in 2004.
{{otheruses4|the TV channel|other uses|The Hits (disambiguation) }}
{{Infobox TV channel|
name = The Hits|
logosize = 132px|
logofile = Thehits.png|
logoalt = The Hits logo|
launch = October 30, 2002|
closed date = August 15, 2008|
replaced by names=[[4Music]]|
share = 0.3%|
share as of = February 2008|
share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/monthreports.cfm?report=monthgmulti]|
slogan = "Such a good feeling"|
owner = '''[[Box Television]]'''<br />([[Bauer Verlagsgruppe|Bauer Group]]/[[Channel 4]])|
web = [http://www.thehits-tv.co.uk/ www.thehits-tv.co.uk]|
availability note = <br />(at time of closure)|
terr serv 1 = [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]|
terr chan 1 = Channel 18|
sat serv 1 = [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]]|
sat chan 1 = Channel 360|
cable serv 1 = [[Virgin Media]]|
cable chan 1 = Channel 330|
cable serv 2 = [[UPC Ireland]]|
cable chan 2 = Channel 716|
|}}
'''The Hits''' was a [[music video]] [[Television channel|channel]] in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Republic of Ireland]] owned by [[Box Television]].


== Overview and availability ==
Often quoted, for many years Bakri was a well known public Islamic radical in [[London]], vowing in December 2004, for example, that Muslims would give the West "a 9/11, day after day after day," if Western governments did not change their policies.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/international/europe/10qaeda.html?_r=1&ex=1171342800&en=9e77274863ef7360&ei=5070&oref=slogin For a Decade, London Thrived as a Busy Crossroads of Terror By ELAINE SCIOLINO and DON VAN NATTA Jr., July 10, 2005 ]</ref> He has been described both as "closely linked to [[al-Qaeda]]"<ref name=SPIRITUAL>[http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/05/27/time.alqaeda/ Al-Qaeda now] CNN</ref> — he released prepared statements from [[Osama bin Laden]] after the [[1998 United States embassy bombings]]<ref>Ronson, Jon, ''Them: Adventures With Extremists'', Simon and Schuster, 2002, p.61</ref> — but also as the "Tottenham Ayatollah," who was "long been regarded as little more than a loudmouth." <ref name=Tottenham>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article547466.ece Terror links of the Tottenham Ayatollah. July 24, 2005]</ref>
The channel showcased a range of [[popular music|pop]] centering on chart hits and current favourites. Originally, the vast majority of music videos were selected by viewers by means of calling a premium rate telephone number, however the policy was abandoned with the channel playing an [[automated]] selection of videos and [[countdown]] shows presented by celebrities and singers past and present. Programming was often themed to coincide with events such as St. Patrick's Day and Christmas.


The channel was available free-to-air on the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Digital terrestrial television]] service [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] on channel 18. It was the only pure music video channel operating on the [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] platform ([[TMF UK|TMF]] - a channel owned by chief competitor [[MTV Networks Europe|MTV]] - and [[E4 (channel)|E4]] broadcast music videos for only a portion of their schedule). It was also shown on [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]], channel 360, but is encrypted, so that only Sky subscribers can view it. The Hits was also available on [[Virgin Media]], channel 330, and is included in the basic (TV Size: M) package. It was also be seen through the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]].
In 2005, following the [[7 July 2005 London bombings]] [[the Times]] reported that "a dozen members" of his group [[Al-Muhajiroun]] "have taken part in suicide bombings or have become close to Al-Qaeda and its support network." <ref name=Tottenham/> Shortly after, he left the UK, where he had sheltered for 20 years, for [[Lebanon]]. While there he was informed by the [[Home Office]] that he would not be allowed back into the UK.<ref name="stayout">[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/12/uk.security/index.html Britain bars freed cleric Bakri], [[CNN]], [[21 July]] [[2006]]</ref>


==Programmes on The Hits==
==Biography==
When The Hits was being broardcast The Hits had different programmes.
===Early life and education===


===Different Programs on The Hits===
Bakri was born into an orthodox and wealthy family in the ancient Islamic city of [[al-Halab]]
[[87-07]] is a series of programmes where a song is played from each of the years from 1987 to 2007. There was a more up to date version called [[88-08]] which is the same as 87-07 except it goes from 1988 to 2008. There were different collections of songs depending on different things that the songs had in common, an exsample of 87-07 is [[Cheesy Pop 87-07]] which includes the songs [[Never Gonna Give You Up]], [[Saturday Night (Whigfield song) ]] and [[C'est La Vie (B*Witched song)]] which are all commonly known as "cheesy pop songs".
([[Aleppo]]) [[Syria]]. According to Jon Ronson his family had "chauffeurs and servants and palaces in Syria, Turkey and Beirut." <ref>Ronson, ''Them'', (2002), p.20</ref>


Another type of programme on the hits is where one hundred songs are played usually counting down to a song that is featured as a "number one". This varys from "100 Forgotten Gems of the Ninties" to "The Nation's Favourate Love Songs."
From the age of five he was enrolled in the [[al-Kutaab]] Islamic boarding schools where he studied the Qur'anic Sciences, Hadith, Fiqh, and Seerah, etc.<ref name=OTAIBI>[http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?search=1&articleid=23622 Al-Muhajiroun in the UK: An Interview with Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed] The Jamestown Foundation</ref>
During his early adulthood Bakri continued his studies through [[Musahaba]] (companionship) with numerous noteworthy and respected ‘Ulema of Ash-Shaam studying Usul al-Fiqh, Al-I’jaaz, Arabic Language, I’lm al-Khataba, I’lm al-Tassawuf, Fiqh and Ilm as-Seerah.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}


Sometimes there was a programme in the style of the above except there were fifty or in other cases twenty songs featured in the programme.
Later, Bakri joined the [[Shari’ah Institute]] at [[Damascus University]] where he then studied Fiqh and Shari’ah. {{Fact|date=July 2008}}


[[The Hits Chart]] used to be played at around 17:15 some days. The Hits Chart was simply a countdown of the biggest songs of the day.
Bakri joined the Syrian branch of the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] as a young man but did not participate in their [[Hama massacre|1982 Hama revolt]] against the Syrian [[Ba'ath Party]] and the government of [[Hafez al-Assad]].<ref name=OTAIBI/>


==2008 Replacement==
When he completed his studies, obtaining a BA in Shari’ah and Usul al-Fiqh.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} In 1977 he left Syria, where he was wanted for being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and moved to [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]]<ref name=OTAIBI/> where he began his studies in Shari’ah. Bakri obtained his MA in Fiqh ul-Madhaahib from the [[Imaam Uzaie University]], [[Lebanon]]. {{Fact|date=July 2008}}
[[Image:4music.png|thumb|'''4Music''' Logo]]
On 20 February 2008, it was announced that The Hits was to be replaced by '''4Music''' later in the year, and a trial period broadcast on Sundays under the '''4Music''' banner was broadcast on Sunday evenings during the spring.<ref> [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a89838/the-hits-to-be-renamed-4music.html Digital Spy] </ref> In June 2008 it was further announced that this replacement was to take place during the [[V Festival]] weekend on August 15th.<ref> http://www.brandrepublic.com/MediaWeek/News/822297/C4-set-launch-music-channel/ Media Week - C4 set to launch music channel.]</ref> The replaced station will show predominantly music videos, alongside live performances and [[Channel 4]] programming like [[Star Stories]] and [[The Sunday Night Project]], as well as documentaries about artists.<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a112422/the-hits-will-become-4music-in-august.html|title=The Hits will become 4Music in August|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|accessdate=2008-07-18}}</ref>


In recent weeks before the rebrand, 4Music had began airing teaser trailers for the channel as part of its extensive promotion of the rebrand, airing such quotes as "Get on all fours and we'll cover you with music," "With all the cunning of a squirrel, and the power of ten wolves... 4Music: the new channel from 4 & "Let us lick your mind... 4Music: the new channel from 4." During T4 On The Beach, one of the three stages was named, the 4Music stage, along in the concert programs, it has an ad which says, "Do You Party?...4Music...the new channel from 4." The website now redirects to 4Music's Website.
In 1979 he left Lebanon and moved to [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] where he studied at [[Al-Azhar University]] for six months. He left Al-Azhar before he could get a degree due to disagreements with his teachers.<ref name=OTAIBI/>


For more information on '''4Music''' see [[4Music]]
In December 1979 he moved to [[Saudi Arabia]], where he joined the [[Madrassah Al-Saltiyyah]] studying<ref name=OTAIBI/> and completing a Diploma in Jami’ Al-Qur’an. At this time he also completed a thesis entitled, ‘Nizaam al-Khilafahfil Islaam’.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}


==The Hits Last Shut Down==
Throughout his life, Bakri states that he joined many Islamic movements including Muslim Students, Ebad ul-Rahman, al-Ikhwan (al-Tali’ah section),{{Fact|date=July 2008}} and [[Hizb ut Tahrir]]. According to an interview with "Jamestown Special Correspondent" Mahan Abedin, Omar Bakri joined Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) in Beirut and maintained contacts with it in Cairo, and started an HT cells in Saudi Arabia" where "by 1983 I had built a team of 38 brothers." However, when he learned that "HT leaders in Kuwait were reluctant to form or organize any activities in Saudi Arabia," where HT was banned, it came as "a huge shock" and led to his suspension from the party. "Therefore on March 3, 1983 — the 59th anniversary of the destruction of the Ottoman Caliphate — I launched a separate organization [in [[Jeddah]]] with the help of these 38 brothers and called it Al-Muhajiroun."{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
The Hits ceased broadcasting music videos on Friday 15 August 2008 at just after 6:00am, The last video played on The Hits was '[[Thank You For The Music]]' by [[ABBA]]{{Fact|date=August 2008}} before fading in to a [[promotion (marketing)|promo]] for 4Music. The last ''Hits Chart'' was broadcast on 13 August 2008 at 12:15pm and 5:15pm, with the number one video being "[[I Kissed a Girl]]" by [[Katy Perry]].{{Fact|date=August 2008}}


== Ofcom controversy ==
In 1984 the Saudi Arabian government arrested Bakri in Jeddah, but released him on bail. The government arrested him again in December 1985 in [[Riyadh]].{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
In November 2007, [[Ofcom]] found The Hits had breached broadcast licence for failing to retain copies of its programming. Two viewers had complained questioning the authenticity of some of the winning entries on text-in quiz programme Win Win TV, broadcast overnight on June 26.


The broadcaster was unable to provide Ofcom with a review copy of the programme in question because of "problems with its logging system". Condition 11 of a Television Licensable Content Service license requires the broadcaster to keep recordings of all output for 60 days after transmission, providing Ofcom with any material on request.
===In United Kingdom===
Bakri moved to the [[United Kingdom]] on [[January 14]], [[1986]].<ref name=OTAIBI/> Later he travelled to the [[United States]] to study [[English language|English]] after which he traveled back to the [[United Kingdom]] to assume the leadership of [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]] and become their spiritual leader.


"Failure to supply these recordings is a serious and significant breach of the broadcaster's license," the regulator noted. "This [incident] will be held on record."<ref> [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a80154/the-hits-rapped-for-text-in-programme.html Digital Spy] </ref>
In the UK he worked for ten years helping to build up Hizb ut-Tahrir. In 1996 Bakri split with Hizb ut-Tahrir over disagreements on policy, style and methods, declaring Al-Muhajiroun an independent organisation<ref name=OTAIBI/> and continued as its Amir until 2003.


== The Hits Radio ==
He initially founded the group as a mainstream organisation supportive of international Islamist causes.{{Fact|date=August 2008}} The group did not directly associate itself with [[jihad]] movements.{{Fact|date=August 2008}}
{{main|The Hits Radio (UK)}}


In 2003, companion radio station '''The Hits Radio''' was launched.
After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] Bakri praised the attackers as "magnificent",<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4133150.stm Cleric Bakri 'will return' to UK] BBC News.</ref> and changed his leanings towards the theology and philosophy of [[Al Qaeda]]. Bakri then stated that he had become a [[Salafi]] Muslim.<ref name=OTAIBI/> Media outlets and British Muslims criticised him for his open support for various international [[jihad]]ist organisations.

On [[September 13]], [[2001]] Bakri told the ''[[Daily Mail]]'', "When I first heard about [the [[September 11]], [[2001]] attacks], there was some initial delight about such an attack. I received a phone call and said, 'Oh, wow, the United States has come under attack.' It was exciting."<ref>Ronson, ''Them'' (2002), p. 9-10</ref>

According to [[The Times]] newspaper, Bakri was left alone by British law prior to July 2005 despite actions such as a issuing a [[fatwa]] "containing a death threat against President [[Pervez Musharraf]] of [[Pakistan]]" because
<blockquote>Bakri, who acts as [al-Muhajiroun's] spiritual leader, insisted that his followers obey a “covenant of security” which, while encouraging terror abroad, forbade them from carrying out attacks in Britain.<ref name=Tottenham/></blockquote>
But "the authorities may have been lulled into a false sense of security," because the covenant was not permanent. <ref name=Tottenham/> In November 2004 Bakri disbanded [[Al-Muhajiroun]], saying that "all Muslims should unite together against a hostile West." Three months later Bakri said this “covenant of security” was no longer in force<ref name=Tottenham/> having been violated by the British government. {{Fact|date=August 2008}} "Experts note," according to the Times, that the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|July London bombings]] followed "four months later".<ref name=Tottenham/>

The same article reports "[[The Sunday Times]] has identified more than a dozen members of ALM who have taken part in suicide bombings or have become close to Al-Qaeda and its support network." Including Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan "a computer expert now in a Pakistani prison", Zeeshan Siddiqui, from Hounslow, west London, Bilal Mohammed from Birmingham, and Asif Hanif.<ref name=Tottenham/>

Bakri has claimed an estimated £250,000 in state benefits since claiming asylum in Britain in 1986.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article588222.ece</ref>

====Students====
His main students were [[Khalid Kelly]], [[Anjem Choudary]], [[Sulayman Keeler]], [[Abu Izzadeen]],<ref name=STUDENTS>[http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=5393 UK Muslim fundamentalists to hold conference on 7/7 anniversary] Asharq Al-Awsat</ref> and [[Abu Uzair]], a trained civil engineer who leads or led the [[Savior Sect]].<ref name=AUZAIR>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1109334-3,00.html Generation Jihad] TIME Magazine</ref>

===Return to Mideast===
On [[August 6]], [[2005]] Bakri left the United Kingdom following stories that the UK Government were planning to investigate certain Muslim clerics under little-used [[treason]] laws. He was banned from returning by British [[Home Secretary]] [[Charles Clarke]] stating that Bakri's presence in Britain was "not conducive to the public good."<ref name=PUBLICGOOD>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4133150.stm Cleric Bakri 'will return' to UK] BBC News</ref> He subsequently took up residence in [[Lebanon]]. In July 2006 he tried to leave Lebanon on a Royal Navy vessel evacuating British citizens, but was turned away.<ref name=NAVY>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5201956.stm Britons escape Lebanon 'trauma'] BBC News</ref>

In 2005 Bakri made a televised appeal to the captors of [[Norman Kember]], a hostage in [[Iraq]]. After his speech Bakri said, "I appeal myself to them, you see, that to show guidance and mercy to any victim in their hand. But after that I can't myself guarantee anything except to tell you these people mean business."<ref name=KEMBER>[http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/08/ywt.01.html Rice's European tour; Attacks in Baghdad on the rise; Hostages in Iraq; Opposition gains power in Egyptian elections] CNN</ref>

Bakri has reaffirmed the [[fatwa]] on [[Salman Rushdie]], saying from Lebanon, "Rushdie will continue living his life in hiding. Any fatwa will stand until it is fulfilled. He is always going to be worried about a Muslim reaching him."<ref name=RUSHDIEFATWA>[http://www.johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=1002 Salman Rushdie: An interview] Johann Hari</ref><ref>''Them: Adventures with Extremism'', page 61</ref>

During an online question and answer session a Vigil member asked Bakri if Dublin Airport should be a terrorist target because U.S. troops transit there on the way to Iraq. Bakri told the member to "hit the target and hit it very hard. That issue should be understood. Your situation there is quite difficult therefore the answer lies in your question." He also said the [[7/7]] London bombers were in "[[paradise]]."<ref name=TARGET>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6143632.stm BBC news - ''Covert preaching of banned cleric'', [[November 14]], [[2006]]</ref>

On the [[July 27]], [[2007]] edition of [[Newsnight]], a special edition was entitled 'Battle for Islam' which Gavin Esler presented on the battle for the heart and soul of Islam <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm BBC NEWS | Help | Welcome to Video and Audio from BBC News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Omar Bakri featured live from Lebanon alongside [[Reza Aslan]] in Los Angeles, [[Benazir Bhutto]] in the studio in London with [[Maryam Namazie]].

Currently he heads the Atibaa’ [[Ahl us-Sunnah wal Jama’ah]] movement.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

===Family===
Bakri is, or was, married to Hanah and has six children<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1736666.ece Poles Apart by Nick Parker, 26 Sept 2008]</ref>, the oldest three being Yasmin, Mohammed and Abdul.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1062375/Revealed-Radical-cleric-Bakris-pole-dancer-daughter.html Revealed: Radical cleric Bakri's pole-dancer daughter, 27th September 2008]</ref>

Bakri, in his article, 'Omar Bakri Muhammad responds to media attack on family'<ref>http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=16646</ref>, states that ''"The truth is that my family comprises of six children (three males and three daughters); Muhammad (30 years old, married with 2 children); Yussra (27 years old, married with 3 children); Abdul Rahman (21 years old, married); Rukan (18 years old, married with no children); Rayah tul Islam (13 years old) and Bilal (10 years old)."''

==Controversy and alleged ties to terrorism==
British newspapers have called him the "Tottenham Ayatollah",<ref name=KIDNAPPLOT>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/04/nterr104.xml Ex-UK cleric 'inspired plot to kidnap soldier'] The Daily Telegraph</ref> while former [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Member of Parliament#United Kingdom|MP]] [[Rupert Allason]] described him as a "terrorist who believes in planting bombs and blowing up women and children in [[Israel]]."<ref>''Them: Adventures With Extremists'', page 33</ref> Despite being vilified in the media,<ref>[http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nL21141139&from=business Attacks on UK will continue, radical cleric says] Reuters. "Bakri, a Syrian-born cleric who has been vilified in Britain since 2001"</ref> Roland Jacquard, an expert on Islamic terrorism, said that "every al-Qaeda operative recently arrested or identified in Europe had come into contact with Bakri at some time or other."<ref name=SPIRITUAL/>

===Internet broadcasts===
In January 2005 ''The Times'' monitored live, 90-minute internet lectures from Bakri in a chatroom in which he told listeners, "I believe the whole of Britain has become [[Dar al-Harb]] (land of war). The [[kuffar]] (non-believer) has no sanctity for their own life or property." He said Muslims should join the jihad "wherever you are" and told a woman she was allowed to do a suicide bombing. In another broadcast he said, "Al-Qaeda and all its branches and organizations of the world, that is the victorious group and they have the [[emir]] and you are obliged to join. There is no need... to mess about." Two days later, in another broadcast, he said that dead mujaheedin "are calling you and shouting to you from far distant places: al jihad, al jihad. They say to you my dear Muslim brothers, 'Where is your weapon, where is your weapon?' Come on to the jihad."<ref name=DARALHARB>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article413387.ece Britain's online imam declares war as he calls young to jihad] The Times</ref>

[[Andrew Dismore]], a Labour MP, said, "With these words he may well be committing offences under [[Terrorism Act 2006|the Terrorism Act]] and other legislation. I will be raising this immediately with the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police."<ref name=DARALHARB/>

====Comments on terrorist attacks====
Commenting on the [[September 11]], [[2001]] attacks, [[The Times]] claims he said "I am very happy today. As much as I regret the innocent people who passed away, with the USA you must pay." on his website.<ref name=MADRID>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article413387.ece?token=null&offset=12 Britain's online imam declares war as he calls young to jihad] The Times Online</ref> The [[The Gazette (Montreal)|Montreal Gazette]] however claims that he said in an interview "If Islamists did it—and most likely it is Islamists, because of the nature of what happened—then they have fully misunderstood the teachings of Islam. ... Even the most radical of us have condemned this. I am always considered to be a radical in the Islamic world and even I condemn it."<ref>[http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/shaykh_omar_bakri_leader_of_al_muhajirun_condemns_9_11_attack/ Shaykh Omar Bakri, leader of al-Muhajirun Condemns 9/11 Attack]</ref> There may not be a contradiction, depending on the interpretations of the statements.

Bakri, discussing the [[2004 Madrid train bombings]], is alleged by [[The Times]] to have said, "What happened in Madrid is all revenge. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life."<ref name=MADRID/>

===Financing of "mujahideen"===
On [[October 24]], [[2006]] British anti-terror police stopped Omar Bakri's son, [[Abdul Rahman Fostok]], at [[Heathrow Airport]], and seized £13,000 that he intended to deliver to Bakri in Lebanon. The money was held under the [[Proceeds of Crime Act]], pending an investigation, but Fostok was allowed to board his flight.<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1583412006 "Police seize £13,000 from son of exiled Muslim cleric"] ''The Scotsman'' [[26 October]] [[2006]]</ref> Responding to this, Bakri said,
<blockquote>"I am not expecting any problem with the money but if I do not get it there will be trouble. I will take action because it is my property. God says you must do all in your power to get something back if it is taken from you - even if it costs you your life. They will be playing with fire."<ref>[http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowStory.asp?story=WU2530421O&news_headline=omar_bakri_vows_to_retrieve_confiscated_cash "Omar Bakri vows to retrieve confiscated cash"] ''Life Style Extra'' [[25 October]] [[2006]]</ref></blockquote>
Bakri claims that the money is a gift, but it has been reported that Bakri told followers on the Paltalk website in June 2006 that if they wanted to send him money for the financing of "[[mujahideen]]" they should do so through his son Fostok, who "keeps [a] low profile." He posted Fostok's cell phone number and invited them to call him directly.<ref name=LOWPROFILE>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006490565,00.html Bakri boy link to web hate fund] The Sun, [[26 October]] [[2006]]</ref>

===Kidnapping plot===
{{main|31 January 2007 Birmingham raid}}
On [[31 January]] [[2007]] British police [[31 January 2007 Birmingham raid|arrested nine suspected terrorists]] who were allegedly planning to kidnap, torture, and behead a British Muslim in the army, all of which would be videotaped and later broadcast on the internet. The soldier had served in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]], but had returned home to Britain on temporary leave. On [[4 February]] secret recordings of Bakri Muhammad emerged in which he calls for the attack. Bakri told listeners,
<blockquote>"When you meet [Westerners], slice their own necks. And when you make the blood spill all over, and the enemy becomes so tired, now start to take from them prisoners. Then free them or exchange them until the war is finished. Verily they remind the [[sunnah]] of removing the head of the enemy. They remind the sunnah of slaughtering the enemy. They remind the sunnah of how to strike the neck of the enemy. We saw him in his brother's house. They removed the head of the enemy. Use the sword and remove the head of the enemy."<ref name=KIDNAPPLOT/></blockquote>

He previously called for a kidnapping-terrorist attack in 2005. In another incident he said he hoped someone would "capture British Muslims who are in the Army over there."<ref name=KIDNAPPLOT/> He has said that a [[Beslan school hostage crisis|Beslan-style attack]] is alright if children are not deliberately killed.<ref name=BESLANSTYLE>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4190999.stm Cleric denies UK al-Qaeda claims] BBC News</ref>

===''Them: Adventures With Extremists''===
{{main|Them: Adventures With Extremists}}
British journalist [[Jon Ronson]]'s ''"[[Them: Adventures With Extremists]]"'', a documentary and book published in 2001, depicts Ronson's interactions with Bakri.

Ronson depicts Bakri as a charasmatic orator who calls for the black flag of Islam to fly over 10 Downing Street, the stoning of fornicators, and closing of pubs before a cheering crowd of 5000. <ref>Ronson, Jon, ''Them: Adventures With Extremists'', Simon and Schuster, 2002, page 20</ref> He tells Ronson, "I cannot take a day off, an hour off, even a minute off. I will take time off when I am with Allah, when I die in the battlefield and become a martyr."<ref>Ronson, ''Them'', (2002), p.47</ref>

But he also describes Bakri as living in a semi-detached council house, enjoying watching Disney's [[Lion King]] video, being unable to hold a fish caught on a fishing line, and calling himself "actually very nice." <ref>Ronson, ''Them'', (2002), p.23, 49</ref>

In a phone call after the 9/11 attack on the evening of his arrest and release without charge, Bakri tells Ronson, <blockquote>"Oh Jon, I need you more than ever now. You know I am harmless, don't you? You know I am just a clown. You know I am laughable, don't you? ... Why don't people believe you when you tell them that I am just a harmless clown?"<ref>Ronson, ''Them'', (2002), p. 10</ref></blockquote>

===Arrest in Lebanon===
Future Television interviewed Bakri on [[August 11]], [[2005]]. Bakri said he did not have ties to Al Qaeda, calling it a "media creation" and said he did not intend to return to Britain. Bakri told Future Television, "I left Britain on my own accord though I have not been accused of anything there or in Lebanon... but the London attacks are the reason I have returned." According to Future Television reporter and editor Salman Sarieddine, Lebanese police arrested Bakri "as soon as he left the building after the interview. The General Security was waiting for him outside and took him away in the car. They hadn't seen the interview, and we were not warned beforehand that this could happen." Police later said the arrest was "a routine arrest to determine his reasons for being in Lebanon." Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi later said Bakri was arrested as a "precautionary measure."<ref name=FUTURETV>[http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2005%20News%20Archives/August/12%20%20n/Omar%20Bakri%20Detained%20in%20Lebanon.htm Omar Bakri detained in Lebanon] Al Jazeerah</ref>

British Ambassador to Lebanon James Watt said, "We made no request for his arrest, nor for his extradition. As far as I am concerned, this is a very simple story — it is a Lebanese citizen who returned to Lebanon and has been arrested by the Lebanese police. We have nothing to do with it and it's not in our place to comment on what has happened."<ref name=FUTURETV/>

==Quotes and views==
===On killing and terrorism===
*(On the deaths of British servicemen in a Nimrod air accident in Afghanistan) "Allah has his own soldiers and I was so happy. I was just thanking Allah."<ref name=HAPPY>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006420093,00.html Bakri gloats over RAF deaths] The Sun</ref>
*"I condemn any killing and any bombing against any innocent people in Britain or abroad, but I expect the British people to condemn the killing of Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan."<ref name=ABROAD>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/050722/137/5zg1q.html INTERVIEW - Attacks on UK will continue, radical cleric says] Yahoo! News, India</ref>
*"But I think that would be political suicide for the British government if they started to deport and imprison all extremists and radicals, because if, god forbid, something happened again, they would have nobody left to blame."<ref name=ABROAD/>
*"Why I condemn Osama Bin Laden for? I condemn Tony Blair, I condemn George Bush. I would never condemn Osama Bin Laden or any Muslims."<ref name=QUOTES>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article546372.ece The sayings of Omar Bakri Mohammed] The Times Online</ref>
*"We don't make a distinction between civilians and non-civilians, innocents and non-innocents. Only between Muslims and unbelievers. And the life of an unbeliever has no value. It has no sanctity."<ref name=DISCTINCTIONS>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/19/1082326119414.html?from=storyrhs&oneclick=true Attack on London 'inevitable'] The Age</ref>
*"As long as the Iraqi did not deliberately kill women and children, and they were killed in the crossfire, that would be okay."<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22989-1702695,00.html The sayings of Omar Bakri Mohammed]. July 21, 2005</ref>
*"Islam prohibits Muslims from allowing themselves to become captives of nonbelievers."<ref>[http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=5594 Interview with the Controversial Omar Bakri Extremist Bakri] Ashraq al-Awsat, 11/07/2006</ref>
*"[[Juhayman al-Otaibi]] was a great man. He led a serious uprising against the House of al-[[Saud]]. In the end the Saudi authorities could not defeat Juhaiman and his men; therefore they brought in the Jordanians and the French."<ref name=OTAIBI/>

===On Israel===
*"We are talking about a cancer in the heart of the Muslim world. It must be eradicated and removed"<ref name=QUOTES/>

===On attempts to return to UK===
On trying to get back to Britain during the bombing of Lebanon
*"They said 'sorry, the only people who will be in the boat are those who have British citizenship and those who've got British passports.'"<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5202018.stm Banned cleric bids to flee Beirut] BBC News, 21 July 2006</ref>
*"I know controversy surrounds all the news about me, I am myself accepting my destiny. But I have the right like anybody else to look for safety."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060721/wl_uk_afp/mideastconflictevacuationbritainbakri</ref>
*"What concerns me is my safety. I'd be happy with a month's visa but this morning they told me I couldn't because I'm not a British citizen any more."<ref name=EXILE>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006330629,00.html Exiled Bakri in SOS plea] The Sun</ref>

===On [[Paul McCartney]]===
* "If he values his life, Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel," Bakri was quoted as saying. "He will not be safe there. The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him."


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.thehits-tv.co.uk The Hits]
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://www.obmonline.net Official website]
* [http://www.channel4.com/music/ontv/0-9/4musicsundays.html 4Music Sundays]
*[http://obmonline.wordpress.com New Official website]
* [http://4music.channel4.com 4Music]
*[http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=BBh4g5YBscg Tottenham Ayatollah Revisited]
* [http://www.myspace.com/4musictv 4Music on Myspace]
*[http://www.abuhamza.org.uk Omar Bakri Muhammad]: Videos
* '''[http://thehits.wikia.com The Hits Wiki]'''
*[http://www.salafimanhaj.com/pdf/SalafiManhaj_BakriAppeal Bakri calls for his British residency status to be given back!]
*[http://thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=901 "Them"]: ''[[This American Life]]'' radio programme featuring journalist [[Jon Ronson]]'s account of the time he spent with Omar Bakri Muhammad.
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,24393-2281367,00.html Angry Omar sees the Light. (Rod Liddle - Times Online)]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4133150.stm Treason threat cleric 'leaves UK']
*[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/105/22.0.html There can be no end to jihad] an interview with Omar Bakri Muhammad (''Christianity Today'' article)
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22989-1733144,00.html The Times (London) - 'Preacher of hate' is banned from Britain]
*[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006330629,00.html The Sun (London) - ''Exiled Bakri in SOS plea'']
*[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006420093,00.html The Sun (London) - 'Bakri gloats over RAF deaths']


{{Bauer Verlagsgruppe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammad, Omar Bakri}}
{{Channel 4}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British Islamists]]
[[Category:Terrorism in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Alleged al-Qaeda facilitators]]
[[Category:Alleged al-Qaeda recruiters]]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hits, The}}
[[de:Omar Bakri Mohammed]]
[[Category:Bauer television channels]]
[[fa:عمر بکری محمد]]
[[Category:Television channels in the United Kingdom]]
[[fr:Omar Bakri Muhammad]]
[[no:Omar Bakri Mohammad]]
[[Category:Music video networks]]
[[Category:Defunct British television channels]]

Revision as of 21:05, 10 October 2008

This article is about the TV channel. For other uses, see The Hits (disambiguation).
The Hits
Ownership
OwnerBox Television
(Bauer Group/Channel 4)

The Hits was a music video channel in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland owned by Box Television.

Overview and availability

The channel showcased a range of pop centering on chart hits and current favourites. Originally, the vast majority of music videos were selected by viewers by means of calling a premium rate telephone number, however the policy was abandoned with the channel playing an automated selection of videos and countdown shows presented by celebrities and singers past and present. Programming was often themed to coincide with events such as St. Patrick's Day and Christmas.

The channel was available free-to-air on the British Digital terrestrial television service Freeview on channel 18. It was the only pure music video channel operating on the Freeview platform (TMF - a channel owned by chief competitor MTV - and E4 broadcast music videos for only a portion of their schedule). It was also shown on Sky Digital, channel 360, but is encrypted, so that only Sky subscribers can view it. The Hits was also available on Virgin Media, channel 330, and is included in the basic (TV Size: M) package. It was also be seen through the British Forces Broadcasting Service.

Programmes on The Hits

When The Hits was being broardcast The Hits had different programmes.

Different Programs on The Hits

87-07 is a series of programmes where a song is played from each of the years from 1987 to 2007. There was a more up to date version called 88-08 which is the same as 87-07 except it goes from 1988 to 2008. There were different collections of songs depending on different things that the songs had in common, an exsample of 87-07 is Cheesy Pop 87-07 which includes the songs Never Gonna Give You Up, Saturday Night (Whigfield song) and C'est La Vie (B*Witched song) which are all commonly known as "cheesy pop songs".

Another type of programme on the hits is where one hundred songs are played usually counting down to a song that is featured as a "number one". This varys from "100 Forgotten Gems of the Ninties" to "The Nation's Favourate Love Songs."

Sometimes there was a programme in the style of the above except there were fifty or in other cases twenty songs featured in the programme.

The Hits Chart used to be played at around 17:15 some days. The Hits Chart was simply a countdown of the biggest songs of the day.

2008 Replacement

File:4music.png
4Music Logo

On 20 February 2008, it was announced that The Hits was to be replaced by 4Music later in the year, and a trial period broadcast on Sundays under the 4Music banner was broadcast on Sunday evenings during the spring.[1] In June 2008 it was further announced that this replacement was to take place during the V Festival weekend on August 15th.[2] The replaced station will show predominantly music videos, alongside live performances and Channel 4 programming like Star Stories and The Sunday Night Project, as well as documentaries about artists.[3]

In recent weeks before the rebrand, 4Music had began airing teaser trailers for the channel as part of its extensive promotion of the rebrand, airing such quotes as "Get on all fours and we'll cover you with music," "With all the cunning of a squirrel, and the power of ten wolves... 4Music: the new channel from 4 & "Let us lick your mind... 4Music: the new channel from 4." During T4 On The Beach, one of the three stages was named, the 4Music stage, along in the concert programs, it has an ad which says, "Do You Party?...4Music...the new channel from 4." The website now redirects to 4Music's Website.

For more information on 4Music see 4Music

The Hits Last Shut Down

The Hits ceased broadcasting music videos on Friday 15 August 2008 at just after 6:00am, The last video played on The Hits was 'Thank You For The Music' by ABBA[citation needed] before fading in to a promo for 4Music. The last Hits Chart was broadcast on 13 August 2008 at 12:15pm and 5:15pm, with the number one video being "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry.[citation needed]

Ofcom controversy

In November 2007, Ofcom found The Hits had breached broadcast licence for failing to retain copies of its programming. Two viewers had complained questioning the authenticity of some of the winning entries on text-in quiz programme Win Win TV, broadcast overnight on June 26.

The broadcaster was unable to provide Ofcom with a review copy of the programme in question because of "problems with its logging system". Condition 11 of a Television Licensable Content Service license requires the broadcaster to keep recordings of all output for 60 days after transmission, providing Ofcom with any material on request.

"Failure to supply these recordings is a serious and significant breach of the broadcaster's license," the regulator noted. "This [incident] will be held on record."[4]

The Hits Radio

Main article: The Hits Radio (UK)

In 2003, companion radio station The Hits Radio was launched.

References

  1. ^ Digital Spy
  2. ^ http://www.brandrepublic.com/MediaWeek/News/822297/C4-set-launch-music-channel/ Media Week - C4 set to launch music channel.]
  3. ^ "The Hits will become 4Music in August". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  4. ^ Digital Spy

External links

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