Philip Sherwell and Alex Spillius of the London Telegraph report:
Hasan, the sole suspect in the massacre of 13 fellow US soldiers in Texas, attended the controversial Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Great Falls, Virginia, in 2001 at the same time as two of the September 11 terrorists, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt. His mother's funeral was held there in May that year.
The preacher at the time was Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni scholar who was banned from addressing a meeting in London by video link in August because he is accused of supporting attacks on British troops and backing terrorist organisations.
Hasan's eyes "lit up" when he mentioned his deep respect for al-Awlaki's teachings, according to a fellow Muslim officer at the Fort Hood base in Texas, the scene of Thursday's horrific shooting spree.
But obviously, it would jumping to conclusions to infer that Islam had anything to do with his attack.
A thought experiment:
Someone who attended a church led by a preacher who was known for his verbal attacks on abortion providers bombs an abortion clinic. Two other members of the congregation previously bombed abortion clinics. Would the media be downplaying the bomber's connection to the church and preacher?
Hat tip: Ed Lasky
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