Al-Qaida came out swinging today in its first public message since the election of Barack Obama. In a video published on the internet, Al-Qaida second in command Ayman al-Zawahri racially insulted the new American president, calling him a traitor and puppet of whites.
He also reiterated that Al-Qaida would continue in its fundamentalist threats.
"America, the criminal, trespassing crusader, continues to be the same as ever, so we must continue to harm it in order for it to come to its senses," said Zawahiri.
Zawahiri called President-Elect Barack Obama a ‘house slave’ in Arabic, which was translated in English subtitles to ‘house negro,’ a racial epithet meant to convey slavery-era docility towards white masters.
Zawahiri also refers to Condileeza Rice and Colin Powell in the insult.
The video alleges Obama has turned on his roots: "You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian, in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America."
And in response to Obama’s assertion that he will focus on expanding efforts in Afghanistan, Zawahiri responds with brutal depravity. "Be aware that the dogs of Afghanistan have found the flesh of your soldiers to be delicious, so send thousands after thousands to them."
The message sets the tone that the change Obama represents to the American people is neglible to Al-Qaida, which will continue on its fundamentalist agenda.