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Dr. Rafiq Sabir and Tarik Shah — are they terrorists or just jazz aficionados? The New York Times alleges anti-Muslim bias in their arrest, but the FBI says "the two men were recorded by a government informer swearing a formal loyalty oath to Al Qaeda."
Among the secretly recorded conversations, the complaint said, were ones in which Mr. Shah said that he would like to learn about "chemical stuff" and "explosives and firearms," and told an undercover F.B.I. agent posing as a recruiter for Al Qaeda that he had trained Muslim fighters.
Gawker Terror Watch operatives have acquired copies of the Feds' tapes — read the stunning and terrifying transcripts after the jump.
SHAH: So... we swore the Al Qaeda loyalty oath, pledged eternal allegiance to Sheikh Osama bin Laden, anything else on the agenda?
SABIR: I think that's about it.
SHAH: Good. I have to practice.
SABIR: I think we can wrap up, then.
FBI INFORMANT: Uh, before we go, do you guys wanna maybe plan some terrorist plots?
SHAH: Yeah, we probably should.
SABIR: All right, but can we make it quick? I got a thing.
FBI: Anything you've been wanting to blow up for a while?
SABIR: God, how about that damn "Sculpture For Living" — am I right?
SHAH: Oh, it's so ugly!
SABIR: Totally ruins the feel of the whole neighborhood.
SHAH: I actually agree with Paul Goldberger on this one.
FBI: Good, good. Anything else?
SHAH: I've been plotting to inflame the Today Show/Good Morning America rivalry in my spare time.
SABIR: The coming Couric/Sawyer Wars will destroy the complacent mornings of the infidels!
SHAH: Death to America!
SABIR: The Great Satan will cower behind doorways at the sound of our clickety stiletto heels of righteousness! -AP
Anti-Muslim Bias Seen in Charges Against Man Linked to Al Qaeda [NYT]
