# Terror attack soon? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 2, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239 "2006-09-02T21:05:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/1 "2006-09-02T21:05:03Z")
I’ve heard that Islamic terrorists are supposed to give ‘fair warning’ before an attack. Not, it seems, that many do; but I’ve heard that under Allah’s Rules of Engagement you’re not supposed to attack until your enemy has been given an opportunity to convert. [From here](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11497264/): > [@](#): > > CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida’s deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri issued a new videotape Saturday along with a man identified as an American member of the terror network, inviting Americans to convert to Islam. So is there something big in the offing? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/2 "2006-09-02T21:10:12Z")
Does it matter? An attack will either happen or it won’t. Nothing the average citizen can do to prevent it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/3 "2006-09-02T21:11:03Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] Does it matter? [/QUOTE] Not really. Just wondering. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/4 "2006-09-02T23:38:56Z")
From 9/11 to the present, I think the best you can do is to be far enough away from an occurrence so that you can say’…what was that?’. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/5 "2006-09-03T02:14:51Z")
Sorry, won’t convert. Don’t think white robes and turbans are really my style, you see. Apologies to my fellow countrymen if this brings on an attack. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/6 "2006-09-03T19:09:15Z")
I feel pretty sure that Yahweh and Al’lah are the same entity, so I’m covered. I’m cool with Al’lah, it’s some of his followers that worry me. Can I get a “amen” from the peaceful Muslims? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/7 "2006-09-03T19:27:25Z")
I’ll go to my grave as a polytheist. Hell looks way more fun, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/8 "2006-09-03T21:40:47Z")
We won’t even convert to metric and they really think we’ll all convert to Islam? ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/9 "2006-09-03T21:48:18Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] I’ve heard that Islamic terrorists are supposed to give ‘fair warning’ before an attack. Not, it seems, that many do; but I’ve heard that under Allah’s Rules of Engagement you’re not supposed to attack until your enemy has been given an opportunity to convert. [/QUOTE] Not to sound ignorant, but where did you get this from? Are there sects out there with an interpretation of the Koran stating this? ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/10 "2006-09-03T22:43:23Z")
There are enough fundamentalist wackos out there that I’m sure some would gladly give warning, and others would not. I think it says something about the opposition that they think the whole country could or would convert, though. Hell, we can’t even get the entire country to VOTE one way or another… ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/11 "2006-09-03T22:49:37Z")
We are currently at [Threat Level Orange](http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=29). Got duct tape? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/12 "2006-09-03T22:50:25Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] I’ve heard that Islamic terrorists are supposed to give ‘fair warning’ before an attack. [/QUOTE] Where did you hear this? 9/11, Bali, Madrid, and London says they don’t. I love that, though: “Convert to The Truth or we will bomb the shit out of you.” Dudes need better PR. And possibly a better argument. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/13 "2006-09-03T22:59:26Z")
If push came to shove, and things were looking grim, who do you think would prevail in a fight, islamic fundies or christian fundies? Will tickets be sold? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/14 "2006-09-03T22:59:41Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I love that, though: “Convert to The Truth or we will bomb the shit out of you.” Dudes need better PR. And possibly a better argument. [/QUOTE] Why? It’s working out brilliantly for the Coalition of the Willing in Baghdad. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/15 "2006-09-03T23:04:54Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I love that, though: “Convert to The Truth or we will bomb the shit out of you.” [/QUOTE] To paraphrase a comment in another thread, “Do you really believe that stuff, dummy?” One must wonder why they did that. Surely they don’t believe folks will convert. Are they trying to frighten or insult? Are the cultures so different that it makes sense to them and seems silly to us? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/16 "2006-09-03T23:08:33Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Where did you hear this? 9/11, Bali, Madrid, and London says they don’t. [/QUOTE] CNN said that enemies must be given a chance to convert and thus avoid attack on a show about bin Laden. NBC or CNN mentioned it today. Reminds me of the Spanish 500 years ago. ‘Convert to Christianity or we’ll kill you.’ (Never mind the Central American aboriginals didn’t speak Spanish.) ---
**Author:** ![Goodling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@Goodling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goodling)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/17 "2006-09-03T23:22:29Z")
There was also a CNN special called “In the footsteps of Binladen” where it was revealed that alot of Bin Laden’s supporters were upset with the 9/11 attacks simply because they hadn’t given anyone a chance to convert before slaying them. Soon afterwards Bin Laden released a tape offering America and their allies to convert to Islam. My instinct after hearing this latest offering of conversion was also one of “somethings commin soon” and I’m sure the world intelligence agencies are listening closely. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/18 "2006-09-03T23:39:34Z")
SO before they blow up Shiites with a suicide bomb, do they offer conversion to their sect? DO Palestinians ask Israelis to convert? I think its BS on the news guys part, from ignorance or an effort to sell ad time. ---
**Author:** ![cookeze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@cookeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cookeze)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/19 "2006-09-04T03:02:48Z")
I’ll convert if I can get an advance on those 72 virgins. Hell—skip the virgin part. Slightly used is alright with me. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239/20 "2006-09-04T05:57:11Z")
Imagine the scene on September 11, 2001: Mohammed Atta: “In the name of Allah, we have seized control of this plane and will use it as our weapon of vengeance aginst the infidel!” Passenger 1: “Wow, I’m really impressed by your faith. You know what? Count me in! La ilaha illa-llahu; muḥammadun rasulu-llahi!” Atta: “What did you just say?” Passenger: “I just made the declaration of faith - there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah. I’ve converted to Islam.” Atta: “Oh, heck … Waleed, get up here.” Waleed al-Shehri: “What’s the problem, Mohammed? Are these infidels giving you trouble?” Atta: “That guy there just said the Shahadah.” Shehri: “What?.. Can he do that?” Atta: “Well he just did.” Shehri: “So now what do we do?” Atta: “I don’t know - this wasn’t in the plan. I mean the whole idea was to win converts but we didn’t think it was going to happen right in the middle of everything.” Shehri: “Does it make a difference?” Atta: “Yes, Mr Never-paid-enough-attention-in-Jihad-class, it makes a big difference. We’re only suppose to kill infidels not Muslims.” Shehri: “Maybe we can let him go.” Atta: “Let. Him. Go. Allah give me strength. Have you noticed, you idiot, that we’re in a plane? And do you remember we’ve got an ‘appointment’ to make? How exactly are we going to ‘let him go’?” Shehri: “Maybe somebody’s got a parachute.” Atta: “Oh, that’s a brilliant idea! Why don’t you ask?” Shehri: “HEY EVERYBODY! ANYONE HAVE A PARACHUTE SO WE CAN LET THIS GUY GO?” Atta: “Has anybody ever explained the concept of sarcasm to you?” Passenger 2: “Hey, if you’re letting people go, I want to convert to Islam!” Passenger 3: “Me too!” Passenger 4: “Count me in!” Atta: “Oh, great, now you’ve got all of them doing it. Good job. Maybe you should go found a mission in first class.” Shehri: “We’re never going to find this many parachutes.” Atta: “Just shut up, I’m trying to think…Okay, there’s only one thing to do. We’re going to have to call off the plan. We’ll give the plane back to the pilots and fly to Los Angeles like we were supposed to. Then I’ll call Kabul and see what they want us to do next.” Shehri: “Osama’s going to be so pissed.” Atta: “No kidding. I’ll be sure to mention your ‘let him go’ idea.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-attack-soon/371239.md?page=2)