Photo: DPA

Court allows suspected terrorist to name son 'Jihad'

Published: 2 Sep 09 10:47 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090902-21645.html

After a three-year legal battle, an Islamist under surveillance by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has been allowed to name his young son “Jihad,” daily Bild reported on Wednesday.

ADVERTISING
Berlin’s upper regional court recently ruled in favour of Reda Seyam's petition to name his son the Arabic word for “holy war,” spelled "Djehad" in German. The boy is now four years old after protracted legal wrangling that will be covered by taxpayer money, the paper reported.

Germany has strict naming laws, making it illegal for parents to name their children whatever they like. But according to the court, “Jihad” is a common Arabic name, making its association with radical Islamist terrorism irrelevant.

But according to the paper, this was exactly the sense in which the 49-year-old Egyptian-German father intended for the name to be interpreted.

The German intelligence agency believes that Seyam was a mastermind in the 2002 Bali bombing that killed 200. Meanwhile Munich public prosecutors recently accused him and seven of his followers of inciting young German converts to Islam to wage holy war.

After 15 years of marriage, his first wife sought refuge under Germany’s witness protection programme. He has six children with his second wife – for whom he earns some €2,300 in state welfare each month, the paper reported.

The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

#1
11:55 September 2, 2009 by jennieerin73
Who cares what he names his kid. Why is he still in the country, receiving aid no less?
Report abuse »
#2
16:35 September 2, 2009 by T Gonzaga
What a monstrous irony. An immigrant succored and sheltered by a Western democracy and living on its' public support. All the while, this medieval man lives on espousing hatred of his host, plotting against it and demeaning the mocern culture that has sheltered him. This phenomenon is reaching pandemic proportions in all our Western democracies. In fact, it is the underlying point of the American novel titled "Up Dog Street." The authors conclusion: Birthplace and heritage mean nothing. Nurture is everything. Either we foster assimilation or we will sow the seeds of democracy's destruction by pandering to men such as this one.
Report abuse »
#3
20:14 September 2, 2009 by ahmdsamir
I believe the man is innocent from any wrong doing unless a court say otherwise. Just because the Authorities are paranoid about every devout Muslim and shooting the word suspect at everybody doesn't make him a criminal.
Report abuse »
#4
07:49 September 3, 2009 by Immigrant09
Stop reporting nonsense! Those people should be ignored by the German and they'll disappeared. Stop digging after every person with "mental health problems" to turning him into a 'f' terrorist.
Report abuse »
#5
09:09 September 3, 2009 by LMB222
ahmdsamir, nobody said he was guilty - he's just suspected, hehe

But seriously, I pity the situation you're in. Not your fault, but what can you do other than quit the 'religion of peace' and change your first name?

Also, have you failed to notice that most Europeans would never name their kid Jesus, Crusade, or similar?
Report abuse »
#6
16:47 September 4, 2009 by Brugge
Are you two joking? A suspected terrorist leader is naming his son jihad and you can only accuse people of racism when they find something wrong with that? First off, what do you think he plans to do with a son named that? Clearly, the man is linked some way with terrorist activities, is publicly known as this, and naming his son that, how do you think he is going to raise him? There will simply be another terrorist to follow his father. Second, I am sure tired of your one issue nonsense, whenever a muslim commits crimes the only thing your group does is defend islam and immigrants, because obviously theres no connection between immigrants and islam and terrorism and crime (right?) instead of admitting that whoever is doing the crime (terrorist, firebomber) needs to come to justice.
Report abuse »
#7
16:50 September 4, 2009 by Deccie
The poor kid, boy will he get teased in school.
Report abuse »
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
For comment quoting and other advanced formatting features,
try posting via this article's discussion forum page instead.
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Match-fixing ring rocks European football

Some 200 football matches in nine European countries including at least three Champions League games may have manipulated in a huge match-fixing scandal, German prosecutors said on Friday. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Photo: a screenshot of taz.de

Editorial feud erects artistic six-metre penis

In a massive escalation of a long-standing editorial feud, the newspaper Die Tageszeitung has unveiled an artwork depicting the naked editor-in-chief of its right-wing rival Bild sporting a six-metre penis up the façade of its headquarters. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Disabled woman fired for eating pâté meant for patients

A disabled Hannover woman working at a nursing home has been fired after 18 years on the job for eating pâté intended for patients, daily Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reported on Friday. READ (16 COMMENTS) »

A file photo of Hitler in 1925 at an NSDAP meeting in Bavaria. Photo: DPA

France finds lost spy file on young Hitler

Secret French intelligence service documents on the young Adolf Hitler have surfaced in the country’s national archives, daily Le Monde reported on Friday. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Von der Leyen moots expanded child subsidy for poor families

German Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen has proposed expanding a monthly child subsidy for low income parents, daily Passauer Neue Presse reported on Friday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Defence minister expects Karzai to take action

NATO countries expect "more than just words" from Afghan President Hamid Karzai after he promised to combat corruption, German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said Thursday. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Springlike highs expected for weekend

Anyone planning a weekend outing will enjoy sunshine and springlike temperatures in the coming days as a high pressure system moves over the Alps and into central Germany, the DWD weather service reported on Friday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Chestnut tree kills pedestrian

A 47-year-old Frankfurt woman died late on Thursday after a chestnut tree suddenly fell and crushed her, police reported. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

More Society
More popular articles »
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Born amid Cold War rivalry yet loved by children on both sides of the Iron Curtain, Germany’s bedtime TV character the Sandman celebrates his 50th birthday this weekend

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Sponsored Links
Jobs in Germany, in English

579 jobs in Germany, in English
323 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden
Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline
Noticeboard
SHOW ALL NOTICES »
Toytown Germany
FULL INDEX »
JOB: Account Executive Global Brand Team
Edelman, the worlds largest privately owned PR agency, is looking for a native English speaking Account Executive (m/f) for the Global Team in Hamburg (starting in January 2010)
FULL JOB DETAILS
Food and drink gift baskets
We offer a wide range of exquisite and unique hampers, elegantly decorated for all occasions. Our service is first class and allows you to send personalised baskets to your loved ones across Europe.
FIND OUT MORE
Snappy summary of the week's best stories
The newsletter is sent out every Friday with an easily swallowed digest of the week's happenings allowing you to pepper your conversations with nuggets of news about the issues of the hour.
SIGN UP HERE>>>
Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>
Sales manager - Berlin
The Local is seeking a talented and experienced media sales professional for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS
Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
Editorial intern - Berlin
The Local needs an editorial intern at its office in Berlin starting in January
FULL JOB DETAILS

The Local Europe GmbH
Linienstrasse 214
10119 Berlin
Germany