UK troops' 'sweetheart' Cheryl Cole gets death threat from al-Qaida

London , Sun, 18 Sep 2011 ANI

London, Sept 18 (ANI): Pop icon Cheryl Cole has become a "prime target" for al-Qaida after she visited the British troops in Afghanistan recently.

According to UK-based radicals, the 28-year-old singer has put herself in danger and could now be targeted by the Jihadis.

"I find it completely outrageous that Cheryl Cole can go to Afghanistan and start praising the soldiers when thousands of innocent men, women and children are being slaughtered by the Americans and their allies," inflammatory cleric Anjem Choudary told Daily Star Sunday in an exclusive interview.

"A large percentage of the population has been murdered. Far from going over there and supporting the war effort she should be condemning what is taking place in Afghanistan," he said.

"She has put herself in great danger by being such a high-profile visitor to the region. The more she is seen as the sweetheart of the forces and the more she is involved in Afghanistan, the more she will create enemies among the Muslims. She will only have herself to blame for the repercussions on her own security," he added.

Choudary also said that the singer would only have herself to blame for the repercussions on her own security.

"Obviously as Muslims living here in Britain we have a covenant of security with regard to the life and sanctity of everyone. But not everyone abides by that as we have seen with 7/7 and as we see almost on a daily basis around the world," he said.

"It is incredibly foolish of her to go to Afghanistan in relation to her public profile," he added.

Choudary's associate Abu Saalihah also said that Cole was a legitimate target and has been warned on Muslims Against Crusades' (an Islamist group) website.

The Islamist group Muslims Against Crusades, who are close linked to Choudary, warned Cole on their website saying, "Cheryl Cole has made the disastrous decision to go to Afghanistan in a bid to support and boost the morale of British soldiers presently fighting Muslims in Afghanistan. In a bid to improve her own public image, she has put her security and life at risk, Muslims will view this as an action of aggression against Islam and Muslims."

"Oh Cheryl, you were used by Ashley Cole, you were used by Simon Cowell, don't be used by the tabloid press and British government for a war that has nothing to do with you," the statement read. (ANI)