An imam who encouraged his congregation to join Islamic State told worshippers that martyrdom was better than school or college, a court was told.
Kamran Sabir Hussain, 40, told up to 15 children and about 25 adults that the right-wing English Defence League and Britain First were funded by the government to insult and attack Muslims.
Mr Hussain was recorded by an undercover officer delivering 17 separate sermons at a mosque in Stoke-on-Trent aimed at recruiting for Isis, the Old Bailey was told. He is alleged to have said that martyrdom was the “supreme success”, greater than achievements at school or college.
He is said to have added that those who died fighting for Allah had nothing to fear as they would be in paradise. He told a congregation: “Stand up and be ready to sacrifice, be ready to stand in the face of the elements of shaytan [Satan], be ready to spill blood and have your blood spilt.”
“Much of the context of Mr Hussain’s sermons was unobjectionable,” Sarah Whitehouse, QC, for the prosecution, said. “Some of the sermons, however . . . moved into support and encouragement to those carrying out acts of terrorism.”
In March last year Mr Hussain posted a “chilling message” in which he said that the “Khilafah” — a reference to Isis — was “knocking on your door”. He denies two charges of encouraging support for Isis and six of encouraging acts of terrorism. The trial continues.