Top cleric sparks anger over 'bin Laden innocent' claim

One of Australia’s leading Islamic clerics says he does not believe Osama bin Laden directed the September 11 2001 terrorist strikes against America or that Muslims were involved in either that attack or last week’s London bombings.

“I dispute any evil action linked to bin Laden. I don’t believe that even September 11 … was done by any Muslim at all, or any other activities,” said Sheikh Mohammed Omran, echoing a point of view that has gained wide currency in the Islamic world since the attacks.