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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/07/cheshire-florist-stephen-leyland-photo-isis-magazine-rumiyah
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Cheshire florist's photo in Isis magazine calling for death to westerners | Cheshire florist's photo in Isis magazine calling for death to westerners |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Cheshire florist has said he is not scared after his photograph appeared in an Islamic State propaganda magazine as an example of a potential target for terrorists. | |
Stephen Leyland, 64, became the unlikely target of death threats, despite “not knowing any jihadis”, after a photograph showing him smiling in front of his flower stall found its way into the magazine Rumiyah. | Stephen Leyland, 64, became the unlikely target of death threats, despite “not knowing any jihadis”, after a photograph showing him smiling in front of his flower stall found its way into the magazine Rumiyah. |
It featured alongside a caption urging the extremist group’s supporters to take “even the blood of a merry Crusader citizen selling flowers to passersby”. | It featured alongside a caption urging the extremist group’s supporters to take “even the blood of a merry Crusader citizen selling flowers to passersby”. |
The photograph was taken from the florist’s business website. He said his appearance in the magazine came as “a bit of a shock”. | The photograph was taken from the florist’s business website. He said his appearance in the magazine came as “a bit of a shock”. |
Leyland describes himself as “The Flower Man” and an “old fashioned market trader” on his website. | |
Leyland told the Times: “When I was first contacted I thought it was a wind-up. I really don’t know what to do. | |
“I’m not scared but I am concerned that the photo is in this magazine. I don’t know any jihadis.” | |
Leyland was interviewed by counter-terrorism police on Tuesday about the incident. | Leyland was interviewed by counter-terrorism police on Tuesday about the incident. |
The 38-page magazine incites violence in the west and even describes children playing in parks and old men buying lunch as “fair game”. | The 38-page magazine incites violence in the west and even describes children playing in parks and old men buying lunch as “fair game”. |
The magazine says: “Even the blood of the kafir street vendor selling flowers to those passing by is halal to shed – and striking terror into the hearts of all disbelievers is a Muslim’s duty.” | The magazine says: “Even the blood of the kafir street vendor selling flowers to those passing by is halal to shed – and striking terror into the hearts of all disbelievers is a Muslim’s duty.” |