Following terrorist threats that forced the cancellation of this year's Dakar Rally, race organizers ASO went searching the world for alternative locations. They settled on South America, with plans to hold additional events in Central Europe. However, if the geopolitical situation changes, Dakar could be back in Africa by 2012. ASO chief Patrice Clerc has expressed his desire to bring the event back to its roots. In order for the Dakar Rally to return to Dakar, however, the threats made against the event, its spectators and participants by local cells of al-Qaeda would need to have been eliminated, which sounds ominous for whoever made the threats. [Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ZeitgeistXIII @ Mar 27th 2008 4:09PM
It is a shame that Allah forbids the use of trucks, cycles and buggies in the desert since that often leads to all sorts of horrible things happening like people smiling, earning a living, and being shown that the whole world does not think that Africa is being consumed by fanatics with their own interpertation of holy law and no tolerance for anything different. I feel sorry for the locals who have looked forward to it and been very hospitable to participants and spectators alike since it is they who will lose out the most. They have no recourse and its not like al-Qaeda will offer any financial help or assitance other than a promise based in afterlife rewards for allowing families to fuel a hollow ji-had with their own children.
Good Luck Dakar group, my Walter Mitty dreams still revolve around exploring North Africa on my own Cagiva Elefant and learning about what was once a very noble and educated part of the world that valued diversity and progressive thinking.
Ahmad @ Mar 27th 2008 4:59PM
We're allowed to use cars and modern technology. Seriously, don't be so closed minded
ZeitgeistXIII @ Mar 27th 2008 5:24PM
Ummmm that first part was a sarcastic jab at the fact that al-Qaeda sees it self as the voice of Islam. I dont see al-Qaeda as true represenatives of the Muslim world. I think if you re-read the whole thing you would get that.
Of course I could be wrong.
Kaptain75329 @ Mar 27th 2008 6:01PM
ZeitgeistXIII - You can't reason with unreasonable people. Seriously, how reasonable is it for Ahmed to get upset because you're taking issue with al-Qaeda's twisted lunacy?
Ahmed - The original post clearly called out "fanatics" as being the problem. No where in there is an indictment of *all* Muslims to be found. I'll never understand what it is with people who claim al-Qaeda and other like-minded freaks don't speak for all Muslims, but then still feel compelled to cry publicly about being insulted when someone points out just how much these monsters are hated. If al-Qaeda doesn't represent you, then what does it matter to you when someone rightfully highlights the painfully obvious? You should be joining the condemnation, not defending yourself and other normal Muslims from an attack that never took place. It's this mentality that makes it so hard for the rest of us to give a damn about what upsets you. We're upset about innocent people being murdered while you whine about a stereotype that, frankly, has an arguably good reason to exist in the first place.
ugg.tryptophan @ Mar 27th 2008 7:45PM
stupid terrorists, where will i be able to drive my bowler wildcat now?
jgp @ Mar 28th 2008 12:32PM
I'd like to kill every Wahabbist on the planet.