Believe me you really wouldn’t want to sit next to this man.
Yes today we reported on ABU ABDUL BARI, nicknamed “JABBA THE HUT”.
Mr Bari weighs in at 40 stone so he’d probably need a whole row of seats – but then again as allegedly he’s an ISIS hate preacher, he’d more likely be a major threat to the safety of the flight.
And even if he wasn’t it’s highly unlikely that he’d prove to be an engaging travelling companion likely to get involved in idle chit chat or be free with a witty joke.
And offering to buy you a drink is a definite “no-no”!
Well it seems that this wonderful warm human being has just been arrested by Iraqi security forces.
His 40-stone bulk proved too much for vehicles originally sent to pick him up so he had to be loaded onto a special pick-up truck.
Apparently he’s almost totally immobile and can’t even stand on his own two feet, so clearly has no chance of outrunning the law, or anyone else for that matter.
Given his colossal size it seems incredible that he was able to find a bolt hole large enough in which to hide.
Nevertheless if found guilty of the long list of fatwas he’s accused of issuing against a number of scholars and clerics, he now faces the death sentence, although hanging him might prove to be a problem.
In the second hour, I was joined by Margaret Mills for her monthly “BOOK CLUB” feature.
Margaret’s choice this month was “Erebus: The Story of a Ship” by Michael Palin.
This book concerns the ill-fated Arctic expedition led by Captain Sir John Franklin which left England in 1845 but disappeared.
The wreck of “EREBUS” was only located in 2014 and that of the second ship, “TERROR” which had sailed with “EREBUS”, two years later.
Much of Michael Palin’s book is therefore conjecture, but what did Margaret make of it?
Listen again here to Margaret’s views: –
If you are interested to read the book for yourself here are the details: –
Erebus: The Story of a Ship by Michael Palin is published by Cornerstone (£20). To order a copy for £17.20 go to guardianbookshop.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min. p&p of £1.99.
See you again tomorrow,
Scott
