Ministry of Fear

The Navy and Air Force chaplains' service Web sites direct those who want to learn more about Islam to www.islamworld.net, deeming it "rich in information about the Islamic faith" and a good "introduction for non-Muslims." But critics point out that the site promotes material from radical Muslim jihadists, including two Saudis who have been identified as Osama bin Laden's spiritual advisers. The site also includes links to material in praise of imprisoned Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel Rahman, contending "he was framed for the [1993] World Trade Center bombing and sentenced by a Jewish judge for life in solitary confinement." Pentagon officials refused to answer questions about the site.