U.S. Muslim group blasts bin Laden video

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A Washington-based U.S. Muslim advocacy group Tuesday condemned a new video in which Osama bin Laden praises a Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist.

Posted on Islamic Web sites, the video does not show bin Laden but has a still photo of the al-Qaida founder and about 14 minutes of bin Laden purportedly talking about one of the hijackers.

Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the hijackings and the suicide airliner attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington six years ago.

"The despicable actions of the 9/11 hijackers should be repudiated by all Muslims, not praised as examples to follow," a statement from the Council on American-Islamic Relations said. "There can be no moral, ethical or religious justification for such cowardly attacks on innocent civilians. CAIR joins with Americans of all faiths in mourning the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and asks that we all use today's anniversary to enhance our efforts to repudiate religious extremism and to promote mutual understanding."

The organization pointed out that it condemned the 2001 attacks within hours.

CAIR says it is the largest U.S. Muslim civil rights group, with 33 offices and affiliates in the United States and Canada.