Adam Gadahn

A new videotape has surfaced featuring Osama bin Laden’s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and an American member of al Qaeda wanted by the FBI, according to a counterterrorism expert.

The tape, called “Invitation to Islam,” runs 48 minutes, expert Laura Mansfield said. Al-Zawahiri speaks for about 4 minutes on the tape, and the American narrates the rest.

Californian Adam Gadahn, wearing a white robe and turban, introduces the message by calling on Westerners to convert.

Gadahn says that even Americans working with President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are invited to embrace Islam, but they should hurry.

“We invite all Americans and believers to Islam, whatever their role and status in Bush and Blair’s world order,” Gadahn says. “Decide today, because today could be your last day.”

Mansfield, who is a writer and corporate adviser on the Middle East, Islam and terrorism, said the time reference could indicate an attack is near. Muslims believe that non-believers should be given a chance to convert before they are attacked, Mansfield said.

“This may well be a warning,” she said.

Mansfield makes a point relevent to Islamic studies. Bin Laden was twice criticised in radical Islamist circles for violating Sharia in his attacks on the West. Until Sheik Nasir bin Hamid al Fahd issued a fatwa authorizing the death of up to 10 million infidels — and Bin Laden also began to profer the requisite offer of an opportunity to convert to Islam — he was skirting the rules.

Not that it means much to his victims.