ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: A few enterprising businessmen in Islamabad market are capitalising on the media image of Osama-bin-Laden, following the September 11 attack on World Towers and Pentagon and America’s “War on Terrorism”.

T-shirts, that sell for Rs100 to Rs200 are now fetching more than Rs300 to Rs500, if Osama’s portrait is printed on it.

“Osama T-shirts are popular among the youth and foreigners who take it as a souvenir,” a vendor in Super Market said.

T-shirts carry messages of Osama along with the picture, such as “Osama: Mujahid of Islam,” “Jihad is our mission,” “As a Muslim it is my aim to spread Islam throughout the world by love or power: Osama,” “Osama is a Muslim brother”,”Osama is one of us.”

Besides the shelves of most book stores are lined with books detailing the life of a man, who left a princely life in the kingdom of black gold to take on the “infidels” in the rugged mountains of the war torn country. They are among the best sellers.

“Since September 11, a number of books have been published in Urdu by different authors and they are selling like hot cakes,” a book seller said.

The books are priced between Rs100- Rs200. Books authored by foreign writers are available for as mush as Rs2,000.

Osama - an Arabic word meaning “Lion” - has become a household name since September 11.

Both loved and hated throughout the world, many mothers have even named their new born sons after him.

Despite western media’s obsession with Osama and branding him as the main accused of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the man on the street is still not convinced that he masterminded the attacks.

“If he is guilty, the US should present credible evidence against Osama,” student of a religious school in Aabpara said.

Political analysts view that electronic media has played a major role in portraying Osama as a hero despite scathing attacks on his links to terrorism.

“Since September 11, Osama has graced the cover of every newspaper, every magazine and news item on the electronic media.”

He is on the TV screen every day, the analyst said, media hype has made him a hero for those who believe in stories such as David and Goliath, even in modern times.