Norwegian police have confirmed it was a bomb that caused the explosion in Oslo that tore open several government buildings injuring many and killing at least seven. Investigators believe the bombing was connected to a shooting spree at the Labor Party's youth camp which occurred shortly after the bombing.

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Officials in Oslo will not speculate as to whether these seemingly coordinated attacks are related to Islamic extremism, but recent events in the Scandinavian country indicate they very well may be.

Earlier this month Norwegian terror charges were filed against the former leader of terrorist organization Ansar al-Islam for threatening Norwegian politicians with death if he is deported from Norway.

These charges center on statements that Mullah Krekar made at a June 2010 news conference. The Iraqi-born cleric said that if he's deported to Iraq and is killed there, Norwegian officials would meet the same fate. According to prosecutors, such statements violate Norwegian terror laws. (source)

Krekar has also appeared on American television spouting his pro-Islamic terrorism beliefs. In 2009 on NBC's The Wanted, he stated that the American people deserved the September 11, 2001 attacks and that he condoned suicide bombings against Americans in Iraq. Ansar al-Islam, the organization Krekar founded, is suspected in numerous suicide bombings against coalition forces in Iraq.

Worldwide media stories on today's attacks are also mentioning that Norway has been grappling with what's being called "a homegrown terror plot linked to al-Qaida". Three men were arrested in Oslo last year on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks. At the time, Norway’s security service chief said, "We believe this group has had links to people abroad who can be linked to al Qaeda, and to people who are involved in investigations in other countries, among others the United States and Britain." (source)

Given these recent events and the large influx of new Oslo residents from Muslim countries (the number one name for newborn children in Oslo in 2010 was Mohammad), there will no doubt be plenty of speculation about a link between this tragic day in Norwegian history and Islamic terrorism.