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| Terror Networks & Islam |
| Zawahiri video shows al-Qaeda's isolation |
| 2005-06-20 |
| The latest video message by al-Qaeda number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, indicates that the international terror network finds itself in a situation of isolation, according to Islamic terrorist experts. The video was broadcast last Friday on the al-Jazeera satellite network. According to the journalist in whose programme the video message was broadcast, Faysal Qasim, the words of the Egyptian doctor indicate clearly the present difficulties and isolation of al-Qaeda in relation to the reformist movements in the Arab world "because it is the only one which excludes a priori the use of the democratic vote." Muntasir Ziya, an Egyptian expert in Islamist movements, concurs, noting that the Arab secular movements in general appear to be trying to isolate Islamist political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood. In his speech, al-Zawahiri outlined his organisations conception of "reformism" as opposed to that of the Americans, saying "any reform must be based on three fundamental principles: 1) that the government is based on Islamic Sharia law 2) the lands of Islam must be free and until their occupation is over, no reform can be accepted while they are occupied and their governments take orders from the US embassies in those countries 3) nations are free to administer their own affairs based on the Sharia law and on the principle of organising the good and forbidding the evil." A further condition for any reform is "the elimination of the current leaders of Islamic countries." From this basis, the new 'reformist' ideology of al-Qaeda excludes a priori any instruments of change other than those of the Jihad or Holy War. "The way of the Jihad is the only one to be followed to introduce reforms in the interests of the Islamic nation," al-Zawahiri continued. "I want to repeat that the departure of the 'crusader' troops from our countries will not be achieved with pacifist demonstrations." "There will be no reforms if not with battle, on the way of Allah. Allah said: fight them until all religion will be for Allah," he added. In the message, al-Zawahiri strongly attacked the Pakistani, Saudi and Egyptian governments. He also criticised the violations of womens rights at the demonstrations for the reform of the Egyptian constitution. Female activists protesting against the nature of the constitutional referendum on 25 May, and several female reporters covering the event, were molested by ruling party supporters. Furthermore, the al-Qaeda number two warns the Palestinian people about what he calls "attempts to involve them in the 'elections game' which has the scope of removing Sharia law from the Palestinian Authority." The previous video of al-Zawahiri was broadcast on 20 February. In that message he attacked what he referred to as "the reforms on which the US are working and which they want to impose in the region". It is not the first time that al-Zawahiri attacks the American concept of reform and freedom, and on other occasions he has also verbally threatened the governments of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |