A leading theorist of violent jihad has renounced terrorism. Sayyed Imam al-Sharif, better known as "Dr. Fadl," was a founding member of the Egyptian terrorist group Al Jihad, along with Ayman al-Zawahiri. Zawahiri would go on to found al-Qaida by merging Al Jihad with Osama bin Laden's group. One of the key ideological texts used by al-Qaida was a book written by Fadl in 1988, "Foundations of Preparation for Holy War," which claimed that jihad and fighting with nonbelievers is the natural state of Islam. And in 1994, al-Qaida published a massive and even more ruthless text by Fadl, "The Compendium of the Pursuit of Divine Knowledge." That book declares that the blood of infidels is legal and defines as infidels not only non-Muslims but any Muslims who disagree with al-Qaida's radical vision of Islam. Jailed in Yemen after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Dr. Fadl was extradited to Egypt, where he remains in prison. From jail, he has published a book of "Revisions," recanting his earlier views. In an interview with the Arabic daily newspaper "Al Hayat," Fadl now says Islam does not allow Muslims "to kill civilians, foreigners, and tourists or destroy property and commit aggression against the lives and property of those who are inviolable under the pretext of jihad. All of this is forbidden," Fadl said. What is behind Dr. Fadl's change of heart, and what does it mean for the future of al-Qaida?
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Added: Jun 19, 2008 |
| Category: News |
Author: VOAontheline |
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