Al-Qaeda's Droukdel seeks religious support for terrorism
2009-09-24
A recent online appeal for religious justification by AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel may signal a growing despair within the jihadist group.
By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 24/09/09
 [File] Analysts expect religious scholar Abu Mohamed Al Makdissi (pictured) to oppose the strategy of suicide attacks in Algeria. |
Terrorism experts and religious authorities in Algeria believe the leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is grasping for religious justification for his terrorist activities, after he sent a letter this week to the jihadist mufti Abu Mohamed Al Makdissi asking for "clarification" on these points.
"We ask that this correspondence may be the start of direct relations between us and that you might be kind enough to give your view on a number of ideas which merit clarification, so that you could put an end to any confusion. We pray that God might enlighten us through your wisdom," wrote AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel in a letter made public by those close to Al Makdissi after it was posted on their "Tribune of unity and jihad" website.
Terrorism analysts from Algerian daily Echorouk, which published the correspondence, believe it proves Droukdel's discomfort in admitting he has no religious justification for perpetrating acts of terrorism aside from al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The Echorouk analysts recalled how Al Makdissi declared suicide attacks, carried out in Iraq under the guidance of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to be illegal from a religious standpoint. They feel Al Makdissi will not support Droukdel in the matter of suicide attacks in Algeria.
The analysts postulate that the letter might also signal Droukdel's need to provide justification for the probable surrender of terrorists who have not yet responded to President Bouteflika's appeal to lay down their arms, as agreed in the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation.
Yet another possible motive for Droukdel to send this letter is to pull the rug out from under the feet of those supporting Hassan Hattab, the founder of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). Since turning himself in to the authorities, Hattab has been leading a campaign along with other founding members and former al-Qaeda leaders to convince terrorists to lay down their weapons. They have also succeeded in eliciting fatwas from key Salafist figures criticising Droukdel's activities. A meeting between Al Makdissi and Hattab may be in the works, and Droukdel's letter may be an effort to trump this meeting.
Hamid Y., an expert on Algerian terrorist organisations, believes the letter has other significance. "It's a further acknowledgment of the difficulties facing [Droukdel]… Proof can be found in the fact that Ramadan, traditionally known for the resurgence of terrorist activities, has been calmer since 1992. Terrorists are being driven back by security forces on one hand, and on the other, many among them have expressed the desire to lay down their weapons. Droukdel is more and more isolated, even among his leadership. This is why he's looking for a blessing from a moral authority, to reactivate the operation and recruit young terrorists."
Armed Islamist group expert Haitham R. said that Droukdel's letter is proof of his isolation. The government-led campaign to disarm terrorists has recruited many former GSPC terrorists, who still hold tremendous sway over AQIM members.
"What's more, Hattab's group is very active in mosques, working alongside families, and even on the internet. The withdrawal of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group from al-Qaeda was the last straw, and greatly weakened Droukdel, especially as he hasn't managed to penetrate other Maghreb countries, as he had wished," Haitham said.
Algeria's religious affairs ministry, in an analysis published by the El Oumma newspaper, believes that the waning influence of jihadists is due to several factors: the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, fatwas from the Ulemas and the growing influence of scientific Salafist and Sufi movements. According to the analysis, this trend is supported by the improvement in the security situation, particularly during the month of Ramadan, which has just ended with little violence to report.
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Bilal Posted 2009-10-02
Salam Alaikoum- I think his name is “Droudkal”, not “Droukdal”. –Thank you
Acharif Moulay Abdellah BOUSKRAOUI Posted 2009-10-03
Dear Muslims- Be united and teach the world that our religions is a symbol of tolerance, peace and love. Dear Muslims, avoid those who would teach you violence and who want your children, who could easily fall prey to the will of the false Islamists. Dear Muslims, Islam was never a symbol of violence; our prophet taught us that the Jews, Muslims and Christians are all descendents of Abraham and are brothers. Dear Muslims, above all else, do not forget that violence gives a bad image of Islam and our prophet. Dear Muslims, since when did God permit us to kill innocent people? It has never done so, since all religions teach love, tolerance and peace. Dear Muslims, follow my advice: Being a Muslims means being a symbol of wisdom and of seriousness and being a sower of love and peace. It does not mean being scandalous and sowing fear and giving a poor image of Islam. Dear Muslims, you come from the heart of a country of tolerance and of the Islam our prophet taught us, the country of Morocco. Morocco follows Islam since our guide, the Amir Elmouminine, is a descendant of Prophet Mohamed. As such, Morocco is the country that is most representative of Islam and of tolerance, wherein Jews, Christians and Muslims live in peace under the aegis of a wise king, His Majesty Mohamed VI, the descendent of the noblest of families on Earth. And, as all the descendants once lived in peace under the protection of our prophet and, afterward, the princely caliphs, so shall it be again. Dear Muslims, if you want to teach yourselves about Islam, the please address the state-approved muftis. As such, you will be sure that neither you, nor your children succumb to counsel of the terrorists.
hicham Posted 2009-10-05
To this regard, it must be noted that the principal role al-Qaeda had hoped the countries of the Maghreb would play was effectively to recruit young adults, train them and send them to what are known as “jihad points”, e.g., Afghanistan, Iraq and Europe. The latter is a strategic terrain for the power struggle between al-Qaeda and the West. The Maghreb’s young adults have reneged on fully adopting suicide attacks against Arab and Muslim countries. This came after the heated debate the Muslim world had after bombings in Riyadh, Casablanca, Oman, Jordan and other Arab countries.
imane Posted 2009-10-05
I want to understand more. By God, I haven't understood. I hope you will understand me. I want to participate and express my opinion. Thank you Imane.
Anonymous Posted 2009-10-14
Your articles are nice.
مصطفى Posted 2009-10-17
We know real terrorism (which is practiced by real colonizer and their followers). They are ruling through coup and falsification of elections. They are a minority and don't exceed 1%.
sokaina Posted 2009-10-18
Thank you for your care for simple girls. Thank you Chazina and Chazil. Thank you, I am Sokaina from Rabat, Morocco.
HJ Posted 30 days ago
BAD
abd allah Posted 30 days ago
Frankly there is nothing to understand beyond God being the sole judge in the afterlife. Why all this pointless fussing? If there are no “super Muslims”, then what is point of starting different movements, and that is all they are. Please, we must not make a mountain out of a molehill. Our points of reference are the Quran and the Sunnah, period. Of course, the ulema are the only ones who posses the explanations and are charged with these two references. A word to the wise! May God protect us and have pity on our future. God, the Glorified and Exalted, will have pity on you. –Thank you
نوفل Posted 28 days ago
Salam alikum. Real terrorism is practiced by Israel in Gaza and America, Afghanistan and Iraq. Long live Iran, Taliban and Al Qaeda. Long live everyone who has self-respect.
fadi trad Posted 27 days ago
We should have freedom in exercising everything without fear while we live in our country, the peaceful people, this is well-known but with freedom not abuse. I ask every person to be good in this society. You must be good and not corrupt. Thank you, Fadi.
محمد نجيب وهيبي Posted 27 days ago
Terrorism has no religion, no race and no colour. In the face of killing people, confiscating the right of humans to life, expression and freedom of expression, Al Qaeda is equal to world Zionism, all forms of terrorism are thus equal whether they are in the hands of states or in the hands of some crazy people, traffickers of death. There is no self-dignity without respect of humanity, all humanity and under all conditions.
ABDELHAK BOUGATTA Posted 26 days ago
This letter is to be regarded as a recognition of the difficulties and challenges Droukdel encountered. He is necessarily becoming more isolated even within the management of his own movement. This is the reason he is searching for the blessing of a moral authority, so that he can reactivate and launch once again his operations and his recruitment of young terrorists. The latter have but one idea in their heads: destroying any concept of peace. This is a challenge to overcome and also a problem at the heart of this organisation.
djazairi hor Posted 26 days ago
There is no justification for religious or political terrorism!!! In Algeria, there have been thousands of deaths since 1991. There are thousands of orphaned boys and girls, and thousands of widows. Often times, the above suffer from psychological damage for their entire lives!!! And, this is not to mention the sabotage that has affected our economic infrastructures and caused a rural exodus to cities and other countries that are more or less safe. To tell the truth, terrorism in Algeria was dead the day it was born for those who fear God and who love their patrimony. And, what a patrimony it is – a patrimony of Amirouche, Haouès, M’hidi, Hassiba, Abane, Ziroute, Karim Boudiaf, Lotfi, Bouguera, Khider and thousands and thousands of anonymous martyrs. That said, today, even if we know that they are harming Algeria, we still know who their master is! We know who is profiting off of all these unnameable, abject crimes, these crimes that are above all else cowardly and against the innocent Algerians. And, I do mean innocent. All of the victims are innocent. The people are not fooled. As the Algerian saying goes: “Fakou!” And, even if they claim to be of Islam, they have soiled the image of the country both inside and out!!! Such are the dirty clothes and beards they wear! They are deaf, dumb and blind!!! It is written as such in the holy Qur’an. Mohamed Boudiaf, Mr. Tayeb El Watani, said a few weeks before his assassination, “The enemies of yesterday are the enemies of today, this is crystal clear.”
TheRiLi Posted 25 days ago
After the first belief in the first comment, this is my second comment. I think the title should be written in this way “Leader of Al Qaeda in the Maghreb...” because I don't think that your Droukdel is the leader of Al Qaeda (isn't it Ben Laden?) Then why this deviation? I think Al Qaeda in the Maghreb no longer exists after Ayman Al Zawahiri removed the cover on it in video statements broadcast on Al Jazeera in which he said that he disowned Droukdel and his group. Which reporting team are you? I think the paragraph written at the bottom of comments should be as follows “...or including bad words” instead of "obscene", with respect for the reader.
Acharif Moulay Abdellah BOUSKRAOUI Posted 23 days ago
To all the Muslims of the world- Muslims, be united and teach the world that our religion is a symbol of tolerance and peace and love. Muslims, avoid violence and keep good watch on your children, who could easily become prey at the disposal of the false Islamists. Islam has never been a symbol of violence, as our Prophet taught us love for everyone and taught us that the Jews, Muslims and Christians are all descendants of Abraham. Muslims, above all else, do not forget that violence gives a poor image of Islam and our Prophet. Muslims, since when did our God permit us to kill innocents? Never did He, as all religions teach love and tolerance and peace. Muslims, follow my advice: To be a Muslim means to really be a symbol of wisdom and professionalism and to sow love and peace; it does not mean to be scandalous and sow fear and give a bad image to Islam. The Prophet taught us all this from the country of Morocco, which follows Islam because its Amir Elmouminine is a descendant of the Prophet Mohamed. As such, Morocco is the country that is the most representative of Islam and of tolerance, wherein Jews and Christians and Muslims live in peace under the aegis of a wise king, His Majesty Mohamed VI, the descendant of the Prophet. And, as before, the descendants live in peace under the protection of the Prophet. Address yourselves to the state-approved muftis and you will be sure that neither you nor your children will fall under the guidance of the terrorists. Give a good image of Islam, the religion of peace, of co-existence and of dialogue between civilisations and cultures. A creative Muslim, who build and adds to our reinforcement, must not fail, as that is a sort of devastating epidemic that will destroy his path.
درويش جزائري Posted 20 days ago
1- They wore turbans, they wore turbans, lift flags, deserted books, broke pens, led down bears, shortened their dresses, deserted worships, worshiped statements, learned words, forgot verses and said we would fight sins and depots. I told them where were the rights of worships? Where are freedoms? 2- They wore turbans, they put on muzzles, lived in forests, bore caves, destroyed villas and municipalities, they stumbled over barracks, they stole machine-guns, they recruited young men and women, even married women. They say we are Moujahid men and women. I told them where is the blood of martyr men and women? 3 They wore turbans, perpetuated ambush after ambush. People die in hundreds for ten years. They were lost in massacres. They say we have the right and we are heroes. I told me after we were proud with you, the country is empty. 4
ouuups Posted 20 days ago
Terrorists are mere marionettes manipulated by the system controlling Algeria DRS or formerly SM. Young people are powerless.
sdsas Posted 19 days ago
I say oh Lord guide Kadhafi to what you like and accept because the Libyan people endured so much from this regime including poverty, ignorance and so on.
zaki Posted 17 days ago
May God protect Morocco from terrorism perpetuated by Algeria against its Moroccan brothers. Long live Morocco and our Algerian brothers. Death to lying, greedy generals.
سليمة Posted 14 days ago
Peace, mercy and blessings be upon you and upon the last prophet. Have you asked yourselves, "How was terrorism created, what are its causes, and why has it appeared?" Of course not. Terrorism is partly caused by the government and partly by the people. If the government was upright, terrorism wouldn't exist. Aren't you ashamed? You say a "Muslim Algerian state", while the women reporters don't wear hijab, the state spends millions on foreign singers, why even if singing is forbidden? You celebrate and honour singers. There is no signing in an Islamic country; a woman reporter who doesn't wear hijab wouldn't be allowed to appear before the world. Hijab, as an order by God: “And say to the believing women...wear their head-coverings over their bosoms” God speaks the truth. The Islamic state is implemented through the rules of religion and the tradition of our prophet. We don't invite a singer; tell him "May God assist you." He, in turn, says "Thanks be to God, my last album was a success." May God not assist you in singing, but rather assist you in learning the Quran. We are still ignorant and deliberate.
ابراهيم Posted 14 days ago
We ask from God guidance to the leader of the death organization in Algeria.
hicham Posted 13 days ago
Honestly, I own to Bush when he speaks about freedom, regardless of his background, we really lack freedom. I own up to sheikh Ben Laden when he talks about who we are and how we should be. As for the others ****.
Abed Posted 12 days ago
I am a reader without a comment. Thank you for covering this subject. –From Algeria, Abed
poissonfod@yahoo.fr Posted 11 days ago
I am against the Salafists. They think they hold the truth and want to impose their ideas on all humanity. With this behaviour, they are proving that they are ignorant and are attacking Islam.
عبد الله السلفي Posted 10 days ago
Salam alikum. We all know the history of Algeria from the year 1990. We all know the history of coups in Algeria, mainly the coup against the Salvation Front by corrupt generals, who are scared of everything called Islam, because they know pretty well that if they let this renaissance appear, it would eradicate everything corrupt and these traitors. From here, we know that the butchery committed in Algeria are their acts, whether directly, or through their well-known agents, in the name of GIA, as was acknowledged by many officers who felt guilty. But it is true that we Algerians supported the Salvation Front because they had the right. In spite of this, we are against this modern group called al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. I think it has no justification to keep raising arms, whether against the people or against the government. We tell them: Stop bloodshed, to which you have no right, because this is an old time and it won't return. We ask God to guide everyone and to reform our rulers. Thank you.
محايد Posted 9 days ago
We cannot rule on a case, under the dominance of a single opinion - “propaganda of the official media” - and exclusion of the other side, which is barred from its right to defend itself and express its opinion.
azsalam Posted 9 days ago
Every Muslim who knows God, mainly rulers, should fear God in themselves and their people. Terrorism is just the product of social, economic and other problems. We should tackle our problems, and fight extremism and bureaucracy, which have become a reality in our societies. Other issues are just illusions and falsification of facts. Terrorism is not the threat. Terrorism is officials and rulers. Events in Palestine, Iraq and Yemen are an American-Israeli recipe cooked by Arabs, but the victim is the people, not rulers, who live in luxury, or what? Thank you.
belouafi Posted 8 days ago
May God assist you and grant you success to serve benefitters.
محاول Posted 6 days ago
His name is Droudkel not Droukdel, God knows. This killer buys old commodities in all Arab countries and in most Islamic countries. It is the commodity of the so-called 'Jihadist thought' by its author Al Zawahiri and his followers. He was disowned by the Egyptian group and then other groups in the rest of the world. He has no other supporter except the killer Droudkel for no reason but because he is a first rate professional criminal. Because of his young age, he has not experienced sad events in Algeria in the 1990's, previous events and issues which led to those events. No one entrusted them to him. He just adopted them on his own to practice his profession which no one else can do. Then he relinquished those local issues and adopted others of an international character launched by Al Qaeda because the possibility of making them survive longer is higher as there are theoreticians for them (Al Zawahiri and Ben Laden) unlike the local situation of Algeria which hosts none of them after they have relinquished their terrorist ideas.
aziz Posted 6 days ago
We notice as Algerians that Algeria has overcome the black decade. It has returned to the right path after an absence for over 10 years from the international scene. Therefore, I am a witness that president Bouteflika achieved the impossible, what presidents of states couldn't achieved in periods of rule, he achieved it in five years. He inaugurated the East-West highway and other huge achievements including support of the Greens from you my Moroccan brothers.
houssam Posted 5 days ago
Long live Algeria regardless of conditions and situations. Thank you very much to all Algerians, may God rest the souls of martyrs. Long live Algeria.
k zezze Posted 3 days ago
The state is the one terrorising the people in the Arab world.
Anonymous Posted 3 days ago
Curse you, despicable terrorist!
Mokhtar Posted 3 days ago
Salam alikum. Islam is an ocean and space. It is a big space. It should not be made smaller than a drop of water. Islam is a style of life and culture with its own behaviour. It is not a badge or a Kalashnikov. We should know how to live with a real and efficient morality. The message should be transmitted and we should be convincing. We should be a university and a book. We must teach future sons of Islam and be careful because Jihadist movements could be the product of the English in Pakistan, Americans in the Gulf and maybe the Jews? It could be a thing that is right, that is used to achieve evil. God knows better. A word to the wise.
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