PIPES: The imaginary ‘moderate’ Islamist - Western governments beware

Washington Times ^ | November 6, 2012 | Daniel Pipes

[neverdem]

A September attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tunis left four dead, 49 injured, several buildings looted and burned out and the black Salafi flag flying above the embassy grounds...

--snip--

Broadly speaking, Islamists divide into three types:

1. Salafis, who revere the era of the salaf (the first three generations of Muslims) and aim to revive it by wearing Arabian clothing, adopting antique customs and assuming a medieval mindset that leads to religious-based violence.

2. Muslim Brothers and like types aspire to an Islamic version of modernity. Depending on circumstances, they might act violently or not.

3. Lawful Islamists work within the system, engaging in political, media, legal and educational activities. By definition, they do not engage in violence.

Their differences are real, but they also are secondary, for all Islamists pull in the same direction — toward full and severe application of Islamic law (Shariah), and they often cooperate toward this end, sometimes covertly.

For example, a recently leaked video from Tunisia spectacularly exposes Ennahda links to the embassy violence. Initially broadcast in April 2012, the video resurfaced on Oct. 9. In it, Mr. Ghannouchi talks tactics with young Salafis to achieve their common goals and boasts, “We’ve met with the Salafis, including Sheik Abou Iyadh.”

Oh really? Sheik Iyadh (real name: Seifallah Ben Hassine) heads Ansar al-Sharia, aka al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Tunisian police established a dragnet to question him about his role leading the Sept. 14 attack on the U.S. Embassy. With the revelation of their meeting, Mr. Ghannouchi undercut Ennahda’s condemnation of the Sept. 14 attack.

The video also shows that Mr. Ghannouchi sees Ennahda and the Salafis as allies in the effort to dominate Tunisia and implement Shariah...

[Jyotishi]

“3. Lawful Islamists work within the system, engaging in political, media, legal and educational activities. By definition, they do not engage in violence.”

But they support it because they are Muslims. Muslims believe in Islam which instructs its followers to commit terrorism. Moreover, Muslims give money to mosques and many mosques are where terrorism is planned and financed.

[onedoug]

Hell is coming....

[Pelham]

““3. Lawful Islamists work within the system, engaging in political, media, legal and educational activities. By definition, they do not engage in violence.””

In other words, Grover Norquist.