The Jihadi Code

[Merlin]

I just saw part of this CNN documentary on TV. Click into this link to read more.

New jihad code threatens al Qaeda

By Nic Robertson and Paul Cruickshank, CNN
November 10, 2009 -- Editors Note: This story is the result of a two-year CNN investigative report into peace talks held between the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) and the Libyan Government which recently culminated in the LIFG, a militant jihadist group once close to Osama bin Laden, repudiating al Qaeda. "The Jihadi Code," a documentary on the breakthrough against al Qaeda in Libya, airs on November 15 at 1200 GMT.

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- From within Libya's most secure jail a new challenge to al Qaeda is emerging.

Leaders of one of the world's most effective jihadist organizations, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), have written a new "code" for jihad. The LIFG says it now views the armed struggle it waged against Col. Moammar Gadhafi's regime for two decades as illegal under Islamic law.

The new code, a 417-page religious document entitled "Corrective Studies" is the result of more than two years of intense and secret talks between the leaders of the LIFG and Libyan security officials.

The code's most direct challenge to al Qaeda is this: "Jihad has ethics and morals because it is for God. That means it is forbidden to kill women, children, elderly people, priests, messengers, traders and the like. Betrayal is prohibited and it is vital to keep promises and treat prisoners of war in a good way. Standing by those ethics is what distinguishes Muslims' jihad from the wars of other nations." ...

The code has been circulated among some of the most respected religious scholars in the Middle East and has been given widespread backing. It is being debated by politicians in the U.S. and studied by western intelligence agencies.

The new jihadi code In essence the new code for jihad is exactly what the West has been waiting for: a credible challenge from within jihadist ranks to al Qaeda's ideology. ....

[Merlin]

Some more details and views here, not from CNN, but another newspaper, the Telegraph from the UK.

Terrorist suspects released from house arrest after peace deal

Four terrorism suspects have had their control orders revoked after a peace deal was struck with their al-Qaeda-linked group, it has emerged.

13 Nov [Telegraph] The men have been released from house arrest as a result of the deal with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group. ....

The peace deal, struck between Colonel Gaddafi’s regime and the LIFG in July, has had reverberations around the Islamic world and has now reached Britain.

It has come as a major blow to al-Qaeda, which counts members of the group among its leadership and announced it had merged with the LIFG.

Negotiations with members of the group began following a series of meetings in London between Gaddafi’s son, Saif al Islam al Gaddafi, then studying at the London School of Economics, and a former senior member of the group living in Britain, Noman Benotman.

As part of the agreement, the leaders of the LIFG, most of whom are in jail in Libya, have distanced themselves from al-Qaeda and condemned terrorist attacks on civilians.

Their statement has also been endorsed by influential Saudi clerics, including Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Salman al-Oudah.

One of al-Qaeda’s most senior leaders, Abu Yahya al-Libi, has seen his older brother sign up to the peace deal.

Details of the deal, which took two years to put together, were conveyed to the Libyans under control orders in Britain by security officials because they were not allowed access to the internet. ....

The deal is also important because it removes an important plank of support for the expanding influence of al-Qaeda in North Africa ....

[khaja bahar]

I just saw part of this CNN documentary on TV. Click into this link to read more.

New jihad code threatens al Qaeda

I am unable to understand what is so new and unusual in the so called religious document "Corrective Studies" by LIFG. A cursory glance over the verses of Quran dealing with war and peace will reveal the guidelines to follow while engaged in war or dealing with insurgents,every unarmed man & women, people who remain indoors of their dewlling, children, animals like camels, horses,ox,cows, donkeys etc used in wars for carrying weapons and ration,all types of crops, fruit bearing trees,avenue plantations etc are to be spared. Contamination of water of springs, rivers, wells, or any source of water is strictly prohibited. Morever when enemy lays their arms they are to be spared from being killed or subjected to torture.What al Qaeda is doing is their own acts and it has to do nothing with the tenents and teaching of Islam.Yusuf al Qaradawi and many more scholars including the Imam of the Holy Kaba{MASJID UL HARAM} has repeatedly condemened the acts of al Qaeda.But the media,print & electronic, never gave any importance to these announcements. What they need is hawkish sound bytes of Aymen Al Zawaheri & Co to keep their gossip mill running.

[DPrime]

I am unable to understand what is so new and unusual in the so called religious document "Corrective Studies" by LIFG.

Well, it's noteworthy because it's coming from a Jihadist organization... But then again, a quick Wiki search reveals that this isn't the first time al-Qaeda and its tactics have been denounced by this group.

[aapostate]

I am unable to understand what is so new and unusual in the so called religious document "Corrective Studies" by LIFG. A cursory glance over the verses of Quran dealing with war and peace will reveal the guidelines to follow while engaged in war or dealing with insurgents,every unarmed man & women, people who remain indoors of their dewlling, children, animals like camels, horses,ox,cows, donkeys etc used in wars for carrying weapons and ration,all types of crops, fruit bearing trees,avenue plantations etc are to be spared. Contamination of water of springs, rivers, wells, or any source of water is strictly prohibited. Morever when enemy lays their arms they are to be spared from being killed or subjected to torture.What al Qaeda is doing is their own acts and it has to do nothing with the tenents and teaching of Islam.Yusuf al Qaradawi and many more scholars including the Imam of the Holy Kaba{MASJID UL HARAM} has repeatedly condemened the acts of al Qaeda.But the media,print & electronic, never gave any importance to these announcements. What they need is hawkish sound bytes of Aymen Al Zawaheri & Co to keep their gossip mill running.

Care to quote those cursory readings of the Quran for everyone to see?