Glimpse in the Ideology of a Salafi-Jihadi leader

Submitted by A.Rizkallah (not verified) on Thu, 2017-08-10 15:16
Language: 
English
Sent On: 
Tue, 2016-02-09
Year: 
2016
Newsletter Number: 
8

Getting a glimpse in the ideology of an imprisoned Salafi-Jihadi leader

 

In 2013 researcher Jayson Casper and interns at our center met with scores of Islamists and their opponents who were in those days seeking to communicate their views to non-Egyptians. We are using the various interviews as the basis for a book on Egypt’s Islamists and their opponents. For this reason Jeanne Rizkallah has transcribed and translated the interview with Salafi-Jihadi leader Ahmad Ashūsh who was arrested in October 2013 for the terrorist attack that targeted the satellite telecom facility in Maʿadi, Cairo.

 

                         Also two earlier newsletters were in response to this report of the Tony

                         Blair Foundation 

 

Of course one has to be aware that Ashūsh spoke at the time with two non-Egyptians and non-Muslims. He did not quote from the Qur’an but instead took an anti-colonialist stance. Aḥmad Ashūsh then stated: “I take the opportunity of this meeting with you and this institution (CIDT is meant) to address the European countries, and in particular the American Government, that if they pertain to a master-slave relationship in their foreign policy, then they are the slaves and we are the masters, unless you (addressing the West in general) are willing to change such policy into a relationship based on respect.” To read the transcript of the full interview please click here.

 

Interviews such as this one help to understand their narrative and do not imply any necessary agreement. One not only needs to listen to the narrative but also see their action, in the case of Ashūsh an attack on a major infrastructural facility in Cairo in an effort to disrupt the government from being able to function and serve the Egyptian population.

 

How should one respond to Salafi-Jihadis? One should read this interview in the light of the call of Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Salah for dialogue with the purpose to change their beliefs and the call of Prof. Abdallah Schleifer for a counter-jihad.

 

Cornelis Hulsman,

Editor-in-chief Arab-West Report

February 10, 2016