[Bloomberg] Daniel Williams - Salafi is a branch of Islam that advocates restoring a Muslim empire across the Middle East and into Spain. Armed Salafis are challenging the authority of Hamas in Gaza. "They believe Hamas has been neutralized and has given up the fight," said Mkhaimar Abusada, a professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. Hamas is holding dozens of Salafis in jail, trying to persuade them to end their opposition, said Hamas police spokesman Rafik Abu Hani. "They want to implement their own ideas through weapons, and we can't allow that." There are at least four armed Salafi organizations in Gaza including the Warriors of God, Army of Islam, Victory of Islam and Lions Den of Supporters. Abu Hani said their members total no more than 400 to 500, while Abusada estimated there were between 4,000 and 5,000, including defectors from Hamas. "What the Salafis don't understand is we need to give the people a break; we need to rebuild and prepare for the next battle," said Hamas parliament member Younis Astal.
2009-10-22 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive