Gamaa Islamiya Group in Egypt denies Al Qaeda Association

Al Jazeera reports that a former leader of Gamaa Islamiya in Egypt, Sheikh Abdel Akher Hammad, denies the groups involvement or association with Al Qaeda. He notes that while some members have joined, most members do not share the same opinion. The group's website states the same according to Al Jazeera.

This renouncement begs the question. Why come out publically and state it?

There is only two possible answers.

1. The group is not associated with Al Qaeda.

2. The group, while associated with Al Qaeda, does not want to be recognized being associated with Al Qaeda.

The first answer needs no analysis. The second answer only leads one to the conclude that given the punishment that Al Qaeda has seen in Afghanistan and Iraq, Gamaa Islamiya does not want the same.

According to Al Jazeera, "Analysts said they did not expect any change in the group's policy after the al-Qaeda announcement, saying its leadership had clearly chosen to avoid violence in Egypt." (emphasis added)

So, for all those people who state we are losing the Global War on Terror, Iraq is just a quagmire and we should "cut and run", the Arab Street is rising against the US policy, Israel is mired in Lebanon, etc, etc., it appears that Arabs overwhelmingly are disassociating themselves, at least publically, from the likes Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Iran.

It would also seem that the old saying of fighting fire with fire is paying off. While major terrorists groups are holed up in caves (Al Qaeda) and bunkers (Hezbollah). Its tacit supporters are disassociating themselves with these terrorists groups. Its active supporters, Iranian President Ahmadinejad being the most noteworthy, are being seen for who they really are, crackpots that are bringing the Middle East to edge of destruction. One can only hope that 22 Aug 06 passes by with only Iran rejecting the incentives package and nothing else.

The "Arab Street" is not beginning to rise, but instead is sitting quietly by while these extremist groups and leaders are being taken out one by one. The freedom that Iraqis are striving for are doing more for "Arab Street" public opinion than the violence, death, and destruction that terrorists groups promise.

If 22 Aug 06 should prove to be a day of untold destruction, I believe it will also be the final nail in the coffin for terrorists, not only due to America's and Israel's reaction, but also from the "Arab Street's" reaction.