The Algerian terrorist group, The Salafi Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), issued a fatwa justifying the killing of "the Jews and the Christians and all other nonbelievers" in Algeria. The fatwa, entitled "Fighting the Foreigners" and signed by Abu Ibrahim Mustafa, the Emir (prince) of the Salafi Group, is being circulated on jihadist websites. Abu Ibrahim Mustafa took over leadership of the Salafi Group in October 2003 and immediately pledged loyalty to bin Laden and al-Qaeda. According to the fatwa, "the Salafi Group states in these hard circumstances for the Muslim nation in general, and especially the mujahideen, to declare war on every foreigner nonbeliever - in the Algerian lands."
"The governments in the Muslim lands", according to the fatwa "are no more than flags put by the Crusaders before leaving to keep a watchful eye on the Muslims so they don't have a government which brings back the glory of Islam." The fatwa further condemns the Algerian government as a "converted government" and accuses other regimes: "the governments in the Muslim lands are no more than flags put by the Crusaders before leaving to keep a watchful eye on the Muslims so they don't have a government which brings back the glory of Islam." Abu Mustafa calls on all Muslim Algerians to fight foreigners and disregard the local government: "Everyone, which concerns the individuals and establishments, is doing the duty for the victory of Islam and Muslims, is pushing away the attacks of Jews and Christians and other non-believers as they declare that they are not bound by any agreement with the converted Algerian government." |