Ahmed Rashid: Cairo needs help to avoid al-Qaeda’s grip
[The writer’s latest book is Descent into Chaos. A revised edition of his Taliban was published last summer.]
Despite victory for democratic forces in Egypt, current instability may still give al-Qaeda and other extremist Islamic groups the chance to expand their influence. Egypt needs international help quickly to ensure the reform agenda is speeded up, and that extremists cannot lay down roots.
For centuries Egypt has been the heart of the Arab world; its trend setter and ideas centre. But it is also the ideological home of early 20th century Islamic fundamentalism, and the more modern Islamic extremism that followed. Al-Qaeda, and other extremist Egyptian groups, will not want democracy to settle, because the democracy “contagion” could spread throughout the Islamic world, undermining the extremists message.
Al-Qaeda had set down a marker just three weeks before the current revolution erupted. On January 1 militants bombed a Coptic church in Alexandria, killing 21 worshippers. This was a brazen attempt to create Muslim-Christian tensions, and similar to ploys in Iraq and Pakistan.
During the recent revolt al-Qaeda websites urged followers to pursue “jihad” against the regime, rather than the peaceful demonstrations. Wisely, the Muslim majority ignored them, making a point of standing hand in hand with Egypt’s Christians. Even so, whipping up anti-Christian (or anti-Shia) hysteria remains a plausible strategy for al-Qaeda among young Muslims.
Extremism has deep roots in Egypt...
Read entire article at Financial Times (UK)
Despite victory for democratic forces in Egypt, current instability may still give al-Qaeda and other extremist Islamic groups the chance to expand their influence. Egypt needs international help quickly to ensure the reform agenda is speeded up, and that extremists cannot lay down roots.
For centuries Egypt has been the heart of the Arab world; its trend setter and ideas centre. But it is also the ideological home of early 20th century Islamic fundamentalism, and the more modern Islamic extremism that followed. Al-Qaeda, and other extremist Egyptian groups, will not want democracy to settle, because the democracy “contagion” could spread throughout the Islamic world, undermining the extremists message.
Al-Qaeda had set down a marker just three weeks before the current revolution erupted. On January 1 militants bombed a Coptic church in Alexandria, killing 21 worshippers. This was a brazen attempt to create Muslim-Christian tensions, and similar to ploys in Iraq and Pakistan.
During the recent revolt al-Qaeda websites urged followers to pursue “jihad” against the regime, rather than the peaceful demonstrations. Wisely, the Muslim majority ignored them, making a point of standing hand in hand with Egypt’s Christians. Even so, whipping up anti-Christian (or anti-Shia) hysteria remains a plausible strategy for al-Qaeda among young Muslims.
Extremism has deep roots in Egypt...