MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2003
Egyptian militants wield the pen
REUTERS
CAIRO : When Islamic militants massacred 58 foreign tourists in Egypt 's Valley of the Kings in 1997, their organisation promised more violence would follow.
Instead, leaders of al-Gama'a al-Islamiya, whose members carried out the Luxor attack, have taken to the printing presses to renounce violence, condemn the Al-Qaida and ditch the idea that taking state power is the key to making Egypt more devout.
"There should not be anyone in our ranks who thinks about restarting the wheel of violence again," wrote al-Gama'a leaders, who first called for a ceasefire before the 1997 Luxor attack even as some members pledged to fight on.
One of their books, published in September under the title " River of Memories ," lays out a radical shift in the ideas of the largest group to take part in a bloody insurgency that cost the lives of 1,200 people in the 1990s and which aimed to set up a strict Islamic order.
Some analysts say their rejection of violence might help tame radicals outside Egypt , in the same way that Egyptian 20th century extremists inspired today's militants such as Saudi-born Osama bin Laden or his Egyptian aide Ayman al-Zawahri.
"Al-Gama'a leaders are well known and respected in the Arab world. When such people publish new arguments, it will affect some of their friends in other Arab countries," militant Islam expert Diaa Rashwan said.
That could offer hope to others, like Saudi Arabia , facing a wave of militancy blamed on al Qaida.
But al-Gama'a's message of moderation has drawn scorn from some Islamists, including bin Laden. Some of them say the government co-opted the group's leaders during their years in prison.
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