Fighting through listening

A clampdown on Al-Qa'eda members has been going on for the past months, but dialogue may be a more positive approach. Peter Willems reports from Sana'a

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On Sunday Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Bajammal declared that 90 per cent of Al-Qa'eda cells have been dismantled in Yemen. Although Bajammal's claim has not been confirmed, it is known that Yemeni security forces, in cooperation with the United States, have captured top Al-Qa'eda members and have rounded up hundreds of suspects, including those believed to have been involved in the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 and the French tanker Limburg two years later.

But the Yemeni government also has an alternative, controversial approach to fighting terrorism. The Dialogue Committee, headed by Judge Hamoud Al-Hitar, tries to steer alleged Al-Qa'eda supporters away from violence towards a focus on peace and tolerance using the Holy Qur'an as a tool and guide.

According to Al-Hitar, the committee is now reaching out. "We are ready to have dialogue with any Al-Qa'eda leader," Al-Hitar told Al-Ahram Weekly. "We can have dialogue to talk about the foundations of Islam, even with Osama Bin Laden if he is willing."

Two weeks ago, Abu Hamza Al-Masri, head of the London-based Ansar Al-Shari'a organisation and wanted by the Yemeni government for allegedly having links with terrorist operatives in Yemen, contacted Al-Hitar through a journalist as an intermediary. He showed an interest in opening a channel of dialogue with Al-Hitar.

"Al-Masri sent a message that told me that if he is convinced [of his error] through dialogue traced to the foundations of Islamic law, he will surrender to the Yemeni government," said Al-Hitar.

The Dialogue Committee, which was established in the fall of 2002, has dealt with over 200 alleged supporters of terrorist activities, many of whom have been released from prison on bail.

"Dialogue is a good way to get rid of terrorist thoughts that lead to terrorist actions, so it is important to get rid of extreme thoughts," said Al- Hitar. "We have dialogue with the young people to help them arrive at a good understanding of Islam on a solid foundation."

Al-Hitar gave an example of using dialogue to discuss jihad. He said he uses verses of the Holy Qur'an to prove that jihad is for protecting one's land if occupied, but not to attack others elsewhere.

The committee's successes have drawn some interest. The British Foreign Office invited Al-Hitar to discuss his methods in London. Meanwhile, he will be attending a four-day conference of the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs that begins in Cairo on 28 April.

But some are wary of using dialogue to change extremists into moderates. "This might be an effective way of changing their belief that violence is the answer," said a foreign diplomat in Yemen, "but it might be risky. They may claim that they are convinced just to be freed and follow their previous path."

Al-Hitar should also be concerned about his safety. He said that he has received numerous death threats since he started the dialogue project. But he also said that such threats will not stop him.

"I am not afraid of conducting dialogue," said Al- Hitar. "No one should be afraid if he believes in Islam, because Islam is a religion based on peace and tolerance."