Al-Qaida commander criticizes Hamas for being too nationalistic and pragmatic
September 10, 2007 4:59 am Al-Qaeda (al-Qa`ida), Hamas, Islamism beyond the ShibbolethsAl-Qaida commander criticizes Hamas for abandoning Jihad - Haaretz, September 10, 2007
An al-Qaida commander who escaped from a U.S. prison in Afghanistan criticized Hamas in a new videotape Sunday and other Islamic groups that he said prioritized nationalism and electoral politics over Jihad, or holy war.
Hamas is largely focused on the creation of an independent Palestinian state rather than al-Qaida’s vision of a worldwide Muslim community ruled by Islamic law.
Like Al-Qaida, the Palestinian movement advocates violence to achieve its goal, but has also participated in elections.
“Patriotism, nationalism, shared unity, the supreme interest and other slogans … none of these have any space in the religion of Allah the Glorious and the Great,” he said, criticizing groups like Hamas for abandoning Jihad and jumping into the ballot boxes.