Terror jihadists may be losing influence

LONDON, July 15 (UPI) -- Prominent Middle Eastern supporters of Islamic jihads are reconsidering the cause in increasing numbers, terrorism experts say.

Egyptian theologian Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, better known as "Dr. Fadl, is the best known but several others formerly connected with al-Qaida say they now see random terrorism as more damaging to Islam and Muslims than it is to their enemies, Der Spiegel reported Tuesday.

Included is former Libyan terrorist Noman Benotman, 41, who now heads up an effort to convince his old colleagues to renounce violence and the murder of civilians.

"I have the feeling that things are slowly changing," he said, noting that many Libyans have opposed al-Qaida since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on United States civilians.

The influence of Osama Bin Laden still remains strong amongst many Muslims, experts say. But other prominent thinkers are beginning to challenge his logic of hate and violence as counter-productive.

Included is former al-Qaida theologian "Dr. Fadl," 58, who in 2007 sent an open letter from his Cairo prison cell saying that jihadism is reprehensible and that it violates the precepts of Islam and Shariah law. "Fight, on God's behalf, against those who fight you, but do not exceed the limits," he wrote.