French version on Point de Bascule HERE
French version as published by L’Express (Paris) on May 30, 1996 HERE
English translation of an excerpt by NEFA Foundation HERE (p.5)
The following is a translation by Point de Bascule
Allah said: “Fight with those from among the people of the Book, who do not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day; who do not make unlawful that which Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful, and do not adopt the Right way as their way. (Fight with them) until they pay Jizyah with their own hands and are humbled”. (Qur’an, At-Taubah, 29) (9:29)
He also said: “Fight against the mushriks (idolaters) all together even as they fight against you all together: and note it well that Allah is with the God fearing people”. (Qur’an, At-Taubah, 36) (9:36)
The first verse concerns the people of the Scripture, the Jews and the Nazarenes (Christians) and the second concerns all polytheists. Allah has commanded the believers to kill disbelievers, beginning with those who are closer and those who represent a greater threat for the religion and the life of Muslims. Allah said: “O Believers, fight with these disbelievers who are near you, and they should find you firm and stern: and know that Allah is with the God fearing”. (Qur’an, At-Taubah, 123) (9:123)
Relying on these teachings, the GIA has killed disbelievers of all kinds and commanded them to leave the country (Algeria). Under the leadership of my brother Saif Allah Dja’far [Dja’far al-Afghani – a GIA leader who was killed] they had one month to do so. In this, he followed the example of the Messenger of God who gave a 10-day reprieve to the Bani Nossayr tribe.
The GIA has deprived them of peace and security. It authorized the killing of those who persisted to stay in our country. Some have obeyed the order (to leave) while others were stubborn (and stayed). Then, the mujahideen started killing them in groups or individually. Others, among them, ran away. Only those who deemed their presence helpful to fight Islam and the Muslims stayed here. Among them, there are politicians, soldiers, missionaries and many others. God said: “They will go on fighting with you till they succeed in turning you away from your Faith, if they can”. (Qur’an, At-Taubah, 217) (2:217)
Allah has helped GIA’s mujahideen kill a great number of disbelievers, Jews, Christians, polytheists and atheists. Allah has also helped them take prisoners seven monks who were doing missionary work in the region of Médéa. They are still alive and healthy until now.
By announcing their kidnapping after more than twenty days, we are demonstrating that these infidels (the junta ruling Algeria) are no more able to protect themselves than they are to protect others.
During the last few days – notably since their ranks started being purified from sectarians and heretics – mujahideen have succeeded in inflicting heavy losses on infidels by killing or injuring them in numerous regions of the country.
In Laghouat, our brothers, the mujahideen, have succeeded in killing more than 100 infidels and took as many prisoners. They managed to shoot down a helicopte. It was the third aircraft shot down in the area. In Médéa itself – encircled by infidels – an ambush was set up against one of their units that came to retrieve the monks. Six machine-guns were seized and roughly ten men killed. The others turned back and withdrew after being vanquished. Allah said: “If the disbelievers had fought you then, they would certainly have turned their backs and would have found no protector or helper. This is the Way of Allah that has been followed in the past, and you will find no change in the Way of Allah.” (Qur’an, Al-Fath, 22-23.) (48:22-23)
It has to be noted that these infidels (the police) after their blatant failure to control the region where the monks are detained, because of the actions and blows given by our mujahideen brothers, are willing to resort to guns, military planes and helicopters, with the intention of killing the monks after having lost all hope of finding them alive. This shows their weakness and the slackening of their strength. May Allah be thanked for this from beginning till end.
These haughty monks claim that Sheikh Abu Younes Atiyya, May Allah rest his soul, promised to save their lives and give them safety. But there is no evidence available to confirm that. Their claim must not be believed because no witness has come forward to attest of it. Even if he had done it, his action would have been in contradiction (with sharia) or forbidden, particularly because they never stopped trying to convert Muslims, put forward their slogans and their symbols and solemnly commemorate their holy days.
All this shows that there is treason, as it is proved by ulemas (religious experts) who interpreted the conditions defined by the Emir of the believers Umar Ibn al-Khattab (586? – 644). They have not respected the conditions of the promise even if the promise was genuine. That is why they have become like those who fight Allah’s religion. Consequently, they deserve the fate of the original infidels.
Another interpretation is provided by “Algerianist” heretics. They do not consider acceptable to kill the original infidels. They denounce such an act. They claim that they are monks and that monks must not be killed.
We will tell them that they are wrong. Everybody knows that a monk who withdraws from the world in order to meditate is called a hermit among the Nazarenes (Christians). This is the murder of these monks that has been forbidden by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (573? – 634). However, if such a monk leaves his hermitage and mingles with people, his murder becomes allowed. This is the case of these monks who are prisoners and are not cut off from the world. They live with the people and lead them astray from Allah’s way by trying to convert them. Their crime is even more serious.
Since it is permitted to fight for Allah and the Muslims’ religion, it is also permitted to apply (to the monks) the same rules that are applied to the original infidels when they are prisoners of war: execution, slavery or exchange for Muslim prisoners, according to legal interest and the recommendations published in the document Al-Tâ’ifa al-Mansoura (The Victorious Community) by sheikh Abu Abdallah Ahmad, May Allah bless his soul.
The GIA neither believes in dialogue, nor truce nor reconciliation with infidels. Hence, we do not discuss with these vile persons (« Pour cela, nous ne dialoguons pas avec ces saletés et souillures infâmes »). But we address this communiqué to France and its president, Jacques Chirac. We are telling them: “Your seven monks are still alive and they are safe”.
Since it is my duty and that of all Muslims to release our prisoners, according to the hadith “Free the sufferer”, I see that we can exchange our prisoners with yours. We have a complete list: first, you have to release our brother Abdellaq Layada, and we will specify the other names, Allah willing. First, we must know your decision.
Finally, you know that the GIA keeps its promise and acts on it. For example, let’s mention the case of the Yemeni ambassador and of his Omani counterpart who were released in exchange of late sheik Abu Abdallah Ahmad. The other example, unfortunate, is illustrated by the hostages who were on the Air France Airbus and faced misfortune because of Mitterand and Balladur’s obstinacy and stubbornness. Our brothers have cut the throat of many passengers and killed others.
December 26, 1994 Hijacking description
Aviation Safety Networ
January 9, 1995 Algeria: Anatomy of a Hijack by Thomas Sancton
Times Magazine U.S.
By Allah’s will, we are still following the same path. The choice is yours. If you release (our brothers), we will release (the monks) and if you refuse, we will cut their throats.
Praise to Allah…
Thursday April 18, 1996
Signed: The Emir of the GIA, Abu Abd al-Rahman Amin