Pakistan says 'no' to suicide attacks

This article from the Middle East Times, is courtesy Isaac Schrödinger's Blog, a self-described Pakistani-born ex-Muslim:

Pakistani 'madrassas' say suicide attacks un-Islamic

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Some 2,000 Muslim scholars, teachers, and administrators from madrassas across Pakistan Tuesday declared suicide attacks un-Islamic and opposed enforcement of Sharia by force.

This is good news for the war on terror, especially from a region whose leaders are often notably silent about the infiltration of frustrated Islamic radicals throughout the society. Hopefully, the people will listen.

Combine this with the news via Hot Air that:

Iraqi tribal chiefs forming an anti-insurgent party

A group of Sunni tribal leaders in beleaguered Al Anbar province said Thursday that it intended to form a national party to oppose insurgents such as Al Qaeda in Iraq and reengage with Iraq’s political process.

The announcement came after 200 sheiks said to represent 50 tribes met here and agreed to form a provincial sheiks council and hold the first convention in May of their new party, called Iraq Awakening. Sheiks from three other provinces will attend, organizers said.

The driving force behind the new party, Sheik Abdul-Sattar abu Risha, said in an interview that the tribal leaders would be pushing a slate of candidates in Al Anbar provincial elections later this year, as well as in the next round of national parliamentary balloting, scheduled for 2009.

One purpose of the party, Sattar said, is to promote a better image of American-led forces “to the Iraqis here.” He added that the tribes also would participate in a U.S.-backed effort to reestablish a court system in Ramadi, the provincial capital.

...and it does sound like progress is being made in the war on terror, despite the critics.