GAZA, April 1 The slaying of a highly regarded leader in Gaza City reveals a fissure between Hamas and an al-Qaida-affiliated group that follows the Salafi brand of Islam.Witnesses said Adnan Manasreh, 30, was shot to death as he walked out of a mosque in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City Friday, the Jerusalem Post reported Sunday. Two of his relatives were wounded."Four masked gunmen approached him and opened fire, killing him instantly," the witnesses said. "They fled in a white Peugeot." Salafism is a branch of Islam that claims to adhere to the religion's earliest forms and seeks to purge subsequent influences, including involvement in politics. Followers have strong ties with al-Qaida and have drawn criticism from Hamas members in recent months and at least two other Salafi sheikhs have been slain.Palestinian Authority security forces blame Hamas for the assassinations but the faction's leaders in deny responsibility.Copyright 2007 by UPI
