In stark contrast to Amman's peaceful demonstrations, Friday's protests in Zarqa saw violent clashes that left more than 92 policemen injured.  At the center of these violent clashes are a fringe group of radicals known as the Jihadist Salafists, who's stated mission is to place Jordan under Sharia (Islamic Law).  Not to be confused with the similar but non-violent Salafists, the Jihadist Salafists protest carrying swords and knives and have been accused of baiting police into violent confrontation in order to gain attention and advance their agenda

Lt. Gen. Hussein Majali of the Public Security Department said eight civilians were hurt when police fired tear gas at the protesters and 17 had been arrested. Another official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than 100 Salafists were arrested, with about 30 later released.

"It was clear that the demonstrators had plans to clash with police," Lt. Gen. Hussein Majali said. "They carried swords, knives and daggers and were provocative, seeking to drag police into a bloody confrontation."

The Salafist groups have been protesting across the country in recent weeks, demanding authorities release militant prisoners, including Abu Mohammed al-Maqdessi, considered a theorist of the faction, and Mohammad Shalabi, better known as Abu Sayyaf, who were convicted on terrorism charges following riots in Maan in 2002.

“We believe there is no constitution other than the Holy Koran. As most Jordanians are Muslims, the majority of the people agree with us,” Salafist leader Saad Hneiti claims.

I have to admit I am a little taken aback by this claim.  Most Jordanians are Muslims so they agree that the only viable constitution is the Holy Koran?  While I find this claim to be absurd, I decided to conduct an informal poll of several of my Muslim colleagues.  I spoke with several gentlemen whom I consider good, decent Muslims who believe in the teachings of the Koran and who live their lives in adherence to Islam.

I quoted Saad Hneiti's claim that most Jordanians, since they are of course Muslim, agree that the only constiution they should follow is the Holy Koran.  I found it reassuring that my colleagues came to the same conclusion that I did; that these claims are preposterous and represent a fringe view held by at most 100's of the most radical and out-of-touch fundamentalists.

As has been stated numerous times on this blog, I consider it a fundamental human right to speak freely and openly.  I support the right of Jordanians to gather and protest to make their voices heard.  But as with any open society, you sometimes have to take the good with the bad.

As the Jordanian government has acknowledged the right of Jordanians to gather and demonstrate peacefully, they have also been forced to make allowances to the fringe groups that would exploit this precious freedom to further their own radical agenda.  Ironically, the Jihadist Salafists are taking advantage of the right to demonstrate publicly to lobby for a government and society with fewer freedoms and more restrictions on free speech!

I shudder to think of a Jordan that is less modern less tolerant of religious and political freedoms.  If the group of Jordanians I spoke with are an accurate sample, an overwhelming majority of Jordanian Muslims dream of a modern Jordan with all the fundamental human rights that are associated with a free and open society.  They wish to live their lives in peace and to better their lives and provide a better future for their children.