CIA created and funded fake Mullahs, issued fatwas.

[Wonk]

(snip)

"So, besides paying Mullahs, the CIA created fake Mullahs - recruited agents who would proclaim themselves clerics and take a more moderate position about nonbelievers."

"We are taking over radio stations and supporting clerics," a CIA source was quoted as saying. "It's back to propaganda. We are creating moderate Muslims."

Kessler said the CIA also paid for Mullahs to issue fatwas, or religious edicts, urging Iraqis not to resist American forces. He did not specify the countries this took place in.

(snip)

Kessler said the CIA used operatives from intelligence services in Arab countries including Jordan, Syria, and Egypt to infiltrate al-Qaeda, develop intelligence, but also sow suspicion so members of the network would kill each other, the book said.

more...

[mddemo]

1. standard intell

nothing new hear, standard hearts and minds campaign. Cant hurt to have a few mullahs here and abroad dismissing al quaeda as heretics.