“In an audiotape broadcast by Al Jazeera in October [22] 2007, bin Laden conceded that his like-minded militants in Iraq and elsewhere ‘made mistakes.’ He lays his personal authority and credibility on the line. In a rare moment of self-criticism, he advised ‘himself, Muslims in general, and brothers in Al Qaeda everywhere to avoid extremism’ and put the interests of the ummah [Muslim community] above those of tribe, party, and nation, including Shia/Sunni orientation. In addition, bin Laden openly scolded his followers in Iraq for their ‘fanaticism,’ using the Arabic word ta’assub, which means extremism in allegiance to a parochial group or tribe that excludes others.”
– Fawaz A. Gerges, The Far Enemy, Page 299