Egypt recently released from prison 900 members of the Islamic terror group al-Gama’a al-Islamiya, who plotted the murder of Anwar Sadat—to give moderate Islamists a helping hand: Egypt Frees 900 Muslim Militants. (Hat tip: Let’s Roll.)

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt released 900 members of an Islamic militant group that killed 58 tourists in 1997 and helped plot the murder of president Anwar Sadat, security sources said on Tuesday.

Analysts said that freeing so many members of the outlawed al-Gama’a al-Islamiya (Islamic Group), whose jailed leaders renounced violence six years ago, would help the movement gain a political voice and could strengthen the hand of more moderate Islamists in the Arab world’s most populous country.

Oh. Well. Since they renounced violence, I guess it’s OK.