I think the Iraqis fighting Al-Qaeda do not agree with AQ's brand of Islam and are showing it through their deeds. These are of course fieldmen/foot soldiers not Islamic intellectuals who have for the most part completely rejected this interpretation.
I have great respect for any Muslim who challenges orthodox Islam. The more orthodox Islam is challenged, the better. The more secular the Islamic world, the better. All these attempts pave the way for the gradual collapse of Islam, just like the struggle for secularism in Europe finally crippled Christianity.
These people are dying, fighting against those who say they hold to the true Islam. Id call that standing up
As much as I have great respect for these people, I don't think their efforts are enough. The two examples you have offered are unfortunately very local phenomena. Apostates, religious minorities, women, heterodox thinkers are still persecuted in almost all the corners of the Islamic world. Why should we suffer limited freedom, while we can extend our hands and grasp all of it?
There are still very few jihadist warriors, even now (after the unbelievable stupidity of invading Iraq and seemingly confirming everything Osama was ranting about) there are only a few thousand of them.
Proof? Maybe you would like to elaborate. The killing of apostates is just one concern out of many.