The Complex Relationships Between Muslim Political Parties
Egypt hosts a wealth of Muslim political parties with disparate agendas and complex relationships with one another. The relations among and within these groups and the role of foreign actors such as the United States and Israel, play central roles in determining the future of the Egyptian political sphere.
Shortly after the overthrow of Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood officially created a political party called the Freedom and Progress Party. Other leading Muslim political parties include the Al-Wasat Party, Al-Jama’a Al-Islamiyya (The Islamic Group), and the Safety and Development Party.
The official candidate of the Salafis for the presidency is Hazem Sala Abu Ismael, althought many Salafi preachers do not endorse participation in elections.
Among Sufis, the Rifa’i Tareeka, the largest Sufi order in Egypt with 3 million followers, announced its intention to create of Sout Al-Horeyya (The Voice of Freedom Party), and the ‘Azmeyya Tareeka, which has 1.5 million followers, announced its intention to create Tahrir Masr (The Liberation of Egypt Party).
These announcements have created disagreements within the Sufi orders. There is a strong debate within emerging political parties over the participation and leadership of women and Copts.
COPYRIGHT_IO: Published on https://www.islamopediaonline.org/muslim-political-parties/ by Aaliyah Azeena on 2022-10-13T12:32:45.278Z
Among Salafis, there is broad consensus that neither a Christian nor a copt can hold the position of a President, as exemplified in an edict issued by Sheikh Mohamed Hassan.
This position is also endorsed by the Justice and Freedom Party of the Muslim Brotherhood which rejected the possibility of a woman or a Copt as president. An exception to this general consensus is al-Madkhalayya Salafism.
In a video clip, Sheikh Osama Al-Koussy argued that Islam established a civil state, and if people want to manage their affairs in the best way, they should choose the best among in them to do the task.
He endorsed the possibility of having a Copt or a woman become President of Egypt Muhammed Mahdy Akef, the former Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, said in a news report that the leader of the Freedom and Progress Party could be Christian.
Both emerging Sufi parties said they were open to all Egyptians, including Christians and women, however the question of leadership has not been discussed fervently.
About The Authors
Aaliyah Azeena - Aaliyah Azeena is using her own voice to speak up for ourselves, the Musilm and kickstart an open honest dialogue about Islam in today’s society. She is raising the place of Muslim women in mainstream society, drawing awareness to the Qur’an’s message of gender equality and Islam’s principle of peace. Aaliyah is paving the way toward a world in which every woman can raise her head without fear of being attacked for her gender or beliefs. She is pioneering our own paths as Muslim women living in today’s modern society, and this is our story.
