In a new step that will alter the role of Sufis in Egypt, Al-Azamiya Sufi Order officially announced its participation in Al-Tahrir Party, who announced their formation on February 5th in Tahrir Square.
In this context, Sheikh Alaaeddin Abul-Azaem, sheikh of the Azamiya Sufi Order said: “we participated in the party to politically compete with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis. Our main goal is dialogue and social connection with one another.”
Motivation
He elaborated on his statements to Islam Online by stating: “I feel free after the January 25th Revolution. I can now say what I want. I no longer feel as though I am a slave without honor or dignity. This is the first time in Egyptian history that the Egyptian people overthrew their leader. In the past, the only way to oust a leader was through assassination; but we ousted our leader for the first time and it won’t be the last.”
He continued: “a year ago, Dr. Ammar Ali Hassan, expert in Sufi movement affairs spoke about Sufism in Egyptian politics, in addition to Sheikh El-Sharnoubi who suggested the establishment of a Sufi political party. At the time, I strongly opposed the idea. However, following the January 25th Revolution and after observing the Egyptian media’s sympathy with the Muslim Brotherhood and the so-called Salafis, I realized that Sufism can be lost in the middle, so we decided that it was necessary to have a political party of our own that can represent us.”
He pointed out that there was, several days ago, “a meeting between the Muslim Brotherhood and Christians, where they agreed upon holding a dialogue that will address the expectations of each group from the other. The first meeting will commence in May and there will be a press conference that will inform the general public of the terms reached.”
He stated that Sufis, through their political participation, are not establishing a religious party limited to a specific group, but is establishing a civil and pluralistic party. He pointed out that their party combines Egyptians from different sects and trends, including Copts and Armenians. He stated: “what brings us together is the party that we hope will bring about the civilized Egypt we all dream of.”
Party’s goals
Dr. Ibrahim Zahran, Head of Al-Tahrir Party stated that the January 25th Revolution is not and will not be over until its goals have been met. “On February 5th, we announced in Tahrir Square the party’s establishment and its goal of mutual forgiveness and not just dialogue,” he said.
He explained to Islam Online: “Al-Tahrir party is a political, civil, and reformative party, looking to achieve justice, prosperity, and freedom for the Egyptian people under the slogan “freedom, justice, development, strength, and leadership,” where everyone can participate.”
He added: “we have established the values of the party, the most important of which is to free minds, encourage mutual respect, acceptance, educating the youth to help build a brighter future, leadership of the people, and political and economical freedom.”
He stressed the party’s belief in democracy, collective decision-making, equality, freedom, truthfulness, condemnation of all types of violence and terrorism, respect for human rights, and combating unemployment and poverty, in addition to the need to develop establishments that would protect the interests of the public.
The official spokesman of the party, Ashraf Jaber clarified that the party is not merely named after Tahrir Square, but it believes in the implementation of the word Tahrir (liberation).
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