Panellists at a symposium on ‘Islamists and Democracy in the Arab Spring countries’, in Doha yesterday.
DOHA: Not only the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, but the Salafis upholding extremist views are becoming increasingly pragmatic, thanks to their political involvement after the revolution, a symposium on Islamists and democracy in the Arab Spring countries here was told yesterday.
The revolution has created an atmosphere for open dialogue between different Islamist groups in the country and this could help soften the extremist positions of several isolated groups among them, observed the speakers at a session titled “Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis in Egypt- challenges during a period of transition.”
“Earlier, the mosque was the only place for Salafis but now they have realised the importance of the parliament and the political process,” said Dr Khaleel Al Annani, a researcher and political analyst from Egypt. All the panellists in the session were from Egypt.
Al Annani said the revolution had given every section in the country an opportunity to take part in the political process and this was how the Salafis suddenly came into the fore. “Islamist groups are now becoming more pragmatic to gain more supporters. Earlier, the Salafis were talking more about face veil (Niqab) and paradise, Now they have left aside such issues and are focusing on issues like health, education and social service,” he said.
Islamist groups in Egypt are divided between moderate and extremist elements. The Salafis themselves are divided into two major groups- those who support joining politics and the others focusing on community activities, away from politics. Besides the Islamists, there are other traditional religious groups like Sufis who have significant influence in the community.
“An open dialogue between different Islamist groups is now happening, after the revolution. This is good for the nation. This could end the isolation of some sections that can become more problematic,”said Al Annani.
Hisham Jaafar, another speaker noted that the competition between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis was a major factor that prompted the latter to be active in politics and social service. “However, there is a conflict between the Dawaa and political activities which the Salafis are now forced to address,” he noted.
Nevin Misad, a woman activist and researcher, while comparing the election campaigning of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2005 and 2011 said the Brotherhood has entirely changed its strategy to win popular support.
“During the 2005 elections, they were talking about Arab issues, mainly the Palestinian issue and the Camp David Accord. In 2011 they didn’t touch such topics nor raised their old slogan “Islam is the only solution”. Instead they were focusing on the daily issues of the people, corruption, unemployment and gender equality subject to Islamic Shariah.,” said Nevin.The Peninsula
