Egypt

Salafi party seeks to write constitution reflective of Egypt’s ‘Islamic identity’

The Nour Party seeks to formulate a constitution that reflects Egypt's Islamic identity and accommodates non-Muslims, said Mostafa Abdel Rahman, secretary for the party in North Sinai.

At an electoral conference organized by the Salafi Dawaa on Saturday afternoon, Abdel Rahman added that "Rumors that the Salafi Dawaa is extremist are groundless."

The final phase of parliamentary elections is scheduled to be held on Wednesday and Thursday in Minya, Qalyubiya, Gharbiya, Daqahliya, North Sinai, South Sinai, Wadi al-Gadid, Marsa Matruh and Qena.

The party, which is the political arm of the Salafi Dawaa, has so far won 83 seats in parliament in the first two phases of the polls.

The Nour Party, founded after the 25 January revolution, "is on its way to achieving a parliamentary majority," he said, which will help "implement Islamic Sharia which accommodates the other and all non-Muslims without extremism."

Salafis became prominent on the political scene following the ouster of ex-President Hosni Muabrak, whom they accuse of suppressing them for decades.

The Nour Party was founded in the coastal city of Alexandria, northwest of Cairo, and won official recognition on 12 June.

The Salafsi enjoy strong support in North Sinai. An association of Salafi groups in August announced the formation of committees to resolve disputes between residents of Rafah, Sheikh Zowayed and Arish through tribunals run by Salafi sheikhs. These tribunals, intended to replace traditional reconciliation sessions, are scheduled to begin their work within one week.

Suleiman Abou Ayoub, one of the founders of the association told Al-Masry Al-Youm in August that the association will work to establish justice even if that requires the use of force. He added that the association brings together 5000 to 6000 young men all of whom are armed.

 

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