Sheikh Hamdi of Maghagha: A Salafi Candidate with Coptic Support

Submitted by A.Rizkallah (not verified) on Tue, 2012-04-10 00:00
Language: 
English
Sent On: 
Mon, 2012-01-30
Year: 
2012

 

Sheikh Hamdi of Maghagha: A Salafi Candidate with Coptic Support

 

Jayson Casper explores why a Salafi parliamentary candidate has gained the support of local Christians

 

Salafi candidate Sheikh Hamdi 'Abd al-Fatta with local Coptic Orthodox priest Fr. Yu'annis

 

CAIRO (AWR) — Sheikh Hamdi 'Abd al-Fattah is a unique personality in Egypt. Little known outside of his home region of Maghagha in Upper Egypt, he is a candidate for parliament running under the banner of the Salafi Nour Party. In and of itself, there is nothing unusual here - the Nour Party has searched for and nominated local popular candidates throughout Egypt. What is unique is that Sheikh Hamdi has the endorsement of the local Coptic Orthodox priest of his village, Fr. Yu'annis

 

This interview discusses why Sheikh Hamdi has received Coptic support, but also explores his understanding of the application of sharia law in the modern world. Sheikh Hamdi is eager to correct common misperceptions, but, perhaps unwittingly, confirms others. Topics include tourism, war booty, jiziah, dress, legislation and the legality of democracy.

 

Sheikh Hamdi provides an insightful view into the mindset of a modern day Salafi, both confirming and undoing typical stereoptypes.

 

Read more....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many Copts Anxious as Islamists Win Majority in Parliament

 

 

Many of Egypt's Coptic Christians hestitated during Egypt's revolution, while others joined in wholeheartedly. But the initial celebrations of Tahrir - where Muslims and Christians alternated protecting each other at prayer - have been followed by multiple instances of bloody sectarian conflict.

 

This has prompted Copts to ask themselves hard questions: Should they take refuge in the military council against Islamists, or with Islamists against the military-as-old-regime? Should they enter the political arena and trust its processes, or enter their churches and trust in God?

 

So far, clear answers to these questions seem beyond the reach of Egypt's Christian minority.

 

 

 

Salafism in Egypt: The Example of the Asala Party in Warraq, Cairo

 

Jayson Casper examines Egypt's Salafist movement, which surprised many by taking the second most seats during the country's recent elections for the lower house of parliament.

 

He speaks with Essam al-Sharif, the chairman for the Salafist Asala Party, in the Warraq neighborhood of northwestern Cairo. 

 

"Part of the acclaim of Islamist parties is they represent a departure from the ways of corruption in the former regime," says Casper, "But whether or not an open-minded, reasonable personality like Sharif is representative of his party is yet another question."
 
 

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Creative Commons photo taken from Flickr stream of Ahmed Abd El-fatah.