Salafi Party & Shari'ah Law in Egypt

Nour (Light) Party Views

Sheikh Hamdī Abd al-Fattāh

First open elections in decades or longer

Salafi Nour Party platform is moderate. It is comprehensive and without fanaticism toward anyone. Among its priorities is the call to implement sharī‘ah law, but it emphasizes to do this gradually.

            If you compare Egypt, with all its civilization and history, Jordan, Turkey, and Malaysia all have higher tourist incomes. This is because we rely on luxury tourism only. We can boost conference tourism, which not only can bring more money that luxury tourism, it also profits the nation scientifically as doctors and professors bring knowledge in addition to money spent on airfare, hotels, clubs, and general expenses. There is also medical tourism. We should build world-class hospitals that will draw the majority of medical travelers from the Gulf and from Africa.

            We will also promote luxury tourism, but only that which is religiously legitimate. It is not necessary to mix the sexes on the beach. We have many unmarried young men. When they view these mixed settings the result can be one of sin. What is the problem with establishing some family-only or single-sex chalets, where you can enjoy yourself freely without temptation? Turkey has done this, for example. Should there not be freedom for this, is this not respect for freedom? You might say we should be open-minded, but I reply I don’t want anyone to see my wife. So as you call for freedom for the other, I also call for the freedom to keep my wife from being seen. But are we forgetting about the tourists from the Gulf when we concentrate on Europe? Gulf countries have more tourists, and Egypt is the closest country to them. Right now, they are going to Turkey.

            Yes, Muslim-Christian relations here in the village are very strong. It is friendship, not just greeting each other in the streets. If there are problems, even between two Christians, we come to the church to help solve them. Every day we sit to solve problems between Muslims. Often we sit to solve problems between Christians. But what happens is when there is a problem between a Muslim and a Christian the media twists the issue somewhat to become a religious matter. They take refuge in religious chauvinism and turn it from a personal struggle into a religious one. There are occasions where a Muslim boy and girl will make an improper relationship, and the same with Christians. But if it happens between religions, we must treat it with reason and wisdom in the same manner we would otherwise. We don’t accept any religious chauvinism in either direction.

Long lines for hours to vote in November

            When will jihad return? If a nation attacks America, will it not respond militarily? It is not permitted for Muslims to announce jihad unless their lands or honor are violated. If they are not attacked, they will not attack others. it is permitted for Muslims to respond in the manner of which they have been violated. If he destroys my house, I will not stomach this, I will destroy his house. But I may not destroy two houses. If you attack me, I have the right of defense. This is even international law. Is Israel a democratic country? No, it is a Torah-governed country. Why then does the world protest if I say I want an Islamic state which implements sharī‘ah law? If jihad is made mandatory and our women are taken, it is permissible to take them in kind, but it is not necessary. In sharī‘ah we have what is called ‘exchange’. If there is a prisoner taken he can be swapped.

            Today, many Copts feel that jiziah is a form of contempt or shame. But does he not pay taxes? Fine, we will cancel the word jiziah, and call it taxes. We’ll say, ‘Pay your taxes, and what will you get in return? No one will attack you in your worship, or your doctrine, or your homes, or your persons, or your money, or your honor. You will have complete security, and have your protection guaranteed. If you don’t want to enter the army, you won’t have to.’ the perspective of Muslims toward Christians if the sharī‘ah is implemented. We will treat them with righteousness, respect, friendship, and justice. In terms of rights, everyone will be the same. There will be no difference between a Muslim and a Christian. In terms of their family affairs – marriage, divorce, inheritance – we will not apply sharī‘ah here but they can judge themselves. They will have all rights.

           The prophet said, ‘What is for them is for us,’ which means, if I can take salary, or gain positions, or have houses, or …, in everything that has to do with putting together a government there is no difference between Muslim or Christian. Even the high positions in government, and there will be equivalence in their salaries as well. As long as they don’t kill me, or raise a weapon against me, or attack me, I am obliged to protect them and give security to them and their houses of worship as well. I represent the district, not just those who vote for me. This is democracy, and it is also sharī‘ah. I will treat the Christian like the Muslim, and in fact be sure to be responsible for them. Of Christians it says, ‘You will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, "We are Christians."’ (Quran 5:82)

            But the most difficult religion, which hates all of humanity, is that of the Jews. They hate Christianity also. In Palestine, do they make any difference between Muslim and Christian? No, they will kill them both. So the Jewish religion has the most hate for humanity, but as for Christianity, there is friendship, ‘because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant’ (continuing verse above).

Reaction to decades of corruption and violence in 2011.

           Nour party will work on developing education. Statistics show the most intelligent children in the world are Egyptian. But as soon as he enters school he becomes the stupidest student in the world.

            Is democracy the rule of the people by the people? No, for us ruling is only for God. as concerns the roots of sharī‘ah, all are in agreement. new interpretations, consistent with the modern era  has to do with the details, not with the roots. We reject a religious state. Why? A religious state is one where the ruler states that what he decides is from God. No. We want a civil state which is ruled by sharī‘ah. If the ruler makes an error we declare his error, and if he is correct, we say thank you and accept it.

            But if a matter transgresses the will of the majority, we will accept it. But we respect freedom in everything except that which is against the established principles of religion. And we respect all minorities. The religious state, as the media makes out that we believe in, is the equivalent of Europe in the Middle Ages where the church ruled by God’s law and there was no room for discussion. The church ruled as if it was in the place of God. We say we are not in the place of God on earth. No, we present the law of God, and we implement the law of God, but not with haughtiness or pride.

            Must a woman cover with the hijāb, the niqāb, or is she free to wear what she wants? Nothing religious will be imposed on anyone. We will advise only, and the one who refuses is free. You are a Christian, and you will raise your children to be Christian. I, likewise, am a Muslim and do the same. But if we take someone like the liberal ‘Amr Hamzāwī, who says I will let my children choose their faith… Do the traditions of Egypt allow someone to do this? There must be preservation of the identity of Egypt. You are an American and you have your customs, but is it acceptable to implement your customs on the people of Egypt?

Note From Steve: Words of intention in politics are not always the same as resulting actions. Things are usually more complex than news media outlets reports them to be. (The Salafi are considered to be more conservatively Islamic than the Muslim Brotherhood who won the majority of parliament seats.) Many Egyptian Christians (Copts) are far from comforted by the election results.