Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - "There are two surprises in this first round of elections: the high percentage of the Muslim Brotherhood’s victory and the strong advance of the Salafis" says to Fides Fr. Luciano Verdoscia, a Comboni missionary who lives and works in Cairo, commenting on the results of the first round of voting to elect the Lower Chamber of the Egyptian Parliament. The vote, which was held on November 29 and December 5 in Cairo, in Alexandria and other cities, saw the list "Freedom and Justice" (Muslim Brotherhood) obtain 36.62% of the votes and the party "El -Nour " (Salafi) 24.36%. The party "Wasat" (Islamic moderates) obtained 4.27%. The Egyptian Block, a coalition of 15 liberal parties, obtained 13.35%.
"On the eve of the elections all observers had predicted the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood, but few expected such a high percentage", explains Fr. Luciano. "As for the Salafis, these groups have worked extensively in the popular areas, with the approval of professionals, too (doctors, lawyers, engineers) who, although educated, have a one-dimensional culture, linked to Islam".
During the second round held on December 5 clashes between the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis were reported. Fr. Luciano reveals what, in his view, are the differences between the two groups. "The difference between the Salafis and the Muslim Brotherhood is that the latter are linked to the Wahhabi ideology, of Saudi origin. Some of their leaders issued statements that caused confusion among many Egyptians, like the one that women should not drive the car. The party instead of the Muslim Brotherhood, although referring to Islamic values, declared its intention to respect the freedom of everyone. One should, however, understand what they mean by freedom", continued the missionary. "One has to understand that in Egyptian society, some issues which in the West belong to individual freedom, are instead regarded as part of the social sphere. For example, sexuality in the West is a personal matter (even if it has social implications), but here, especially women's sexuality is seen as a social issue that concerns, for example, family honor, etc. ... " .
Finally Fr. Luciano does not agree with those who put Western Christian-based parties and a possible evolution of Islamist parties in this sense side by side. "In the West, for centuries Church and State are two separate things, in Islam, this distinction has not yet occurred, because religion is seen as strongly marked in politics and society".
The missionary, however, notes that recent positions taken by the Grand Imam of Al Azar, who told the parties of Islamic-inspiration to dela with politics and to leave the religious sphere to him, "it is interesting, however, because it was well received by Egyptians. One will have to see what dynamics will be established within this world". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/12/2011)
