ICC Note:
“One of the most unsettling developments of Egypt’s Arab Spring has been the surge of activity by ultraconservative Salafist Muslims,” The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Salafis, who emulate the practices of early Islam during the time of Muhammad similar to Wahhabi doctrine in Saudi Arabia, oppose treating Christians as citizens with equal rights. Salafis have been responsible for attacks against Christians – including on two churches in Imbaba, Cairo that killed 12 – in post-revolution Egypt.
By Trudy Rubin
11/6/2011 Egypt (Philadelphia Inquirer) – One of the most unsettling developments of Egypt’s Arab Spring has been the surge of activity by ultraconservative Salafist Muslims, who used to denounce conventional politics.
Salafism is a puritanical form of Sunni Islam that aims to emulate the faith as it was practiced during the Prophet Muhammad’s time.  Unlike the Muslim Brotherhood, which has long tried to engage in politics, when it was not being repressed by past Egyptian governments, the Salafis concentrated on preaching and social work.  Some veered into violence.
But today – in the midst of Egypt’s open political season – Salafis have formed two political parties, and a Salafi, Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail, is running for president.
Salafis are a wild card in the elections, with some predicting they could win ten per cent of the votes. They don’t speak with one voice: Some preach hatred of Christians on well-funded satellite channels, some have attacked Christians and burned churches, while others denounce such actions.  Although they deny it, Salafi groups are rumored to receive substantial funds from Saudi Arabia.
There is no question these fundamentalists want to push for an Islamic state and to change Egypt’s conservative but tolerant culture: Abu Ismail says if he were president all women would have to veil.  Recently, at a Salafi rally in Alexandria, a statue of Zeus surrounded by mermaids was covered up because it was considered indecent.
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