Sufism in politics: Anti-terrorism tool

The Sufism discipline does not confine to only the teachings of Quran and the Islamic fundamentalism, but it recently entered politics as well. The political presence was reflected in support of sufi orders by political regimes of some countries. In Morocco, for example, the authorities have revived the Sufism via holding festivals and providing all forms of support, particularly to orders of Tijaniyya, Kittaniya, and Boutchichiya, which has closer contacts with many officials and diplomats of other countries.

The Moroccan authorities allow holding festivals of “Listening to Marrakech” and “the Fes Festival of Sufi Culture in Morocco”.

The Revival of Sufism

The Jordanian authorities are disseminating the Sufism as an alternative Islamic approach that should be followed among the people.

Meanwhile, Algeria has more than 30 different Sufi orders. The most influential one is Tijaniyya order (school), which was founded by Abul al-Abbas Tijani. The order has many headquarters in Laghouat region in central Algeria, and in other African countries of Niger, Mali, Senegal and central Africa.

Two other Sufi orders of Shadhili and Qadiriyya, which were founded by  Abul Hasan Ali ash-Shadhili and Abdul Qader Gilani respectively, have a strong presence in central Africa. Also, in western Algeria Rahmaniyya order, along with other orders of Shaykhism, Derkaouia, Al-Habriyah, Zayaniyah, al-Wazanyah, and Shabyiah, have a strong presence.

In Egypt, the Sufism has witnessed a major change since the ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, who was trying lure the Sufis to get their loyalty. However, they found terrorism targeting their mosques and shrines. Thus, Sufi orders in Egypt were forced to have a political participation.

In Sudan, the Sufism has a new influential form; a supreme council for Sufism was established, and associations of the Sufi students were formed in universities. Also, a higher council for al-Zakereen (Sufi supplicants ) was established by the Sudanese Legislative Council. Meanwhile, a T.V. channel and a radio station were launched to spread Sufism doctrine . Alos, a congress for Sufi scholars was founded, besides many Sufi bands.

Some orders like Naqshbandi, Ahmadiyya al Hashemyya, Clan Muhammadiyah, and al-Gazoulyah, etc have changed from being mystical orders into associations with organized structure, headquarters and administrations.

For example, the Sufi Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) in Somalia consists of paramilitary forces that fought against radical Islamic groups in the civil war between al-Qaeda-affiliated organizations and pro-government forces (2006-2009). The presence of ASWJ was welcomed by the people as its forces were seen as savors from militant group of al-Shabab, which took hard-line decisions of banning Kat,  imposing Hijab on women and destroying the shrines.

Iraq-based Naqshbandi Army, which is also called the Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order, is a sufi organization that had a big role after the U.S. invasion into Iraq. The order was defending the marginalized Sunnis. Its forces were stationing in northern Iraq and some Kurdish areas. The number of ASWJ’s forces was estimated between 1,000 and 5,000 fighters.

The Naqshbandi Army participated in the fall of Mosul in 2014, which occurred between the Islamic State terrorist group (Daesh) and the Iraqi army. Currently, the  Naqshbandi Army has many tanks, missiles, armored vehicles, SUVs and other weapons. Its commanders were former officers of the Iraqi army.

In Senegalese jungles, the Army of Maridia was formed by Ahmed Bemb in 1898 to fight the French colonialism. Now, the army became an independent organization away from the government’s intervention.

In Egypt, head of the Shabrawyah order Abdel-Khaleq al-Shabrawy decided to form a group of the order members to defend the shrines from the Daesh-affilaite in North Sinai. Also, Muhammadiyah order is considered a Sunni Sufi order.

Investments of new organizations

The Sufism has been seen as an anti-terrorism tool against the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood. Sufi scholar Abdullah al-Nasser Helmy told Hafryat newspaper that the Sufism is the best solution to combat extremism and terrorism.

“Let’s talk about Sufism’s message from which we take  the moral power, religious pride, and spiritual virtues. Let’s make it a shield protecting our nation,” he added.

In remarks to Ultrasawt, expert on political science and international affairs Abdel-Hadi Kharboush said that most politicians are now in contact with Sufi scholars and sheikhs, who can easily mobilize many votes in any elections.

Consequently, the U.S. administration sees that the new era in Islam will be of the Sufis. The U.S started supporting the Sufi orders via reconstructing the shrines, publishing their books, and participating in their festivals. In Egypt, US ambassador to Cairo Francis J. Ricciardone held a meeting with head of al-Gazoulyah order sheikh Hassan al-Shenawy and attended the order festivals, beside visiting Al-Sayed al-Badawi Moulid in Tanta. U.S. consul Gwendolyn Cardno paid a visit to the shrine of Sufi Sheikh al-Mursi abu el-Abbas in Alexandria.

London-based Sufism International Association has established a branch in Egypt under the leadership of head of al-Shehawyah al-Barhamya order, Sheikh  Mohamed al-Shehawy.

Charge' d'affaires of the American Embassy in Khartoum, Joseph D. Stafford was working on indulging the Sufis in the U.S. policy against the hardline Sunnis.  Stafford started with the small groups, which belong to the widely-supported Qadiriyya order. The small groups include the al-Badryah order in Khartoum’s Omdoban region, al-Erkeyah order in al-Jazeera region, and al-Kabashya order in Khartoum province.

In a nutshell, Sufis are fragrantly being dragged into the political scene to be sued as a political shield. However, due to indulgence in politics, the Sufis could face a dilemma over its social role, which turned to organized groups for combating terrorists in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya , and other countries that witnesses several terrorist attacks against Sufi shrines and zawias (places where Sufi supplicants hold festivals). Despite the fact that Sufis are endangered by terrorist attacks, eyes still looking at the Sufism as “the best anti-terrorism tool”.