'Secularists' carry a foreign agenda: Salafist Imam tells pro-Sharia protesters
Randa Ali, Friday 9 Nov 2012
Mohamed El-Soghyr accuses 'secularists' and liberals of fronting for western interests; the former member of parliament said those who oppose Sharia resemble 'infidels' who fought against the prophet Mohamed


Sheikh Mohamed El-Soghyr, member of Al-Gamaa Islamyia, opens fire at "seculars" and liberals at Friday prayer ceremony in Tahrir Square, accusing them of being agents to the West.

"Our Prophet [Mohamed] fought the infidels of Mecca, who are now represented by the Liberals," said El-Soghyr.

The former member of now-disbanded People's Assembly from the Salafist Building and Development Party spoke before several thousands who gathered in the square to demand Egypt's new constitution to be based on the Islamic Sharia law.

El-Soghyr added that it was unacceptable for Egypt, "the beating heart of Islam", to be a place for those who are only concerned with their own interest and agendas.

These "seculars" and liberals do not believe in the things they call for – like democracy, they only believe in orders that are sent to them through mediators for the West, claimed El-Soghyr.

El-Soghyr claimed that it was "God's will" of granting Muslims' wish for a president who is representative of Egyptians and one that will rule by Islamic Sharia law, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi.

"We are still waiting for more, and will not blink until the law of God is applied. This is a wish we have for so long pursued," the Salafist Imam said.

He further stated that their protest is a "duty towards the book of God [Quran]."

El-Soghyr continued his speech by urging Muslims who claim their belief In "Allah and his prophet" to give into his laws, questioning if "there is a better law-maker than God?"

"If I am questioning the laws and revelations of the God I am worshipping, then I better find myself another god," he added.

The Imam called for the dismissal of the Prosecutor General, criticised the High Constitutional Court and accused some judges of accepting bribes.

El-Soghyr further called for the release of the blind Sheikh, Omar Abdel Rahman, who is serving a life sentence in the US for his alleged part in terrorist attacks in 1993.

Prayers ended with protesters playing on the main chant of the 25 January revolution, crying out "Bread, Freedom, Islamic Sharia," substituting the "Islamic doctrine" for "social justice," in the original chant.

Friday's protest was called for by several Islamist groups, including Al-Gamaa Islamyia and the Salafist Front.

Notably, both the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist Al-Nour party, Egypt's biggest Islamist groups announced their non-participation.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/57646.aspx