Islamic scholar Gamal El-Banna has launched a stinging criticism of those he describes as “Salafists”, saying that their way of thinking does not realise what century it is.
At a conference organised by Ain publishing house in Alexandria on Monday, El-Banna explained that while Salafist leaders drive expensive cars, use high-tech computers and live in palatial homes, they remain oblivious to the rules of their time.
He sarcastically commented on the Salafist movement’s “invention of a punishment which dictates that ears should be cut and that shrines should be destroyed,” saying that “it only distorts the image of Islam.”
El-Banna went further, tearing apart their claims to legitimacy by stating that Salafists do not adhere to the traditions of the Prophet and his companions, neither in ethics nor in thoughts.
He proceeded to focus on the Muslim Brotherhood. The scholar, brother of the Brotherhood’s founder Hassan El-Banna, expects that their new Freedom and Justice political party will result in disagreements and divisions within the group. This, he believes, will create a gulf between the Brotherhood’s political party line and that of the organisation.
As for Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya (the Islamic Group), El-Banna added that their members are faithful to their cause and that they were on the right track until they unfortunately decided to resort to violence. He noted that they have now renounced violence and returned to their old path.
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