When people were pitched against the army rule of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, the Islamists maintained a low profile. The western media depicted the whole episode being spearheaded by secularists and moderate Muslim groups. Those banking on western media for reports were unable to understand the absence of highly-active Muslim Brotherhood members from the agitation.
When the tyrant was removed and election announced then too the west expected the secularists to perform well. But the results from the Egyptian People’s Assembly elections surprised many with the Muslim Brotherhood winning around 45 per cent of votes. As the world had known the movement for long there was no weird reaction. But the biggest surprise came when the little-unknown Salafis made their way. The ultra Islamists, who have more purist views on Islam even than the Muslim Brotherhood, surprised many in the world by winning more than quarter of the votes.
Looking at the result, many started supporting Brotherhood and criticized the Salafis. But that too didn’t stop their march to victory. Since then many have been trying to fathom what convinced the Egyptians to vote for a party that has no charismatic leader. The fact is Salafis have strict view on women and other issues and it would be interesting to see how they would adjust them in power.
The only Salafis the world knows about is the movement in Saudi Arab where they always advocated for keeping religion and power separately. Now the big question is will they change or push Egypt to be more radical? Those who watched their leaders deliver speeches during elections were impressed by them. They looked matured and well informed vis-à-vis their counterparts in Saudi Arab. The real test for Salafis begins when they form the government. All eyes on Nader Bakkar, the new rising star in Egypt politics.
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