A symposium Discussed (Islam is the Solution) Slogan

A symposium Discussed (Islam is the Solution) Slogan
Ikhwan online
By Hussam Mahmmud
A symposium was held, on Oct.23, to discuss the essences of the slogan of the Moslem Brotherhood, ’Islam is the solution’. The participants hailed the choice of this slogan by the MB in its election campaigns for the parliamentary election, scheduled on the Nov.9.

At the beginning of the symposium, Muhammad Farg, a member in el-Tagama Party, admitted that the slogan, used since 1987, is smart. Its use in a religious society reflects the intelligence of the movement. Nevertheless, he voiced some concerns. But, these concerns were revealed by Essam el-Eriaan, a prominent leader in the MB. He answered many questions: does the slogan carry a tangible program? Is it religious or political program?

 

The symposium was a kind of confrontation between pro and anti sides. Essam el-Eriaan explained that the slogan provokes three notions. Firstly, it shows that the Islam is the civilization identity of our nation that makes it distinctive among the world. The world civilization is a product of many various peoples and religions. Thus, Islam is our distinguishing element among these nations. Therefore, it is an intelligent slogan that is considered to be a kind of rehabilitation to our Islamic World.

 

Secondly, the slogan crowns Islam as the supreme authority. Constitutions are dominant; we can differ or agree within the frame of Islam, the constitution. El-Eriaan added that the Islamic culture is not restricted to Moslems; it is public.

 

El-Eriaan refused to consider that the slogan was an attempt to impose certain authority. He clarified that people, during occupation and the Othman epoch, had been stripped off their right to choose their authority. But, 19980s has witnessed the return of freedom to the MB who publicized this slogan, which was an _expression of the general atmosphere.

 

He remarked that the nature of slogans is to be loose. For example, ’religion for Allah and the country for all’ and ’constitution is above all’ express certain liberal movements.

 

 

 

’Islam is the solution’ is not abstract; it adopts an applicable program. This fact can be seen in the remarkable presence of the MB in syndicates and local boards. It is, in addition, a refutation to those who claim that the Moslem Brotherhood does not have an integral program.

 

El-Eriaan said that the Moslem Brotherhood has a gleaming history since 1930s, when Hansen el-Bana, the founder of the MB, had submitted 50 demands, in six aspects of life, to the state. He called for election reform; to apply electoral lists, a system by which to choose a program and not persons.  El-Eriaan shed light to the initiative of Muhammad Akef, the Supreme Guide of the MB, proposed in Marsh, 2004 and which introduced a part and parcel program that covers all aspects of life.

 

He noted that the repercussion of Islam application in some countries is not a model. For Egypt experiences cultural and social background that allows peaceful and flexible Islam-inspired solution to be passed.

 

On the other hand, Rafeeqe Habeeb, a Christian researcher, answered two questions about the name and the slogan of the movement. He said that the Moslem Brotherhood emerged in wake of the Othman era and its aim was very abstract so its slogan was general. He added that the loose slogan reflects that the MB is still undergoes a crisis, therefore, the attention to details lags behind.

 

He expounded that the experiments of Islam application in many Islamic countries, such as Sudan and Iran, have erupted some problems for their slogans were rule-related and without real tools to activate them.

 

He underscored the challenges that counter ’Islam is the solution’. It should not be restricted to certain movement or group. The Moslem Brotherhood took up the responsibility to gather Moslems and to restore the Islamic identity. Another challenge is how to put the idea across to Christians and intellectuals.

 

“I do not agree with those who say that the slogan is abstract”, Habeeb concluded. 

 

On his part, said, Muhammad Farg, a member in el-Tagama party, that the slogan is brilliant; it implies a political tendency that meets religious society. Is it a religious or political slogan? Does the slogan mean civil or religious rule? Does the slogan consider the Christians and women? He wondered.

 

Omar Abdullah, a participant, underlined that the Moslem Brotherhood seeks an Islamic civil country, which owns institutions and authority. He pointed out that the MB admits that the country is the source of powers; it observes the ruler and lays down the patterns of institutions.

 

He criticized those who attack the Islamic authority while nobody condemns liberal and communist authorities. He clarified that Islam does not approved individual domination but encourages the control of elected institutions.

 

El-Eriaan indicated that conditions will be better if the Moslem Brotherhood becomes a recognized party. He concluded that there is a desperate need to reach a national agreement over an authority; a distinction between powers and fundamental principles of the civil society is crucial, in addition.