Algerian bloggers reflect on salafists' growing clout and political agenda in the Arab world.
Swiss intellectual and preacher Tariq Ramadan set the Algerian web abuzz when he posted an article on his blog examining salafism.
Salafist movements could prove to be some of the most significant political and religious challenges in the years to come, Ramadan wrote in "The Salafist Equation".
"What all salafist organisations have in common is their extreme literalist approach to the scriptural sources, usually focusing on the visible dimensions of the Islamic references (rules and jurisprudence, or fiqh), lawful or illicit behaviour (halal andharam), dress codes, rituals, etc," he wrote.
For decades, salafists refused to participate in political life, since they equated democracy to kufr (rejection of Islam), Ramadan explained. But now the movements are starting to get involved.
"The countries of the new Middle East, as well as those of North and West Africa, are facing serious dangers," the writer warned. "The religious factor is critical and if Muslims, scholars, religious and political leaders don't work toward more mutual respect, unity and accepted diversity, it is obvious there will be no successful Arab or African spring."
The issue is of great concern to Algerians. Some online activists seem worried about the rapid rise of the salafist current in the Arab world.
Salafists are "wasting their time and money", EZoubeir commented on Ramadan's article. "In Algeria, during the Civil War especially, most salafists showed their true colours: they rallied behind the business tycoons and withdrew from political preaching."
For his part, Ismael emphasised "the need to think clearly in order to shed light on these pseudo-hieratic movements both harmful and counterproductive". He commented that "Muslims need to have a more open, tolerant and ecumenical approach to Islam".
Members of Facebook group "Algerian Special Envoys" also weighed in on salafists' growing clout in Algeria. "Faith doesn't need artefacts such as a beard or a veil," posted Anne Begaglia-Nedjar. "If good has parted ways with evil, then religion should show no restraint!"
For digital journalist Khaled Zir, there is nothing surprising about the resurgence of this religious movement.
"It's as if the overall muzzling of the people had magically made this theologico-political movement disappear into thin air, something that was approved, desired and supported by those who now are worried about the 'phenomenon' persisting and spreading," wrote Zir.
He described salafists as "non-religious, democratic and republican ideologists".
Zir recalled an incident when some imams refused to stand during the national anthem. "These men are merely the product of their training," he explained, saying that salafists "don't feel that they belong to a particular nation".
"They are the 'homo-islamicus' - the new 'internationalists' with no ties or emblems... who identify with peripheral imams as they can no longer identify with national references," the journalist continued.
© Magharebia.com 2012
