Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Preachers of 'Kentucky religion' [Reviewer: the reference is to KFC, not the U.S. state] appeared suddenly after the demise of religious groups advocating violence following the many blows they received from security forces.

 

A religious vacuum developed, which was rapidly filled by the so-called 'new preachers', Tantawī says.

 

These proceeded to provide a tailor-made religion for the members of the upper classes. "Most prominent among its specifications is keeping away from politics and authority, and also keeping away from the poor and their problems … to avoid making the mistake that the former radical religious groups made …" Tantawī writes.

 

They proceeded to provide "a religious meal", suited only to this upper class "which resembles to a large extent the famous Kentucky meal made of fried chicken … which only the rich and the high ups can afford," the author says.

 

This Kentucky meal could be a ruse to achieve power through the back door, by luring the sons of the ruling classes and the rich to them, who know nothing about religion. They provided a simplified and superficial form of religion that "is in harmony with the tastes and circumstances of the Kentucky eaters, without paying the slightest attention to the lower classes …"

 

Some of the new preachers, one being Khālid al-Jindī, frequently refer to the poor with contempt. An example is his incitement of the security forces against street vagrants, without mentioning that society as a whole is responsible for that phenomenon and many others caused by poverty, abandonment of education and the loss of social justice, Tantawī writes.

 

These new preachers are always in the company of the upper crust of journalists, politicians, actors, and Gulf princes and princesses, providing them with short, neat Fatwás that suit them, and allay their consciences.

 

Perhaps in the future we shall hear of Fatwás for members of this class permitting them to pray while relaxing in a swimming pool, or substituting putting a golf ball for holding a rosary, or even having a whisky while breaking fast in Ramadan, Tantawī writes.