Egyptian Salafi Leader Muhammad Al-Zawahiri: Democracy Contravenes Islam; Shari'a Law Is The Answer To All Of Egypt's Problems

Source:
MEMRI
Date of source:
29 Jan 2013
Reference:
In a January 27, 2012 interview with the London-based Arabic daily Al-Sharq AlAwsat, Egyptian Salafi-jihadi leader Muhammad Al-Zawahiri, brother of Al-Qaeda
leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, addressed the situation in Egypt and the changes that
have occurred there since the January 25 revolution. In the interview, conducted
by Waleed Abdul Rahman, Al-Zawahiri said that the situation in Egypt has
improved in terms of lifting the oppression from the Muslims and allowing them to
promote what they view as the true religion, but that Egypt still has a long way to
go in terms of implementing the laws of the shari'a. Asked why he has not joined a
political party, he replied that democracy contravenes the precepts of Islam, and
therefore he rejects all of its mechanisms and tools. He added that the corrupt
remnants of the old regime are responsible for Egypt's ongoing economic
problems and are behind the unrest in the country, and stressed that the full
implementation of the Islamic shari'a is the solution to all of these problems.
The following is the interview, as published in the English edition of Al-Sharq AlAwsat:[1]
"Muhammad Al-Zawahiri is the brother of Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri and a
founding member of the Salafi-jihadist group in Egypt. He was arrested against the eras when Islamic law was implemented, non-Muslims lived in harmony under the
law of God. And history does not recall any cases of non-Muslims becoming fed
up with Islamic shari'a law."
"We Can Also Resolve The Economic Problems By Resorting To Islamic Shari'a Law And
Purifying Our Financial Transactions"
[Al-Sharq Al-Awsat:] "In your assessment, what is the solution to Egypt's
economic woes?"
[Al-Zawahiri:] "The economic situation in Egypt is not as bad as some people are
portraying it. All the signals indicate that prices have decreased following the
revolution, while prices were rising at a constant rate during the previous era. In
fact, we are of the view that prices have remained stable, particularly regarding
agricultural products. This is not to mention a rise in the water levels behind the
High Dam. This is all because of the lifting of tyranny and poverty and because
some called for the implementation of Islamic shari'a law; they deserve the
blessings of heaven and earth.
"So what would happen if we implemented full shari'a law? There can be no doubt
that the situation would improve drastically. We can also resolve the economic
problems by resorting to Islamic shari'a law and purifying our financial
transactions, particularly those that are contrary to Islamic law, such as usury,
which is something that the Egyptian economy does not want. If we get rid of the
financial transactions forbidden by Islam, such as monopolization and the like,
then certainly we will not have any economic problems."
"The Roots Of The Former Regime Remain In Place... And Continue To Pursue Their Own
Interests"
[Al-Sharq Al-Awsat:] "How do you view the security situation? How can we
resolve this, to return security and stability to the Egyptian street?"
[Al-Zawahiri:] "We can assess the security situation from two points. First, in terms
of the repressive practices and the injustices carried out against the Muslim
people. These have stopped, and this is because such practices were a tool to
protect the interests of the regime, not the interests of the people. Since the
security apparatus was not utilized for its original function – to protect the people's
interests – it deteriorated.
[Al-Zawahiri:] "If by 'momentum' you mean the factors that led to the 25 January
revolution, such as injustice, then this will never be like it was in the past."
The Salafi-Jihadis Are Not The Problem; "It Is The West And The U.S. That Create
Problems To Serve Their Own Interests"
[Al-Sharq Al-Awsat:] "Have you found suitable employment in Egypt? Has
your life reached a point of normalcy following your return to the country
after years living abroad?"
[Al-Zawahiri:] "No... I have not found employment opportunities despite my high
degree of qualification and although I pioneered two new architectural theories.
This is due to tightening security regarding myself and my siblings on the part of
Islamist ideologues. The majority of us spent more than 15 years without an
income, and now, they are intimidating people against us to the point that we
cannot do anything."
[Al-Sharq Al-Awsat:] "Some people are of the view that Salafi-jihadis and
their activities always cause problems for ruling regimes and the
international community, particularly the West and the U.S. Do you agree?"
[Al-Zawahiri:] "This view is inverted; it is the ruling regimes and the international
community – particularly the West and the U.S. – that create problems to serve
their own interests."
[1] Asharq-e.com, January 27, 2013. The original English has been lightly edited
for clarity.