During their celebrations of the new Islamic year two days ago, thousands of Sufis pled allegiance to Sheikh Abdel Hadi al-Qasabi as chairman of the Supreme Council of Sufi Orders. Thirty-seven orders refused to take part in the celebrations in solidarity with families of the victims of the Israeli massacre in the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of Sufis belonging to 15 orders participated in the celebrations, which were held before Saleh al-Jaafari and Al-Hussein mosques.
In a statement on behalf of the Supreme Council, al-Qasabi called on human rights organizations, the international community and the United Nations to intervene to save Gazans and stop the Israeli massacres. He also called on Palestinian factions to overcome their personal differences. A number of Sufi sheikhs, belonging to Abul Azayem's bloc, strongly criticized al-Qasabi for celebrating the new Islamic Year while Israel was committing its violations. Sheikh Mohammed Shahawi, member of the Supreme Council's general assembly, said: "We decided not to participate in the celebrations in solidarity with the Palestinian people. He added that holding celebrations in coincidence with the Israeli aggression on Gaza tarnishes Sufism's image.
