CAIRO: Sheikh Mohammad Shahawi, Chairman of the Committee of the Five Ways of Sufism and the man charged with organizing the leadership of the Sufi sect, has announced the establishment of a Global Sufi Council based in London to spread what he called “moderate and tolerant Islam.” The council will aim to confront the spread of the less tolerant Salafist and Wahhabi branches of the faith, which are expanding their influence internationally. The announcement of the new council comes after Shahawi's wife, Magda Eid, established Egypt's first female association for Sufi women. She said that the aim of the association is to raise awareness of Sufi women and the principles and teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah – the deeds, sayings and actions of the Prophet Mohamed – especially since most of the women lack awareness in these issues, “because of its unique role to serve the practice of Sufi groups through the preparation of food in celebrations, and other business, where the laws and customs of the chiefdom prevent the participation of Sufi women in its work.†Shahawi believes it is the spread of these less tolerant ideologies, which has led to increased militant extremism and has tarnished the image of Islam and Muslims, especially after the events of 9/ 11. Shahawi told al-Dustour that he chose London as the headquarters of the Global Sufi Council after Sufi leadership in Cairo failed to promote and spread Sufism in Egypt and around the world. Being located in London also means fewer legal and administrative problems for the council, which has the approval of the British government and security chiefs at Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the UK police force, he said. Shahawi stressed that he will set up branches of the Council in Cairo and other Arab and Islamic capitals, adding that Egyptian security authorities warmly welcomed and encouraged the establishment of a branch in Cairo, where they will be licensed as a foreign Islamic body that practises religious activities within the country. He emphasized Sufis' devotion to confronting the imminent dangers of a Salafist and Wahhabi ideological invasion that threatens Egyptians and people around the world. Wahhabis, historically, are mortal enemies to Sufism, deeming its followers “infidels and heretics.” **reporting by Mohamed Abdel Salam BM
