A number of Sufi Sheikhs across Egypt have unanimously rejected the call to take part in the strike on April 6, as they said such call and the participation in any protests or sit-ins that day would be illegal.
They called all the Sufi community to foil the strike and said that the authors of such call were dissenters who just sowed the seeds of sedition between the people and the rulers.
Mohamed el-Shahawi, Chairman of the five-party Committee managing the dissolved Supreme Council of Sufi Orders, said all Sufis in Egypt believed in obedience to the ruler (as stated by Islam) as long as he does not violate the Islamic Law.
Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, he said Sufi orders had their own opinion concerning strikes, sit-ins and protests, as they considered them forms of violence against the State.
He added this was rejected by all Sufi orders, saying they believe that violence does not achieve any noble goal as long as the State is convinced that any step it takes is in the interest of everyone and helps to face crises and problems.
Shahawi said there were prominent figures inside and outside Egypt working on the sly to tarnish Egypt's image and to achieve personal gains in order to embarrass the political leadership. He said all those who would reply to the call should feel ashamed.
He called on political leaders to form a committee of senior figures, intellectuals, economic experts, psychologists, sociologists and clergymen to face the illegal actions of young people living in difficult conditions.
Sheikh Mustafa el-Safi said violence did not come not from Islam, as this religion sought to preserve the community from strange ideas downplaying Egypt's role and leadership.
He added that the Sufis rejected the idea of disobeying the rulers through strikes or sit-ins and other illegal means contrary to Islamic Sharia, which instead calls for obeying rulers.
He went on to say that discussions and peaceful negotiations were the way to help rulers get out of the crisis and the problems of the country in light of the many enemies of Egypt and Islam at home and abroad.
He said that reforming and fortifying individuals through faith and morals were the most important priorities for the time being.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Ayman Osman Taha, said Southern Egypt sheikhs believe President Mubarak can run the country. He then added that resorting to illegal methods was unacceptable and had nothing to do with Islam.
He said the strike on April 6 would fail in southern Egypt, stressing that there were personal and hostile interests aiming to undermine Egypt's stability.
For his part, Mohammed Abdel Aziz, media coordinator of the April 6 Youth movement, said it was wrong to make connections between calling for and organizing the strike, saying his movement had only called for the strike but was not organizing it.
Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, he said calls to hold protests and strikes were not just useless attempts to scream.
"We're not relying very much on the Tagammu Party's stance after the party leader Rifaat Al-Said called us a bunch of kids. I think it should seriously reconsider its own ideas. Perhaps the strike will succeed and the participating parties may be remembered in the years to come" he said.
