Islamist parties trying to gain ground in Libya elections

By Nehal El-Sherif, dpa
Published on 06.07.2012

   Tripoli (dpa) - Libyans are conservative by nature. Most men head to the mosques five times a day for prayers, the majority of women are veiled and many even give their children Islamic names like "Taqwa," meaning piety.

   In most political meetings, whether held by Islamist parties or government officials, attendees regularly interrupt speakers to shout "God is great."

   Many members of the police and military wear beards, which would be banned for security officers in neighbouring Egypt.

   Alcohol has been banned in Libya since former leader Moamer Gaddafi took power four decades ago, though Islamists were persecuted and exiled during his rule.

   Now, as Libyans prepare to head to the polls Saturday to elect the 200-member National Congress, which will draft a new constitution and appoint a government, Islamists begin to intensify their political presence.

   Members of the recently formed Islamist al-Watan party reiterate their commitment to the Islamic shariah law in their statements, though the party's slogan is "We are all partners in the nation."

   A recent rally for the party began with recitations from the Quran, and speeches by candidates were interrupted by shouts of "God is great" from the crowd.

   In Egypt and Tunisia, Islamists have risen to power after long-ruling presidents were ousted in uprisings last year. Unlike Libya, Islamists in both neighbouring states had a long history of dissent and political activity.

   Libya's Islamists appear to be following their neighbours' footsteps by speaking about democracy, human rights and rule of law in their campaigns.

   "We call for a democratic, civilian country where there is peaceful transfer of power," al-Watan de facto party leader Abdul Hakim Belhaj told dpa.

   "We want to build our country following the goals of the people who sparked our blessed revolution. There is nothing scary in our religion, we call for moderate Islam, and we want to build a country where there is separation of powers, rule of law and free media."

   The bearded Belhaj, a former emir of the now defunct Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), said that the party "seeks harmony, consensus and security - there is nothing to fear from this."

   Party members do not seem to be aware of Islamist politics, and many loyalists do not have a clear idea about the goals of the party.

   "The party will help many find more jobs," said a party member, wearing a t-shirt and cap with the party's white and purple slogan.

   Some Tripoli residents do not approve of al-Watan, but their only concern is that they heard that the party is funded by Gulf countries.

   Belhaj denies the allegation: "We are funded through the patriotic Libyans only."

   Ali Khalifa, a 35-year-old candidate with the party, says he joined the party to prove that shariah was used "as a scarecrow by the old regime" and that it is time to renew people's trust in it.

   Saturday's elections will determine whether political Islam will dominate all three North African countries, who were the first to oust their leaders in 2011.

   The Libyan Muslim Brotherhood group founded their Justice and Construction Party in March. All political parties were established this year after the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) issued the electoral law.

   Political parties were banned in Libya even before Gaddafi seized power in 1969.

   "We are all Muslims, and all parties believe shariah should be the main source of laws in the country, not just our party," said Majda al-Fallah, who is running in the elections and says she is one of the founders of the Justice and Construction Party.

   Al-Fallah, a veiled 46-year-old physician, believes that her party already enjoys a big presence among Libyans.

   While the polls are unlikely to deliver a majority to any party, Libya could well join its neighbours by bringing conservatives at least a share of power, especially as even the National Forces Alliance, seen as a liberal coalition, said it favours shariah as the basis of the law.

   The NTC announced that sharia law should be the "main" source of legislation and that this principle should not be subject to a referendum.

   "For me, Islamic shariah is a red line," said Najla, a young supporter of the Brotherhood's party. "It must be in the new constitution."