Sadiq Al-Ghariani
Sadiq al-Ghariani | |
|---|---|
| الصادق الغرياني | |
.JPG) Ghariani in December 2011. | |
| Grand Mufti of Libya | |
| Assumed office February 2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1942 Tripoli, Italian Libya |
| Residence(s) | Exeter, United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | University of Mohammed bin Ali al-Sanusi (BA) al-Azhar University (Msc & PhD) University of Exeter (PhD) |
| Profession | Cleric |
| Website | tanasuh.com |
Sadiq Abdulrahman Ali Alghariani (alternative spelling include Saadiq, Sadeq and Sadik) (Arabic: الصادق عبد الرحمن علي الغرياني) has been the Grand Mufti of Libya since 2012. Sadiq Al-ghariani is notable for his opposition to the "UN Report on Violence Against Women and Girls"[1][2][3]
He is also a notable supporter of Operation Libya Dawn, the Islamic fundamentalist seizure of Tripoli. The British media report that he "faces possible war crimes charges for urging followers to overthrow Libyan government" and that he is currently residing in the United Kingdom, where he gained his doctorate in 1984.[4]
In 2013, a woman named Hamida Al-Hadi Al-Asfar was tortured and murdered, allegedly by Alghariani's supporters for criticising him.[5][6]
Background
Al-Ghariani was born in 1942. He studied Sharia law at an Islamist educational institution in Bayda which is currently known as Omar Al-Mukhtar University. He graduated in 1969 and started teaching there in 1970.
In the 1970s he studied a Master's degree and doctorate in Sharia law at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. In 1984 he received a doctorate in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
He subsequently became a senior university figure in Tripoli.
Attitude towards women
In March 2013, he issued a fatwa against the UN Report on Violence Against Women and Girls. The Grand Mufti is perceived to be linked closely to Islamist parties. He condemned the UN report for "advocating immorality and indecency in addition to rebelliousness against religion and clear objections to the laws contained in the Quran and Sunnah".[7][8]
Libyan Conflict of 2011
During the Libyan Civil War of 2011, he declared a "jihad" against Muammar Gadhaffi during a televised address. Ghariani was later appointed as the Grand Mufti of Libya in February 2012 by the National Transitional Council.
Inter-war period
In the lead up to the 2012 GNC election Ghariani urged voters not to vote for the National Forces Alliance party led by Mahmoud Jibril because of Jibril's Liberalism politics.
Libyan Conflict of 2014
In February 2014 Al-Ghariani forbade opposition to the General National Congress[9] which was refusing to stand down and hold elections. He called for its enemies to be "eliminated".
In June 2014 he issued a fatwa against General Haftar's forces[10] fighting against Islamic fundamentalism in Libya and ordered Muslims to fight against him.[11]
Ghariani also praised Ansar al-Sharia in June 2014, despite the groups alleged role in the 2012 Benghazi attack.[12]
Following the fall of Tripoli Airport in August 2014, he congratulated the Libya Dawn coalition on his internet channel from the UK, saying "I congratulate the revolutionaries in their victory, I give blessing to the martyrs".[13]
Ghariani's conservative teachings have long been a subject of controversy, and he was criticized in late August 2014 by then Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, who accused Ghariani of issuing false fatwas and called on Libya's Council of Deputies to remove him from his post.[12]
References
- ^ http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/03/11/grand-mufti-condemns-un-report-on-violence-against-women/
- ^ Jones, Susan. "Libya's Grand Mufti Issues Fatwa Against U.N. Report on Women's Rights". CNS News. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ "Libyan Religious Leader Calls For Gender Segregation". VOA. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ^ Chris Stephen. "UK accused of harbouring Libyan cleric who helped aid Islamist insurgency". the Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ^ http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/01/07/kidnapped-lawyer-found-dead
- ^ "Lawyer Who Supported the Rights of Women in Libya, Found Dead | Viva Libya !". Vivalibya.wordpress.com. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ Jones, Susan. "Libya's Grand Mufti Issues Fatwa Against U.N. Report on Women's Rights". CNS News. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ Alexandra Valiente (2013-03-11). "Libya's "Grand Mufti" Issues Fatwa Against UN Report on Violence Against Women and Girls | Viva Libya !". Vivalibya.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/02/07/grand-mufti-supports-congress-remaining-in-office-forbids-action-against-it/#axzz3BEEmEefL
- ^ http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/.../libya-grand-mufti-fatwa-jihad-hifter.html
- ^ "Mufti call for violence angers Libyans". Magharebia. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ^ a b Stephen, Chris; Halliday, Josh (29 August 2014). "UK accused of harbouring Libyan cleric who helped aid Islamist insurgency". The Guardian.
- ^ Chris Stephen. "UK accused of harbouring Libyan cleric who helped aid Islamist insurgency". the Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2014.