Salafist parties important in Algeria

The founder of Algeria's first Salafist party has claimed that the group is not working to seize power in the country, but insists political participation is important considering the current state of the country. Speaking to Arabstoday, Abdel-Fatah Hamdash, leader of the the Free Awakening Party, said that he wants to help rebuild state institutions and not seize power or occupy state positions. He criticised the Algerian Minister of Religious affairs Abdullah Ghulamallah for mocking the Salafist movement. Hamdash said that the Salafist group is open to dialogue and interaction with the different political parties operating in Algeria, adding, “we are not negative or serious people." He emphasised that they want to resume the approach adopted by Algerian scholars, who liberated the mentality of Algerian people to pave the way for their victorious revolution. The Islamic leader defended the right of Salafist parties to participate in national politics, saying that the majority of the Algerian population is on their side. He said that the people of Algeria gave Islamic parties the constitutional right to represent them. Hamdash said that the various political and national powers in Algeria must accept this new trend, adding that his party has opened talks with non-Salafist Islamic parties to form a coalition through which they could work in the interests of the country. He explained that his sole reason for participation in politics is to confront liberal parties who are promoting western culture within the Algerian communities. He said there was a fear that if Islamic parties did not step in, the liberal movements would continue to pass laws which contradict religion. He expressed delight at the rise of Islamist parties in the Arab world after the Arab Spring, referring specifically to Egypt. He also denied that this change inspired the Salafist movement to get involved in politics, adding that they started political work in the 1990s.