The story of the Front's success in the municipal elections.

Abu Malik: A continuation of the question

The Shaykh: Yes.
Abu Malik: Our brothers in Algeria entered an experiment, and they succeeded in it to a great extent, and it is the experiment of the municipalities...

The Shaykh : Yes.
Abu Malik: That is, approximately eighty-five percent, as I learned from some of the brothers, some of the municipalities achieved ninety, ninety-five percent.

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.
Abu Malik: And some municipalities were less than this, and so on. The important thing is that they had an apparent success in this field. So they are arranging their entry into parliament, meaning they are measuring the success of entering parliament based on the success they achieved in the municipalities. They say that even the municipalities, the Algerian people turned to the municipalities, the majority of which are Muslims, because they saw the reforms were apparent in them. Even some of those who had lagged behind in electing the Muslims in these regions...

The Shaykh : Yes.
Abu Malik: ...regretted not electing them because they saw the role of the Muslims in these municipalities was apparent and prominent. And they are promising them that even if they enter the parliamentary elections, they will be with them and alongside them. So the brothers in Algeria, perhaps this success they achieved in the municipalities leads them to hope for the same if they enter the parliamentary elections. And especially now, there is what is known as the Islamic Salvation Front, and this is a coalition in which some Islamic movements and our Salafi brothers also entered this Front, is that not correct?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh: That is, it is true. They say that this strong Islamic coalition, which achieved success in the municipalities, is hoped for, or expected, to achieve, if Allah wills, the same success in the parliament. This is what they are currently talking about. Therefore, we want our Shaykh to also clarify the distinction between this and that, so that the truth may become clear to them, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh: ... What you heard just now, is it not the case that what is built upon a defective foundation is defective? Is it not the case that entering parliament means supporting the existing system?
Abu Malik: No, our Shaykh. In order to hear the brothers, I want you to clarify to them...

The Shaykh: Correct. It is not a conversation between you and me, but my intention is that the previous speech is an answer to such a matter. That is, the system is not an Islamic system. So this Islamic gathering, if the expression is correct, that they are all Islamic groups and Islamic parties, they will join under this system, which is considered a non-Islamic system. And this is a point in which I do not think there is disagreement among everyone. If that is the case, does reform begin in this way, the way of joining a rule that is clearly contrary to the Shari'ah of Islam, with the intention of trying to reform this system? Is this the path of reform? Or does the path of reform begin with the foundation, and not directly with reaching parliament? We have seen in the history of the modern era many Islamic groups, whether in Syria or here or in Egypt, who entered parliament and were unable to do anything. The matter reached us in Syria that one of the Islamic groups became the Minister of Information or something like that; I no longer remember well. The important thing is that he had the authority to instruct the radio not to allow any of the reciters to recite ten verses of the Qur'an that contain criticism of the Christians, in order to preserve what? The good and friendly relations between Muslims and these disbelievers.