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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 March 1999 Issue No. 422 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 March 1999 Issue No. 422
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters 'The founder of the family
Ahmed Kamel Yassin is the head of the Rifa'iya order (one of the largest and most influential Sufi orders in Egypt), and a member of the Sufi Supreme Council. A former businessman, he became deputy head of the Syndicate of Ashraaf after his brother was appointed as its chairman in 1991. He has been head of the syndicate since 1994
is the best of all'What does the syndicate do?
This syndicate is the only body in Egypt that is responsible for proving whether or not a person comes from Prophet Mohamed's lineage. It has over five million members. It is the place where domestic issues and the current affairs affecting Egyptian society are discussed. The chairman is among those who work with the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, the Mufti, and the Grand Sheikh of the Sufi orders.
How were you appointed to this post?
When I was deputy chairman, starting in 1991, the head of the syndicate was ill. I carried out his instructions, and did most of the work. After my brother's death, the Ashraaf chose me to run in the elections. A presidential decree was issued, and I became chairman in 1994.
President Nasser did not encourage the syndicate after El-Beblawi's death in 1953. Why did it only resume its activities in 1991?
Ahmed Kamel Yassin (top) points at the syndicate's seal is the prophet's blason, proclaiming: "Mohamed is God's prophet". It is considered a sign of prophetic humility that he inscribed his name below the words "God" and "prophet"photos: Sherif Sonbol
Nasser was keen to achieve equality in Egyptian society by cancelling titles like Pasha and Bey. A researcher has found that the title Al-Sayed was included among these marks of distinction. Another reason is that Nasser sought to discourage religious movements after his conflict with the Brotherhood.
How did this affect the syndicate?
Many people do not know anything about the history of the syndicate or its importance. Many people do not even know the meaning of the title Sharif. We have a lot to do -- as if we were starting all over again.
What financial resources does the syndicate have?
In the past, wealthy Ashraaf endowed thousands of feddans to the syndicate. The revenue from this land went to the poor Ashraaf. All these endowed estates were transferred to the Ministry of Awqaf (endowments). After the activities of the syndicate were resumed, we held a conference attended by most of the Egyptian Ashraaf as well as the late Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Gad El-Haq, and Mohamed Ali El-Mahgoub, the former minister of Awqaf. El-Mahgoub promised to provide the syndicate with financial assistance and return its estates, but this has not happened. At the same conference, many wealthy Ashraaf donated money to the syndicate. Now our financial situation depends upon such donations, as well as the annual subscription paid by the members. We do not take any money from the government.
What is the administrative structure of the syndicate?
The syndicate's supreme council consists of six members, all of whom are Ashraaf: Ahmed Omar Hashem, president of Al-Azhar University; Hamed Game', formerly the provost of Al-Azhar University; Hassan Emeira, deputy head of the Court of Cassation; Munib Rabi', assistant to the head of the State Council; Mahmoud Hassan El-Sherif, a member of the People's Assembly; and Hassan Abbas Zaki, former minister of economy. The syndicate also includes a committee that consists of five university professors specialised in Islamic history and prophetic genealogy.
How can someone prove that he or she belongs to the prophet's lineage?
They must apply to this committee. After the members study all the documents provided, they decide whether or not he or she is a Sharif. If that is the case, the person receives an identity card to this effect as well as a certificate signed by the chairman of the syndicate. In Upper Egypt, the Ashraaf card is used even more than the identity card. Some people are so proud, they will show it at a checkpoint before taking out their identity card.
The certificate of lineageWhat happens if a Sharif loses the papers proving his or her status?
The syndicate's archives go back to 1902. So all they have to do is check the records.
Some people claim that not all Ashraaf actually belong to the prophet's lineage. It is said that the title is so coveted, some have obtained it through bribery.
We never give the certificate to anyone until he is proven to belong to the prophet's lineage. When syndicate activities were frozen, some people went to genealogists to obtain documents stating that they are Ashraaf. Many people paid to obtain such statements, so we don't accept them unless they are approved by the committee. These doubts, especially in Upper Egypt, are also fuelled by family feuds. One family spreads rumours that a rival family paid money to be recognised as Ashraaf.
What are the syndicate's other activities?
We organise a symposium every three months to celebrate a religious event or discuss an important issue. We held one in Sohag after the incident in Al-Koshh. These events are reported on in the syndicate's magazine, issued every three months. The magazine also includes syndicate news and different subjects that are dealt with from a religious perspective. Since our main purpose is to provide a link between the members and improve their situation, we have established a social security system financed by donations. A committee examines the situation of poor families who apply for a monthly stipend. The syndicate also has 22 provincial branches to link the central office in Cairo with members all over Egypt.
How is the syndicate related to the Ministry of Awqaf and Al-Azhar?
We represent an independent institution that runs its own affairs. We usually invite Minister of Awqaf Mohamed Hamdi Zaqzouq, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Grand Mufti Mohamed Farid Wassel and the president of Al-Azhar University, Mohamed Omar Hashem, to our symposia.
What is the governorate with the highest concentration of Ashraaf in Egypt?
Qena has the greatest number: 35 to 40 per cent. Many families there refuse to let their children marry into other families who do not carry the title. They want to keep the lineage as pure as they can.
Is there any cooperation between the syndicate and Ashraaf outside Egypt?
Egypt is the only country that has a Syndicate of Ashraaf, but Morocco and Jordan have the greatest number of Ashraaf in the Arab world. We exchange visits, publications and personal communications. This cooperation aims to improve the Ashraaf's conditions.
Does it matter if one is Sunni or Shi'ite?
This does not conflict with lineage. Whether a person is Shi'ite or Sunni is not mentioned in the certificate or the card approved by the syndicate. There are many Shi'ite Ashraaf in Iraq and Iran.
What is the relation between the Sufi orders and the syndicate?
Sufism directs people to a certain path; the syndicate is an institution that organises the affairs of a big family and encourages its members to follow the prophet's way.
It is said that some of the members of the syndicate do not deserve their title because of their behaviour. What are the procedures taken against them by the syndicate?
The syndicate is like a big family home. Like all families, we may have good members and bad members. The syndicate has never received a complaint against one of its members but, if this happens, we will hold a reconciliation session to solve the problem. This family has only one head. The prophet is the model we should seek to emulate. The only procedures taken are to remind the members of the great responsibility they bear. We hope that all the members behave as well as they can, but we must not forget that the founder of the family is the best of them all.
Interviewed by Nesmahar Sayed
Related story: 'A noble lineage
