A letter by a French colonial minister sent to the Governor General French West Africa in 1928, provides insight into the understanding of Islam 90 years ago.
The French letter, translated by a conservative news blog, warns of Salafism, a branch of Islam with strict theological norms.
"For a few years now, there has been a renewal movement in the Islamic world that should, it seems, be attracting our attention. This intellectual movement known as the "Salafi" movement tends to realise reforms in the religious order which must return the practices of worship to the purity of primitive Islam," the letter says.
It explains that the movement is already "very active in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia" and adds that communist agitators are interested in it as a way to disturb the established order and cause confusion.
The letter warns that Salafism is a danger as it will certainly allow the theological sphere to become political:
"However, even if not used by European elements hostile to our influence, the 'Salafi' movement does not fail to present, from the point of view of public order and the maintenance of our authority, serious dangers against which it is necessary to protect ourselves. Its actions, as is the rule in Islam and in all religious schisms, will certainly leave the theological field and become political."
Now, 90 years later Salafism is growing massively in several European countries as reports from Belgium, Germany, Sweden, France and the Netherlands show.
The letter:
Colonial Ministry - Paris, April 24, 1928
Department of Muslim Affairs
Request for information on #I74 [sic]
"Salafiya" in AOF [French West Africa]
COLONIAL MINISTER
to the Governor General of AOF [French West Africa]
DAKAR
For a few years now, there has been a renewal movement in the Islamic world that should, it seems, be attracting our attention.
This intellectual movement known as the "Salafi" movement tends to realize reforms in the religious order which must return the practices of worship to the purity of primitive Islam. Although it is developing outside the influence of IBN SEOUD and the Ulemas [Sunni Islamic scholars] of the Nedjd, [Nejd or Najd, central part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] it is not unlike, at various points, Arabian Wahhabism, and has sometimes been confused with it. It is already very active in Morocco,
Algeria and Tunisia. It seems that the Communist agitators are interested in it, as they are interested in anything that can disturb the established order, exalt particularisms and cause confusion.
But even if it is not used by European elements hostile to our influence, the "Salafi" movement does not fail to present, from the point of view of public order and the maintenance of our authority, serious dangers against which it is necessary to protect ourselves. Its actions, as is the rule in Islam and in all religious schisms, will certainly leave the theological field and become political.
On the other hand, this religious reform, in fact, attacks all the religious personalities whose attachment to the reigning tradition and devotion to our cause allowed them to occupy a leading position. It is also hostile to the congregations that have such a large place in the religious life of the Muslims of the AOF [French West Africa] and whose contributions we have appreciated. | http://bit.ly/2uV7biq
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