Sudan’s PCP objects to government decision to close Iranian cultural centre

September 9, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Popular Congress Party (PCP) headed by Islamist figure Hassan al-Turabi has declared its objection to the government’s decision to shut down Iranian cultural centres in the country, calling it a prelude to a new crackdown on other political parties and calling on the government to reverse its decision.

“We do not have any intolerance against any doctrine,” he said.

He described the government’s decision as a mistake that paves the way for the closure of the remaining centres “and then shutdown of political parties”.

Omer called on authorities to back down from its decision and reopen the centres to affirm the freedom of opinion and achieve democracy away from what he called a “campaign of mobilisation” in the mosques against Shiites.

The opposition party’s position contrasts sharply with supportive public opinion of the move by the government.

Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Youssef al-Kordofani, said in statements carried by state media last Tuesday that the government continued to monitor the centre’s activities and stressed that it had exceeded its mandate and posed a threat to the intellectual and social security in Sudan.

“It became necessary to take an official action against this centre, which has prompted the closure decision,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Iranian charge d’affaires was summoned on Monday and informed of the decision and their request that the Iranian cultural attaché and the staff at the centre leave the country within 72 hours.

Sudan’s foreign minister, Ali Karti, told the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper last Wednesday that the Sudanese presidency had rejected a request from Iran to reverse its decision to close the centre.

“We have been closely monitoring the activities of the center in Khartoum to verify that it is committed to cultural activities rather than seeking to make Shiite, sectarian gains that are alien to Sudanese society,” he said.

Karti said that the Sudanese authorities urged Tehran to stop what he described as “Shiite proselytising” but that the cultural centre had refused to comply.

Following the decision, a fierce public campaign began against Shiites in the country with threats on social networking sites to go after them and especially their leaders.

Sudanese clerics last Friday lauded the government’s closure of the Iranian cultural centre and demanded more steps be taken against the Shiites, with some religious groups calling for rallies to be organised to express support for Khartoum’s moves against Iran’s cultural and intellectual activities in Sudan.

In his sermon at al-Nur mosque in East Khartoum transcribed by the pro-government Sudaninet website, Esam Ahmed al-Bashir lashed out at the cultural centre, stressing the dangers Shiites position on Islam and their attempts to discredit the Holy Koran in some verses and insult they direct at Prophet Mohamed’s companions.
The speaker of the parliament, al-Fatih Izz al-Din, called on the legislation and justice subcommittee in coordination with the Islamic Fiqh Council and Sudan’s Ulama Commission to enact a legislation that criminalises rituals practiced by Shiites.

“The proposed law will criminalise the act through law and not a political decision,” he said.

(ST)