Network of Free Ulema – Libya
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Region served
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Libya |
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Unknown |
The Network of Free Ulema – Libya is a group of senior religious leaders, or ulama, from all areas of Libya. Due to the persistent security constraints with families and associates of those opposing Muammar Gaddafi being taken hostage none of the names of members have been released. However they have been very vocal in the international media throughout the Libyan Civil War, releasing a constant stream of statements, appeals, calls, endorsements, responses and fatwas. Since the liberation of Libya the Network of Free Ulema have formed a larger organization of Libyan religious scholars called the League of Libyan Ulema, headed by Sheikh Umar Abdul Hamid al Mawlud.
The members of the network are senior Muslim religious scholars, or ulama, and each has various specializations and different tribal backgrounds from around Libya. According to the background of the Network posted on the bottom of a press release the members make up a mixture of high-level figures, including senior judges, lawyers, doctors, engineers, university professors, and intellectuals, as well as Sufi teachers, writers and poets. According to the write up on the network these include a proportion of young people, and both men and women. Individuals are predominantly educated in Libya, however there are apparently also a number of individuals who have also been educated abroad. According to the Network's statements they come from a diverse group of "different schools and outlooks" and they believe "in the richness of plurality, and the wisdom of dialogue and communication with all other faiths and cultures."
The network points to the suppression of civil society activity and the strength of the Gaddafi regime over its people during the four decade long reign of Muammar Gaddafi. They emphasize however about the Libyan civil society that their network:
'…is only one dimension of Libya’s very rich and sophisticated Civil Society, which has always been there, but has had to go clandestine for many years because of the regime’s repressive policies. In the New Libya, all these seeds will sprout into a rich and vibrant culture, unified, and mutually respectful. For the time being, security conditions do not allow us to publish a list of members. We will publish such a list as soon as we can.'
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Wikipedia