Press Release

In Line with the Requirements of Open Secularism

The Regime Bans an Islamic Book Exhibition in the Public Squares of Al-Obayid

(Translated)

For the second time, Hizb ut Tahrir Wilayah of Sudan have submitted a request to hold an Islamic book exhibition in Al-Obayid, the capital of North Kordofan. The party requested that the exhibition is set up on the east of the Grand Mosque, next to the tent, but the commissioner of Shikan local district, who is the head of the security committee, commented on the location and said: "We do not agree with the place due to it being part of the mosque (praying area)." He asked for another proposal, and in good faith we gave him the benefit of the doubt, so we rewrote the request with a new location: (Freedom Square), but we were surprised that the commissioner broke his word with the excuse that the security committee sees the place as not suitable.

Based on the above, we in Hizb ut Tahrir Wilayah of Sudan, we like to make the following clear to the public opinion:

First: This is not the first time that Hizb ut Tahrir Wilayah of Sudan holds an Islamic book exhibition. Hundreds of public squares in different states of the Sudan have witnessed hundreds of exhibitions in which people rushed for to gain the culture of Islam and have interacted with it, and praised the ideas contained in the books. The city of Al-Obayid itself witnessed such exhibitions; they were elevated in sophistication, organization, and discipline without any objection from anyone. They all ended peacefully and did not call for a ban.

Second:  Exhibitions are a method of educating the Islamic Ummah, and one of the work of carrying the Islamic call which is the duty on the Muslims, and the prevention of such activity is to repel from the way of Allah (swt), and is fighting the call of Allah (swt), whatever are the justification, and preventing the Islamic call; which is not limited to time, nor place, and Allah (swt) has promised to punish those who repel people from his call. Allah (swt) says:

﴿أَلا لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ+ الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا﴾

“…Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers. Who averted (people) from the way of Allah and sought to make it (seem) deviant…” [Hud: 18-19]

Third, it has become apparent that this prohibition is consistent with the American demands for the open secularization of the country. To get America’s pleasure, it is necessary to prevent the manifestations of Islam, even through the book exhibition. If they agree to hold it, they want it to be hidden out of the sight of their masters, to achieve their pleasure. Part of this concessions and submission: the Minister of Guidance has previously prohibited religious speech in markets and public places; and a number of imams have been isolated from the Friday sermons, and some work has begun to remove all that has to do with Islam, such as the stoning and apostasy Hudood punishment.

Fourth: At a time when the regime opens these public squares, to hold raving and mixed parties, and pointless festivals, it prevents the carrying of the call to resume the Islamic way of  life, thus revealing the features of the project sponsored by such rulers, who corrupt and do not reform, and deceive and do not guide.

In conclusion, we in Hizb ut Tahrir, we have promised Allah and His Messenger that we will be the people who uphold the truth, and proclaim it, and we will not be harmed by those who failed us,  we will be working to establish the law of Allah and implement His rule on earth through the establishment of the righteous Khilafah "Caliphate" (Caliphate) on the method of Prophethood; the crown of all obligations, the guardian of the Deen, the one that looks after the affairs of the world with the rules of Islam, with our confidence in the nearness of Allah’s victory. For those who repel us from the call of Allah and from conveying the truth to the people, let them reflect on the words of Allah (swt):

﴿وَلا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَافِلا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ الأَبْصَارُ﴾

“And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]” [Ibrahim: 42]

Ibrahim Othman (Abu Khalil)

Official Spokesman of Hizb ut Tahrir

in Wilayah Sudan