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Sudanese political analyst Muhammad Abd Al-Rahman said that the chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Burhan's declaration of principles to separate religion from state constitutes heresy and apostasy. He made these remarks on the Muslim Brotherhood affiliated Arabic language Turkish channel 9 in an interview that aired on March 30, 2021. Abd Al-Rahman said that this move symbolizes high treason against the Sudanese people, its identity, its religion, and its beliefs. He said that it is a religious obligation to resist against such a ruler. When asked whether this would be considered takfir, Abd Al-Rahman responded that this is not a "personal takfir," but "these actions are actions of heresy."
Interviewer: "The signing of the declaration of principles to separate religion and the state – what does it symbolize for the Sudanese people?"
Muhammad Abd Al-Rahman: "Treason. It symbolizes high treason against the Sudanese people, and against tits identity, its religion, and its beliefs. This is treason, and by the way, the reactions to it were very strong. They should not think that the people will take it 'for granted,' as the English say."
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Interviewer: "Is separation of religion and state where the Sudanese people draw the line? "
Al-Rahman: "Absolutely. Let me tell you that even lowlifes in Sudan, if they were told that these people wanted to separate religion and state, and establish a secular state that has no connection to religion and its laws... Even Sudanese lowlifes would come out against such a thing.
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"Some say that [Sudan's Sovereignty Council chief] Burhan wants to take a step forward, that this is a declaration of principles and whatnot... There is no such thing as 'declaration of principles.' To accept from the outset the humiliation of the [Islamic] religion, and to agree to the nullification of religion and of the shari'a, this constitutes heresy and apostasy. If Burhan is not aware of this, then he should be. A ruler that comes out against his nation and harms its religion and its identity — it is [a religious [ obligation to resist him. But you are not doing personal takfir... There are certain conditions... Of course. This is not personal takfir, but we are talking about..."
Interviewer: "And it is not our place either..."
Al-Rahman: "That's right. We are saying that whoever is doing these things... It is true that the Muslim scholars used to distinguish between the speech and the speaker, and between the action and its executor. We are saying that these actions constitute heresy."
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