Sadiq al Mahdi
Place and Date of birth: Al-Abasya, Omdurman- Sudan- on 25th December 1935.
Father: Imam Al-Siddig Abdel-Rahman Al-Mahdi (1911 – 1961) graduate of Gordon Memorial College, Department of Engineering. He is the grandson of Imam Al Mahdi, who led the Mahdist revolution against the Turko-Egyptian Rule in the nineties. Assumed leadership of the Ansar after the death of his father, Imam Abdel-Rahman Al-Mahdi in March 1959. He led the opposition against Abboud’s regime and the struggle to restore democracy until his death in October 1961.
Mother: Sayeda Rahma Abdallah Jad-Allah (1909 – 1985). Well versed and knowledgeable in Mahdist and Islamic heritage, she was one of the pioneers of Sudanese women renaissance, she founded with others, the first women society, which was the society for Women Renaissance in 1949.
Education: Religious Education, (Khalwa): Abbasya, Omdurman at early age on the hands of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Agab and later in Gezira Aba under the teachings of Sheikh Ali Al-Seouri.
Elementary School: Gezira Aba. Primary School: Ahfad School- Omdurman. Secondary School: Started at Comboni School (Khartoum) and continued at Victoria College (Alexandria 1948 –50) when he left the college, deserting regular education, rejecting a number of attitudes at the college that aim to remove the students from their Arab-Islamic identity. He returned home to accompany Shiekh Al-Tayeb Al-Sarag and dip from the treasure of the Arabic language and its literature. Return to Regular Education: Kahrtoum University In 1952, he was convinced by Dr. Thabit Gergis (A Coptic teacher at Khartoum university college, later university of Khartoum) to return to regular education, when he sat for the Oxford school certificate, he was then accepted as a listener in the first year, at the school of sciences after the approval of the Dean (Mr. Sandon), he joined his batch in the third term, on the promise of transference to the second year with his batch if he passes the final examination. In Khartoum University He continued his first year at the school of sciences in the University of Khartoum, passed his exams, however the college dean failed to keep his promise because the senate of the college, considered that a precedent, that could bring on them the accusation of favoritism. Instead he was promised by the dean to help him sit for the Oxford examination in Khartoum. In 1953 he sat for the Oxford examination and after passing it, he traveled to study agriculture, but he changed to the college of Economics and social sciences at Oxford (1954 – 57) on the intention of studying Agriculture in California later. Oxford University He graduated from [[1]Saint Johns College at Oxford], with Honors in Economics, Politics and Philosophy; this automatically became a Masters Degree after two years.
Positions and Career:
- Imam of Alansar Religious Group, elected, Dec. 2002·
- President of [[1]Umma Party] reelected April 2003.
- The President of the board of Directors, of AlSiddigiyia Company, Khartoum, 2001.
- Member of [[1]Club De Madrid] · Member of [[1]Arab Water Council]
- Member of National Islamic Conference, Beirut·
- Elected Sudanese Prime Minister, 1986-1989.
- Reelected as the President of Umma party- in March 1985.
- He was a member to several NGOs such the Islamic European Council based in London and the Islamic Thought and Culture Group in Khartoum.
- He was a member of board of directors to several business organs (such as DAR AL Mal Al Islamy in Geneva and Al Rahmanyia Company in Khartoum).
- The President of the opposing “National Front” 1972-1977.· * Elected Sudanese Prime Minister: July 1966- May 1967.
- He was the president of the Cotton Producers’ Union, 1965.
- He was elected as the President of Umma Party, in Nov. 1964.
- In the period 61-1964 he was chosen as the president of the “Unified National Front”, which led the opposition and managed to restore democracy.
- He worked as the director of the Agricultural Branch of (DAYIRAT ALMAHDI), the multi-faceted corporation owned by his family.· * In 1957, he joined the Minister of Finance as an employee, but resigned after the coup of the 17th of November 1958.
- He was elected to the executive Committee of the General Union of the Sudanese Students in the UK, 1955.
- He was the president of the Arab Association, a member of the Socialist Club; the President of the Asian, African and West Indians Association, and a founder member of the Islamic Association at Oxford University.
Political Life: Al sadig Almahdi’s political life started since his undergraduate studies at the Khartoum University, and continued in the Oxford years, there he was member to several associations. Politically he was supporting the Labour Party of UK, since the British and the Egyptians then occupied his country, and the labour party was against colonialism. He was supporting Umma Party’s call to independence from both the British and the Egyptians; the main opposing call was that of the Unionists, who were calling for unifying with Egypt under the Egyptian domination. In 1957, he joined the Minister of Finance, but resigned in 1958, as the coup of 17th of November was a beginning of a reign that he rejects, he joined the ranks of the opposition. In this way he entered the political arena with his concern to serve the plight of democracy, development and authenticity in Sudan, and hold the slogan of Islamic Revival in the Muslim World, a revival recipe that implements Human Rights, Democracy, Religious Tolerance, World Peace and Cooperation, in short of achieving Modernity and Globality in the Muslim World in a way that builds on cultural and religious bases. In October 1961, Imam Al-Siddig, who was the elected Umma Party’s President died, and Imam Al Hadi Al Mahdi, his uncle, was nominated as Imam of Al Ansar, nevertheless Imam Al Sadig was the person, who played the major role in closing the ranks of the Sudanese to oppose the Aboud regime, he was chosen as the president of the Unified National Front, which led the opposition. Al-Sadig Al-Mahdi was the first to call for the necessity of the political solution to the southern question. He issued his book “Southern Sudan Question” in April 1964. He contributed with others to the downfall of the Aboud regime and the making of the October revolution of the 1964. The Second Democracy (1964 – 69): He was elected president of the Umma party in November 1964, and he led a campaign to promote political activity and develop the Islamic slogan and reform the party by expanding its base and promoting democracy within it. This campaign, was exploited by others to sown the seeds of conflict between him and his uncle, Imam Al-Hadi Al-Mahdi and led to the split of the Umma party in the period 1966-1969. As a result Al-Sadig Al-Mahdi, assumed the Premier post and then resigned that post in 1968 for lacking the necessary majority in the assembly to implement his plans. A splintered Umma party entered the 1968 elections. The Umma party, was once again reunited in February 1969 but has not benefited from its new power because of the coup of 25th of May 1969 which undermined the constitutional legitimacy.
The Second Dictatorship (69 – 1985): The new regime embarked on a policy of repression against the Ansar religious group, and that led to the atrocities of Gezira Abba and the clashes of Wadnobawi in 1970 and the Kurmok incident which witnessed the martyrdom of the Ansar Imam Al Hadi Al Mahdi. Sayed Al Sadig Al Mahdi, was removed from the rest of the entity and experienced an attempt on his life. He was arrested on the 5th of June 1969, transferred to Jebeit then to Port Sudan prison (Eastern Sudan) to detention in Shendi (Northern Sudan) and then he was exiled to Egypt and placed there under house arrest, and then returned as a detainee to Port Sudan prison until May 1973. He was released for several months, then detained in Port Sudan prison, (from December 1973 until May 1974). During this period he wrote “Questions on Mahdism”. In 1974, Sayed Al Sadig traveled abroad where he started a tour of Arab, western and African Capitals during which he wrote “Speeches of Exile” and delivered a number of lectures. The National Democratic Front (NDF), opposing the May regime, was formed under his leadership in exile (it comprised of the Umma party, Democratic Unionist Party and the Muslim Brotherhood). The NDF undertook an attempt to liberate Sudan from the internal occupation through the armed uprising of July 1976, which failed to bring down the May regime; however it convinced the regime of the vitality and strength of the opposition. This situation with other factors led to the National Reconciliation. A political accord between the May regime and the NDF in 1977 according to which the regime would undertake fundamental democratic reforms. Sayed Al Sadig Al Mahdi returned to Sudan in 1977, he soon came to realize the regime’s deception in the guaranteeing of democracy and political reform, he considered that the reconciliation has failed, however, he preferred to stay in Sudan to oppose the May regime from inside Sudan. On the 8th of September 1983, the May regime declared what it called the legislative revolution, which was considered by Sayed Al Sadig as the biggest distortion to Islamic jurisprudence, he declared his opposition to it in the address at the celebration on the 18th of September, then he was arrested on the 25th of September 1983. The May regime tried to conspire to try him on the pretext of opposing the Law of God. In that period he wrote “The Position of Legitimate Penalties in the Islamic Social System”. He was released in December 1984, he went on to lead the opposition from within and tune with popular anger that led to the revolution of April 1985.
The Third Democracy (85 – 1989): Umma Party held its Fifth Congress in Feb/March 1985 in which sayed Al Sadig was elected as the Party’s President. General elections were held (April 1986) after one transitional year. The Umma party got the majority votes and Sayed Al Sadig was elected Prime Minister. Several coalitions followed – details registered in his book “Democracy in Sudan: Will Return and Triumph” until the advent of the 30th of June 1989 coup. In that book he listed the achievements of the Third Democratic Reign in Sudan, he also pointed to the obstacles that faced the democratic system in Sudan. He showed how the democratic regime could break the economic downfall in the previous dictator reign that was ever accelerating, it could face the 1988 flood catastrophe in the country and improve agricultural production, it managed to schedule the peace program upon the agreement of the rebels, it could restore the Sudanese non-polar foreign policy which was changed during the previous regime with a strong US alliance during the cold-war; all these achievements were reached under a heavy non-signed economic penalties’ policy of the US and its allies regionally and Internationally against the Sudanese democratic government. Later, in 1997, he published a paper about “Democracy and Basic Freedoms in Sudan”, in which he used actual figures and events to compare between the last Democratic and Authoritarian Reigns, economically, diplomatically and in terms of military and security achievements. The results were by far favouring democracy, but he put some conditions for sustaining democracy in our cultural environment that is different from the West where democracy first prospered.
The Third Dictatorship (1989 - ): Imam Al Sadig, was arrested on the 7th July 1989, when he was about to present a memorandum to the coup leaders (found with him). He was detained in Kober prison until December 1990. In October 1989, he was subjected to a mock execution and threatened, during that time, he wrote his book on Democracy. In October 1989, he signed with other detained political leaders the “National Charter”. In December 1990, he was transferred to house arrest at his aunt’s house (the house of Prof. Shaikh Mahgoub Jaafar). Members of his family were allowed to accompany him. In this period he wrote: the “Challenges of the Nineties” and “We Laughed in Sad Circumstances”. He was released on the 30th of April 1992 and became under close surveillance from the Sudanese security, his movement was restricted, whereby he can not move outside the Capital Khartoum. He raised a flag of Civil struggle “Jihad” and advised regime rulers to install peace and democracy in all his public addresses, a situation that has exposed him to lengthily interrogations and detentions, e.g. He was detained in 1993, in June 1994 and the detention of the hundred and one day from May to September 1995, whereby he experienced repression in what the Sudanese called “ghost houses”, i.e. Houses the security forces use to torture opposition leaders. After that he was subjected to threats from the authorities and continuation of close surveillance by the regime’s security, in addition to what he considers that the regime is using him as a hostage. These factors had convinced him of the necessity to leave the country. Therefore, he emigrated secretly on the dawn of Monday the 9th of September 1996 on his way to Eritrea. The exit operation has been called Tahtadoon (meaning: getting the right path, after a Quranic verse).Sayed Al Sadig, joined the Sudanese opposition abroad, he started the biggest diplomatic and political campaign witnessed by the opposition since its formation. The rising inside and outside political efforts led to the Khartoum’s Regime changing positions and seeking dialogue with the opposition, this attitude led to the Geneva meeting between Sayed Al Mahdi and Dr. Hassan Al Turabi the then secretary general of the governing party (National Congress) in 1st and 2nd of May 1999. This meeting was arranged by Dr. Kamil Attayeb Idris, the Director General of the WIPO. The negotiations led to signing the “National Call” contract with the Regime in Djibouti in 25th November 1999. The Umma Party then decided to resume its public activity inside the country, and its president, Sayed Al Mahdi retuned on the 23rd November 2000 to Sudan giving his return the title of Tuflihoon (meaning getting prosperity, after a Quranic verse also). The Umma Party continued dialogue with the regime to achieve peace and democratic transformation. The regime urged the party to participate in government but the party’s politburo took in 18th February 2001, a decision that participation should be either in a National Government or after fair elections. The regime then managed to convince some of the party’s delegates in the dialogue process to participate in Government and make a mock and secretly arranged congress in July 2002, announcing a new leadership and deciding to participate in Government without fulfilling the party’s conditions. The Umma Party considered this most irresponsible action from the Regime and the dialogue process was halted.In the period 19-21 December 2002 the Ansar Organization made its First Congress and Syed Al Sadig Al Mahdi was elected as the Imam of Al Ansar. In the period 15-18 April 2003 Umma party made its Sixth Congress and Imam Al Mahdi was re-elected as the Party’s President. Imam Al Mahdi continued his efforts in supporting the Sudan’s Peace Process by different means, he and his party supported the Mashakos Protocol signed between the warring parties in 20th July 2002, and led several initiatives to strengthen the popular movement supporting that process. In 24th May 2003 he signed with The SPLM/A (Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army) and DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) the Cairo Declaration for peace installation and democratic transformation, which the Khartoum Regime welcomed at the beginning, but changed its position to refusal afterwards.In 9th January 2005 a Peace Agreement was finalized between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A, the Southerner rebels, while a war in Darfur at the West is still flaming. Umma Party led by Imam Al Mahdi welcomed that agreement and called for making it comprehensive by holding an All-party conference, the two parties however didn’t comply to the call, and continued in the peace process by excluding others. An interim constitution has been drafted by an NCRC (National Constitutional Review Commission) that is basically bi-partisan with decorative representation of others; it was almost bigoted by all. Al Mahdi continues his contacts and mobilization efforts, to restore peace and democracy in Sudan, and to solve the dialectic between modern life and Religious revival in the Muslim World.
Family: He was married in 1960 to Sayeda Hafya Mamoun Sharief and in 1963 to Sayeda Sarrah Al-Fadil Mahmoud. His children from both wives are Umsalama (1961) an agronomist, Randa (1963) a pharmacist, Maryam (1965) a medical doctor, Abdelrahman (1966) a military officer, Zienab (1966) an architect, Rabah (1967) an electrical engineer, Siddig (1968) a petroleum engineer, Tahra (1969) a medial doctor, Mohamed Ahmed (1974) an electronic engineer, and Bushra (1978), who completed his military academy in Egypt.
Hobbies: Breeding and rearing of horses and horse riding, Tennis and Polo. Reading.
Intellectual activities: He is keen to follow up the news of the intellectual arena, through the reading of books, newspapers, and magazines. In addition to participation in debates, various intellectual activities and the follow up of Radio news bulletins and lately satellites. Publications and writings: Registered and still registering his opinion and intellectual participation and mobilization, in a large volume of writings that has not been surveyed yet. Some of which are:
1. The South Sudan Question, April 1964. (Arabic) 2. Speeches of exile, Dar AlGadhaya publisher- Beirut, 1976. (Arabic) 3. National Reconciliation from A to Z. (Arabic), 1978 4. Questions on Mahdism: Dar AlGadhaya publisher 1979. (Arabic) 5. Secularism: Roots and Dimensions, 1981. (Arabic) 6. The Future of Islam in Sudan, 1982. (Arabic) 7. The Islamic Perspective for Economic Development, 1982. (Arabic) 8. Development: The Islamic Approach. 1980 9. Social Change in Islam, Nigeria, Kano, 1980 10. Mahdism in Islam, Nigeria, 198011. The Economic System of Islam, UK, 1980. 12. .Islam and Revolution in the Middle East and Northern Africa, UK, 1982 13. Development and Politics in the Modern Sudan, 1982. 14. The Message of Independence (Arabic) 1982 15. Women and Their Rights in Islam, 1985. (Arabic) 16. The Mahdist Ideology in “Writings on the Mahadiya” Khsrtoum University Press, 1986. (Arabic) 17. Legitimate Penalties and their Position in the Islamic Social System: Al-Zahra for Arab Media, Cairo, 1987. (Arabic)18. The Islamic Revolts and Challenges, 1987. (Arabic) 19. Zakat (alms) and the Financial System in Islam (1988). (Arabic) 20. Islam and the Southern Sudan Question, 1988 (Arabic) 21. Religious Extremism and its Impact on Sudanese National Security, 1988. (Arabic) 22. Al Jazeera Aba and its role in Sudanese Renaissance. (Arabic) 1988.23. Democracy in Sudan: Will Return and Triumph, Cairo, 1990. (Arabic) 24. The Challenges of the Nineties, Cairo, 1991. (Arabic) 25. Abdel Rahman Al Sadig: The Religious Leader “Imam”, 1996, published in: Hassan, Yousif Fadl and Abusalim, M. Ibrahim and Shakkak, T. M. (editors) Imam Abdelrahman Al Mahdi, Madbouli Library, Cairo, 2002. 26. On the Road to the Second Migration: published 1997. (Arabic) 27. The Monolithic Super Power, Globality and Internationalism, Peaceful Co-existence and Cultural Collision at the Advent of the 21st Century, Cairo, 1998. (Arabic) 28. Sudanese-Egyptian Relations ... Future look, 1998, Cairo. (Arabic) 29. Future of Higher Education in Sudan, paper presented to the Conference of Future of Higher Education, Cairo, 1998. (Arabic) 30. Islamic Perspective of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a paper presented to the Conference of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an Islamic Perspective, UN, Geneva , November1998. (Arabic & English) 31. Now, What is in the Sudan, 1997 (Translation) 32. The Truth About the Sudanese Peace Agreement Signed on 21st April 1997 (translation). 33. The Syrian – Turkish Conflict from the Perspective of the Islamic- Arab Civilization, Oct, 1998. 34. Islamic Perspectives on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Nov 1998. 35. Second Birth in Sudan: In the Cradle of Sustainable Human Rights, 1999. 36. The IGAD Peace Process After the Sixth Round of Talks Between GOS and SPLM/A, May 1999. 37. A Joint Analysis of the Political Situation in the Sudan, June 1999. 38. Nile Waters: Promise and Threat, Alahram publishers, Cairo, 2000. 39. Calls of the Modern World, 2001, Khartoum, Ashshamasha publishers. (Arabic) 40. Religion and National Integration, at The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Lagos, Nigeria, On Thursday the 28th of June 2001, (under the chairmanship of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) Former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). (Arabic & English) 41. Lessons From Modern Islamisation Programmes, At Arewa House Kaduna, Nigeria, On Saturday The 30th Of June 2001, Under The Auspices Of Assembly Of Muslims In Nigeria (A.M.I.N.) (Arabic & English) 42. Islam and the West, Lecture presented to the National Defense Institution, U.S.A, 8th Feb 2002. (Arabic & English) 43. The Future of Relationship between Islamic Civilization and other Civilizations, a paper presented to the 14th Islamic Conference, Cairo, May 2002. (Arabic) 44. Dialectic of Origin and Modern, Khartoum, 2002, Ashshamasha publisher. (Arabic) 45. Islamic Minorities in Today’s World, a lecture presented to Omdurman Islamic University Students’ Union, July 2002. (Arabic) 46. SHURA and Democracy: A Modern View, a paper presented to the First Conference of the Arabic Thought Institution, Cairo, October 2002. (Arabic) 47. Political Poem in Sudan, Khartoum-3 Club, Symposium, 2002. (Arabic) 48. Towards a National Plan for Plastic Arts in Sudan, 5th March 2003, a lecture presented to the Plastic Artists’ Association and the General Union of the Sudanese Plastic Artists. (Arabic) 49. Human Civilizations Clash or Dialogue?, a paper presented to the Civilizations’ Dialogue’s Conference, University of Alnilein, Khartoum, 6th March 2003. (Arabic) 50. Towards a National Plan for Sports in Sudan, a lecture presented at Baytalmal sports’ club, 23rd April 2003. (Arabic) 51. The Role of the International Community in the Promotion of Democracy and the Rule of Law- Paper presented to the round Table discussion organized by “No Peace without Justice” in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the high Patronage of the Italian Senate. Date 18th July 2003. . (Arabic & English) 52. Future of Democracy in the Arab and Muslim World, a paper presented at the Regional Governmental Conference on Human Rights, Good Governance and the Role of the International Criminal Court, Yemen, Sanaa, 10-11th Jan 2004. . (Arabic) 53. Future horizons for Nile Waters as an Essential Element in Sudan’s Economic Development, a lecture presented at Alnilin University, Faculty of Law, under the auspices of the Nile Basin Research and Studies’ Center, 16th Feb 2004. . (Arabic) 54. Woman in Islamic View Between Reality and Future Horizons, a lecture presented at Omdurman Islamic University for Women, 22nd Feb 2004. . (Arabic) 55. Differing Identities: Clash or Integrity?, a paper presented at Shargah Hall, under the auspices of Women Studies Center. . (Arabic )56. Reconciliation and Confidence building in Sudan. A paper presnted to a Symposium on: “Peace: Between Partnership and participation” held by the Center of Peace Studies, Juba University, in cooperation with Fredrech Ibert Foundation, and Tiba Press Foundation 6-7th March 2004, Sharga Hall, Khartoum. . (Arabic) 57. Towards an Essential Solution to Darfur Crisis, 11th March 2004, a workshop held by Khartoum University Students Union “KUSU”. Shargah Hall, Khartoum . (Arabic) 58. Democratic Reform in Arab World, a paper presented 3-4th June 2004, Conference Democracy and Reform in Arab World, held by Center of Gulf Studies. . (Arabic) 59. Social Upbringing of Sudanese Child, a lecture presented at the Nubian Club, organized by Nob charity association. 20th June 2004. . (Arabic) 60. Necessity of IJTIHAD in confronting Modern Challenges including CEDAW, a paper presenter to a workshop about “CEDAW”, held by Women Trustee, Ansar Affairs Association. 21st July 2004. (Also presented to a workshop on “CEDAW between Religion and Law” held by The Consultational Council for HR, office of HCHR (Khartoum), and International Geneva Institute for HR, Khartoum, 20-21 Dec 2004. (Arabic) 61. Security Threats on Water Resources of Sudan, a paper presented at the symposium of : The Convention of Nile Waters and its Effect on Sudanese National Security, Ribat University, Institute of Social and Criminal Studies, 21st Aug 2004. (Arabic) 62. Transparency: A Pillar in Combating Corruption and a Prerequisite to Good Governance, paper presented at the Workshop on: “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy for Promoting Transparency”. National Center for Peace & Development, in cooperation with African Bank for Development and Transparency International, Khartoum, 23-26th Aug, 2004. (Arabic) 63. Sudan and International Order, paper presented to a working session about “Internationalization and it’s effect on Sudanese Issues” held by Foreign Relations Trustee in Umma Party, Khartoum, 28th Aug, 2004. (Arabic& English) 64. Role of Political Parties in Promoting Female Role in Politics, paper presented to a workshop held under the auspices of Teeba Press & UNDP, Khartoum, 14th Dec 2004. (Arabic) 65. Towards a Revived Islamic Reference: Free of the Rigid dealings with the Past, and Submissiveness to the West. 2005, Cairo (Arabic)66. Weighing the Peace Agreement and the Constitution Draft 2005, May 2005.
[Al Sadig AlMahdiWebsite (Under construction)] Other Links:http://www.clubmadrid.org/cmadrid/index.php?id=397 http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/699/profile.htm http://www.umma.org/English.html Search Google for: Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Sadig Al-Mahdi, and Alsadig Almahdi Source: Private Office of Imam Al Sadig Al Mahdi
