Thread by @Nervana_1

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One of many losers of the tragic murder of Palestinian journalist #Shereen_Abu_Aqleh is what I describe as Supremacist Islamism.
#Thread 1/

First let’s define it:
It is a hard core conservative vision of Islam that sees Muslims as superior to others, including Other Abrahamic faiths.
It also views every rule of Sharia as sacred tenant of the faith that can’t and shouldn’t be subjected to modern interpretation 2/

With the rise of Islamism in 70s, Supremacist preachers gain dominance and popularity in many Muslim countries including Egypt & Gulf states.
Sheikh Sharawi in Egypt was one example. His interpretations are still popular, but many didn’t take as suitable for modern era 3/

Islamist movements saw those preachers as their assets. They are officially not members of any Islamist group, but indirectly teach the basic ideology that formed the wider umbrella of all Islamist group 4/

The founding of Al Jazeera has provided the perfect platform of what I describe as the holy trinity of #Islamism.
Supremacist teaching, ideological justification, and news that justify both.
#Palestine was the perfect conflict used for decades 5/

The murder of #SherineAbuAkleh has unexpectedly turned the table on Islamism. It exposed her faith (well known among the Palestinians, but not among wider viewers of Al-Jazeera. Islamist preachers had to make a tough choice between their teaching & their support for Palestine 6/

Most, but not all, choose their ideology, and started to warn followers that Sherine is Christian and Muslim shouldn’t pray for her mercy etc, adding versus from the Quran to prove their point.
But to their surprise, most muslims rejected their stance, even find it abhorrent 7/

Arguably, this is the first moment in modern Muslim history that the vast majority of Muslims, from various countries, age, and upbringing, has rejected the preaching of the once were respectable preachers
#ShereenAbuAqleh
8/

This forced many Muslim religious bodies, including Egypt’s Dar Iftah —an Islamic advisory, justiciary and governmental body, released a formal fatwa in support of praying for mercy for non-Muslims. Yes, it sound ridiculously unneeded, as it is common sense, but still 9/

Many Islamists today are trying to rally Muslims to focus on Israel and the murder itself, but they couldn’t shake the whole disgraceful episode.
Others try to downplay it as just hot air— but itsn’t. 10/

Supremacist Islamism is snookered, and its back is against the wall.
Yes, its loyal followers are still defiant, but its appeal has suffered a serious set back. Even Al-Jazeera can’t help them. No wonder Emir Qatar is fuming 11/

Now the Muslim public has clear choice. Either admit that islamism is ugly, not because West and Arab autocrats say do, but simply because it is a fact.
Or, continue to be fooled by the preachers of medievalism and supremacists that contribute to their demise.
12/

Nonetheless, it is rather sad and frankly infuriating that tragic murder of #ShereenAbuAkleh has forced Muslims to see through the ugliness of Islamism.
#RIP Sherine
End of thread 13/