Hawzah News Agency- Following recent seismic developments on the Resistance Front—from the historic True Promise operations to the martyrdom of the esteemed Leader of the Islamic Revolution and his companions—North Africa has emerged as a boiling epicenter of religious and political sentiment. While official governments and state-aligned religious institutions in nations like Egypt and Tunisia adopt dualistic, conservative stances under the weight of economic pressure and petrodollar influence, a deep-seated wave of unprecedented support for the Islamic Republic of Iran is surging among the grassroots and free-thinking elites.
This analysis seeks to elucidate the civilizational, jurisprudential, and political roots of this awakening, highlighting the structural differences between Shia seminaries and official Sunni institutions in confronting global arrogance.
The Collapse of Propaganda Walls: From 'Sham War' Illusions to the Reality of True Promise
For decades, Western and Zionist propaganda apparatuses, funded by billions of dollars, have pursued projects of "Iranophobia" and "Shia-phobia" across North Africa, framing Iran as a threat rather than a defender of the oppressed. However, the True Promise I & II operations and the pure blood of Resistance martyrs have shattered these manufactured narratives.
Elite analysis from within the region signals a monumental shift in perception. The sentiment echoes the now-famous admission by a Palestinian woman: "For forty years, they told us Iran was the devil and the war with Israel was a sham. But today, we have seen with our own eyes who truly stands against America and Israel and pays the price." This battlefield reality has dismantled the fabrications of Wahhabism and hostile media, proving Iran to be the only nation with the courage and capability to directly punish the aggressor.
Structural Analysis: Independence of Shia Seminaries vs. Subjugation of Sunni Officialdom
A key factor in understanding these divergent positions lies in institutional foundations. In the Shia world, the seminaries of Qom and Najaf, due to their financial independence and deep organic ties with the masses, are not subordinate to states. They function as vigilant observers, supervising and, when necessary, reprimanding governance. In stark contrast, institutions like Egypt's Al-Azhar or Tunisia's Zaytuna University are administratively and financially tethered to political regimes.
Nevertheless, North African history bears witness to courageous outliers. A notable example is the defiance of Sheikh Ibn Ashur of Zaytuna against former Tunisian ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. When Ben Ali, citing secular economic concerns, issued a televised decree permitting citizens to break their Ramadan fast, the Sheikh courageously stood firm, proclaiming: "The political ruler says do not fast, but God commands you to fast. Here, I speak only the word of God." This archetype of courage is now being replicated among the free-minded and dissident scholars of the region.
Egypt: Iran's Civilizational Brother Shackled by External Pressures
Egypt shares remarkable demographic, moral, and civilizational affinities with Iran. Egyptians, much like Iranians, often trace their identity to an ancient, pre-Arab monarchical civilization that willingly embraced Islam.
Despite a genuine desire to expand ties with Iran, the current governments in Cairo and Tunis find themselves ensnared in an economic trap. Heavy investments from Persian Gulf littoral states—including a $14 billion stake in Tunisia—have effectively muzzled these capitals, preventing them from standing alongside the Islamic Republic at critical historical junctures. This underscores the profound importance of Iran's Resistance Economy doctrine and the late President Ebrahim Raisi's strategic pivot toward Africa—a path which, if sustained, could gradually wean these nations off foreign dependency through transcontinental trade and agricultural partnerships.
Behind the Scenes of Phone Diplomacy and Al-Azhar's Stance
Egypt's Al-Azhar has historically been the Sunni institution most aligned with Iran's vision of Islamic proximity. From Sheikh Shaltut's historic fatwa recognizing Jafari jurisprudence to Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb's characterization of Shias and Sunnis as "the two wings of the Islamic Ummah," the record is clear. Yet, recent events revealed a glaring contradiction.
Documented reports confirm that a divisive statement posted on Al-Azhar's X (formerly Twitter) account—condemning Iran's legitimate retaliatory response—was the direct result of pressure exerted via a telephone call from the ruler of the United Arab Emirates to the Sheikh of Al-Azhar. Faced with fierce backlash from regional elites and clarifying correspondence from Iranian scholars, the statement was swiftly deleted from social media and never recorded on Al-Azhar's official website. This episode confirms that while the core of Al-Azhar remains sympathetic to rapprochement, its leadership remains vulnerable to political arm-twisting.
The Awakening of Citizen-Journalists and Free Elites
While official North African media outlets attempt to blackout the truth, social media platforms like TikTok and X have become arenas of victory for Iran's narrative. Prominent figures and former officials have stepped forward to voice unwavering support:
- Former Tunisian Foreign Minister: Took a courageous and decisive stance in defense of Iran.
- Sheikh Sadiq al-Ghariani (Grand Mufti of Libya): Issued a fatwa of support that transcended traditional sectarian boundaries.
- Salam Abdel-Qawi: A prominent student of Yusuf al-Qaradawi who voiced support even before the official announcement of the Iranian leadership's martyrdom.
- Soumaya Ghannouchi: Daughter of Rashid Ghannouchi, who, despite media attacks labeling her an "Iranian mercenary," defended Iran's military response through widespread video content.
- Moderate Salafi Elites: Figures like Abdullah Roshdi and Hossam Taslima acknowledged Iran as the sole defender of the "People of the Qibla" against Zionism.
A Heartfelt Bond: Prayers at the Shrines of Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT)
The most profound layer of this awakening resides among the masses. Video footage from shrines dedicated to the Prophet's Household (Ahl al-Bayt) in Egypt captures the depth of this solidarity. Citizens weep as they pray for Iran's victory, declaring: "The Iranian nation holds a place above our heads. Praise be to God for extending our lives to witness an Islamic country grind the noses of America and Israel into the dust." These are irrefutable signs that the project to sever Arab nations from Iran has met with a resounding and disgraceful defeat.
Future Prospects
The silence or stuttering of rulers and court-appointed clerics must not be mistaken for the voice of the Islamic Ummah. The vast majority of free people across the Muslim world in North Africa now recognize Iran as their mighty Umm al-Qura (Mother of Cities). Believers in the advent of Imam Mahdi (May Allah Hasten His Reappearance) do not succumb to despair, for these widespread awakening heralds the inevitable dawn of truth and the collapse of the global hegemonic order. This path will continue with unyielding force, and the darkness shall ultimately fade.
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