Draft:Abd al-Qadir Awda
| Abd al-Qadir Awda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Abd al-Qadir Awda |
| Other Names | Abd al-Qadir Ali Awda |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth Place | Egypt |
| Brith Date | 1906 |
| Death Place | {{{death_place}}} |
| Death Date | 1954 |
| Religion | Islam |
Abd al-Qadir Awda was an Egyptian scholar of law and Sharia, a former lawyer for the Muslim Brotherhood, and a proponent of reform. In 1953, the Libyan government appointed him as an advisor to draft the Libyan constitution. He facilitated the return of Mohamed Naguib as President in Egypt.
Biography
Abd al-Qadir Ali Awda was one of the scholars of law and Sharia in Egypt, and a former lawyer for the Muslim Brotherhood group and a proponent of reforms. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Cairo University in 1930 and was the first in the exams of that year. After graduation, he worked in various positions in the prosecution and then in the judiciary, and ultimately resigned from his high position in the judiciary to engage in activities with the Muslim Brotherhood, dividing labor in propaganda with the Secretary-General of the Brotherhood. He established a law office that soon reached a prominent position among fellow lawyers.
Activities
Abd al-Qadir Awda was appointed as a member of the committee drafting the Egyptian constitution during the presidency of Mohamed Naguib, and in this committee, he played a prominent role by defending freedoms and striving to base the constitution on Islamic principles and the teachings of the Quran. In 1953, the Libyan government appointed him as an advisor to draft the Libyan constitution due to his extensive knowledge and deep understanding of the message of Islam.
Advice to Gamal Abdel Nasser
In 1954, he advised Gamal Abdel Nasser that he should cancel the decision to dissolve the Muslim Brotherhood group. Nasser asked in surprise: "How many are the Brotherhood? One million... two million?! Three million?! I am ready to give up one third of the nation if the Brotherhood are three million!" Here, Awda said in astonishment: "Three million for the life of an individual... what is the need for this, Gamal!" This stance caused Nasser's resentment towards him.
Restoring Mohamed Naguib
Awda managed to force officers and ministers to restore Mohamed Naguib's presidency after his removal as President, and he did this by organizing demonstrations in which tens of thousands of people participated.
Review of Nasser's Agreement
He was asked to legally and impartially review Nasser's agreement with the British. The result of this study, which was presented to Egyptian officials, was a legal review that clearly showed the negative effects of this agreement on the country and the continuation of the United Kingdom's occupation of Egypt.
28 February 1954 Protests
On 28 February 1954, demonstrations were held demanding President Mohamed Naguib remove oppression, free prisoners, and try the oppressors. The President asked Judge Abd al-Qadir Awda for help to calm the situation and committed to responding to the people's demands. Awda appeared on the balcony of Abdeen Palace and asked the people to leave, and their demands would be met. However, this action increased the rulers' anger towards him. On the night of the Abdeen demonstrations, Professor Abd al-Qadir Awda was arrested and tortured in military prison.
Accusation and Execution
He was accused of participating in the shooting incident against Nasser in 1954 and was sentenced to death by hanging. Awda went to the gallows with strong will and said: "What does it matter if I die, whether in bed or on the battlefield... as a prisoner or free, I am going to meet my Lord". Then he said to those present: "I thank God that He granted me Martyrdom... My blood will boil over the revolution and a curse be upon the oppressors".
Works
Among his writings are the following:
- Islam and Our Political Situation;
- Islam and Our Legal Situation;
- Islam Between the Ignorance of Its Sons and the Inability of Its Scholars;
- Criminal Legislation in Islam.
Also, Mr. Ismail Haydar Sadr wrote an introduction to the first volume of Awda's book Criminal Legislation in Islam.
See also
References
- Al-Zirikli, Al-A'lam, Vol. 4, p. 42.
- Mu'jam al-Mu'allifin, Vol. 5, p. 296.
- The Islamic Renaissance in the Biographies of Its Contemporary Figures, Vol. 5, pp. 171 - 184.
- Great Men of Islam, pp. 257 - 258.
- Encyclopedia of A Thousand Egyptian Personalities, pp. 390 - 391.
- Nathr al-Jawahir wa al-Durar, Vol. 1, pp. 786 - 787.