Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Mirghaniyya
Mirghaniyya is an Islamic political-religious order in Sudan, named after its founder, Muhammad al-Amir Ghani al-Mirghani (1793-1853), and usually refered to as al-Khatimiyya.
The Mirhaniyya, was a rival of the Mahdiyya order. However, both supported a revival and purification of orthodox Islam using, some Dervish rituals, customs and organizational methods. The Mirhaniyya, however, though fundamentalist was less extreme in its political posture than either the Mirhaniyya or militant Muslim organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood. Unlike the Mahdiyya, who advocated the overthrow of existing regimes that had deviated from pure Islamic traditions, the Mirhaniyya tried to work within the system. They opposed the imposition, in 1983, of the harsh Shari’a code of punishments.
The Mirhaniyya has always been considered pro-Egyptian. In the years of the struggle between the advocates of separate independence and those of union with Egypt, it supported the pro-Egyptian al-Ashiqqa Party, and after 1952, its successor, the `National Unionist Party`. Beginning in 1956 it supported the `People’s Democratic Party` and since 1967, the `Democratic Union Party` (DUP), which resulted from the merger of the two groups. The Mirhaniyya continues to advocate close co-operation with Egypt and is involved in politics through the DUP.
The leadership of the Mirhaniyya order has always been maintained by the descendants of its founder. The leaders during the 20th century were al-Sa’id Ali al-Mirghani (1870-1968) and his son, al-Sa’id Muhammad Uthman al-Mirghani, since 1968. The leaders of the order generally avoid direct participation in political affairs and party organizations, but their support for the `National Unionists` and later the DUP is well known. In May 1986 Ahmad al-Mirghani, the younger brother of the Mirghani leader, was elected chairman of the new Supreme Council of Sudan, making him Head of State.