Monday, March 31, 2025 

In the most recent Amnesty Urgent Action letter addressed to Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar, urging Libyan authorities to immediately reveal the fate and whereabouts of 79-year-old Sufi Sheikh Muftah Al-Amin Al-Biju. In our letter, we called for his urgent release and for him to be granted access to medical care after he was forcibly disappeared on February 4, 2024, by armed groups affiliated with the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF). 

“No one should ever face violence or disappearance simply for practicing their faith,” said Fahina Afrin, TRUSU Women’s Representative. “Religious freedom is a fundamental right that must be protected.” 

Sheikh Al-Biju is a well-known religious scholar and leader within the Sufi Muslim community of Benghazi, Libya. He was violently taken from his home during a raid in February 2024, and his family has not received any information about his wellbeing or whereabouts since. He is believed to be held in Gernada prison, a detention centre notorious for torture and inhumane conditions. Sheikh Al-Biju’s age and multiple health conditions including cancer, diabetes, and a weakened immune system, make his disappearance all the more urgent, as he requires consistent medical care to survive. 

Sadly, Sheikh Al-Biju’s case reflects a broader pattern of religious repression in eastern Libya. In recent years, armed groups affiliated with the LAAF have targeted dozens of Sufi clerics and followers, using vague accusations of “witchcraft” and “heresy” to justify arrests and intimidation. This crackdown is part of a wider campaign to silence religious minorities and erase Sufi cultural practices, which include distinct forms of worship, music, and spiritual teaching. These attacks violate Libya’s obligations under international human rights law to respect freedom of religion and belief and leave entire communities living in fear. 

“For an elderly religious leader to simply vanish for over a year without explanation is horrifying,” said Afrin. “This is about more than one man; this is about protecting the rights of religious communities everywhere to exist without fear of persecution.” 

We hope that Field Marshall Haftar will act immediately to disclose the whereabouts of Sheikh Al-Biju, ensure he has access to life-saving medical care, and put an end to the unjust detention and harassment of Sufi communities in Libya. 

We eagerly await a response from Field Marshall Haftar regarding this issue. 

The Amnesty Urgent Actions Program allows the Union to consistently take solidarity action regarding international human rights injustices that matter to students. Click here to see the injustices we have addressed previously. For further information about this issue or to view a copy of the letter, contact the Equity Coordinator here.