The Passing of Awad Babiker… Have Islamists Lost Their Archival Memory?

Sudan Events – Agencies

Awad Babiker, the former personal secretary to the late Secretary-General of the Popular Congress Party, Dr. Hassan al-Turabi, has passed away. He left behind a good legacy, earned through both his internal work within Sudan and his extensive external relations that helped resolve numerous sensitive issues—many of which he handled quietly, without disclosing details.

Awad joined the Islamic Movement in the late years of middle school and witnessed, during his high school years, the founding of the National Islamic Front in 1985. Later, during the end of his secondary schooling in Gedaref State, he witnessed the rise of the Salvation Revolution (1989), and the movement assigned him to assist in matters like food and fuel supply at that time.

Awad Babiker cultivated a wide network of relationships, developed over more than two decades of accompanying Sheikh al-Turabi. During this time, he maintained ongoing contact with international Islamic movements and influential figures from countries such as Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Malaysia. According to those close to him who spoke to Al-Muhaqqiq (The Investigator), he maintained these connections without interruption.

At the headquarters of the Popular Congress Party in Port Sudan, the capital of Red Sea State in eastern Sudan, political and societal groups extended their condolences to the party’s leadership on Tuesday evening, after receiving the news of Babiker’s death in Atbara, Nile River State.

All Islamic factions and their political currents issued statements mourning his death, recognizing Awad’s dedication to the unity of Islamic and national movements in Sudan. He actively worked toward this goal through his meetings and outreach.

Ali Ahmed Karti, Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement, said the deceased “was a beacon of energy, dedication, and sincerity among the youth of the Islamic Movement and the Popular Congress. He inherited from the late Sheikh Hassan al-Turabi a patience with hardship, a broad mind, deep love for his brethren, and a genuine, selfless commitment to his convictions.”

Karti continued: “Awad served the Islamic Movement faithfully, preserved its history, and witnessed its path during the most difficult times. He was a solid bridge that united people despite differing views. He always sought unity and consensus. The late Babiker stood out with his extensive knowledge, deep understanding—especially of neighboring countries—and his vast network of relationships that transcended party affiliation and ideological rigidity.”

In its obituary, the Popular Congress Party stated:
“With great sorrow and grief, the Secretary-General of the Popular Congress Party, Amin Mahmoud Mohamed Othman, his deputies, members of the General Secretariat, and Sheikh Ibrahim al-Sanousi, Chairman of the Shura Council, mourn our dear brother Awad Babiker. The deceased worked in the office of the late Sheikh al-Turabi and accompanied him for over 25 years, contributing to and participating in the establishment of the party’s organizational, intellectual, and political work through various transitional phases filled with advocacy, sacrifice, and patient perseverance.”

The statement added:
“He was known on the path of national and humanitarian work. Anyone who knew Sheikh al-Turabi—inside or outside Sudan—knew Awad as a valuable resource and a storehouse of wisdom and benefit for Sudan. With his passing, the Popular Congress, the Islamic Movement, and the national sphere have lost a man who carried the cause of religious advocacy in Sudan and the broader Islamic world.”

The Popular Congress Party, led by Ali al-Haj, also said:
“The Popular Congress mourns a dear brother and struggler who served in the ranks of the Islamic Movement from an early age. He accompanied the late, esteemed Sheikh al-Turabi—may Allah have mercy on him—through years of ease and hardship, and witnessed the phases of transition and renewal within the Popular Congress.”

Fatima al-Basir, Director General of the Center for Peace Culture and Development Studies, said during the condolence gathering in Port Sudan that Awad Babiker was one of the symbols of political activism and carried the concerns of Islamic movements in Africa, maintaining strong ties with them through the center.

Meanwhile, preacher and professor Abu Bakr Gikoni described Babiker’s death as “a catastrophe” that has befallen the Islamic Movement.

He said during his speech in Port Sudan:
“He played a major role behind the scenes and was a personal companion to Dr. Hassan al-Turabi. With his passing, the Islamic Movement has lost one of its most important memory banks and data archives, as he was deeply familiar with many details and files.”

He added:
“We were in dire need of receiving that information from him so future generations could benefit—but death came first.”

Moneim Suleiman, a prominent supporter of former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, also released a eulogy:
“With deep sadness and pain, I mourn my friend Awad Babiker, one of the most sincere people I’ve ever known.”

He continued:
“I knew Awad well, and from close quarters. He was pure, polite, honest, well-mannered, kind-hearted, and compassionate to those around him. We didn’t share the same ideology or path, but that never mattered—we respected each other genuinely, and our differences never affected our friendship.”

He added:
“In his presence, there was peace. In his words, sincerity. In his companionship, a gentleness that reflected his kind heart. I never knew him to be anything but noble, pleasant, and loyal in moments that truly test character.”

Since the announcement of his passing, social media platforms have been flooded with condolences and tributes to his character—from his friends, colleagues, members of the Islamic Movement across various parties, and even political figures from other movements who had encountered him during dialogues and political consensus efforts alongside the late al-Turabi.