Wafd Party

(Arabic, literally “delegation”), from 1918 to 1953 the largest political party of Egypt and leader of the national liberation movement.

The Wafd Party was founded by Said Zaghlul in November 1918. In 1927, Nahas Pasha became its chairman. Basically the party of the nationalist bourgeoisie, the Wafd also included representatives of the intelligentsia, landowners, and petite bourgeoisie. It regarded as its main task the attainment of Egypt’s complete independence. It was in power in 1924, 1928, and 1930 and from 1936 to 1937, 1942 to 1944, and 1950 to January 1952. It showed indecision in organizing resistance to the English aggression at the end of 1951 and the beginning of 1952, and this wavering shook its authority with the popular masses. The Wafd took no part in the revolution of 1952 and was dissolved in January 1953; some of the Wafd members unsuccessfully fought the government of Nasser in actions of 1954, 1957, and 1961.