04 February 2014
Source: Middle East Monitor
Israel's Defence Minister said on Sunday that Egypt's coup last year
has alleviated the fears of Israel and several other countries about
what he described as an "Islamist winter". Moshe Ya'alon made his
remarks during the Munich security conference.
"Ousting the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is an important event," said
Ya'alon. "The Islamist winter would have spread to several other Arab
capitals in the region." He claimed that he could feel a sense of relief
to get rid of "this burden" in many Arab capitals, including Amman,
Riyadh and the Gulf states. "These regimes feared that the Muslim
Brotherhood would form a new wave of Islamisation that controls the
Middle East region," he claimed.
According to the Israeli minister, "The Iranian revolution in 1979
led to the emergence of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Hamas movement in
the Palestinian arena, and strengthened Muslim Brotherhood elements in
the region." Ya'alon then, outrageously, tried to link the resistance
movements and the Brotherhood with Al-Qaeda, "which we could see
emerging from the Sunni Wahhabi schools following the global jihad
movement."
He concluded by saying that Egypt's coup has alleviated the feeling
that Islam is the solution. "Nevertheless," he insisted, "the Middle
East will be faced with a state of instability over the coming years and
even decades."
Link: www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/9582-coup-alleviated-israels-fear-of-islamist-winter.
Showing posts with label The Muslim Brotherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Muslim Brotherhood. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Syrian troops said to enter northern Lebanon; Muslim Brotherhood issues statement
May 2, 2011
NICOSIA — The Syrian Army has begun to enter neighboring Lebanon as part of efforts to quell the revolt against the regime of President Bashar Assad.
Opposition sources said Syrian troops have been seen in northern Lebanon in pursuit of alleged Islamic insurgents. They said the Syrian Army has been deployed on both sides of the border in an effort to stop people from fleeing to Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood issued a rare statement: "You were born free, so don't let a tyrant enslave you."
"Syrians escaping oppression in Latakia and Banias are heading to Wadi Khalid considered a no-man's land in Lebanon," the opposition Reform Party of Syria said.
The Washington-based RPS did not say how many Syrians fled to northern Lebanon, Middle East Newsline reported. But the opposition group said Syrian troops already entered the territory of their eastern neighbor in search for anti-Assad activists.
"Unless the Lebanese media heads to the region to cover why the Syrian army is on Lebanese soil, RPS expects a large scale massacre in this remote region," the opposition group, regarded as authoritative, said.
This was believed to have marked the first Syrian Army incursion into Lebanon since Assad's troops withdrew from that country in 2005. Damascus retains a huge intelligence presence among the more than 1.2 million Syrian laborers in Lebanon.
The Assad regime has confirmed that the Army was searching border areas for what it called "armed terrorist gangs." Officials said Syrian troops were hunting for anti-Assad fighters along the borders of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. They said a Syrian Army outpost near the Jordanian border was captured by unidentified fighters.
"We stress that the number of the Army and police martyrs reached 78, and the number of civilians reached 70 since the eruption of the mercenary violence that targeted the safety of citizens and homeland," a Syrian military source told the official Sana news agency.
The revolt has spread to most major cities in Syria but appeared strongest in Dera, near the Jordanian border, where thousands of Syrian troops and scores of main battle tanks were deployed. Nearly 300 people have been killed by Syrian Army and police fire in Dera since March.
NICOSIA — The Syrian Army has begun to enter neighboring Lebanon as part of efforts to quell the revolt against the regime of President Bashar Assad.
Opposition sources said Syrian troops have been seen in northern Lebanon in pursuit of alleged Islamic insurgents. They said the Syrian Army has been deployed on both sides of the border in an effort to stop people from fleeing to Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood issued a rare statement: "You were born free, so don't let a tyrant enslave you."
"Syrians escaping oppression in Latakia and Banias are heading to Wadi Khalid considered a no-man's land in Lebanon," the opposition Reform Party of Syria said.
The Washington-based RPS did not say how many Syrians fled to northern Lebanon, Middle East Newsline reported. But the opposition group said Syrian troops already entered the territory of their eastern neighbor in search for anti-Assad activists.
"Unless the Lebanese media heads to the region to cover why the Syrian army is on Lebanese soil, RPS expects a large scale massacre in this remote region," the opposition group, regarded as authoritative, said.
This was believed to have marked the first Syrian Army incursion into Lebanon since Assad's troops withdrew from that country in 2005. Damascus retains a huge intelligence presence among the more than 1.2 million Syrian laborers in Lebanon.
The Assad regime has confirmed that the Army was searching border areas for what it called "armed terrorist gangs." Officials said Syrian troops were hunting for anti-Assad fighters along the borders of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. They said a Syrian Army outpost near the Jordanian border was captured by unidentified fighters.
"We stress that the number of the Army and police martyrs reached 78, and the number of civilians reached 70 since the eruption of the mercenary violence that targeted the safety of citizens and homeland," a Syrian military source told the official Sana news agency.
The revolt has spread to most major cities in Syria but appeared strongest in Dera, near the Jordanian border, where thousands of Syrian troops and scores of main battle tanks were deployed. Nearly 300 people have been killed by Syrian Army and police fire in Dera since March.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Egypt wants Qur’an doctrine in law: Poll
April 26, 2011
Egyptian Coptic Christians and Muslims raise a cross and the Holy Qur’an in Cairo’s Tahrir Square during anti-government protests which began in January.
A majority of Egyptians believe laws in their country should be based on the teachings of Islam’s holy book, the Quran, a new opinion poll has revealed.
The survey conducted by US-based Pew Research Center reflects deep Islamic roots within the Egyptian community and a shift towards religious conservatism, the Associated Press reported.
The poll’s results, which came out on Monday, also indicate that most Egyptians prefer having religious parties included in any future government.
Some 54 percent of those surveyed also want an end to their country’s 32-year peace treaty with Tel Aviv that made Egypt the first Arab country to recognize Israel.
The poll also found that 79 percent of Egyptians have an unfavorable view of the United States and 64 percent say they have little or no confidence in US President Barrack Obama.
The recent findings come ahead of the September balloting — the first parliamentary elections since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in February.
The poll surveyed 1,000 Egyptians countrywide between March 24 and April 7.
Egyptian Coptic Christians and Muslims raise a cross and the Holy Qur’an in Cairo’s Tahrir Square during anti-government protests which began in January.
A majority of Egyptians believe laws in their country should be based on the teachings of Islam’s holy book, the Quran, a new opinion poll has revealed.
The survey conducted by US-based Pew Research Center reflects deep Islamic roots within the Egyptian community and a shift towards religious conservatism, the Associated Press reported.
The poll’s results, which came out on Monday, also indicate that most Egyptians prefer having religious parties included in any future government.
Some 54 percent of those surveyed also want an end to their country’s 32-year peace treaty with Tel Aviv that made Egypt the first Arab country to recognize Israel.
The poll also found that 79 percent of Egyptians have an unfavorable view of the United States and 64 percent say they have little or no confidence in US President Barrack Obama.
The recent findings come ahead of the September balloting — the first parliamentary elections since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in February.
The poll surveyed 1,000 Egyptians countrywide between March 24 and April 7.
Friday, February 4, 2011
43 MBs arrested overnight with the approach of elections
Thursday, November 11,2010
Once again The government has left no space for citizens and the opposition to express themselves and in this oppressive atmosphere, as the opposition waits for the election period in hope to present its programs to the public the ministry of interior deprives the opposition of this opportunity by arresting them.
The recent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters in a nationwide sweep took place with the arresting, abducting and detaining of many more MB’s.
Security personnel arrested 6 MB members from Kerdasa who were supporters of Abdul Salam Bashendy after storming their houses at dawn.
The constituency of Ismailia witnessed 33 arrests as MB members were hanging posters for elections also supporting the MB candidate.
Forces also arrested 6 MB’s from Alayat Giza, where Dr. Hossam Shendi was nominated after ransacking their houses.
MB member Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Baqy was abducted from the Sharqeya constituency, while Alexandria’s security abducted MB candidate Bushra Alsamny’s supporter Engineer Essam Abu Haby as he accompanied her during her campaigning.
Two more MB’s were arrested from Monofeya after accompanying MB candidate Abdul Fattah Eid during his propaganda campaign.
This is not the first violation committed by the ministry of the interior against the opposition prior to public or presidential elections. The ministry of the interior has become accustomed to launching a harsh crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood thus extinguishing the hope for fair elections that are a reflection of the people's will.
Once again The government has left no space for citizens and the opposition to express themselves and in this oppressive atmosphere, as the opposition waits for the election period in hope to present its programs to the public the ministry of interior deprives the opposition of this opportunity by arresting them.
The recent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters in a nationwide sweep took place with the arresting, abducting and detaining of many more MB’s.
Security personnel arrested 6 MB members from Kerdasa who were supporters of Abdul Salam Bashendy after storming their houses at dawn.
The constituency of Ismailia witnessed 33 arrests as MB members were hanging posters for elections also supporting the MB candidate.
Forces also arrested 6 MB’s from Alayat Giza, where Dr. Hossam Shendi was nominated after ransacking their houses.
MB member Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Baqy was abducted from the Sharqeya constituency, while Alexandria’s security abducted MB candidate Bushra Alsamny’s supporter Engineer Essam Abu Haby as he accompanied her during her campaigning.
Two more MB’s were arrested from Monofeya after accompanying MB candidate Abdul Fattah Eid during his propaganda campaign.
This is not the first violation committed by the ministry of the interior against the opposition prior to public or presidential elections. The ministry of the interior has become accustomed to launching a harsh crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood thus extinguishing the hope for fair elections that are a reflection of the people's will.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian Regime
Thursday, June 4,2009 05:09
by Shadi Hamid
BACKGROUND
The Brotherhood, founded in 1928, is the oldest and most influential Islamist movement in the Middle East, with branches in most Arab countries. The group went underground during the rule of President Gamal Abdel Nasser (1954-70), who imprisoned or executed most its leaders. Hoping to counter the influence of the left, President Anwar el-Sadat released Brotherhood members from prison and allowed the group to operate with a degree of freedom.
As a religious movement, the group functions as a parallel social structure, providing jobs, healthcare, and other services to Egyptians. Since 1984, the Brotherhood, which is technically banned, has run candidates as independents or as part of electoral coalitions with both secularist and Islamist parties. It has also won elections for student unions and trade syndicates. The Egyptian government, and some Western observers, accuse the group of supporting terrorism and harboring a radical, theocratic agenda.
However, there is little evidence to suggest this is the case. The Brotherhood formally renounced violence in the 1970s and has publicly committed itself to many of the foundational components of democracy, including alternation of power, popular sovereignty, and protection of minority rights. There is an ongoing debate over whether these examples of "moderation," as articulated in their electoral programs and other documents, reflect a strategic transformation or merely a tactical - and therefore - temporary shift.
Recently, the Brotherhood found itself at the center of controversy. In August 2007,it released a draft political party platform which was roundly condemned for including provisions for barring non-Muslims and women from becoming president and establishing a Islamic "commission" to approve laws. The document was criticized by leading members within the organization including influential moderates Abdel Menem abul Futouh and Esam el-Erian who were apparently excluded from the drafting process. Young Muslim Brotherhood bloggers also expressed their frustration publicly, in what became an unprecedented show of internal dissent.
The release of the platform reflected a internal tilt within the Brotherhood toward old-guard conservatives, who have grown more powerful in the absence of the some of the group"s leading reformists (such as Khairat al-Shater), who have been disproportionately targeted in the government arrests of the past year. In response to internal and external pressure, the Brotherhood withdrew the draft and promised to make revisions.
The Bush administration has stayed silent in response to the Egyptian regime"s increasing resort to repression. With Islamist groups making strong electoral gains in 2005 and 2006, the Bush administration backed off of its "freedom agenda." In light of its priorities in countering Iran and stabilizing Iraq, the U.S. appears increasingly unwilling to criticize Arab countries for their treatment of opposition groups.
ANALYSIS
The Egyptian regime has long benefited from the perception that there are only two choices in the Arab world - radical Islamist parties on one hand and pro-Western autocrats on the other. Egypt"s leaders have a vested interest in preventing any moderate alternatives from emerging. This explains the regime"s destruction of Ayman Nour"s secular-liberal al-Ghad party as well as its repeated denial of legal status to the al-Wasat party, which broke away from the Brotherhood in 1996. And, more recently, it explains the regime"s efforts to undercut moderates within the Muslim Brotherhood itself.
Over the last few years, a growing number of American analysts have argued that the U.S. should engage moderate Islamists. Last year, congressional delegations met with Saad al-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood"s parliamentary bloc (and Katatni himself was issued a visa to participate in a March conference on Islamist politics at Georgetown University). In June 2007, the State Department convened a meeting of officials and experts to discuss the possibility of formally engaging Islamist groups. For its part, the Brotherhood, through its English-language website and occasional op-eds in Western media, has increasingly made an effort reach out to Western opinion makers.
These two developments - the Brotherhood"s emergence as a viable alternative to the status quo and American interest in engaging with Islamists - has made the Egyptian regime, as well as others in the region, nervous. Khaled Hamza, editor-in-chief of Ikhwanweb, arrested on February 20, represents the convergence of these trends. Exerting a quiet influence and a seen as a kind of mentor to the young Brotherhood bloggers, Hamza represents the possibility of a Brotherhood that is more outward-looking and amenable to a dialogue with the U.S. His arrest, and that of other Brotherhood reformers, suggests an explicit strategy on the part of the regime to shift the balance of power within the organization toward its more conservative members.
For more than a quarter-century, Egypt has been one of America"s closest allies in the region and the second-largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid. Yet it continues to regress on political reform, and refuses to tolerate any strong opposition. The recent campaign of repression against the Muslim Brotherhood - probably the worst the group has seen since the days of Abdel Nasser - threatens to plunge
Egypt toward full-blown autocracy.
by Shadi Hamid
BACKGROUND
The Brotherhood, founded in 1928, is the oldest and most influential Islamist movement in the Middle East, with branches in most Arab countries. The group went underground during the rule of President Gamal Abdel Nasser (1954-70), who imprisoned or executed most its leaders. Hoping to counter the influence of the left, President Anwar el-Sadat released Brotherhood members from prison and allowed the group to operate with a degree of freedom.
As a religious movement, the group functions as a parallel social structure, providing jobs, healthcare, and other services to Egyptians. Since 1984, the Brotherhood, which is technically banned, has run candidates as independents or as part of electoral coalitions with both secularist and Islamist parties. It has also won elections for student unions and trade syndicates. The Egyptian government, and some Western observers, accuse the group of supporting terrorism and harboring a radical, theocratic agenda.
However, there is little evidence to suggest this is the case. The Brotherhood formally renounced violence in the 1970s and has publicly committed itself to many of the foundational components of democracy, including alternation of power, popular sovereignty, and protection of minority rights. There is an ongoing debate over whether these examples of "moderation," as articulated in their electoral programs and other documents, reflect a strategic transformation or merely a tactical - and therefore - temporary shift.
Recently, the Brotherhood found itself at the center of controversy. In August 2007,it released a draft political party platform which was roundly condemned for including provisions for barring non-Muslims and women from becoming president and establishing a Islamic "commission" to approve laws. The document was criticized by leading members within the organization including influential moderates Abdel Menem abul Futouh and Esam el-Erian who were apparently excluded from the drafting process. Young Muslim Brotherhood bloggers also expressed their frustration publicly, in what became an unprecedented show of internal dissent.
The release of the platform reflected a internal tilt within the Brotherhood toward old-guard conservatives, who have grown more powerful in the absence of the some of the group"s leading reformists (such as Khairat al-Shater), who have been disproportionately targeted in the government arrests of the past year. In response to internal and external pressure, the Brotherhood withdrew the draft and promised to make revisions.
The Bush administration has stayed silent in response to the Egyptian regime"s increasing resort to repression. With Islamist groups making strong electoral gains in 2005 and 2006, the Bush administration backed off of its "freedom agenda." In light of its priorities in countering Iran and stabilizing Iraq, the U.S. appears increasingly unwilling to criticize Arab countries for their treatment of opposition groups.
ANALYSIS
The Egyptian regime has long benefited from the perception that there are only two choices in the Arab world - radical Islamist parties on one hand and pro-Western autocrats on the other. Egypt"s leaders have a vested interest in preventing any moderate alternatives from emerging. This explains the regime"s destruction of Ayman Nour"s secular-liberal al-Ghad party as well as its repeated denial of legal status to the al-Wasat party, which broke away from the Brotherhood in 1996. And, more recently, it explains the regime"s efforts to undercut moderates within the Muslim Brotherhood itself.
Over the last few years, a growing number of American analysts have argued that the U.S. should engage moderate Islamists. Last year, congressional delegations met with Saad al-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood"s parliamentary bloc (and Katatni himself was issued a visa to participate in a March conference on Islamist politics at Georgetown University). In June 2007, the State Department convened a meeting of officials and experts to discuss the possibility of formally engaging Islamist groups. For its part, the Brotherhood, through its English-language website and occasional op-eds in Western media, has increasingly made an effort reach out to Western opinion makers.
These two developments - the Brotherhood"s emergence as a viable alternative to the status quo and American interest in engaging with Islamists - has made the Egyptian regime, as well as others in the region, nervous. Khaled Hamza, editor-in-chief of Ikhwanweb, arrested on February 20, represents the convergence of these trends. Exerting a quiet influence and a seen as a kind of mentor to the young Brotherhood bloggers, Hamza represents the possibility of a Brotherhood that is more outward-looking and amenable to a dialogue with the U.S. His arrest, and that of other Brotherhood reformers, suggests an explicit strategy on the part of the regime to shift the balance of power within the organization toward its more conservative members.
For more than a quarter-century, Egypt has been one of America"s closest allies in the region and the second-largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid. Yet it continues to regress on political reform, and refuses to tolerate any strong opposition. The recent campaign of repression against the Muslim Brotherhood - probably the worst the group has seen since the days of Abdel Nasser - threatens to plunge
Egypt toward full-blown autocracy.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood leader
Egyptian security forces have arrested a leading member of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood and three others in pre-dawn raids on Sunday, the group said on its website.
Wednesday, July 1,2009 07:04
Egyptian security forces have arrested a leading member of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood and three others in pre-dawn raids on Sunday, the group said on its website.
Abdel Moneim Abul Futuh, a member of the Islamist group"s politburo, Fathi Lashin, a former judge, Gamal Abdel Salam of the Arab doctors union, and teacher Abdel Rahman al-Gamal, were detained.
"The arrests are part of the regime"s attempt to cut the Brotherhood off from Egyptian political life," the group"s number two Mohammed Habib said on the website.
He said more than 140 members had been arrested in recent weeks.
The Brotherhood, Egypt"s main opposition movement, is officially banned but members operate openly in the name of the group despite frequent government crackdowns.
It fielded candidates running as "independents" in the 2005 election, clinching one fifth of the seats in parliament, which is controlled by President Hosni Mubarak"s ruling National Democratic Party.
Egypt"s next legislative election is scheduled for 2010.
Wednesday, July 1,2009 07:04
Egyptian security forces have arrested a leading member of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood and three others in pre-dawn raids on Sunday, the group said on its website.
Abdel Moneim Abul Futuh, a member of the Islamist group"s politburo, Fathi Lashin, a former judge, Gamal Abdel Salam of the Arab doctors union, and teacher Abdel Rahman al-Gamal, were detained.
"The arrests are part of the regime"s attempt to cut the Brotherhood off from Egyptian political life," the group"s number two Mohammed Habib said on the website.
He said more than 140 members had been arrested in recent weeks.
The Brotherhood, Egypt"s main opposition movement, is officially banned but members operate openly in the name of the group despite frequent government crackdowns.
It fielded candidates running as "independents" in the 2005 election, clinching one fifth of the seats in parliament, which is controlled by President Hosni Mubarak"s ruling National Democratic Party.
Egypt"s next legislative election is scheduled for 2010.
Egypt: Brotherhood crackdown sees more leaders arrested
Heshmat was arrested along with 12 other members, including Mohamed Sweidan, the chief administrator in the Beheira governorate.
Monday, September 28,2009 15:50
On Saturday evening, Gamal Heshmat, a leading Muslim Brotherhood reformist leader and former Member of Parliament, was arrested by Egyptian security forces in the most recent raid against the Islamic group. The arrest of yet another reformer has left the Brotherhood worried that the continued pressures being exerted by the government could lead to a conservative and extremist backlash.
Heshmat was arrested along with 12 other members, including Mohamed Sweidan, the chief administrator in the Beheira governorate.
According to sources within the Brotherhood, they were taken at around 7 pm on Saturday and it is unclear what they are being charged with, but a statement from the Brotherhood late in the evening said they are likely to face similar charges to the approximately 300 MB members currently languishing in prison.
Cairo usually holds Brotherhood leaders on charges of “belonging to a banned organization” and “receiving financial support from foreign sources.” The MB’s Executive Bureau – the Congress-like committee of the Islamic group – has denied receiving money from foreigners.
Earlier this summer, popular reformist leader Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh – he is also the Secretary-General of the Arab Doctors Union in Cairo – was arrested. He has been in police custody for more than three months and is being accused of attempting to “develop an international Islamic network.”
Aboul Fotouh’s arrest and subsequent detention has sparked much ire among activists, including secularists, who believe the crackdown against Brotherhood members is “inappropriate.” George Ishaq, a leading Kefaya (Enough) Movement activist, told Bikya Masr at a downtown solidarity demonstration for the embattled MB leader, that the “regime wants to take down anyone who opposes it and this will not happen. We will stand strong in the face of their arrogance.”
For Heshmat, Sweidan and others, the battle now heads to the courts, where release orders are routinely thrown aside by the interior ministry, who uses the nearly 30-year-old Emergency Laws to hold citizens indefinitely.
Khaled Hamza, the Editor of the Brotherhood’s English Language website Ikhwanweb, said in a statement that he fears the arrests will spark a backlash among the younger generation, who is becoming more and more fed up with the current state of affairs in Egypt.
“The ongoing crackdown and arrests of the Muslim Brotherhood’s reformists and leaders serves only the extremists who are against any form of peaceful democracy,” he began. “The radical measures adopted by the Egyptian regime with the continued arrests and crackdowns of peaceful and distinguished members of the movement will result in an outbreak by the younger generation who will follow and embrace the extremists’ path.”
The warning is worrying many in Egypt, who feel the arrests are doing more harm than good. But, what is certain is that the Brotherhood continues to push on, preparing itself for a January vote for a new Supreme Guide.
“We will not be stopped by the government to have a democratic election, something they do not do,” said current Supreme Guide Mahdy Akef.
The Brotherhood has been facing a government backlash since their surprise showing in the 2005 Parliamentary elections that saw them secure nearly one-fifth of the Parliamentary seats. Hundreds of members have seen the inside of jail cells since that election victory as Cairo prepares for life after President Hosni Mubarak, who is not expected to run for another term in 2011.
Monday, September 28,2009 15:50
On Saturday evening, Gamal Heshmat, a leading Muslim Brotherhood reformist leader and former Member of Parliament, was arrested by Egyptian security forces in the most recent raid against the Islamic group. The arrest of yet another reformer has left the Brotherhood worried that the continued pressures being exerted by the government could lead to a conservative and extremist backlash.
Heshmat was arrested along with 12 other members, including Mohamed Sweidan, the chief administrator in the Beheira governorate.
According to sources within the Brotherhood, they were taken at around 7 pm on Saturday and it is unclear what they are being charged with, but a statement from the Brotherhood late in the evening said they are likely to face similar charges to the approximately 300 MB members currently languishing in prison.
Cairo usually holds Brotherhood leaders on charges of “belonging to a banned organization” and “receiving financial support from foreign sources.” The MB’s Executive Bureau – the Congress-like committee of the Islamic group – has denied receiving money from foreigners.
Earlier this summer, popular reformist leader Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh – he is also the Secretary-General of the Arab Doctors Union in Cairo – was arrested. He has been in police custody for more than three months and is being accused of attempting to “develop an international Islamic network.”
Aboul Fotouh’s arrest and subsequent detention has sparked much ire among activists, including secularists, who believe the crackdown against Brotherhood members is “inappropriate.” George Ishaq, a leading Kefaya (Enough) Movement activist, told Bikya Masr at a downtown solidarity demonstration for the embattled MB leader, that the “regime wants to take down anyone who opposes it and this will not happen. We will stand strong in the face of their arrogance.”
For Heshmat, Sweidan and others, the battle now heads to the courts, where release orders are routinely thrown aside by the interior ministry, who uses the nearly 30-year-old Emergency Laws to hold citizens indefinitely.
Khaled Hamza, the Editor of the Brotherhood’s English Language website Ikhwanweb, said in a statement that he fears the arrests will spark a backlash among the younger generation, who is becoming more and more fed up with the current state of affairs in Egypt.
“The ongoing crackdown and arrests of the Muslim Brotherhood’s reformists and leaders serves only the extremists who are against any form of peaceful democracy,” he began. “The radical measures adopted by the Egyptian regime with the continued arrests and crackdowns of peaceful and distinguished members of the movement will result in an outbreak by the younger generation who will follow and embrace the extremists’ path.”
The warning is worrying many in Egypt, who feel the arrests are doing more harm than good. But, what is certain is that the Brotherhood continues to push on, preparing itself for a January vote for a new Supreme Guide.
“We will not be stopped by the government to have a democratic election, something they do not do,” said current Supreme Guide Mahdy Akef.
The Brotherhood has been facing a government backlash since their surprise showing in the 2005 Parliamentary elections that saw them secure nearly one-fifth of the Parliamentary seats. Hundreds of members have seen the inside of jail cells since that election victory as Cairo prepares for life after President Hosni Mubarak, who is not expected to run for another term in 2011.
Muslims all over the world must unite and voice their objections and protest to these despicable acts of the IOF
The Muslim Brotherhood will not stand and witness the indecent and barbaric violations committed on the Aqsa'a sacredness; it is the duty of Muslims all over the world to unite and voice their objections and protest to these despicable acts of the Israeli occupation force.
Monday, September 28,2009 15:13
IkhwanWeb
The Muslim Brotherhood will not stand and witness the indecent and barbaric violations committed on the Aqsa'a sacredness; it is the duty of Muslims all over the world to unite and voice their objections and protest to these despicable acts of the Israeli occupation force.
In a statement on current incidents taking place in Jerusalem and in particular the Aqsa mosque Dr Mahmoud Ezzat stressed that "The Palestinian issue has been and always will be a major issue as long as the Israeli's occupation forces continue in their barbaric ways. We witness daily the obstinate, indecent and offensive measures in which they defy not only the sanctity of Alaqsa but also the most meager of all rights; the rights of freedom and the right to simply exist. The IOF offensive on all that is holy and consecrated will not deter the Palestinians who have no choice but to protect it with all their might, in fact it isn't an option but rather an obligation not only for the Palestinians but for all Muslims. It is the duty of the entire Muslim nation to unite and assist those who literally stand in the face of the IOF's weaponry and aggression". Dr Mahmoud continued to emphasize that the real change had to begin within each individual therefore it is significant that each and every man, woman and child endeavour to improve themselves which will result in improving society and consequently the Muslim world.
Ezzat claimed that the Muslims will not be fooled by any hearsay by Obama or anybody else who sweetly laces their dialogue. Positive actions will be the defining factor which will prove the good-will of all. Unfortunately what is currently taking place in regards to Alaqsa's mosque is not a first and measures must be taken to halt these ignorant invasions.
Monday, September 28,2009 15:13
IkhwanWeb
The Muslim Brotherhood will not stand and witness the indecent and barbaric violations committed on the Aqsa'a sacredness; it is the duty of Muslims all over the world to unite and voice their objections and protest to these despicable acts of the Israeli occupation force.
In a statement on current incidents taking place in Jerusalem and in particular the Aqsa mosque Dr Mahmoud Ezzat stressed that "The Palestinian issue has been and always will be a major issue as long as the Israeli's occupation forces continue in their barbaric ways. We witness daily the obstinate, indecent and offensive measures in which they defy not only the sanctity of Alaqsa but also the most meager of all rights; the rights of freedom and the right to simply exist. The IOF offensive on all that is holy and consecrated will not deter the Palestinians who have no choice but to protect it with all their might, in fact it isn't an option but rather an obligation not only for the Palestinians but for all Muslims. It is the duty of the entire Muslim nation to unite and assist those who literally stand in the face of the IOF's weaponry and aggression". Dr Mahmoud continued to emphasize that the real change had to begin within each individual therefore it is significant that each and every man, woman and child endeavour to improve themselves which will result in improving society and consequently the Muslim world.
Ezzat claimed that the Muslims will not be fooled by any hearsay by Obama or anybody else who sweetly laces their dialogue. Positive actions will be the defining factor which will prove the good-will of all. Unfortunately what is currently taking place in regards to Alaqsa's mosque is not a first and measures must be taken to halt these ignorant invasions.
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