Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood submits documents for new party

2011-05-19 08:53:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) – Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood on Wednesday submitted the required documents for official recognition as a political party, Ahram online reported.

The Muslim Brotherhood, one of Egypt's most powerful political forces, announced its intent to establish the Freedom and Justice Party, only 10 days after former president Hosni Mubarak was deposed on 11 February. The group is being trying to soften its image to come across as moderate ‎Islamists, rather than hardliners.‎

The recently created "Freedom and Justice" political party consists of 8821 members, including 978 women and 93 Copts. Two days ago, Rafiq Habib, a coptic politician, was appointed as vice president of the party.

The Muslim Brotherhood claim they do not object to ‎the election of women or Copts to the government, although they deem both "unsuitable" ‎for presidency.

"The party is ‎completely distinct from the group [MB]; our Coptic brothers are welcome to join the party ‎and take part in its presidential elections, as well. All members are equal and any Egyptian ‎can join, except those who belonged to the dismantled National Democratic Party," Mohamed Mursi, head of the not-yet-official Freedom and Justice Party, said.

The Muslim Brotherhood announced on April 30 that its recently formed party will run for 45% to 50% of the parliament in the next elections scheduled for September. The group also confirmed that they do not plan to field a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections.

The Muslim Brotherhood, however, will not be the only Islamic political force in Egypt. The ‎Salafists, who have been blamed for the recent sectarian violence in the country, are to ‎establish Al-Nahda (Renaissance Party). Another Salafist party has also recently fulfilled the compulsory ‎minimum number of members – 5,000 from at least 10 governorates.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-19

Bring back Mubarak.

They're coming!!!

I knew when Obama was shrieking his head off about getting rid of Mubarak that this would be the next step.

The Muslim Brotherhood will now own a country.

They're coming!!!

I knew when Obama was shrieking his head off about getting rid of Mubarak that this would be the next step.

The Muslim Brotherhood will now own a country.

Barrak Hussein Obama's intelligence ( ) advisor referred to the Muslim brotherhood as being 'mostly secular' which just goes to show their naivety knows no bounds, or is it really naivety or something even more worrying?