Perilous
Times
Radial Islamist groups gaining stranglehold in Egypt
The rapid spread of Muslim political parties ahead of September's
parliamentary elections has strengthened fears that Egyptian
democracy will be dominated by radical Islamic movements.
Mohammed Badie, the Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual leader, last
week predicted the group's candidates would win 75 per cent of the
seats it contested
By Damien McElroy, Cairo 5:24PM BST 17 Apr 2011
The Telegraph UK
The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest Islamic movement and the
founder of Hamas, has set up a network of political parties around
the country that eclipse the following of the middle class
activists that overthrew the regime. On the extreme fringe of the
Brotherhood, Islamic groups linked to al-Qeada are organising from
the mosques to fill the vacuum left by the collapse of the
dictatorship.
The military-led government already faces accusations that it is
bowing to the surge in support for the Muslim movements, something
that David Cameron warned of in February when he said Egyptian
democracy would be strongly Islamic.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned on Sunday
that the direction of Egyptian politics was anti-Israeli. He told
diplomats last week that Egyptian officials – including Nabil
al-Arabi, the foreign minister – were pandering to political
militants by branding Israel as the "enemy".
"I am very concerned over some of the voices we've been hearing
from Egypt recently," Mr Netanyahu said. "I'm especially concerned
over the current Egyptian foreign minster's statements."
An Egyptian court on Saturday disbanded the National Democratic
Party, which won 80 per cent of seats in parliament in December's
rigged election. Hosni Mubarak, the ousted president, and his
protégés are under arrest and threatened by prison.
Mohammed Badie, the Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual leader, last
week predicted the group's candidates would win 75 per cent of the
seats it contested.
Fundamentalist factions have also emerged as parties. Gamaa
al-Islamiya, an al-Qaeda linked group that promotes Salafist
traditions has used its mosques as a political base for the first
time since the 1970s.
A scare campaign that a No vote in last months referendum would
eliminate Islamic law from the Egyptian constitution ensured a 77
per cent Yes result.
But the April 6th movement that spearheaded protests has no clear
plan for party politics. Diplomats have warned the demonstrators
are not well prepared for elections.
"The leadership of the protests was so focused on the
street-by-street detail of the revolution, they have no clue what
to do in a national election," said a US official involved in the
demonstrations. "Now at dinner the protesters can tell me every
Cairo street that was important in the revolution but not how they
will take power in Egypt."
A clean-up campaign, including the laying of fresh grass on the
roundabout, has transformed Tahrir Square, the focal point of
protests. Last Friday was the first holiday since the outbreak of
the uprising that was protest-free at the square. Only the daily
gathering of hundreds to perform Islamic prayer ceremonies is a
reminder of the protests that topped Mr Mubarak.
Mahsud Arishie, a teacher visiting the square, said Egypt would be
a different country in the wake of the uprising. "Muslims have
their own space now where there is no pressure from the
government, only a direct connection to the Lord in the sky," he
said as he made his way to the prayers. "That does not mean our
country will be hostile to the West but it does mean we will do
what we want."
Although the leading contenders for Egypts presidency are
independents, many have begun wooing the Muslim blocs.
Front-runner Amr Moussa, the Arab League president, has conceded
that its inevitable that Islamic factions will be the bedrock of
the political system.
As hardliners compete for street power, Egypt's Christians – who
make up 10 per cent of the population – are emigrating in growing
numbers.
Al-Masry al-Youm, an Egyptian newspaper, reported last week that
the Canadian embassy had been swamped by visa requests from Coptic
Christians.
Others are fighting back. Naquib Swiris, a Copt who is one of
Egypt's richest men, has formed the Free Egyptians Party as a
rallying point for a liberal democracy.