A leading figure in Jama'a al-Islamiya's Construction and Development Party said Monday that former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi invited the group for a dialogue. At a press conference, Safwat Abdel Ghany, who was recently appointed to the Shura Council by President Mohamed Morsy, said the group agreed to the dialogue and informed the Popular Current Party founder of its acceptance. The group and the party also launched during the press conference an initiative entitled “Dialogue for the Homeland,” which it said is intended to contribute to a better future for the country. The group called on Morsy to invite all political forces to the dialogue to discuss the articles of the constitution that need to be amended. “We aim to end the state of polarization between the Islamist forces and the liberal and leftist forces,” said Tarek al-Zomor, the group's spokesperson. “And we want to put Egypt on the right track.” In response to a question on reported violations during the constitutional referendum, Zomor said the High Judicial Elections Commission would consider any complaints. “Democracy may be new to us,” he said, “but this does not mean the referendum was rigged deliberately.” He appealed to all political forces who contributed to the current state of polarization among Egyptians to apologize to the people. Zomor thanked the Egyptian people for disregarding attempts to incite them to violence and for approving the new constitution. He also thanked the Armed Forces and the police for their role in securing the referendum. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
