CAIRO: The Muslim Brotherhood has reportedly asked Salafi leaders to tame down their harsh speech, fearing that they have alienated many from Islamic movements in general. “The real problem of the Salafists is that they have never practiced politics in the past and they must reconsider their speech because it is affecting the Islamists in general whether we want that or not,” said Mahmoud Ghezlan, the official spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood, who's affiliated Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has exhibited significant political finesse and grassroots capacity as they prepare for Egypt's upcoming parliamentary elections. Ghezan also criticized Salafi leaders who still claim that former President Hosni Mubarak is the legitimate ruler of Egypt. “These people only represent their own selves,” he said, dismissing their claims. The Muslim Brotherhood, hailing a more moderate Islamist platform, is Egypt's strongest and most organized political party, as upcoming Parliamentary elections approach. The Freedom and Justice Party is fielding candidates for more than 50 percent of seats in the upcoming elections, slated to begin at the end of November, in addition to many independent candidates. Political experts believe that the FJP will be capable of taking a significant amount of seats in both the People's Council and Shura Council races, perhaps even constituting the parliamentary majority. BM
