CAIRO: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) said on Tuesday that it would not impose a higab, or veil, requirement on Egyptian women and added that it would adhere to upholding personal freedoms for all citizens. The head of the FJP Mohamed Morsy reiterated his party's adherence, respect and commitment to the personal freedoms of all people in Egypt at a meeting with Egyptian diplomats at the country's foreign ministry. “The Muslim Brotherhood and its party respect personal freedoms,” said Morsy. The meeting was the first of its kind to be held with an official from the Muslim Brotherhood since their FJP party won nearly half of all seats in the new parliament. He continued to say that personal freedoms in Egypt “will remain untouched on the condition of not harming the society.” His remarks came as a response to a question on the Muslim Brotherhood's position towards the veil. Unlike their more conservative al-Nour counterparts in parliament, who have called for a banning of bikinis, alcohol and have pushed for the veil to be worn, the Brotherhood and the FJP have repeatedly said they would not implement any such program. Morsy said the Brotherhood's concept of obedience “is confusing for many, and that it's a part of the Muslim Brotherhood's internal regulations.” He added that obedience “means that it is to the rules and not the person and I am a member of the Muslim Brotherhood,” in response to questions of a split within the group that has already seen a number of members forced out in recent months. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/2vs89 Tags: featured, FJP, Freedoms, Muslim Brotherhood, Veil Section: Egypt, Latest News, Women
