CAIRO: The Salafist candidate, whose mother is rumored to holding US citizenship, is at risk of being removed from Egypt's presidential race. In light of these reports, Abu Ismail supporters filled the square in early afternoon in discontent and anger, leading to strained tensions with opposition activists. “This is a political set up,” says a spokesman of Abu Ismail's presidential campaign. “They spread these rumors without substantial evidence only to weaken the Salafist movement,” he continues. “We have a great secret service, and they have had over a week to prove the accusation is true. But they have yet to do so. It is evident they want a candidate that serves the interests of the US which Abu Ismail clearly does not. If Abu Ismail is taken out of the race, we will not be silenced. The Egyptian and Muslim streets will be enraged, and they will fight until demands are met,” the spokesman concludes. “We will respect the outcome of legitimate and fair elections, regardless of the winner,” says an organizer of the campaign. “However, the Egyptian street and the Internet suggest Abu Ismail is a definite favorite amongst the people.” Tensions escalated as Salafit protesters aggressively removed a number of revolutionaries from the square later in the afternoon. In an act to avoid confrontation, Abu Ismail supporters formed human shields in front of shops and restaurants that were under imminent attack. Later in the day, opposition activists rallied in small numbers to counterweigh the protest, chanting, “The constitution is for the Egyptian people! Not for the Muslim Brotherhood or the Salafists.” The rally ended peacefully that evening, while some protesters continue to linger in the square. Abu Ismail is a candidate for the Egyptian presidential election of May 2012. As of early April 2012, he is considered the front-runner, and enjoys notable displays of popular support. In foreign policy, Abu Ismail is in favor of ending Egypt's peace treaty with Israel and has spoken of Iran as a successful model of independence from the United States. His domestic agenda includes opposition to the dominant role of the military in Egyptian politics and Salafist social reforms such as lowering the age of marriage to puberty, or veiling women and segregating them from men in the workplace. On April 4, 2012, the New York Times reported that according to Californian government documents Abu Ismail's mother held U.S. citizenship, which would make him ineligible for the presidency under the Egyptian constitution. He has denied this, stating that she only held a green card.
