Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



In Focus: The Muslim Brotherhood puzzle
Published in Daily News Egypt on 10 - 03 - 2010

The Muslim Brotherhood has yet to take a clear position on former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei's intention to run for president in Egypt in 2011.
Neither, Mohamed Badie, the Brotherhood's Supreme Guide, nor any of the high ranking members of the group have declared whether they will support ElBaradei or whether they have reservations about his political platform.
When Saad El-Katatny, head of the Brotherhood bloc in the parliament attended the meeting between ElBaradei and other political activists, he declared that his participation was "personal and that he didn't represent the movement.
Theoretically, the Brotherhood should support ElBaradei, not only in retaliation against the Mubarak regime, but also because he recognizes the Brotherhood's right to be integrated in political life and to establish a political party. At the same time, the movement's leaders are wary of taking such a position lest the regime decides to eradicate the movement socially and politically as a reaction.
The group's ambiguous strategy in such situations was a way to protect its survival. In the last presidential elections in 2005, the movement did not publically declare which candidate it will vote for. However, former Supreme Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef, had instructed members not to vote for Ayman Nour, who was running against Mubark. Thus, rumors had circulated that MB had a deal with the Mubarak regime which Akef didn't deny recently.
During the last five years the Mubarak regime suppressed the Brotherhood ruthlessly. Nearly 25 members have been sentenced to prison terms in a military court. Recently, five members of the Guidance Bureau were arrested. Nevertheless, the movement continuous to keep silent and to refrains from challenge the regime.
Supporting ElBaradei should be a crucial choice for the Muslim Brotherhood for many reasons. First, ElBaradei isn't Ayman Nour, whom the movement does not trust. He also has a courageous and ambitious platform for the democratization of Egypt.
Second, ElBaradei has shown interest in engaging the Muslim Brotherhood under the umbrella of civic state. And if the movement remains hesitant in supporting him, this might confirm negative allegations about their ideas and political discourse.
Third, and most importantly, ElBaradei, might be a good tool for the Brotherhood to rebuild its relationship with other political actors.
Finally, he might open a new window for the Brotherhood to strengthen its political stance and to improve its public image.
In short, if the Brotherhood learns from history, they should support ElBaradei in his bid for the next presidential elections, not because he might win, but at least as a card to play against the Mubarak regime.
Khalil Al-Anani is an Expert on Middle East Politics and a Ph.D candidate at the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University.


Clic here to read the story from its source.