CAIRO: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood held its first iftar, the breaking of the fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in one of Cairo's grand hotels today. Egypt's ruling military council and Coptic Christian officials were absent, but many governmental and other officials attended. Among them were Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Salmi; Minister of Information Osama Heikal; Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa; head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Yousef al-Karadawy; and a number of ambassadors of Arab and Islamic states, chairmen of political parties and leaders of Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie said Ramadan is different this year because of the Egyptian revolution. He expressed his appreciation for the revolution, the demonstrators and the army, which he described as “great.” He said the army supported the January 25 Revolution and the demands of the people from the beginning. Badie added that the priority during the current stage should be the interests of the country, not private interests. He said it is necessary to unify all Egyptians regardless of religion or political trend. He said all Egyptians have the same rights and duties. The Brotherhood, as all Egyptians, participated in the revolution from the beginning, said Badie. He called for implementing the principles of citizenship and freedom without excluding any trends. Badie demanded that Egypt's political powers draft their political programs and visions that ensure the rights of the Egyptian people. He added that the priority should be to end the transitional stage and transfer power to a civilian authority including an elected parliament and government, according to the timetable determined by the ruling military council. Badie called to restore the spirit of Tahrir Square, which unified all Egyptians around one objective. He said there is a need for national dialogue to ensure achieving stability and development in Egypt.
