In its April 2, 2012 editorial, the London-based Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi slammed the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) for its decision to field a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, thus breaking its promise to remain neutral in these elections.
The following are excerpts:[1]
"The MB made a strategic error in nominating its deputy general guide, Khairat Al-Shater, as its candidate in the upcoming presidential elections in June. The problem does not lie in Al-Shater's character or qualifications, but in the principle of the thing – namely in [the MB's decision to] field a candidate after it presented itself as a neutral [movement] that refrains from direct involvement in the [presidential] race.
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"The [outcome] of the vote in the MB Shura Council, with 56 supporting Al-Shater's [nomination] and 52 opposing it, indicates that the issue is deeply controversial. It is unworthy that a presidential candidate in Egypt should receive [only] half the votes in his own party, which means that he does not represent a [sizable] majority within it. This will make it difficult for him to persuade voters outside [the party to support him], especially considering that his opponents are strong candidates – in particular the Islamists, such as Sheikh Hazem Abu Isma'il, 'Abd Al-Mun'im Abu Al-Futouh, and Dr. Salim Al-'Awa, not to mention figures like 'Amr Moussa and Ahmad Shafiq.
"The MB movement, which won over two-thirds of the seats in the [Egyptian] parliament, could reign supreme and crown kings. Thanks to its vast popularity and the support it receives in broad circles of Egyptian [society], it could crown the next president [simply] by endorsing the best of the candidates, and thus winning his loyalty. This way, it would benefit the Egyptian people while proving its neutrality and without taking over the top positions in the country's governing and elected institutions.
"Most of the presidential candidates merit the MB's endorsement, especially 'Abd Al-Mun'im Abu Al-Futouh, Salim Al-'Awa, and Hazem Abu Isma'il. They are no less Islamic than Al-Shater in their qualifications, character, and devotion to the religion and its directives. Al-Shater is no different than them, but the serious [problem] is that his nomination has created the deepest rift in the movement's history, and it will take long years to bridge this rift and eliminate its harmful repercussions.
"It will be best for the [MB] movement, and for Egypt, if the next president is not an Islamist and not an MB member [at all]. It would be illegitimate for the president, the prime minister, and the head of the constitution drafting committee to be [from the same movement, i.e.,] from the MB. That would be nothing less than dictatorship, even if it comes about through the ballots. In addition to the [problem] of a [power] monopoly, this will harm the movement's image. Fears will increase that, after rising to power through elections, the movement will never relinquish power. We hope [the MB] follows the example of the Al-Nahda party in Tunisia, who chose [to endorse] a pan-Arab secularist, Dr. Moncef Marzouki, for the presidency."
[1] Al-Quds Al-Arabi (London), April 2, 2012.
