Muslim Brotherhood leader talks of applying Sharia law

EGYPT’S MUSLIM Brotherhood has launched a campaign to counter suspicions over the movement’s intentions because of remarks made by a senior figure at a forum in Cairo’s poor, devout Imbaba quarter.

Deputy supreme guide Mahmoud Ezzat said the Brotherhood wanted to transform the country into an Islamic state once its political arm, the Freedom and Justice party, secured widespread popular support.

Al-Masry al-Youm, an independent daily, reported that Sheikh Ezzat also said the movement wanted to apply Muslim canon law (Sharia), but said "enforcement of Sharia punishments will need time and will only come after Islam is planted in every heart and masters the life of the people . . ."

Many Egyptians reject stoning of adulterers and the cutting off of thieves’ hands.

These statements were promptly seized upon by Coptic Christians, leftists, liberals and nationalists, as proof that the Brotherhood, the country’s best organised socio-political movement, is not, as it claims, committed to a civil state or democratic pluralism but is determined to impose a faith-based state on all Egyptians.

The Coptic Orthodox Church has suspended dialogue with the Brotherhood while the Coalition of Revolutionary Youth – organisers of the 18-day uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak – called for an apology. The liberal Wafd, Nasserist and Democratic Front parties accused the Brotherhood of duplicity.

Sheikh Ezzat has filed a complaint with the attorney general, accusing the media of misrepresenting his statements.

The controversy he stirred has made secular parties wary of entering into an electoral alliance with the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party. However, advocates insist the presence of the Brotherhood in the alliance will contain it. The movement has pledged not to offer a candidate for the presidency and to stand for only one-third of assembly seats.

They also feel the Brotherhood’s presence in the alliance will allay the fears of millions of conservative, religious Egyptians of “godless” secular parties and reduce religious rhetoric during the campaign.

Sheikh Ezzat represents the conservative wing of the Brotherhood rather than the moderate one with which secularists feel they can do business. The fact however that Brotherhood moderates say they support a civil state and conservatives a religious-cum-Sharia state creates confusion and could very well alienate liberal voters seeking multiparty democracy.

Secular activists have been critical of stances taken by the Brotherhood since protests began on January 25th. The movement initially refused to formally back the largely secular protests but within days allowed members to join in.

After Mr Mubarak’s fall, the Brotherhood supported constitutional amendments proposed by a commission that had been formed by the generals who assumed presidential powers. The democracy movement did not support them and accused the Brotherhood of entering into a pact with the military to abort the “revolution” and seize power.

About 10 days ago, the Brotherhood ended open co-operation with the military and ordered members to join fresh protests against its policies in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Liberals still remain nervous of the Brotherhood’s ties to the Salafist (puritanical) groupings advocating a far more radical religious agenda than the Brotherhood.