The Muslim Brotherhood reneged on its pledge to refrain from nominating its own presidential candidate by choosing Khairat al-Shater as the group’s official nominee. The nomination of al-Shater, one of the Brotherhood’s main political strategists and a business mogul, has already provoked a backlash within the group and particularly among young members. Analysts speculate that the Brotherhood reversed its policy on the presidential election because the constitutional powers of the parliament are still unknown, relations between the Brotherhood and military are deteriorating, and the Brotherhood is concerned it will not be able to control any of the leading presidential candidates.
ELECTIONS:
1) The Muslim Brotherhood reneged on its pledge to refrain from nominating its own presidential candidate by choosing Khairat al-Shater as the group’s official nominee. The nomination of al-Shater, one of the Brotherhood’s main political strategists and a business mogul, has already provoked a backlash within the group and particularly among young members. Analysts speculate that the Brotherhood reversed its policy on the presidential election because the constitutional powers of the parliament are still unknown, relations between the Brotherhood and military are deteriorating, and the Brotherhood is concerned it will not be able to control any of the leading presidential candidates. [Washington Post, English, 4/2/2012]
2) Brotherhood spokesman Mohamed Ghozlan said on April 2 that the group’s decision to nominate Khairat al-Shater “will be implemented and is not subject to revision or compromise.” “It is not the right of any individual [Brotherhood member] to issue a statement inconsistent with this decision or with its objectives.” [al-Shorouk, Arabic, 4/2/2012]
3) An official source reported that the SCAF and cabinet will hold meetings with non-Brotherhood political forces in the coming days in an effort to curb what he described as “the Brotherhood’s influence and arrogance.” [al-Youm al-Saba’a, Arabic, 4/2/2012]
4) Amr Moussa warned that the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie will seek to rule Egypt through Khairat al-Shater, whom the group has formally nominated for the presidency. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 4/2/2012]
5) A Facebook campaign opposing Khairat al-Shater, “I will not vote for Shater,” has gathered 62,300 supporters. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 4/2/2012]
CONSTITUTION:
6) Egypt’s Coptic Church has announced its withdraw from talks on the new constitution, saying Islamist domination of the constituent assembly made its participation "pointless.” [al-Ahram, English, 4/2/2012]
7) Saad El-Husseini, a Muslim Brotherhood MP, reported that the FJP has drawn up a proposal for the basic principles to be included in the new constitution. According to El-Husseini, the party has decided that the constitution should be based on the Al-Azhar Document and the Democratic Coalition for Egypt Document. [al-Ahram, English, 4/2/2012]
HUMAN RIGHTS:
8) Islamist and Wafd MPs are arguing that certain provisions of the Family Law be amended or removed, prompting criticism from women’s rights groups. Wafd MP Mohamed al-Omda recommended the cancelation of the Khulaa Law (No. 1, 2000) which provides women an alternate route to divorce if their husbands refuse to end the marriage. Al-Omda and FJP MPs are also suggesting that the National Council for Women be disbanded and replaced with a National Council for the Family. [al-Ahram, English, 4/2/2012]
9) A Cairo court has sentenced three activists accused of storming the prosecutor general’s offices and attacking judicial employees during a sit-in demanding the cleansing of the judiciary on February 28. The convicted activists, Tarek Mohamed, Mohamed Rushdi and Ibrahim El-Sunni, were sentenced to three years in prison. [al-Ahram, English, 4/2/2012]
Photo Credit: The Guardian
Image: Khairat-al-Shater-008.jpg