The Constitution Party filed a report on Thursday with supreme state security prosecutors regarding Salafist preacher Wagdy Ghoneim, and Islamist sheikh and Constituent Assembly member Mohamed El-Athry, for the defamation and insulting of party members.
GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION
Report accuses Morsy of corruption
A report was referred to the Public Funds Prosecution on Thursday accusing President Mohamed Morsy of profiting from his position and giving unfair advantage to business figures who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Saeed Mohamed Abdullah, founder of the Independent Association to Fight Corruption, filed a report to the public prosecutor accusing Morsy of reaping profits to repay the money spent on his election campaign. Abdullah claims this amounts to LE2 billion. [Egypt Independent, 9/27/2012]
Nour Party renews confidence in its president
The new supreme body of the Salafi Nour Party on Thursday renewed confidence in the party’s president, Emad Abdel Ghafour, in response to the former supreme body’s vote of no-confidence. Abdel Ghafour’s deputy Mostafa Khalifa had been named as his successor. The body on Wednesday decided to include 27 new members, and refer to investigation 12 members who had withdrawn their confidence in Abdel Ghafour. [Egypt Independent, al-Jazeera (Arabic) 9/27/2012]
Egypt’s constitution Party seeks prosecution for ‘infidel’ fatwa by Islamist sheikhs
The Constitution Party filed a report on Thursday with supreme state security prosecutors regarding Salafist preacher Wagdy Ghoneim, and Islamist sheikh and Constituent Assembly member Mohamed El-Athry, for the defamation and insulting of party members. El-Athry had issued a fatwa [religious decree] prohibiting joining the party, which was then circulated widely in the media, and supported by Ghoneim. [Ahram Online, EGYNews (Arabic), 9/28/2012]
COURTS & CONSTITUTION
Sinai tribes demand representation in constitution
Bedouin tribal leaders demanded on Thursday that the new constitution recognize their traditional judicial system. They also criticized the lack of representation of Sinai’s tribes in the Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting the constitution. The Bedouin representatives said that their traditional judicial system, consistent with the tribes’ customs and traditions, must be recognized by the state. [Egypt Independent, 9/27/2012]
ECONOMY
Egypt Tourism Takes A Hit From Prophet Protests
One of the world’s largest cruise ships, its foreign passengers primed for onshore spending, was supposed to dock in Egypt this month. The port call, however, was scrapped because of security concerns surrounding Mideast protests against a film made in the U.S. that denounces Islam’s holiest figure. [AP, 9/28/2012]
Egypt at risk from global food rises: UN official
Egypt’s reliance on imports mean it is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices and make government safety nets vital to protect the poor, a United Nations official has said. In an exclusive interview with Ahram Online, Shukri Ahmed, senior economist at the UN’s Food Agriculture Organization, praised Egyptian efforts towards agricultural self-sufficiency but said the country remains at risk. [Ahram Online, 9/27/2012]
SECURITY & SINAI
Copts reportedly fleeing Rafah after death threats
Following death threats from what are alleged to be militant groups, Christian families have been fleeing the border town of Rafah in North Sinai, according to news reports and accounts from activists on Thursday. Priest Michael Anton of Mary Girgis Church said nine Coptic families left town upon orders from North Sinai Governor Abdel Fattah Harahor after they received death threats and gunmen fired at stores owned by Christians. [Egypt Independent, Youm 7 (Arabic), 9/28/2012]
Egypt’s interior ministry to arm Sinai tribes for their protection: Tribal chief
Sheikh Ali Freek, head of the Arabic Party for Justice and Equality, said on Thursday at Ghad El Thawra’s press conference premises that the Minister of Interior had agreed to provide Sinai tribes with weapons to protect their land. Tribal chiefs expressed their appreciation for police security bodies who provide security in Sinai, and also confirmed their commitment to supporting police forces in achieving stability in the region. [Ahram Online, 9/28/2012]
Photo Credit: Reuters
Image: mohamed%20elbaradei.programthumb.jpg
