The Salafi Scholars Shura Council criticized the Muslim Brotherhood for nominating Khairat al-Shater for the presidency. In a statement Tuesday, the council also denounced certain Islamists calling on presidential candidate Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail to waive his candidacy for al-Shater, who they say has the confidence of the Egyptians. The council issued a statement endorsing the candidacy of rival Islamist candidate Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail,  saying he has the trust of the Egyptian people, and criticized members of the Salafi Nour Party who have been lobbying Ismail to drop his presidential bid in deference to al-Shater.  

ELECTIONS: 

1) Brotherhood presidential candidate Khairat al-Shater held his first campaign rally at the FJP’s headquarters in Cairo on April 2, an event that saw disagreement between al-Shater’s supporters and those who opposed his nomination. The Brotherhood’s youth wing and several MPs had previously endorsed former Guidance Bureau member Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. In explaining the Brotherhood’s reversal of policy on the presidential election, FJP Chairman Mohamed Morsy said, "We have … chosen the path of the presidency not because we are greedy for power but because we have a majority in parliament which is unable to fulfill its duties.” Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie also defended the decision, saying that when the group made the decision not to run it was "being sincere, and when it decided to nominate Khairat al-Shater, it was also was honest with the people." FJP MP and Secretary General Mohammed al-Beltagy said he respects the majority’s decision but acknowledged that the nomination has made him "worried over the future of the country and the Islamic project.” [al-Ahram, English, 4/3/2012] [al-Ahram, English, 4/3/2012] [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 4/3/2012]

2) The Salafi Scholars Shura Council criticized the Muslim Brotherhood for nominating Khairat al-Shater for the presidency. In a statement Tuesday, the council also denounced certain Islamists calling on presidential candidate Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail to waive his candidacy for al-Shater, who they say has the confidence of the Egyptians. The council issued a statement endorsing the candidacy of rival Islamist candidate Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail,  saying he has the trust of the Egyptian people, and criticized members of the Salafi Nour Party who have been lobbying Ismail to drop his presidential bid in deference to al-Shater. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 4/3/2012]

3) Islamist presidential candidate Abel Moneim Aboul Fotouh officially launched his campaign program with a rally at Al-Azhar Park. Fotouh said he plans to increase size of the army and ban military trials. [al-Ahram, English, 4/3/2012] 

4) Mohamed Badie, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide, praised the decision by Islamist presidential candidate Abdullah al-Ashaal to withdraw from the presidential race in deference to the FJP’s official nominee, Khairat al-Shater.  [al-Ahram, English, 4/3/2012] 

CONSTITUTION: 

5) FJP MP and Secretary General Mohamed al-Beltagy said the party is ready to replace Islamist members of the constituent assembly with members from outside the current substitutes list. Al-Beltagy announced that the parliament’s negotiation committee, known as the "committee of nine" tasked with resolving the constituent assembly crisis, has reached a preliminary agreement to replace some of the current assembly members with outside professionals and experts in various fields. [al-Ahram, English, 4/3/2012] 

6) After withdrawing its two members from the constituent assembly, al-Azhar announced that it will not rejoin the assembly unless al-Azhar is given adequate representation. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 4/3/2012] 

US-EGYPT RELATIONS: 

7) A U.S. congressional delegation led by Rep. David Dreier met with FJP MP and Shura Council Speaker Ahmed Fahmy as well as Brotherhood presidential candidate Khairat al-Shater. Drier issued a statement saying the United States will not interfere with the Egyptian people’s choice for president. Dreier also met with Field Marshal Tantawi to discuss “strategic relations” between the U.S. and Egypt. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 4/3/2012] 

Photo Credit: Arabiya

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