Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Candidate Officially Sworn In Amid Fresh International Concerns
- Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:10am by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: AP)
(The Blaze/AP) — Islamist Mohammed Morsi promised a “new Egypt” as he took the oath of office Saturday to become the country’s first freely elected president, succeeding Hosni Mubarak who was ousted 16 months ago.
At his inauguration before the Supreme Constitutional Court, Morsi also became the Arab world‘s first freely elected Islamist president and Egypt’s fifth head of state since the overthrow of the monarchy some 60 years ago.
He took the oath before the court’s 18 black-robed judges in its Nile-side seat built to resemble an ancient Egyptian temple.
“We aspire to a better tomorrow, a new Egypt and a second republic,” Morsi said during a solemn ceremony shown live on state television.
“Today, the Egyptian people laid the foundation of a new life – absolute freedom, a genuine democracy and stability,” said Morsi, a 60-year-old U.S.-trained engineer from the Muslim Brotherhood, a fundamentalist group that has spent most of the 84 years since its inception as an outlawed organization harshly targeted by successive governments.
Hundreds of soldiers and policemen guarded the building as Morsi arrived shortly after 11 a.m. local time (9 a.m. GMT) in a small motorcade. Only several hundred supporters gathered outside the court to cheer the new president and, in a departure from the presidential pomp of the Mubarak years, traffic was only briefly halted to allow his motorcade through on the usually busy road linking the city center with its southern suburbs.
Derided as the Brotherhood’s uncharismatic “spare tire,” his personal prestige has surged since his victory and his delivery of a Friday speech that tried to present him as a candidate not just of Islamists but of all those who want to complete the work of the 2011 uprising against the authoritarian Mubarak.
“Egypt today is a civil, national, constitutional and modern state,” Morsi, wearing a blue business suit and a red tie, told the judges in the wood-paneled chamber where he took the oath of office. “It is a strong nation because of its people and the beliefs of its sons and its institutions.”
Morsi later traveled to Cairo University where he was to make his inauguration address. He was given an official welcome by an army band that played the national anthem as he stood to attention. Military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi was in attendance. His arrival was greeted with chants of, “The army and the people are one hand,” from the hundreds gathered in the university’s main lecture room.
Established in 1908 as a bastion of secular education, Cairo University later became a stronghold of Islamist student groups in the 1970s. Many of those student leaders have gone on to become senior members of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, the nation’s oldest and most powerful Islamist movement.
(Photo: AP)
A handover ceremony hosted by the military generals who ruled Egypt since Mubarak’s ouster follows.
Morsi took a symbolic oath on Friday in Tahrir Square, birthplace of the uprising that ended Mubarak’s authoritarian rule last year, and vowed to reclaim presidential powers stripped from his office by the military council that took over from the ousted leader.
But by agreeing to take the official oath before the court, rather than before parliament as is customary, he is bowing to the military’s will in an indication that the contest for power will continue.
Morsi’s Friday speech in Tahrir Square was filled with dramatic populist gestures. The 60-year-old president-elect staked a claim to the legacy of the uprising and voiced his determination to win back the powers stripped from his office by the generals.
Addressing a crowd that repeatedly shouted, “We love you Morsi!” he began his speech by joining them in chanting, “Revolutionaries and free, we will continue the journey.” Later he opened his jacket wide to show that he was not wearing a bullet-proof vest. “I fear no one but God and I work for you,” he told the cheering supporters. As he was leaving the podium, he pushed aside two army soldiers from his security detail to wave goodbye to the crowd.
“Everybody is hearing me now. The government … the military and the police. … No power above this power,” he told the crowd. “I reaffirm to you I will not give up any of the president’s authorities. I can’t afford to do this. I don’t have that right.”
And many are growing concerned about the nature of Morsi’s speeches. The Wall Street Journal has written an article explaining Morsi’s pledge to work to free the Omar Abdel-Rahman, also known as “the blind sheikh,” from a U.S. prison, where he is being held for his role in planning the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City.
According to the Journal:
Sheik Abdel-Rahman was one of the primary leaders of the Egyptian militant group Al Gama’a al Islamiyya. Though the group was accused of masterminding the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Sheik Abdel-Rahman avoided blame and moved to Afghanistan, where he made close associations with Osama bin Laden, the late leader of the militant group al Qaeda.
In 1990, the blind sheik, who lost his eyesight as a result of a childhood illness, moved to New York. He traveled the nation peddling anti-American propaganda to Arab audiences before his conviction in 1995 on charges of “seditious conspiracy” in connection with the Trade Center bombing.
“He gave a certain message,” Hala Mustafa, a spokeswoman for the secular-minded liberal Egyptian Social Democratic Party said. “Our people like Omar Abdel-Rahman are our first priority, then the youth.”
And how will the United States manage an alliance with such a president?
In his Friday speech, Morsi repeatedly returned to his main themes – the will of the people, the importance of unity and sticking to the goals of last year’s revolution.
He reportedly promised to reject any efforts to take away the “power of the people,” telling his supporters: “You are the source of legitimacy and whoever is protected by anyone else will lose.”
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Comments (49)
Grace1798
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 5:50amObama has helped them become powerful. Think about all Obama has done to help them succeed. Look into it, don’t be ignorant forever.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 7:02pmWho cares?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 2:01amGOD sent the people of Jacob to Egypt… to become Hebrews… established the House of Josoph… which created the Tribe of Ephraim, given the Title of Israel… which led the Exodus & entered the Promised Land… and the Egyptians placed the House of Joseph upon the Throne of Isreal after the death of Solomon.
Historically & as Divine Tools… the Egyptians are Important!
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 6:39pmWhat I want to know is what is going to happen to the women who under Mubarak were educated– became teachers, doctors and lawyers and more?
Under the religion of peace with Sharia as their guiding light—women will be religated to nothing more than chattel.
What do you think?
Report Post »rahgoo
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:04pmOver fifty thousand Egyptians were maimed by the dreaded Mukhabarat secret police; their only crime was being a member of the outlawed Brotherhood. A person who has lost an eye or limb because of being tortured will not forget the face of their interrogator. Now that Morsi has become the president, the injured Brother will hop on his one leg and look with his one eye until he finds the cop who maimed him.
Report Post »LASTBOYSCOUT001
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:22pmAmong individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace
Report Post »Tom70
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:49pmHand in hand Obama and Hilary Clintong will destroy Israel and the US with their lies.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 3:53pmRemember the words God told Moses to say , LET MY PEOPLE GO. wait for Egypt and the rest to attack Israel , the Bible says 5 out of 6 will die, the guy left will run home to give report. Israel has God on their side, God always keeps his promise.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:31pmJust another… Obama lie.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 12:25pmJust another failure created by BHO…. this ought to even make his polls go down further.. of course there are so many ignorant people who have no clue.. no clue at all! Ignorance is bliss! I guess when the country has been invaded mayb just maybe they will wake up to our bowing President!
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:16pmRemember the party who said we needed to go into the middle east in order to make it more democratic??? Such short memories
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 12:19pmI’m sure hilliary is jumping for joy
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 12:32pmHillary is riding this Tiger to where She knows not, all she knows is She Can’t Get Off.
Report Post »branch manager
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 12:17pmYa, ya, ya. Glen called it a year and a half ago. Shocker!!
Report Post »chershaw8
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:50amSay goodbye to the Pyramids………….remember the Buddha statues in Afganistan?
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:30pmI have been waiting for the pyramids to be destroyed by these people. People ask how anyone can vacation in Egypt with all that is going on. I think it is because this is probably their last chance to visit these treasures before they are destroyed.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:30amWAIT! Is this the Same Muslim Brotherhood who not long ago swore they where not interested in power so would not have a candidate for the Presidency? That Muslim Brotherhood?
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:13amGod forbid a middle eastern nation is allowed to vote for there own president?
The Egyptians had a free vote and chose the muslim brotherhood, im not sure why the US should have a say in who leads other countries.
Regardless the Army still holds all the power in Egypt and will tolerate Mohsi aslong as he doesn’t antagonise the US to the extent military aid is cut.
Hopefully the Egyptian consitution which is in the process of being written will enshrine personal freedoms of belief and protect womens rights, it is being written by a coalition which should dilute any overtly Islamist influence
Report Post »BillnGA
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:03amThe canal is owned and maintained by the Suez Canal Authority[6] (SCA) of Egypt. Under international treaty, it may be used “in time of war as in time of peace, by every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag.”[7] How long do you think this will last? If this world burns , it will be because the “Democraps” in this country have decided the Muslim Brotherhood is a good thing.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:10amYou’re right Bill, Obama thinks the the Brotherhood is fine. I‘m hoping the generals in Egypt don’t though and they are the real power over there. I guess we’ll see soon enough.
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:51am1. The Isrealies will nuke the Arabs if they start loosing.
Report Post »2. I feel sorry for the women who are supporting MB. Back to the stone ages of slavery. These women think that they are going to be somewhat free as their counterparts in this country. BS .. Sharia Law does not allow freedom and enlightment.
3. The tourist industry is going to die and a lot of people will be out of work. Good let them get help from Iran and Pakistan.
4. The young will be leaving Egypt in droves. There will be no work for them nor freedom to learn.
classicalgas
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:46amWell…..Comrade Obama’s dream came true – the Muslim Bros took over Egypt and will further enslave its people. Obama, Pelosi, and the rest of the Dem leadership should be very proud – now we have another radical Islamist enemy.
Congratulations, Dems! You are doing so well with your ideas that will cause you to sink with your liberal ship in November.
Report Post »lynnissmart
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:25amThis is bad for the United States as well as Israel…..evil, evil just like the pos…..
Report Post »db321
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:26amLynnissmart – This is bad for US and Israel.
Now, that comes down to how you describe Bad!
You see, I read about all about this in the Bible and while this event looks bad today, the end result still looks very good. God promises, that when the dust settles Israel will still be standing. And ALL that came against, voted against, and were deceived by their own ignorance were tossed into the Lake of Fire.
I believe that this means that we are very close to the final pages of the Bible. I chose not to be deceived, not too support evil, not too waste my vote on a Liar and deceiver like Obama, but I chose to sit back, pray up, and pack up, because I feel that those that still believe will be going up soon.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:14amWelcome black carter…………..
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:13amWhy wasn’t Obama invited to the inauguration with his butt sticking up in the air…bowing to his Muslim brother?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:35amWe had the same thing happen January 2008 .. but Obama wasn’t up front with his supporters (and they were to stupid to see it or didn’t care) just another Muslim Brother “offically” in Egypt.
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:03am“…And how will the United States manage an alliance with such a president?”
I quote President Morsi: “Everybody is hearing me now. The government…the military and the police…No power above this power,” he told the crowd. “I reaffirm to you I will not give up any of the president’s authorities. I can’t afford to do this. I don’t have that right.”
I quote President Obama: “We can’t wait. If the Congress will not act, I will.”
In this case, I also have to quote John Edwards: “There ARE TWO Americas.”
There is the Constitutionally Established America, where the Constitution and the Law Rule Blindly.
And then there is the America that lives inside President Obama’s head: which to him is “all about ME, ME, ME!” This is the America where he grins large, hearing “We love you President Obama, (Morsi)!”
The former will have a DEEP conflict with the Muslim Brotherhood, and President Morsi;
Report Post »The second will find NO conflict at all.
nzkiwi
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:00amBack in the early days of the revolution, I was one of those who opined that this was a good thing. A democracy in Egypt that would measure the will of its people and act in their best interests.
I was poo-pooed by many Blazers. And they were right, and I was wrong.
War is coming.
Considering that Russia and China are publically and staunchly supporting this regime, as well as Iran and Syria, this is likely to end badly.
To this moment, Mr Obama has shown himself as weak on the international forum. This has made the west’s potential enemys more brazen. I don’t think, given the imminence of the presidential election, that there will be any overt action on the part of our enemys just yet.
What I worry about is the re-election of Mr Obama.
In that case, I believe, the new axis powers will take full advantage.
And Hell will follow them into the world.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:10am@NZKiwi:
I held a slim sliver of hope in the case of true democracy coming to Egypt for about a day; when the Muslim Brotherhood began to be involved, that when I figured all was going bad to worse to even completely evil. Obama has been stirring up trouble in the Middle East for some time now, and it looks like the next will be Syria.
As you know my loathing of the Brotherhood is for very personal reasons; and if Obama comes to power for a second-term, assuming he does not just up and declare his dictatorship, the blood on HIS hands when (not if) war comes, will be immense.
It still amazes me at times we have here in AZ a show on the radio called Voice To America, where they are able to obtain informaiton weeks ahead of time before they happen (they see the trends and patterns first about 85% of the time, such as with the Mali revolution).
If you have not checked it out before (their site) I would recommend it.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:55amThanks, Snow, I’ll do that.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:47amThis is why we went into Iraq afterall…..To bring democracy to the Middle East.
Brilliant
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:22amSOY. That blame Bush/Iraq thing never gets tired with you Ron Paul Obama-lites doesn’t it? You blame Bush going into Iraq/Afghanistan for the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt? That seems to be a stretch…
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:15pm@time2
Didnt say anything about bush. And i’m not blaming Bush – that is such a foolish thing for you to say. I am blaming the republican military establishment – who seek to be in control of other countries and be the world’s policemen. You may notice the same type of people run the Democratic Party. The two parties argue in front of the camera but behind the scenes they work in cahoots.
You cannot handle facts, can you? The reactionaries in this country said we would only be safe if we made the Middle East democratic. Tell me how that has worked out. Or instead of living in your own little bubbleworld why dont you try logic for once.
You are old and former military – you are supposed to be better than this
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 5:50pmHorse crap SOY. Your rebuttal hasn’t swayed me from my first comment. Good try Medea… the Code-Pink warrior that you are. Whenever I read you protest sign carrying Ron Paul/Code-Pink anti-war/anti-Military chowder-heads I just want to puke. I personally had to wade through the BS of your kind in the early seventies and you’re not any different today.
And because I am Former/Retired Military and you are a Ron Paul fanboy, I read your first comment truly the way it was intended… nuances and all… regardless of your second comment’s spin.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 7:33pmignore all facts before you – that makes you a liberal
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:31amThe MB is in power in Egypt? Wow who would’ve seen that coming? Mr.Clapper can you spew more pearls of wisdom you stupid SOB. Barry threw Hosni under the bus for his buds in the MB and now we have another Iran. There‘s so many clips of these lunatics telling us their intentions yet still people just ignore what they’re hearing or worse are aiding them and they work in the white house.
Israel just might have to empty their nuclear arsenal on all the lunatics in the middle east and be done with it because when Iran gets theirs operational they’ll use it,I take Iran at their word on this issue.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:26amI would like anyone in the Obama administration to explain how this is a good thing.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:33amI volunteer Mr.Clapper,he can tell us all how this is a good thing. I wonder who dresses Mr.Clapper?
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:53amoh you want the puppet government to return under military rule, how democratic of you momma
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:04am@MomRules:
This is the only way a radical ideolog such as Obama would see it as a ‘good thing’…
He is a radical, extremist and fanatical hater of Israel. So the radical extremism of the Muslim Brotherhood is being supported to reshape the world in the area, correct an old mistake in his eyes of US support and recognition of Israel, and to ‘liberate’ the Palestinians and Arab world of capitalism and all the evils he sees going hand in hand with it.
That is what Obama sees.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:05am@MomRules:
Forgot to add…most of us in the US of course, do not agree with Obama or his minions.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 11:15amHey Steely, Hitler was democratically elected. I guess you would have loved that too?
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:43amGonzo – That is true and that is what scares me about Americans that will still be voting for Obama. How blind those individuals are to the reality of what is happening, even though it is being repeatedly exposed, they march on just as in the time of Hitler. The same veil is covering their eyes and hiding the truth from them.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 9:20amI hope our military is smarter than the Lefty Democrats in the White House .
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on June 30, 2012 at 2:35pmThe top brass in our military is sounding more and more like the progressives than ever.
Report Post »