Faith

Egyptian Islamists Hold Rally Demanding Mubarak Officials Be Banned From Presidential Race

CAIRO (The Blaze/AP) — Hundreds of Islamists demonstrated in Cairo on Friday against Egypt’s ruling military council, demanding that senior officials from the deposed regime of Hosni Mubarak be banned from running for president.

Egyptian Islamists Demand Mubarak Officials Be Banned From Presidential Race

The gathering in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square was relatively small. Unlike a week earlier, liberal movements did not join the Islamists. But while it was small, the rally is further evidence that sociopolitical angst is on the rise in Egypt.

(Related: ‘Guilty’: Egyptian Court Upholds Famed Arab Comedian’s Jail Sentence for…Insulting Islam)

“Down with the military council,” chanted demonstrators, calling on the generals who took over from Mubarak step down.

The event also reflected growing opposition to the generals even by Islamists, who preferred to stay away from street protests until recently. Many Egyptians now fear that the generals are plotting to install their own president or stay in power themselves.

Egyptian Islamists Demand Mubarak Officials Be Banned From Presidential Race

Islamists and liberals are both critical of a ruling this week by the military-appointed election commission, allowing Mubarak’s last prime minister to run for president next month, but they are deeply split over policy and the future of Egypt.

Islamists swept last winter’s parliamentary elections, capturing a clear majority of the seats. Since then, they have been clashing with the military council, demanding the right to form their own government.

Liberal and secular groups are critical of the military for bungling the transition and for violence against demonstrators. They came into conflict with Islamists over the composition of a panel appointed to write the country’s new constitution.

Egyptian Islamists Demand Mubarak Officials Be Banned From Presidential Race

A protester holds a Quran and a cross during a rally in Tahrir Square, Cairo Egypt, Friday, April 27, 2012. Hundreds of Islamists are rallying in Cairo to denounce the ruling military council and demand that Hosni Mubarak-era politicians be barred from running in the presidential elections next month. (AP Photo/Fredrik Persson)

The parliament packed the panel with Islamists, prompting liberals to walk out, fearing a religion-based document would emerge. The panel is being reconstituted.

At stake is the longtime Western orientation of Egypt, a main recipient of U.S. aid and a close ally of the West. Sounding pragmatic, the Brotherhood has pledged to preserve Egypt’s ties to the U.S. and its historic peace treaty with Israel, but leading members have spoken out against both.

The election commission announced the final list of 13 candidates for president on Thursday after disqualifying 10 candidates, including the two top Islamists, but reinstating Ahmed Shafiq, who served as Mubarak‘s premier during last year’s uprising.

The surviving front-runners are two Islamists and a veteran statesman who also served under Mubarak. Absent are prominent liberal reformers who spurred last year’s popular uprising.

Egyptian Islamists Demand Mubarak Officials Be Banned From Presidential Race

Protesters Friday worried that the military might try to rig the election in favor of a candidate who would protect its special status. Elections under Mubarak were blatantly rigged.

“Those who brought Shafiq back to the race are able to fabricate the election results,” said protester Ali Deyab.

Another demonstrator, Ibrahim Yahia, echoed that. “They disqualified the most honorable men and approved the remnants of the regime because they want Mubarak back,” he said.

Publishing of the list of candidates officially kicked off the election campaign. The first round of voting is set for May 23-24.

If none of the candidates wins more than 50 per cent of votes, a runoff will be held June 16-17 between the top two finishers. A winner will be declared on June 21.

The military has pledged to turn over power to a civilian government by the end of June.

Comments (8)

  • CrawfishFestival2
    Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:50am

    Hundreds of Islamists demonstrated in Cairo on Friday against Egypt’s ruling military council, demanding that senior officials from the deposed regime of Hosni Mubarak be banned from running for president.

    **********
    The Muslim Brotherhood was banned from Egypt for DECADES because of their VICIOUS Acts of Terrorism.

    Obama has given The Muslim Brotherhood $1 BILLION of our US taxpayer money – when it is NOT a country – but an organization trying to take control of Egypt – in the next election.

    *****

    Didn’t Obama break federal laws in financing an election in another country?

    Report Post »  
  • judyaz
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:14pm

    August 10, 1974: “As the children of Abraham came forth upon the earth, and as Abraham begot the children of Egypt, and the children of your Arabian nations, so one was as into another, for they were of brothers, yet they knew each other not. And so it has been, that for all the descendents of Abraham, they did make war upon each other, and cast stones upon each other, for they were a jealous lot. Yet, each and all in the same manner believed, therefore, into our Father, the God….
    We say unto you, as the nations and nations of the world have come forth, one by one and two by two, to live in the house of the Lord and take direction from the same, each has come forth in their own way, that they should enter our Father’s many mansions. But yet, there is still this charlatan. [Genesis 12-19]…

    Your Government and…country [USA] can only remain as it should stand as one nation before God. It was God’s promise that the land of Israel be returned back unto the Israelites, and so this time has been fulfilled. Yet before you lies the battle of Armageddon. We say unto you, fight among yourselves and the Beast shall win and…rule and the land shall become desolate and polluted. And man shall die and waste away in a polluted land.
    But we say unto you, hear these words, oh Israel. Hear these words…Americans. Our Father’s will shall be done and the Sword shall cut again. And those who carry not the mark of the Beast shall walk forth and inherit the earth.”

    Report Post » judyaz  
  • YourVoiceMatters
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 3:39pm

    that sure sounds like free elections now doesn’t it?
    What are they afraid of ?
    that they might lose?
    when it is free choice there is always the opportunity to lose…
    but if they were under mubaric and they were the bad guys
    what do they have to fear or is it
    they don’t want free they want sure thing…
    maybe this wasn’t such a good idea
    to me arab spring looks like
    more of the same!

    Report Post »  
  • davemyers
    Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:35am

    This is specifically for those who care to know the truth about Egypt’s history, not the eurocentrisized mis-information that you have been spoon-fed … http://www.africawithin.com/diop/origin_egyptians.htm
    http://www.theroot.com/views/blacks-and-egyptians?page=0,1
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_race_controversy

    Report Post »  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on April 27, 2012 at 5:36pm

    Ugh. There is no such thing as an “islamist”. They are just muslims. Muslims expressing their cultural values. Why apply language that teaches wrong thinking.

    Please, The Blaze, some common sense here?

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • lukerw
    Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:25pm

    Of course… the Egyptian Government has always surpressed the Muslim BrotherHood… because they Assassinated Government Officials. So, now, given the Upper Hand by Hillary… the tables are turned!

    Report Post » lukerw  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love