MB Secretary General: Escalations will not deter us from performing our duty.

MB Secretary General: Escalations will not deter us from performing our duty.

Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat in a comprehensive interview with Ikhwanweb

highlighted a number of important issues:

 

– Allegations of secret agreements are unfounded and fabricated.

 

– MB Chairman Statements have been altered.

– The Israeli entity are the biggest beneficiaries of the ongoing state escalation against us.

 

– The Muslim Brotherhood will not tolerate the regime’s oppression on its people.

 

-Citizens should be allowed to choose their own rulers and to decide on their future

– We will not allow chaos in our homeland… The ruling regime must reassess itself.

 

– The Brotherhood is a solid movement with a coherent ideology. They acquaint themselves in all matters and know very well how to work under pressure.

 

– The ferocious ongoing media campaign which desires the tarnishing of the Muslim Brotherhood’s image, has witnessed many significant developments.

 

– The ruling regime has in fact, failed miserably, in tarnishing the image and reputation of the Brotherhood’s image in the eyes of the ordinary layman.  The regime has wreaked their poisonous arrows of wrath, hatred, anger, and resentment in an attempt to drive a wedge between the Movement’s members. 

 

 

 

In fact, this ferocious campaign launched by a group of journalists and media professionals is taking place under the government’s supervision.  We have met with the Secretary-General of the Muslim Brotherhood Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat in order to understand what really is happening.

 

Ikhwanweb: How do you respond to allegations that your attendance together with the Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Dr. Mohamed Habib to the conference organized at the Press Syndicate last Saturday in solidarity with Dr. Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh and his companions was regarded as an answer to claims that the movement did not pay Abul Fotouh’s detention its due?

 

Ezzat: When Dr. Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh joined the Muslim Brotherhood, he understood very well that there would be sacrifices.  In fact, Abul Fotouh had already been arrested in 1981 and jailed again in 1996 for five years. He has set a good example in following the right path. In reality, there are already others like Dr. Abdel-Moneim who has spent twenty years in jail including MB Chairman Mahdi Akef; there have also been those who were unjustly killed. Despite all that has happened, the movement is still energetic and the Brotherhood members still endeavor to promote the Cause of Allah. ‘Misfortunes are sent to test the fortitude (Misfortunes are sent from Allah to his patient servants and you will not find any change in Allah’s divine patternز However, there is promise for victory from Allah for the steadfast benefactors. (Of those who answered the call of Allah and the Messenger, even after being wounded, those who do right and refrain from wrong have a great reward (Al ‘Imran: 172)

 

  

The Brotherhood’s cause will be carried by generations who believe that the right path is that of Allah and his Messenger (PBUH). The Almighty Allah says in the holy Quran (Muhammad is no more than an apostle: many were the apostle that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah. But Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude (Al ‘Imran: 144   

 

We love our brothers and our leaders. We appreciate and treat them with respect.  They are in truth more cherished and beloved to us than ourselves and our children.  Criticism should be leveled against the ruling regime’s oppression and not the brotherhood. This oppressor has deprived Egypt from its distinguished citizens who are an honor to Egypt.

 

Ikhwanweb: From your point of view… Why is this move? Why now?

 

Ezzat: The leading Muslim Brotherhood figures have been singled out because they pay much attention to central issues that affect the world’s politics namely The Palestinian cause. If the ruling regime has reasons and motives, the most important motive is the Palestinian cause. Dr. Abdel-Moneim, Dr. Gamal Abdul Salam, Dr. Mohamed Wahdan, Essam Al-haddad and their brothers have worked for  the Palestinian cause and this is, in fact, the most important motive behind Abul Fotouh’s and his companions’ arrest.

 

The Palestinian issue is the main focal point of the ongoing struggle in the world arena between the West and the Zionist project together with the Islamic revival in the modern nation states. The Islamic States were relatively weak for a long period of time due to the oppressive political conditions that governed the Arab and Islamic worlds as they abandoned their comprehensive mission. There is no doubt that the role played by the Brotherhood in the Islamic Renaissance is seen by the regime as a competition or threat to seize its wealth and authority. In fact, this is the real reason of the animosity and conflict between the movement and Egypt’s regime especially after all previous eradication attempts were doomed to fail.

 

Ikhwanweb: How long do you think this conflict will last? How will it end?

 

Ezzat: There are rules governing the history of conflicts and any person who believes in a cause and has devoted his life to it, understands this.  (For the scum disappears like forth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth.) ((Ar-Ra’d: 17). Thus the Muslim Brotherhood’s cause will flourish and prevail even if the current movements’ members do not live to witness it.

 

Ikhwanweb: Newspapers daily publish allegations that a secret agreement was signed between the ruling regime and the Muslim Brotherhood. It seems that the movement has softened its attitude towards some matters such as the bequeathing of power and other significant issues in exchange for the MBs freedom to easily interact and to end the security escalation against them. What is your comment?

 

Ezzat: First of all, We (MB) makes bargains with none other than Almighty Allah. In this, we have pledged to the Almighty Allah to speak the truth and fear nobody. Our vows are to the Almighty Allah and only Allah can reward us.

 

II… The Brotherhood members don’t seek anything for themselves. They do it for the sake of Allah. Our real avowals are with the Almighty Allah and not with any tyrannical ruler. 

 

III… The Brotherhood can not meet the demands of all parties; however, if it is for the sake of the Nation (in nation’s interest), we act quickly (we study it carefully). Any requests from the MB Chairman, he responds quickly claiming that; the decisive criterion will be if it is for the benefit of the Nation, if so we will seriously comply with it. We welcome any exchange of ideas as long as it’s in Egypt’s interests.

 

These incidents are not linked only with the current MB Chairman Mr. Mahdi Akef; In late 1973 and early 1974; Fouad Allam came to some leading Muslim Brotherhood leaders as he was then a colonel in the State security who were at the time, imprisoned in the Tora prison where some of us had already spent as much as nine years in jail and others had been detained since 1954. Fouad Allam claimed that president Anwar Al-Sadat wanted to release them on the condition that they would help and support him where Sadat would review each current situation.  Mohammed Hamed Abu-al Nasr who later on became the fourth MB Chairman responded that if they were released, they would remain true to the Muslim Brotherhood who would praise those who did well and criticize those who didn’t. Abu al-Nasr continued,” If you want to give us our freedom and conform to these conditions, you are welcome! Otherwise, the Muslim Brotherhood has no other propositions".

 

As to the question of anybody dictating or imposing his will, this is unacceptable.  The Egyptians are very wise and are capable of electing who governs them, and nobody has the right to impose leadership even if it is the Muslim Brotherhood.  The Brotherhood only advocates what is right.

 

The Muslim Brotherhood does not fear the detention of its members as the movement has dealt with it all, beginning with the era of the late king up till President Mubarak. The Muslim Brotherhood, has in fact, witnessed many different types of political regimes however, they have followed a simple path and adopted the same course speaking the truth and fearing no-one for they are in the company of Allah.

 

 

If you analyze the Brotherhood’s history, it is possible to foretell the course of any dialogue for the movement still pursues its principles and will persevere as long as the general rule is followed; if it is for the country’s interest,   we will be the first to initiate it.

 

Ikhwanweb: Who is the biggest beneficiary of the existing tension between the regime and the Brotherhood?

 

Ezzat: The biggest beneficiary is the Zionist enemy. The Zionists with Americas’ help always aim at placing wedges between the ruling regime and its people.

 

The prevention included not only Brotherhood’s members but also figures from many different organizations from entering into the Journalists Syndicate in the conference which was organized to form solidarity with Dr. Abul Fotouh and his companions is a clear example. The Media’s campaigns against the Brotherhood only make them more steadfast and confident.

 

Ikhwanweb: What are the Brotherhood’s main arguments refuting security and media campaigns aimed at distorting their reputation?

 

Ezzat: We were jailed behind bars with Sheikh Ahmed Shareet, member of the MB Executive Bureau and one of the founders of the movement. There were, in fact, undeclared security inspections every week where everything was confiscated. They only left us our under garments and sometimes we were even denied that. When we protested to Sheikh Sherritt, and he was telling us: “O my son, that this was often witnessed during security campaigns."

 

 The nation wants to set an example to those who enter the prison for the cause. The Brotherhood movement will persevere and when Allah wills, all these security campaigns will be over.

 

Ikhwanweb: The Foreign Policy Magazine emphasized that the tightening restrictions on the Muslim Brotherhood could lead to the emerging of a radical wing within the movement where some of its elements may launch violent protests or call for civil disobedience. What do you think?

 

Ezzat: “If a revolution breaks out, surely members of the Muslim Brotherhood should not be part of it”, Martyred Imam said. A massive revolution could erupt at any time, if the situation gets worse. However, the Muslim Brotherhood will not allow the situation to get escalate since that is exactly what our enemies wish for. Any individual or entity with links to the Brotherhood will realize very well that they are a safety valve and not rioters as they will not back down in performing their sacred duty, and no one can stop them from doing so Allah’s willing.

 

Muslim Brotherhood Chairman Mohammed Mahdi Akef and the secret agreement

 

Ikhwanweb: What about allegations that the State requested  that the MB Chairman being a political figure not to contest in the upcoming legislative elections in return for releasing all detainees including those who had been sentenced in the recent military tribunal?

 

Ezzat: The subject in this way is clearly taken out of context. Details of the incident started when a figure met with Mr. Akef claiming that he had links with the sovereign authority, emphasizing that  the State is  prepared to allow the release  in exchange that the Brotherhood refrain from running in the forthcoming elections. Akef’s Answer literally was: "Firstly, I would like direct contact with this aforementioned apparatus so that I will be able to understand what they are asserting. Secondly, anything in the interest of Egypt may be debated. Thirdly, we are an institutional movement and this matter will be brought before the Guidance Office Bureau". The man left and didn’t return.

 

Therefore, I repeat that the allegations published by one of the independent Egyptian newspapers about an unwritten agreement between the ruling regime and the Brotherhood are unfounded and fabricated lies, and referring to the incidents of the banning of the protest in which, security forces had prevented citizens and public figures from attending the short protest in solidarity with Dr. Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh. The Chairman of the Press Syndicate intervening to call off the assembling of the press conference asserts that the ruling regime does not want any real reform and what took place is clear evidence of the obstruction of freedom. Arrests, crackdowns and repeated shutting down of companies belonging to leading figures of the Brotherhood are a clear indication. The movement have nothing to hide, and is not involved in any confidentiality agreements. Crackdown from the viewpoint of the ruling regime not only targeting the political activity but also any recreational activity even of students from both the preparatory and secondary levels where their families want them to spend the summer away from the negative influences and drugs. These young people were appalled when pre-dawn visitors stormed their beds. They detained the supervisors and intimidated children handing them over to their parents.  The question that comes to our mind is what deal or arrangements are these newspapers talking about?

 

To the Muslim Brotherhood member, oppression and injustice practiced by Egypt’s successive ruling regimes… The Muslim Brotherhood is the true sacrifice for the reform of Egypt. 

 

Ikhwanweb: What message would you like to send to the masses of the Muslim Brotherhood dealing with this escalation?

 

Ezzat: The Almighty Allah ordered us “O ye who believe! When ye meet a force, are firm, and call Allah in remembrance much (and often); that ye may prosper: And obey Allah and His Messenger. And fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power departs; …..) (Al-Anfal: 45, 46).

 

 The regime wants to distress the Egyptians through violence, oppression, tyranny and suppression of the freedoms of thought. Members of the Brotherhood are required to demonstrate their readiness to be at the forefront and a true forerunner of reform and must also be patient in enduring the strikes. Members of the Brotherhood must work hard on this right path of love and respect. Hold fast; unite together, by the rope which Allah stretches out for you. No one can face the oppression except if his heart is associated with the Almighty Allah (and call Allah in remembrance much). Illustrate full obedience to the orders of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). Allah say in the Holy Quran (and fall into no disputes…). “Fall into no disputes means there is a party contests against other, something mutual rejected by us and urging us saying to man having the right and opponents fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power departs”. We must enforce the right among us without disparity. Patience is the road to victory as the Almighty Allah says (and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere 🙂  (Al-Anfal: 46) Pride, success and victory are in the company of the Almighty Allah, and Allah is the Sufficient.

 

Ikhwanweb: What is the Muslim Brotherhood’s opinion in regards to the planned bequeathing of power, after Mubarak’s visit to the United States?

 

Ezzat: With regards to the question of bequeathing, the Muslim Brotherhood initially rejects this measure as it stands against the interests and desires of the nation.

 

We believe that the people of the nation have the right to choose and any arrangements depriving the people their basic freedom including banning them from electing their leaders is contrary to Islamic teachings. The basic principle ordains that the citizens should have the predominant power of electing their rulers, holding them accountable and having the right to change their leaders. In fact, we reject this behavior from the West in promoting this behaviour and believe it is contrary to democracy.

 

We would like to point out that if the United States continues in this way, it will increase People’s hatred in the region. The people have become mature enough and aware of their interest regardless of the details of the foreign schemes and expect the respecting of the free will of the people.

 

If the United States is keen on the new political speech under the new administration to treat Arab and Muslim people well with this kind of respect and appreciation, it should adopt a correct approach in such situations allying with the people rather than an alliance with the non-democratic ruling regimes.

 

Ikhwanweb: What is the movement’s comment to allegations reported in the US "CBS" interview with President Mubarak on the following topics: What is Hezbollah’s relationship with the Brotherhood? What is Hamas’s relationship With the Muslim Brotherhood? What is the Muslim Brotherhood’s relationship with the global Networking?

 

Ezzat: We have a clear cause and we would like to explain this call to the whole world. The relationship between the movement and other parties such as the Islamic groups located in the world arena requires three things for us to recognize them:

 

1-    These groups must renounce violence.

 

2-     Understanding of these movements of Islam must be based on a comprehensive way of understanding.

 

3-    Those groups must take the Quran principle of Islamic Law.

 

The Brotherhood relates to the Islamic movements that do not embrace violence for the purpose of achieving some domestic or personal gains. However, we advocate and believe in the right of resistance in every occupied territory.

 

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In response to the question of closer ties with those participating in the global arena we believe it is the duty of all Muslims

 

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With regards to relations with the alleged international network of the Brotherhood only if they are subject to the rules that we have mentioned earlier. The Muslim Brotherhood all over the world struggle for the well being of their nations according to the acknowledged program of the Movement and in turn they respect the constitution and do not advocate illegal actions.

 

In response to the question about the Brotherhood’s closer ties with Hamas, it is known that Hamas is one of the legitimate resistance movements against the occupier and the Brotherhood movement supports opposing any pressures exerted by the invader aimed at tarnishing its image in the media where it continues imposing the suffocating siege, collective punishment and brutal military aggression. We offer them relief and provide them with advice if they need without equivocation, as for their internal affairs they are a private concern.

 

Ikhwanweb:  Some Western newspapers claimed that the Hezbollah cause popularly known in the media as Hezbollah’s cell engaged 5 members of the Brotherhood are these allegations true?

 

Ezzat: The accusations that were attributed to the Muslim Brotherhood on Hezbollah’s cell are false and fabricated lies as facts on the whole subject are entirely phony where in fact the judiciary has each time acquitted members of the brotherhood.

 

Ikhwanweb: President Mubarak did not mention in the interview with CBS News anchor the assumption of a civilian not belonging in the military to assume the presidential office. Is this a sophisticated matter, what is the Brotherhood’s view regarding this situation?

 

Ezzat: In our perception, the non-military president must be elected by his own people. In fact, the whole matter is not an ideological shift or a change in the attitudes and this is an internal affair between the armed forces and the Presidency as the Muslim Brotherhood does not have any information on what is really taking place in regards to this matter.

 

Ikhwanweb: Does the Brotherhood accept an international overseer in the forthcoming elections?

 

Ezzat: We should ask ourselves firstly what are the benefits of an international surveillance and will it ensure the achieving of democracy? The movement does not believe that the global system is able to achieve an effective international overseer because such surveillance seems ineffective since the Muslim Brotherhood does not care much for such trivialities as they are not regarded as core issues. What concerns us is the holding of elections in a healthy democratic climate; however, we see that the supervision which may be conducted by the international organizations will not achieve any fair elections.

 

Ikhwanweb: President Hosni Mubarak denied the Brotherhood’s engagement in terrorist acts, is this a positive sign or not?

 

Ezzat: His denial in fact, is the final confirmation of the truth and an acquittal. Mubarak had earlier announced such remarks in his tour in Germany but what concerns us is what the results are?

 

The movement does not commit to violence and is not engaged in terrorism, then why does the ruling the regime exercise against the innocent people all kinds of torture  and terrorism such as confiscating their property, dissolving their business particularly as we are  approaching the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).

 

Terrible acts of barbarism are not taking into account the humanitarian conditions. In fact, the emergency law is still a tool in the hands of the executive power and wrongly exercised against the Egyptians and members of the movement despite that fact that the civil courts continues taking decisive and final decisions for their release. Thereafter, we notice that Egypt’s military ruler issues a decision to arrest whoever the court has decided to release despite the absence of sufficient reason for the continuation of detention since they are not awaiting trial.

 

Consequently, the military ruler’s decision is effective only in cases of emergency while he extends the emergency law to be used as a means to an end, a rule of law. It is very amazing how there are claims that we do not practice terrorism. However, we have been treated by the ruling regime more severely than terrorists.

 

Ikhwanweb: It is mentioned in a report by the researcher Stephen Cook as he talked about fears of chaos or instability in the Egyptian ruling regime in post-Mubarak. What do you think and how will the Brotherhood tackle this situation as Egypt’s largest political power??

 

Ezzat: There is no doubt that the continued existence of authoritarian rule urges any sane person to fear   the consequences of the ending of such a rule. The Muslim Brotherhood had expressly declared since Imam Hassan al-Banna founded the group that if chaos or revolution erupted in any country, it will not be by the hands of the Brotherhood members. However, the continued existing state of cultural, technical retardation, loss of rights, abuse of freedoms and spread of epidemics all of this causes chaos. If chaos takes place, it will be the fruits of those who primarily created. We remind all ruling regimes that this is Allah’s divine law of the universe. The Brothers are always a safety valve maintaining the nation’s interests because they know very well that the chaos will not benefit anyone.

 

Our position is to enlighten the rulers, giving them advice, striving for people’s awareness of risks threatening them, continuing with the peaceful struggle in the face of the tyrants. I would like to emphasize that the chaos will be in the benefit of only the Zionists projects in which the United States seek to support in maintaining the interests of major Western countries. The United States must be aware that chaos in fact will increase the Arab and Muslim people’s hatred towards the United States.

 

If The United States wants to have a cultural role, it should not back these trends because it will only bring destruction for all.

 

What will the MB’s stance be if the mess be already waged?

 

Prevention is better than cure and no sane person can imagine that if the military and security forces fail to prevent the chaos, then the Brotherhood can.

 

Ikhwanweb: The Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) reported the decline and fall of the Brotherhood’s political role in the upcoming period especially with successive strikes and political exclusion; what does the secretary-general of the Muslim Brotherhood think?

 

Ezzat: The Brotherhood’s political role as a whole is correlated.

 

 It is a comprehensive ideology on the basis of religion adopting their social and political duty enlightening people about their rights. They embrace the rightful Islamic approach in the face of injustice and tyranny. The ruling regime really tightens the movement’s public activities as they seek to reduce the number of MB seats in the next parliament. However, the movement will not abandon its political role. Therefore, they are keen to do it because there cannot be real reform without political ones even if the available opportunities are inferior. They regard the political action as raising the nation’s awareness, caring for the people’s public interests and not despairing of democracy and the political reform.

 

 In fact, the Brotherhood will continue in their way in providing useful political action whatever the circumstances. We have engaged in political action when we only had 17 elected members in the last parliament, when we had one member when we had none and when the Brotherhood had won 88 seats in the current parliament.

 

Ikhwanweb: The fourth refusal regarding formation of the center-right party, is this a response to some outright political voice talking about the legitimacy of forming the Brotherhood parties??

 

Ezzat: The Muslim Brotherhood is aware of the current political climate especially after the constitutional amendments do not enable us to work through the legitimate formation of political parties. They prevent the emergence of political parties and give the executive authority the sole power either to authorize or not to authorize and any party opposing this are either met with the aborting of the party or the arrests of the party’s members where they are faced with accusations.

 

The Muslim Brotherhood sees it is necessary to change the political climate reflecting the Brotherhood’s need to make reform possible in order to achieve the multi-party system.

 

There is no doubt that the movement is keen on its legal validity. However, there are 6000 court rulings on local elections and a series of judicial decisions in the parliamentary elections and they all disregard the sanctity of law.

 

We believe it is imperative to respect the constitution however we spare no effort in being effective in every field as long as we adhere to the chartered bills. The Brotherhood works in all forms despite being labeled the banned movement so long as we respect the law. According to the Muslim Brotherhood movement, the true legitimacy is that of the popular consent.