The Brotherhood against Confiscation of Creativity

In an outspoken interview with the Muslim Brotherhood prominent member Abdel Monam Abu el-Fotoh, many controversial issues have been discussed. .
Freedom of __Expression:
Commenting on the Brotherhood’s vision of creativity and his visit to the novelist Nageeb Mahvoz, Abu el-Fotoh said that the visit ’ was a part of the group’s meetings with different segments of society to spell out our views concerning all issues. During my visit, I have said the group is against the administrative confiscation of literary works whereas logical argument or going to court are the best alternatives. This is not a personal opinion but of the group. However, it is normal to have some contradictory views of some members. Nevertheless, I go with the main stream inside the group.’
’The Brotherhood rejects to have decleared and secret philosophy. We announce what we believe in and still accept arguments. The point is that we refine some ideologies,’ Abu el-Fotoh replied on allegations that the Brotherhood declares what contradicts to its real ideology just to calm fears.
 Copts:
’The group adopts an explicit outlook regards citizenship. It calls on the full and equal rights of both Muslims and Christians,’ he frankly answered a question that the group has a vague stand of citizenship; a matter that aroused panic among Christians.
 Religion and Politics:
Talking about the connection between religion and politics, he stated:’ I am against mixing Christianity with politics, unlike Islam. This does not imply any underestimation of Christianity. In the case of the West, combining both sides resulted in grave problems. Accordingly, they revolted the ideology. In fact, Christianity stipulates that what for God is for God and what for Caesar is for him. Therefore, mingling it with politics constitutes a mistake.  However, Islam is a different case. Recalling the circumstances of the church in Europe during the middle age and applying it on Islam is wrong and unjust. Prophet Muhammad PBUH was a prophet and a ruler of the Islamic state while Christ PBUH was only a prophet.’
 Explaining the concept of the Islamic authority of the state in terms of the Brotherhood’s ideology, Abu el-Fotoh remarked:’ it means Islam as a civilization and as a political and social system whose rules govern a state with a Muslim majority. Any democratic entity should respect the dominating authority of the nation. For example, democracy in Germany complies with the state authority when bans any Nazi party. Hence, authority may be man-made or God-made; a religion.’