Religious candidate worries Egyptians

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 11 years ago

Religious candidate worries Egyptians

By Jeffrey Fleishman

THE Muslim Brotherhood has chosen a religiously conservative businessman as its presidential candidate, a provocative move expected to upset liberals and deepen the ruling military's suspicion over the growing political power of Islamists in Egypt.

Khairat al-Shater (right), who was jailed under former president Hosni Mubarak, was selected after weeks of debate over whether to field a candidate in the May election. The brotherhood, which controls parliament, had long promised not to run a contender to allay public fears Islamists would dominate the government.

Khairat al-Shater, the Muslim Brotherhood's third-highest ranking member.

Khairat al-Shater, the Muslim Brotherhood's third-highest ranking member.Credit: Reuters

But sensing a chance to consolidate its power after 84 years as the country's most oppressed opposition group, the brotherhood put forward Mr Shater, the group's deputy leader. Because of the brotherhood's grassroots popularity, the decision could well mean that in less than two months he could replace the man who tormented him.

The decision came amid a widening internal rift and concerns by many members, especially the young, that the brotherhood was jeopardising its credibility by breaking its promise.

The organisation's leaders and the ruling military council met last week, but it was uncertain whether the generals approved of Mr Shater. The two sides had been co-operating but tensions have deepened as the brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party has become more adamant in its opposition to army manoeuvring to protect its authority ahead of the election.

Mr Shater's nomination symbolises the change in political fortunes since the fall of Mr Mubarak. Mr Shater, a multimillionaire, helped finance the brotherhood by running his businesses from a prison cell. He has emerged as the group's most solid, if uncharismatic, personality.

The rise of the Islamists has alarmed liberals and Christians. The brotherhood controls the panel drafting Egypt's new constitution, which secularists and human rights groups fear will be more firmly rooted in Sharia law. Liberal members of parliament boycotted the panel.

The question is, how will the military regard Mr Shater. ''The brotherhood has a long history of striking deals with government authorities,'' said Middle East analyst Ammar Ali Hassan. ''The brotherhood and the military have differences in long-term strategy, but on current tactics both sides are using the other. There could be an agreement on Shater.''

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Most Viewed in World

Loading