New Muslim Brotherhood Faction Opposes Violence
As violence flares again in Egypt, a new group called the Muslim Brotherhood Against Violence is struggling to find a peaceful path to compromise.
The Muslim Brotherhood had been operating underground for decades until winning elections in July 2012 and seeing member Mohammed Morsi picked as president. A year later, millions of citizens took to the streets on June 30 demanding a new president. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, head of the military, listened to the masses and asked Morsi to conduct a referendum — but he refused. Placed under house arrest, Morsi warned in his last speech that if he was removed, Egypt would enter a dark hole of violence.
The inciting tone in his speech was a direct message to his supporters, who have responded with nationwide violence and killings. Armed with all kinds of weapons, his supporters in Cairo, Alexandria, Sinai and other places clashed with his opponents and army and police. The important question on the political scene was how to bring the Muslim Brotherhood into the interim cabinet and accept this group.
The answer was a big NO, as the Muslim Brotherhood refused to enter the political process until Morsi is released.
Monday's clashes between supporters and opponents of the ousted Morsi left 12 dead and 86 injured.
