"Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."
This is the motto of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928, and by 1940 had over two million members. The organization has been banned, or at least repressed, in many Middle Eastern countries for most of its existence. They claim to be against violence, but have been accused of violence, and even assassination. The Brotherhood's charter is to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state".
The Brotherhood has also claimed to be apolitical, and claims to support pluralism and Democracy, and claimed that they wanted no part in the government of Egypt, other than to be able to vote with the rest of the democratic nation.
Two questions arise.
1) If they wanted no political presence in post-revolution Egypt, how did they win 37% of the first round of Parliamentary elections?
2) If the Qur'an is their Constitution, (Law), how can they objectively and impartially administer a Democratic Constitution?
Essam el-Erian, the deputy head of the new Freedom and Justice Party, stated that the group is not interested in imposing Islamic values on Egypt, a country which consists of a significant Christian minority among others who object to being forced to live by Islamic guidelines.
"We represent a moderate and fair party," el-Erian said. "We want to apply the basics of Shariah law in a fair way that respects human rights and personal rights."
Human and personal rights, as defined by Islamic, or Sharia, Law would be a case of circular logic, because Sharia is the final word, and Sharia respects only its own judgements.
True, either way it went in the election process, some form of Islamic government would no doubt have been instated. Sharia was a given from the very beginning of the revolution. But how many foreigners cheered them on, knowing that many Egyptians would soon find out the real meaning of the word "persecution".
I think Iran should take notice. They aren't the only repressive, aggressive kids on the block any more. More importantly, people who cheered this "grass-roots" revolution as a step forward in democracy and liberation should take notice. Change, without a clear goal and direction, is more often bad than good.