This

year’s student union elections in Egyptian universities were

marred by violence and clashes between students affiliated with

the "outlawed" Muslim Brotherhood and

security forces. Muhammad Nūr from Ākhir Sā‘ah

said that the

group’s students violated university regulations governing students’ activities on campus. In an

attempt to contain their defeat and in breach of the laws and regulations governing universities, Muslim

Brotherhood students

decided to establish what they called the "free union," which they claim will serve

the interests of the students.