I think we all agree that the Salafist groups have been the main supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Freedom and Justice Party since February 12, 2011 till present. This was clearly evident during the referendum on constitutional amendments, in the elections of the People’s Assembly and Shūrá Council, and then in the presidential election, which was ultimately credited to the electoral balance of the of political Islam currents in Egypt.
In spite of all of the above, I received an e-mail from someone I do not know. The message includes a comment that has many connotations about the relationship between Salafits and the Brotherhood. The message reads: It is clear that the past few days have witnessed a growing sense of more concern by Salafī leaders and followers after it has been discovered that there is a clear scheme to exclude them from the political scene, considering them followers, not partners. The evidence for this:
- They were not consulted about the decision of President Muhammad Mursī to reinstate the parliament dissolved by the Supreme Constitutional Court.
- There is no interest in negotiating with them on obtaining a proportion in the formation of the expected Council of Ministers.
- Their clear and stated opinion on rejection of appointment of a Christian Vice President is totally ignored.
The abovementioned evidence entrenches the idea which is seeping now among Salafīs in Egypt that the Brotherhood has taken advantage of their lack of political experience in the Egyptian political scene and their direct expression of views to benefit from their votes to support the group in the parliamentary and presidential elections. They were also exploited to pass some drafts in the dissolved People’s Assembly without obtaining any advantages in return for this support in spite of all previous promises made to them.
A feeling now emerges through the accumulated balance within the Salafist group that the Muslim Brotherhood deals with them as second-class Muslim citizens.
The e-mail message ends here buy its content needs to be analyzed in the context of the current positions of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is reflected by the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and the United States of America. This relationship has been reduced to a relationship of conflict and tension before January 25, 2011. The Brotherhood has never missed an opportunity to hurl accusations against the United States of America, describing it in resonant terms such as: the great Satan, symbol of domination and corruption, and international Zionism. As for the United States, it has its positions against those who prejudice its security and strategic interests. it started a campaign, especially after the events of September 11, to eliminate the terrorist movements and groups, of which political Islam currents and groups occupied top ranks. At the same time, we have gradually discovered the secret channels of dialogue between the group and the Americans, as we have also discovered that many leaders and symbols of the Muslim Brotherhood are keen that their children hold U.S. citizenship. These are astonishing paradoxes that contradict with what was promoted on the American protection of Christian Egyptians.
It is a time of bargains, transactions and balances for the sake of interest.
