Comments on: Mahalla updates: Police pressures against activists continue; Solidarity protests planned

By: arabist

arabist — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:13:29 +0000

On this one I agree with Hossam’s interpretation — Ezzat and Ghozlan may have more pull in this matter than Akef, and while the Ikhwan are giving moral support I very, very much doubt that they will be putting large numbers of people on the street outside of the universities.

I guess we’ll see tomorrow!

By: Hossam el-Hamalawy

Hossam el-Hamalawy — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:01:13 +0000

Always good to hear from you Amira, and thanks for your feedback. I had come across Mahdi Akef’s statement, and it’s clear that there is a huge contradiction between what Akef said and what Ezzat stated… However, when faced with two contradictory statements, one from the group’s “Supreme Guide” whose hands everybody kisses in the group but whose position is becoming increasing PR and whose statements are usually meant for public consumption.. vs Ezzat who is the “secretary general” of the group, and who everyone knows that he runs the organization on a daily basis and holds the keys to everything that’s organizational and related to mobilization in the streets.. then I’d go with the second statement… Ezzat’s statements are hardly his “personal views”.. whatever Ezzat says is what will actually happen on the ground…

By: Amira

Amira — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:25:55 +0000

Hossam:
Great coverage from across the Atlantic.

One point I’d like to mention re the Muslim Brotherhood stand.

If you go to their website http://www.ikhwanonline.com

You’ll see that there is indeed an interview with MB senior figure Mahmoud Ezzat saying they wont participate, but right BELOW it are TWO LINKS to TWO statements issues by MB chief Mahdi Akef saying they FULLY SUPPORT the strike.

http://www.ikhwanonline.com/Article.asp?ArtID=36040&SecID=212

I’m a bit surprised that despite all the effort put in collecting information on the strike, the MB’s statement is ignored while all emphasis is put on Ezzat who is obviously expressing his personal view.