The Middle-East Observer
Al Nour
Focus: Egypt’s Salafist surge
In a matter of months, Egypt’s ultra-conservative Salafists have beaten a path from marginalised religious sect to major political force. But what do we know about them, aside from their heavily religious roots? France24, France About these ads
Islamists win 70% of Egypt People’s Assembly party list seats
Egypt’s electoral commission has published the final results of the first parliamentarian elections in the country since the ousting of President Mubarak. Islamist parties received, as a whole, account for 70% of the People’s Assembly. The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), party of the Muslim Brotherhood, secured 38% of the seats. The Salafist Al Nour … Continue reading
Debate: Egypt’s Islamists: Threat or opportunity?
As Islamist parties emerge from elections as the country’s leading political force, should Egyptians be concerned? Guests: Joshua Stacher, a professor of political science at Kent State University; Dia’a Rashwan, al-Ahram Center for Strategic Studies; and Dr Sherif El-Haggan, a professor, AUC. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Analysis: Egypt’s triumphant Muslim Brotherhood eyes political credibility
Analysts say the Muslim Brotherhood is looking to show the world it’s credibility as Egypt’s leading party. After winning the majority of seats in the parliamentary elections, the Muslim Brotherhood wants to establish a coalition with other Egyptian parties. Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) chief Mohammed Mursi said “The party believes that all political powers … Continue reading
Analysis: Political Islam Without Oil
Egypt’s Islamist parties – Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist Al Nour party – secured more than 60% of the seats in the country’s parliamentary elections. With the beginning of the first parliamentary session approching quickly, all eyes are turned on the Islamists and on how they will cope with the realities of Egypt, such as corruption, … Continue reading
Opinion: Egypt’s Salafi challenge
“We want democracy, but one constrained by God’s laws. Ruling without God’s laws is infidelity,” Yasser Burhami, the second leading figure in the Salafi Call Society (SCS) and its most charismatic leader, recently said. The unexpected rise of the Salafis in Egypt’s parliamentary election has fueled concern that the most populous Sunni Arab country could … Continue reading
Egypt Islamists continue gains in 2nd round vote
Islamist parties have consolidated earlier gains in Egypt’s multistage parliamentary elections, winning nearly 70 percent of the seats determined so far, according to results announced Saturday. Associated Press, United States Click here for the full story
Egypt’s Islamists seek changes to Israel peace treaty
Egypt’s peace treaty with Salafi party stressed it will not work to revoke the agreement but will try to amend “its exploitative clauses” using all legitimate means. Ynetnews, Israel Click here for the full story
Salafist Nour Party denies meeting with Israeli officials
Spokesman refutes reports that members of the conservative Islamist party met with Israeli officials, adding that his organisation’s position on Zionist state is ‘very clear’. Al Ahram, Egypt Click here for the full story
Egypt’s radical Islamist party says will respect Israel peace treaty
Members of Egypt’s ultra-conservative Nour Party announced that they are willing to hold talks with Israel and stressed that doing so is by no means a violation of Islamic principles. “Egypt is signatory to international treaties and these have to be respected,” said a spokesman, referring the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia Click here … Continue reading
Israel envoy seeks talks with Islamist groups in Egypt
Israel’s new ambassador in Cairo, Yaakov Amitai, will attempt to open communication channels with Islamic officials in Egypt, including representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood and the radical Salafi movement’s Al-Nour Party, according to a senior diplomatic official in Jerusalem. Haaretz, Israel Click here for the full story
Analysis: Egyptian voters turn to Salafists for ‘ethics in politics’
Islamists in Egypt have proven popular at the ballot box, though not necessarily because people want religious leaders. The National, United Arab Emirates Click here for the full story
We’ll allow a Coptic president when Israel allows a Muslim one: Salafist leader
One of Egypt’s most prominent Salafist leaders has said he would only accept a Coptic Christian president of Egypt if the US, Britain and Israel accepted a Muslim president of their countries. According to Yasser Burhami, head of the influential El-Dawa El-Salafiya (Salafist Call) group, Copts do not have the right to run for political office in Egypt. … Continue reading
Muslim Brotherhood lands 34 out of 52 seats in runoffs
Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party dominates run-offs in first round of Egypt’s parliamentary election. Al Ahram, Egypt Click here for the full story
FJP, Al-Nour face off in run-offs amid low turnout
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) faced off Monday in the run-offs with the Salafi (ultra conservative) Al-Nour Party as they both competed to snatch more individual seats in the parliamentary elections. The Daily News Egypt, Egypt Click here for the full story
Al-Nour Party
Established in the wake of the 25 January uprising, Al-Nour (“The Light”) Party is the largest of Egypt’s three licensed Salafist parties (the other two being Al-Asala and Al-Fadila Parties). It was established by Al-Da‘wa Al-Salafiyya (“The Salafist Call”), Egypt’s largest Salafist group, commonly known as Al-Daawa Movement. Al-Daawa started in Alexandria where it now … Continue reading
Head of salafist El-Nour Party rules out alliance with Muslim Brotherhood
The Salafist El-Nour Party will not accept living in the shadow of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) after both swept the first round of Egypt’s parliamentary elections, according to its leader. Al Ahram, Egypt Click here for the full story
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