From: abde@troi.cc.rochester.edu (Tamer A. Abdelgawad)
Subject: The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (was Re: Egypt and the Arab world)
Keywords: Muslim brotherhood, Egypt
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 92 22:51:27 GMT

In article <BxAwIK.B5s@newsflash.concordia.ca> ilyess@Davinci.Concordia.CA (Ilyess Bdira) responds to my previous questions as follows:
>>
>>(1)  What would be the status of Egypt's relations with Israel?
>
>I do not know, I think the Ikhwan should keep the rhetoric aside
>and take care of their own country.. But given the current situation
>and the current level of political maturity of all Islamic movements,
>I doubt that they will.
>
>>
>>(2)  What kind of Economic system would the 'Ikhwan' embrace? I'm 
>>     specifically concerned about sound economic principles like fixed
>>     interest rates, government insurance of private deposits, ...etc.
>>     that are interpreted as violating Islamic principles.
>
>The Ikhwan are now three generations: The first is very conservative (with
>the exception of Dr. Qaradhawi) in economic issues, the second (like Hassan 
>Bennah's son) are less conservative. I do not know much about the third.. 
>I hope they will be the best..
>
>My opinion is that the state should determine inflation every month and
>allow "interest' on cash loans equal to inflation rates. This would not be
>reba. I think that a system based on investment rather than loan is Islamic
>and will go a long way in improving a developing economy.
>
>>
>>(3)  What level of censorship would the 'Ikhwan' impose?  Specifically,
>>     what would happen to foreign and domestic film and TV production,
>>     satellite reception of foreign TV, exchange of ideas that are 
>>     considered sacreligious by the media,...etc.
>I do not know about Ikhwan, but I consider myself an Islamist and I think
>that whatever the majority of Egyptians decide to ban should be banned.
>Observe that I said "decides to ban" not "does not like" (if you don't
>see the difference, I can refer you to the issue of abortion in the U.S
>as a counterexample).
>Also, there is a difference between what you do in your home in private
>and what is imposed onthe rest of the people in public.
>>
>>(4)  What kinds of social behavior would be made illegaL?  Would belly
>>     dancers be banned,  women have to conform to the Islamic dress code,
>>     alcohol become illegal,...etc.?
>Refer to my general answer above..
>>
>>I mean these questions to be only half-rhetorical:  I understand that the 
>>'Ikhwan' have some different opinions from those typically ascribed to
>>violent extremist groups.  I would like to hear about these differences
>>especially in connection to the above questions.
>>
>I met a lot of Egyptian Ikhwan.. Some of them share my opinions, some of them
>do not.. Actually i think they should sort it out before going out to the
>people and asking for vote.. I think they are not pressed to do that because
>they do not believe that they will win any election soon for two reasons:
>1)The automatic rigging of elections
>2)They underestimate their support..
>
>I say they should learn the Algerian lesson very soon.

Now I'm confused.  How can you advocate a political group without knowing
their position on such critical issues as peace with Israel, economic policy
and social policy?  What do the Ikhwan WANT to do in Egypt?  Impose Shariaa?
How is that going to solve Egypt's foreign debt problem? or declining 
productivity? or.. or..?

The fact of the matter is that the 'Brotherhood" IS "going out to the people
and asking for [their] vote" as the news clip you posted mentions.  While it
is true that elections are rigged in some districts, opposition leaders have
been elected to the "assembly" before. And if you believe the quotes in the 
news-clip you posted, then the 'Brotherhood' definitely does not underestimate
their support.

Tamer Abdelgawad