"But the government still classifies us as an outlawed group," Akef

By Hossam Tamam, IOL Staff

CAIRO, January 17 (IslamOnline.net) – The Muslim Brotherhood is ready to set up a political party immediately should the Egyptian government give it the green-light, the new group's guide-general told IslamOnline.net.

In an exclusive interview Thursday, January 15, Mohammad Mahdi Akef said if his group was given the thumbs-up, the group would get its ideas down on paper.

"But the [Egyptian] government still classifies us as an outlawed group; however, we work openly and have nothing to hide, and I myself do not like to go underground, since our main goal is to spread Islam, which is a universal goal," Akef said.

Akef was elected Wednesday, January 14, as the new guide-general for the Muslim Brotherhood following a secret vote. Nine of the group's 15-member guidance bureau voted in favor of Akef.

Akef hoped that his group would come to terms with the Egyptian government.

The seventh guide-general also rejected that he had been chosen "to take the pulse" of the Egyptian authorities.

"The Muslim Brotherhood's firm guidelines say that the guide-general has no personal agenda, but he represents the entire group," he said.

He further disagreed that his choice was a half-way house between the younger and older generations (within the banned but tolerated group).

"We neither have a middle-aged generation nor an older generation…We are all brothers," he said.

He added: "We do not even have two [political] currents inside the group or two agendas.

"[But] Every member has his own ideas, which are usually debated by the group even if they were inflammatory. I am personally delighted at those who come up with new ideas because it serves best the interests of the group," he said.

The 76-year-old Akef also made clear that the guide-general post was not  exclusive for the group, welcoming anyone who supported the group's mind-set.

Secularism

Akef also said he does not mind to hold talks with secular parties.

"If there will be any kind of a relation between the Brotherhood and such countries, it will be primarily be based on the well-know fact: we will cooperate with each other on common goals, but beg to differ when it comes to dividing issues," he said.

He said the group would definitely meet other Islamic parties abroad if his group was declared as a political party.

"Of course we will, don't the world's socialist parties meet?" He retorted.

"I have already met with the leaders of Islamic groups worldwide," he added.

But he said there is no need to group all Islamic parties under one umbrella.

Akef, a specialist in physical education, joined the Muslim Brotherhood in 1948 before the assassination of the group's first guide-general.

He was the Muslim Brotherhood liaison official with the Muslim world before the new post.

The sixth guide-general of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mamoun el-Hodaibi, passed away early Friday, January 9, at the age of 83.