Muslim Brotherhood’s Statement Over Raids, Detentions

In the Name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful
During the blessed days of Al-Adha Feast and at the beginning of the new year, the security crackdowns are aggravated against the Muslim Brotherhood group, while 30 of its leaders in three governorates (Sharqiya, Gharbiya and Dakahliya) have been detained, to confirm that the policy of persecution and escalation still continues.

We know for sure that our method for reform and improvement does not satisfy the government and that it fabricates political disagreements with us; however, to make political disagreements reach persecutions, detentions and adding more people to jobless rolls in addition to shutting down private companies, and terrorizing women and children in the dead of night, all there are things which are rejected by Sharia and fair values, principles and laws.

We ask: who benefits from this continuous attack against the Muslim Brotherhood?!!; isn’t it a national group which enjoys a huge nationwide support?!!; doesn’t it have rights and sanctities as they are citizens in this country?!!; does the political disagreement with the government deprive them of all rights of citizenship and human rights?

Is it for Egypt’s and its development interests that tyranny, corruption, tensions, violations of law, excluding opponents, violating freedoms and attacking economic activities, Is it for Egypt’s and its development interests that all these violations continue?; Is it for Egypt’s interests that injustice turns into Articles in the constitution, for only limited personal interests, and to give a blind eye to all people’s interests and rights in freedoms, work and progress?

Unfortunately, the security doesn’t only intimidate, arrest, confiscate money and shut down companies, but it throws the detained MB members in prisons that lack the minimum required human rights, while they include ill and aged persons, something that put their lives at stake.

We ask again: Where are the civil society and human rights organizations which are established- as they say- for protecting freedoms and rights while all these violations are committed against us?!!!

We declare that our minds are open and our hearts are open as well and we are ready to discuss all issues with all political powers including the government to reach solutions for Egypt’s problems within framework of all-embracing national agreement.

Despite all this tyranny, persecution and terrorism, we will continue- God willing- our method, won’t deviate from it and we won’t be enticed to any other method.

My message to the Muslim Brothers is: seek help from Allah, be patient and steadfast to your principles; don’t falter and don’t be sad as you will be victorious- God willing- whatever the persecutions afflicting you.

(Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefor fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of them and they cried: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!)
 
Mohamed Mahdi Akef
The Muslim Brotherhood Chairman

Cairo On: 14 Dhu"l-Hijjah 1427 Hijri
                  Jan. 3, 2007