Suhaib Abdel-Maqsoud: Our priorities are the detainees, building institutions, and developing regulations and structures for the Muslim Brotherhood
In his first official appearance, the Muslim Brotherhood's spokesperson, Sohaib Abdel-Maqsoud, apologized to the detainees in Egypt for what happened in the recent crisis. He added: ''We must stand up to our mistakes, admit them, and review them."
He also talked about working on an initiative to release political detainees along with the all Egyptian national parties. He stressed that: "The issue of the detainees is not just an issue of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is an Egyptian and humanitarian issue''.
Abdel-Maqsoud also said in his exclusive interview on Thursday, on "Al-Hiwar" TV channel, with Dr Azzam Al-Tamimi, “We are concerned for all the detainees of conscience in Egypt and not only the Muslim Brotherhood’s detainees, not only Dr Badi’, Dr Katatni, but also Alaa Abdel-Fattah, Ahmed Douma, Dr Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, Aisha Al Shater, Hoda Abdel Moneim, Somaya Maher and Ola Al Qaradawi, And Ahmed Aref and Jihad Al-Haddad, all of whom are detainees of conscience in Egypt''.
The Deputy leader and the Acting General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mr Ibrahim Mounir, also noted in his last meeting with the journalist Osama Gawish that "The case of detainees for us is an obligation after prayer and fasting."
Abdel-Maqsoud indicated that efforts are continuing in this matter. He noted that ''the decision issued by the African Commission for Human Rights to suspend the death sentences issued against 26 detainees, after a previous assignment by the Deputy leader and the Acting General Guide Mr Ibrahim Mounir to a law firm to file a complaint with the Commission. A few days ago, a similar decision was issued by the commission as well. Abdel – Maqsoud praised the efforts of the human rights organization 'Adalah', and the efforts of all human rights institutions that work to expose the the crimes of the Egyptian regime .
He stressed that ''Although the Muslim Brotherhoods’s biggest concern is the detainees in Egypt. But everything related to the Egyptian people concerns us too especially the minimum demands that we called for in the January 25 Revolution, “Bread, Freedom, Social Justice.”. He pointed out that the economic, human rights and social situation in Egypt became worst. Also the Egyptian regime has lost their supporters. He added '' We are in a worse situation than it was in 2010''.
Abdel-Maqsoud expressed optimism for the future. He said: "I see a new spirit of change. In less than a month, the various files have been reconfigured according to efficiency. A committee was formed to develop the work of the Egyptian Brotherhood abroad. He explained that committee task is to communicate with all the Muslim Brotherhood in the world as well as to develop regulations and structures. He added: '' We will do our best to restore all the competent members that were denied participation in the previous period''.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s spokesman talked about the reconfiguration of the media department with the specialized competent members. He said: ''This first step was the launch of the Muslim Brotherhood’s official website (Ikhwan.site). An English version will be launched soon''.
Regarding the recent crisis within the Muslim Brotherhood, and those members who were referred to an investigation, Abdel-Maqsoud said: “We are very keen on these brothers who have previously taught us to abide by the rules, and our message to them is: “Don't let the enemies gloat over us.”. Abdel-Maqsoud assured that all rumors about financial irregularities related to these brothers are not true. There is no financial suspicion for those brothers''. He added: "A train has moved and we are very keen that these brothers ride with us.". He noted that "There is a difference between having different views and violations. Different views are commendable and even required within any human group, but violations must be held accountable."
In his response to the situation of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood members abroad in general, and if there is fear of a rapprochement between the Egyptian regime and a number of countries in which they reside, such as the Gulf states and Turkey in particular, Abdel-Maqsoud said: “We hope that rapprochement will take place between Egypt and Turkey. Both have common interests, and the rapprochement will benefit both. And this is what we support. But at the level of the Muslim Brotherhood, we have already taken some steps in order not to limit our work in one country. The committees and bodies that were formed are not only in Turkey. They will be working from different places and countries''. At the same time, he expressed his appreciation for the Turkish hospitality in a democratic country that believes in freedom of speech.