ANALYSIS-Salafis sense best is yet to come in Egypt vote | News by Country | Reuters
af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5E7N15A320111202
egyfeeds Egypt News
ANALYSIS-Salafis sense best is yet to come in Egypt vote http://t.co/GLr1wT3eANALYSIS-Salafis sense best is yet to come in Egypt vote
Fri Dec 2, 2011 4:11pm GMT
Their role will also hinge on the system of government that emerges from a transitional period steered by the army generals who took over from Mubarak. The military has been silent on the election result, urging Egyptians to vote but not taking sides.
The results so far are heartening for Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, a Salafi planning to run for the presidency in a June election. He sees the results as "a map" of how young Egyptians going to the polls for the first time had voted.
"There's no doubt this is pleasing," said the softly-spoken lawyer-and-politician with a long, grey beard, wearing a suit and tie in an interview on Egyptian television on Thursday.
Voters had realised the Islamists' discourse was "logical and reasonable", he said, at the same time outlining a conservative view typical of the Salafis.
Pressed by an interviewer, he said men and women should be segregated at work and displays of public affection must stop. There must also be a halt of the sale and production of alcohol.
As in Saudi Arabia, Salafis would want to bar women and Christians from executive posts. They might also ban "un-Islamic" art and literature, as well as mixed beach bathing.
If implemented, such curbs would wreck Egypt's vital tourism industry, which employs about one in eight of the workforce.
In a frontpage editorial, the independent Al Masry Al Youm newspaper said Egypt must not become Afghanistan, a reference to fears of Taliban-style hardline rule. "We are confident that the voice of moderation will prevail in the parliament," it said.
