The Muslim Brotherhood’s spokesperson has stepped back from his critical remarks about the United Arab Emirates, saying the Gulf country has helped Egypt for decades.
Mahmoud Ghozlan said in an interview Sunday on privately owned TV channel Al-Hayat that he recognizes the generosity of the late Sheikh Zayed of the UAE and his support for Egypt.
Earlier this month, Ghozlan reacted angrily to remarks made by Dubai police chief Dahi Khalfan, in which Khalfan criticized influential Islamic cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
Qaradawi had condemned the Emirati move to expel Syrian families who demonstrated outside the Syrian consulate in Dubai on 10 February.
Khalfan said he will issue an arrest warrant if Qaradawi repeats his criticism.
Ghozlan then said the “entire Muslim world” would act against the UAE if the cleric was arrested.
But on Sunday, Ghozlan said, “We as a group have all appreciation for the Emirati people.”
He said he will meet with the Emirati ambassador tin Cairo to resolve the issue.
But the Brotherhood spokesperson also defended Qaradawi in the interview, saying the sheikh didn’t commit a crime when he called for supporting the Syrian people.
