Sources within the international organization of the Muslim Brotherhood said it issued strict instructions to the members and leaders of the group in Egypt to focus demonstrations on the recent tax hikes to be in line with the public anger and stay away from political demands, such as the return of President Mohamed Morsy.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said the group will within a few days re-open its sales outlets to sell consumer goods at discounted prices to win the sympathy of the poor, especially in slums and remote areas.
The group is calling for demonstrations next Friday to demand lifting burdens on the poor.
Meanwhile, the Brotherhood youth are handing out leaflets inciting people not to buy for increased prices and telling them Morsy did not do so when he was president. They are also coordinating with other revolutionary movements to organize joint campaigns to reject the price increases.
“Such decisions unite the opposition and increase public anger,” said Ahmed al-Baqri, vice president of the Union of Egypt’s Students. “The government, which called Hisham Qandil’s government a failure, is looting money.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
