Opposing an Islamic reference for the state is a rejection of ethics and morality, Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie said Tuesday.
"An Islamic reference for a civil state is the only guarantee for all Egyptians, but to call for a civil state without an Islamic reference is contradictory and against ethics and morality," Badie said.
During a popular conference in Sohag, Upper Egypt, Badie declared he will head a delegation of Brotherhood members that will visit the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III, after he returns from the United States, where he is undergoing medical checks.
Badie urged the group's younger generation to avoid sedition and to "unite with Christians to protect the revolution."
He repeated the assertion that the Brotherhood will not nominate any member for presidency, threatening any members who seek election with dismissal from the group.
"The group neither manipulates politics nor lies. It has been a big organizational force due to the popularity it enjoys among the people," Badie said, dismissing claims that his group receives foreign funding.
"Those who pose such accusations have to provide evidence," he said.
“The former regime tried to play us off against the military by referring our members to military tribunals, but we do not hate our army,” Badie added.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which has gained broader room for political activity since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak in February, has been seeking to allay the fears of secular political groups and the Christian minority of an Islamist ascent to power.
It also declared that its newly-established Freedom and Justice Party is open for Christians to join and appointed a Coptic vice president for the party.
Article 2 of Egypt’s Interim Constitution designates Islam the country’s official religion and the main source of its legislation.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
