A confrontation between the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) is unlikely unless the latter refuses to relinquish power, Mohamed Saad al-Katatny, secretary general for the Freedom and Justice Party, has said.
The Brotherhood on Thursday said it would shun a new council set up by military rulers to help oversee the drafting of a constitution, but then backtracked after reassurances by the SCAF that it would not override parliament.
In an interview with Al-Ahram issued on Saturday, Katatny said a clash with SCAF would occur if it thwarted the revolution’s goals.
Asked about the desire on the part of the Salafi Nour Party to form an alliance with the FJP, Katatny said the party prefers a more comprehensive alliance that encompasses all groups.
He added that the democratic alliance brings together conservative, liberal and nationalist parties, and expressed hope that the alliance would continue when parliament convenes.
According to Al-Ahram, Katatny described Copts as partners whose rights are protected by Islamic Sharia law. He added that the FJP will not oblige women, Muslims or non-Muslims, to wear the Islamic headscarf.
“We will provide guidance through preachers. Muslim women know that the headscarf is an obligation. But forcing them to wear it by law is not acceptable,” he said.
Katatny welcomed the idea of legislation to guarantee Coptic rights. He cited a 2005 parliament incident when he told a Coptic MP that Copts that special legislation should allow Copts to govern their personal affairs themselves.
The FJP has already prepared such legislation, he said.
