A top Gulf official slammed Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Saturday, following a Brotherhood leader’s criticism of United Arab Emirates policies. The official said the remarks may hurt longstanding bilateral ties between Egypt and Gulf countries.
Last week, Mahmoud Ghozlan, Muslim Brotherhood spokesman, sharply criticized the UAE over its stance against the influential Muslim cleric Youssef al-Qaradawi.
Ghozlan said that Emirati campaign against Qaradawi is also a campaign against Muslims and their scholars.
Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani, secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned Ghozlan’s statements saying that they are ''irresponsible,” official Emirates News Agency WAM reported.
He said that such statements don't advance efforts being made by the GCC and Egypt to further bolster longstanding bilateral ties, according to WAM.
Last week, Qaradawi initiated a fierce exchange with UAE officials. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Qaradawi lambasted Emirati intentions to deport Syrian families who participated in a February rally against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad outside the Syrian consulate in Dubai.
Dahi Khalfan, Dubai police chief, responded harshly on Twitter, writing that the state was going to issue an arrest warrant for Qaradawi.
“Whoever insults the state or the government of the UAE, I will pursue him,” Khalfan wrote.
Zayani said that Ghozlan’s remarks do not only affect relations between Egypt and the UAE, but between the country all Gulf States.
“Such remarks disregard the UAE hosting of Arabs and its efforts to advocate Arab causes,” he said.
Zayani said that the GCC condemns these statements as ''inconsistent'' to all efforts and attempts of unifying Arab and Muslim ranks.
The formerly outlawed Muslim Brotherhood is currently trying to normalize diplomatic relations with many of its neighbors, in part to solicit funds Gulf countries promised Egypt following the country’s uprising that deposed former President Hosni Mubarak.
Some Gulf leaders remain wary of forming close ties with the Brotherhood, fearing its branches in their own countries could breed unrest.
Gulf officials have said they require clear assurances from the Brotherhood that it will not seek to “export the revolution” to the Gulf and that any Muslim Brotherhood-backed government in Egypt will not compromise Gulf security.
Brotherhood officials have said they have no designs of spreading revolt and that Gulf instability would not be in their interest.
