Mahmoud Amer, head of the Ansar al-Sunna al-Mohamadeya Society in Damanhour, has called for a referendum on the application of Islamic Sharia in Egypt.
Amer said in remarks to Egypt Independent that putting the idea of applying Sharia to referendum would ease tensions and political controversy which were born out of Sharia articles, including Article 219, in the previous Constitution.
A referendum would also solve the problems between members of the 50-member amendment committee, Amer claimed.
Political controversy and conflict can only be solved through a refrendum in which the Egyptian people get their say, he added.
The Salafi sheikh warned that some Islamists might still resort to violence due to ongoing smear campaigns and political marginalizaton in Egypt.
After the Muslim Brotherhood was accused of attempting kill late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, dozens of its leaders were executed, but the group maintained its position in the Egyptian political arena, according to Amer.
The same happened following the assassination of late President Anwar al-Sadat in the 1980s, after which Islamists faced a severe crackdown, Amer said.
History repeats itself, Amer pointed out. The security solution strengthens Islamist groups, Amer added, noting that the solution should be more intellectual and considered.
