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Jordan Islamists could turn tough out of parliament
[Al Arabiya] Jordan's boycott by Islamists of Tuesday's general election means they may now resort to a tougher stance outside parliament, posing a threat to stability in the kingdom, analysts said."The Islamists now might weigh the option of adopting a tough opposition which could cross or ignore some red lines" traditionally respected in their relationship with the state, Oreib Rintawi, director of the al-Quds Center for Political Studies, told AFP. "If this happens, we will see a new era in relations between the Islamists and the state, as well as extreme elements seeking to promote their ideology and type of opposition." A former official agreed with Rintawi. "If the Islamists continue to boycott the legislature, they might seek to take underground action, and the country could ultimately face the risk of becoming unstable," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. ... for fear of being murdered... But the government appeared confident, with Information Minister Ali Ayed saying he was "not worried at all about such a scenario." "As much as we respect the freedom of expression, we expect it to remain within the framework of the law," he told AFP. The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of Jordan's Mohammedan Brotherhood, is boycotting the election in protest at the constituency boundaries set for the polls. It says these over-represent rural areas considered loyal to the government at the expense of urban areas regarded as Islamist strongholds. Posted by: Fred 2010-11-09 |
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