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Africa North

Egypt officially recognizes 'moderate' Islamic party

2011-02-21

Carried over into Monday.

CAIRO -- A moderate Islamic party outlawed for 15 years was granted official recognition Saturday by an Egyptian court in a sign of increasing political openness after the fall of autocratic President Hosni Mubarak.

Al-Wasat Al-Jadid, or the New Center, was founded in 1996 by activists who split off from the conservative Muslim Brotherhood and sought to create a political movement promoting a tolerant version of Islam with liberal tendencies. Its attempts to register as an official party were rejected four times since then, most recently in 2009.

The founder of the newly recognized party, Abu al-Ila Madi, said Saturday's ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court was "a positive fruit of the Jan. 25 revolution of the freedom generation."

Madi said his party would immediately get to work organizing its membership and opening branches to freely participate in Egypt's political life. Seeking to prove Al-Wasat Al-Jadid has a more moderate position, Madi said two Coptic Christians and three women were among the party's 24 top members.

"We will cooperate with all political powers, secular or democratic, to develop the democratic process," Madi said.

Posted by:Steve White

#6 The last line is a laugher.

One man, one vote, for the very last time, Jack Salami?

Posted by: trailing wife 2011-02-21 12:40

#5 The last line is a laugher. Its unnatural for people with divergent philosophies and beliefs to remain in trust and love for longunless one is on that hippie bus driving cross-countryhey, dont Bogart that joint!

Posted by: Jack Salami 2011-02-21 11:52

#4 Moderate....
Reminds me of a vintage bit of sarcasm from the Carter era: A moderate Islamic party is one who might take hostages, but doesn't eat them.

Posted by: Sgt.Mom 2011-02-21 08:04

#3 A new dawn over the Middle East.

Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-02-21 02:50

#2 And so it begins...

Posted by: Mikey Hunt 2011-02-21 02:26

#1 Looks like dem Iranian warships won't enter the SUEZ CANAL until Wednesday.

* ION TOPIX > [US News & World Report] EGYPT IN DANGER OF BECOMING AMERICA'S GREATEST MIDDLE EAST FOE.

* SAME >[JPOST Artic = Israel IDF] HEZBOLLAH MIGHT ATTACK ISRAELI TARGET TO HELP IRAN, in Northern Israel to help Tehran = Moud + Mullahs divert international attention from on-going Iran protests.

Posted by: JosephMendiola 2011-02-21 00:50

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