Egypt: Will Muslim Brotherhood guarantee religious liberty if they win elections?

Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina

A senior Church leader in Egypt has expressed grave doubts about the prospects for Christians if the Muslim Brotherhood emerges victorious in the presidential elections.

Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, Coptic Catholic Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina of Guizeh (Giza) said that while it was difficult to say which candidate would best guarantee liberty for the country's Christians he had fears about the Muslim Brotherhood taking power.

Bishop Aziz said: "The Muslim Brothers say one thing then tomorrow they do another thing. They don't maintain their promises - that's the problem." He added that it would be difficult to vote for the Muslim Brotherhood without guarantees from them.

No one was the outright victor of Egypt's first round of presidential elections so there will be a run-off between Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, and Ahmed Shafik, formerly prime minister under President Hosni Mubarak, next month.

Mr Morsi received 5.7 million votes and Mr Shafik 5.5 million, according to Egypt's electoral commission.

The Bishop of Guizeh emphasised the importance of a presidential candidate who would secure freedom for those of all beliefs.

He said: "Whoever will guarantee liberty and democracy and a good constitution forEgyptwill have our vote... We have a situation with the elections and the constitution and the future of our country - whoever wants to be president needs to guarantee a good constitution, in which everyone will be able to find his place in our country.
He needs to guarantee the minimum of liberties we seek."

The first round of presidential elections was held on the 23 and 24 May.

Since no one candidate obtained the 50 percent plus one vote required to be elected a run-off election between Mr Morsi and Mr Shafik will be held on the 16 and 17 June.

Bishop Aziz said it was still too early to make any predictions about who will win next month's second-round elections. He said: "It is difficult to say while each of the two candidates has support from 25 percent of the voters and that is not so enough, as there are also more than 50 percent who voted for another candidate."

"They have to gain the trust of the other 50 percent and I don't know who will obtain these votes and we will have to wait and see who can obtain their confidence and get their votes. There are two weeks until the [run-off] election and we will wait to see who can guarantee a good future for Egypt."

However, the Coptic Catholic Bishop of Guizeh remained positive about the possibilities of democracy and religious liberty in the country.

Source: ACN