Egyptian media is reporting that Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi has criticized Egypt’s ruling military council, calling for “quick elections.” According to a report in Ahram Online:
Ahram Online, Friday 18 Nov 2011 In a speech following Friday prayers in Qatar’s capital Doha, Egyptian sheikh Yousef El-Qaradawi highlighted the importance of quick presidential elections after the parliamentary polls in Egypt, adding that the military council should not prolong the transition period. Qaradawi stressed in his speech that no one should have authority over the Egyptian people, not even the military council, adding that there should be no supra-constitutional principles and that the parliament has the right to set the constitution, and everyone else should abide with what the parliament decides. In his speech Qaradawi referred to Egypt’s demonstrations in Tahrir Square, describing it as the place where Egyptians go to make their voices heard, adding that “there are some who are deaf so cannot hear and dumb so they cannot understand.” He urged Egyptians to vote for those who are just and honest, and not to give their voices to some just because they are rich or famous.
Qaradawi, a virulent anti-Semite is often referred to here as the most important leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, an acknowledgement of his role as the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to lead the Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide. Based in Qatar, Sheikh Qaradawi has reportedly amassed substantial wealth through his role as Shari’ah adviser to many important Islamic banks and funds. He is also considered to be the “spiritual guide” for Hamas and his fatwas in support of suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were instrumental in the development of the phenomenon. A recent post has discussed a video compilation of Qaradawi’s extremist statements.
An earlier post reported on a fatwa (Islamic ruling) signed by Qaradawi that called the Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad “heretical.”