A Muslim Brotherhood spokesperson accused those who criticize Islamic movements for using money given by foreign organizations of attacking Islam, describing them as “Islamophobes, Ikhwanophobes and Salafiophobes”.
At a seminar in Cairo Monday, Essam al-Erian emphasized the importance of diversity in Islamic discourse and announced that the Muslim Brotherhood is working on launching a large-scale media project.
"Talk about the Islamic project is currently receiving the attention of the world. We face a tough challenge," said al-Erian, also a member of the Brotherhood's Guidance Bureau.
Al-Erian also seemed to address Salafis, who generally consider democracy a Western system of government and do not accept the appointment of women or non-Muslims to leadership positions.
"Some are dragging Islamic movements into the wrong fights," he said. " For me, the [Islamic principle of] shura is better than democracy, but this does not mean we reject democracy."
He stressed that the choice is between establishing a dictatorship or a civil state, rather than a religious or a civil state.
Mohamed Hassan, a Salafi preacher who participated in the seminar, said all Islamic factions need to work together to raise the banner of Islam.
He said the media is spiralling out of control, adding that there should be a kind of media freedom that respects the teachings of Islam.
Hassan accused “people with special agendas” of manipulating the media for their own benefit, highlighting media's key role, particularly in the political sphere.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
