The Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential candidate Mohamed Morsy met with Sinai tribal leaders and investors in Sharm el-Sheikh before returning to Cairo on Thursday night.
During the conference, Morsy said the Brotherhood’s influential Supreme Guide will not interfere with his work if he is elected president.
“I will rule Egypt, and not the Supreme Guide. If the people sense any influence by the Guidance Bureau, they should revolt against me,” he said, defending Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie as a man with an “institutional” approach.
Morsy, who replaced Khairat al-Shater as the Brotherhood’s presidential nominee after the latter was disqualified, accused some businessmen affiliated with the former ruling regime of using the media outlets they own to wage attacks on the Brotherhood, adding that former regime figures have no right to run for president.
In his speech, Morsy said he champions an Islamic platform, but stressed that non-Muslims’ right to follow their own religious guidelines should be enshrined in the constitution.
He also described the Sinai as “Egypt’s gate to Palestine,” emphasizing the need to give Sinai citizens their full rights and suggesting that their living near Israeli borders is not a reason to question their loyalty.
Mohamed Saleh, South Sinai’s inter-tribal coordinator, said Sinai tribes will back Morsy because the Brotherhood, like Bedouins, respects traditions and customs. He predicted that this will represent around 70 percent of South Sinai’s votes.
Edited Translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
