A Nour Party leader and presidential adviser criticized the Muslim Brotherhood, saying the dominating party excludes others, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in a story published Thursday.
"We disagree with the Brothers on the monopoly of power and exclusion of others," Khaled Alam Eddin told the London-based paper. "We say to them that there has to be collective participation, and we are keen to not let one faction control all decisions."
But he said the party ultimately resorts to voters' decisions.
He said a meeting between Salafi leaders and the National Salvation Front opposition coalition had nothing to do with elections.
"It aimed at reconciliation and the convergence of viewpoints, and this is not strange to Salafis, but consistent with the fact that they always play the role of mediator to calm down. Even under the previous Parliament, they played this role between the opposition and the Freedom and Justice Party," he said, referring to the Brotherhood's party.
"The Salafi current is diverse … and cannot be ignored, dismissed or excluded from politics and governance, as it represents a wide range of people," he said.
He said they must enter the political arena on terms of the political game, because they resorted to ballot boxes and agreed to use the democratic process. If Islamists fail, he said, they have to go back to the people to gain their support.
Alam Eddin blamed the NSF, saying that after they agreed to work democratically, they deviated from the "right" path and "once again resorted to the street," which would hinder economic development, he said.
"I believe that this is a breach to the rules of the political game," he added.
Salafis did not participate in confrontational events like the Muslim Brotherhood, but participated in peaceful protests to express their point of view, he said.
"Some people are blaming Salafis for dealing with symbols of the former regime, especially Sheikh Yasser Borhamy, for going to meet former presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq, but such talk was going on within the framework of protecting homeland from any confusion or possible trouble after the presidential elections," he said.
Salafis adhere to their principles and are keen at the same time to protect the homeland against any harm that might result from the state of polarization, he said.
Alam Eddin admitted the existence of divisions among Salafis, but said they were political differences.
He said the Brotherhood may garner fewer seats than it did in the previous parliamentary elections, and expected the majority of Parliament to change over the course of time if people adhere to the peaceful transfer of power.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
