Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood, interviewed by a Greek Newspaper
Mr. Mohamed Mahdi Akef, theChairman of the MuslimBrotherhood, interviewed bya Greek Newspaper

Q #1. Do the 88 Muslim Brotherhood parliament members represent the true strength of the Brotherhood in the People’s Assembly?
A #1. It is well-known that widespread manipulations have tarnished the latest Egyptian legislative elections, as witnessed by numerous judges and officials supervising the elections, neutral election observers and the media. The purpose was to curtail the success of candidates of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), following their outstanding performance in the first stage of the elections when the rate of their success was 75 per cent. The MB deserved more than that number in the light of the strong support they had received from the electorate.
Q #2. Political Islam, or what could be called “Islamic politics” is now considered the main system in countries like Iran and Palestine and has even extended to the United States of America, can you explain why?
A #2. Islam knows no borders between religion and politics. When Muslims engage in politics, they do so in application of their religious teachings, which require them to worship Almighty God, the Creator, while, at the same time, require them to deal positively with the political, economic and social issues that face them and their societies. Islam rejects isolationism even when it is intended to enable someone to consecrate himself entirely to worship. Some societies have achieved a certain progress in this regard, while others have not: this is only natural. But I don’t understand the meaning of the statement that “Islamic politics” has become the main system in a country like the United States of America, unless it is intended to mean that the major preoccupation of the U.S. administration is to fight Islam and Muslims, which is a factual statement.
Q #3. What do you think about the alleged “clash of civilizations”?
Q #3. God has created mankind in the form of peoples which are different in cultures, customs, traditions. etc, No one people or state can force others to relinquish their cultures, customs and traditions. what happens is that a superpower like the United States of America attempts to impregnate the whole world with the American culture in everything, from beliefs to eating and drinking habits to the way of pronunciation. This raises sensitivities. We can speak of European countries which suffer from U.S. attempts to extend its cultural hegemony. It is more so when it comes to Muslims or to Islamic beliefs, to which the U.S. administration is hostile and which it is keen to uproot from the hearts of Muslims. This is the source of the clash of civilizations. For their part, Muslims are interested in having a world living in peace so that they may carry out their duty toward their Lord, their peoples and their message vis-à-vis the entire world, i.e. to convey the message of Islam to it.
Q #4 How do you assess Erdogan and his government in Turkey since he took over as prime minister?
A #4 The Justice Party took over power in Turkey under difficult circumstances. For so many years, Turkey had suffered from internal subversive efforts both in terms of Turkey’s Islamic attachment, where the objective was to separate it from its Islamic frame of reference, and in terms of its political and economic life, where corruption had permeated party structures and state institutions.
It is clear that the Erdogan government is determined to combat corruption and develop the country. Nejmeddin Erbakan had tried to do that and had succeeded but he was soon removed from his post. We hope that the Erdogan government will be able to continue its reform plans without obstacles.
Q #5. What is your comment on the political success of Hamas in the Palestinian elections?
A #5.What Hamas achieved is not only a political victory. Its political victory was but the outcome of its successes over the past two decades in social and humanitarian fields as well as in its legitimate resistance of the occupation. It has emerged as one of the resistance factions that has sacrificed the souls of its sons in the face of the illegitimate occupation of the occupied territories.
Q #6. What is your comment on the events related to the Danish newspaper’s cartoons depicting the Prophet, peace be upon him, and what is your attitude with regard to the apology presented by the Danish prime minister?
A #6. The Danish prime minister didn’t present any apology. On the contrary, his attitude was a reason for the escalation that has taken place, because he didn’t contain the crisis from its outset on the pretext that he didn’t interfere in the freedom of the press. Of course, the Danish government, like any government, has at its disposal various means and ways to solve emerging problems, at least by resorting to dialogue and encouraging it and to mediation so as not to endanger the national interests, which has actually taken place.
We are now witnesses to the fact that the newspaper in question has refused to publish cartoons about the Holocaust. When the cultural editor who had published the cartoons denigrating the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, announced that he would publish the cartoons related to the Holocaust, the management of the newspaper intervened and gave him a leave of absence. Doesn’t that mean imposing limits on the freedom of expression of the same journalist?
Furthermore, the newspaper itself had refused to publish cartoons on Jesus, peace be upon him, for fear of hurting the feelings of those who believe in him. We, Muslims, do refuse the publication of any cartoons about him, but why then is this discrimination? Does the Holocaust have for them a higher sanctity than that accorded to messengers and prophets?
Q #7. If Muslim Brothers take the reigns of power, what will be their attitude towards the Israeli policies?
A #7. So far, Muslims Brothers haven’t reached the seats of power and we don’t seek to be in power at present.
Q #8. What is your opinion about resistance in Palestine and Iraq?
A #8. In general, any people under occupation is entitled to resist occupation. This is a right that can not be denied to any people for whatever reason. In Europe, there was resistance against occupation and those carrying it out were considered national heroes. Why then should the Palestinian or Iraqi people be deprived from that right? Resistance, however, has limits designed not cause harm to innocent civilians.
Q # 9. If Muslim Brothers continue their political success, do you expect the Egyptian government and the United States of America to create problems to prevent them from taking power?
A # 9. Difficulties are already existing and have been there for many years. Creating obstacles on our road is a continuous process that has not stopped, but we keep going ahead toward reform regardless of the question of taking power.