Egypt: Brotherhood presidency candidate says Shariah ‘final goal’

Khairat el-Shater meets with Salafi clerics, stresses he would form group of religious scholars to ‘help parliament’ enforce Islamic law. Omar Suleiman gives up presidential bid
Roi Kais, AP

The Muslim

Khairat el-Shater met for four hours Tuesday night with a panel of Salafi scholars and clerics, called the Jurisprudence Commission for Rights and Reform, trying to win their support.

The promise resembled an item in a 2007 political platform by the Brotherhood, when it was still a banned opposition movement. It called for parliament to consult with a body of clerics on legislation to ensure it aligns with Shariah. The proposal was met with a storm of condemnation at the time, and the Brotherhood backed off of it.

El-Shater also said he plans to implement reforms within the Interior Ministry, which had a key role in the repression of Egypt’s opposition.

Earlier this week, the candidate for presidency met with a US Congress delegation in

POLITICO reported Wednesday that members of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood met with US officials, including White House staffers.

„Following Egypt’s revolution, we have broadened our engagement to include new and emerging political parties and actors,” White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told POLITICO.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s former spy chief and vice president Omar