The Muslim Brotherhood, all that bad?

[Lozzer]

I know they're 'Islamists', and I'm aware they've been linked to atrocities back in the day, but are they as 'extreme' as we perceive them to be? Throughout the Egyptian movement for democracy, they're remained at the tail of the protests, waiting patiently and unaggressively for the prospect of new elections. While the western world is quick to dismiss them as super-evil-terrorists, they're in support of an end to autocratic government, enhanced freedom and a revolutionary democratic state which boasts a multiplicity of political parties and a diversity of opinion.

They're moderates.

[Warren Dew]

Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood - basically a part of it - and probably a good indication of what they'd be like if they gained power in Egypt. Not all that bad, in my opinion, but saying they support "a multiplicity of political parties and a diversity of opinion" is a major stretch. Hamas did gain power in fair elections, but haven't been in a hurry to hold any further elections since.

[Jesus_of_Nazareth]

If you mince passed a crowd of 'em and they don't throw rocks then they are probably moderate.

or Sikhs.

[Coito ergo sum]

I know they're 'Islamists', and I'm aware they've been linked to atrocities back in the day, but are they as 'extreme' as we perceive them to be? Throughout the Egyptian movement for democracy, they're remained at the tail of the protests, waiting patiently and unaggressively for the prospect of new elections. While the western world is quick to dismiss them as super-evil-terrorists, they're in support of an end to autocratic government, enhanced freedom and a revolutionary democratic state which boasts a multiplicity of political parties and a diversity of opinion.

They're moderates.

Posing....as moderates.

[Brian Peacock]

It depends if they are secularists or not I guess. They seem to take part in representative democracies in Turkey for example without calling for Sharia and all the other scary stuff...

[sandinista]

moderately what? What is a moderate?

[Gawd]

The Muslim Brotherhood is slandered by American propaganda because they would drive the Americans out. The Muslim Brotherhood is a good and legitimate political party.

[Jesus_of_Nazareth]

Sarah Palin has backed changes in Cairo - as long as they let the Israelites go.

[Robert_S]

As I recall, they have provided some social services, helped the poor and whatnot. It seems plausible that moderates would be drawn in to work in whatever organisation would be effective at doing that sort of thing. It could be like the Catholicism where you have the bling and hypocrisy of the Pope, the sheepish devotion of the rank and file priests and nuns, and the anarcho-socialism of the Catholic Workers all under one label.

Or they could all be Islam's equivalent of Fred Phelps.

It looks like we'll find out though.

EDIT:

Sarah Palin has backed changes in Cairo - as long as they let the Israelites go.

Oh, that clinches it, they must be lunatics.

[Lozzer]

Meanwhile the president refuses to step down, pro-Mubarak 'demonstrators' are blocking food, medicine and journalists from Tahir, and the US & UK do nothing.

[Svartalf]

It depends if they are secularists or not I guess. They seem to take part in representative democracies in Turkey for example without calling for Sharia and all the other scary stuff...

NOT secularists. That's a large part why the Egyptian gummint has had a thing for them since Sadat, if not since Nasser. They have strong ties with some factions at Al Azhar, which in turn has taken a cue from Iran and has had senior members try and pass fatwas to get some influence in the secular sphere, if not outright political power yet... The University is so esteemed that the gummint leaves it alone, but they know in turn not to push too far and force the government to take measures against them or lose face.

[Lozzer]

Christians protecting Muslims during prayers.

[Warren Dew]

It depends if they are secularists or not I guess. They seem to take part in representative democracies in Turkey for example without calling for Sharia and all the other scary stuff...

My understanding is that they do call for Sharia.

A democracy using Sharia law is not impossible. Iran is basically one.

[Lozzer]

A democracy using Sharia law is not impossible. Iran is basically one.

LOL no.

[Svartalf]

A democracy using Sharia law is not impossible. Iran is basically one.

LOL no.

a modern democracy implies a modicum of respect for the freedom of minorities.
A state under Sharia law will not wait to ask for a thief's or adulteress' faith before subjecting them to the ordained penalties. ergo, tyranny of the majority.

Plus, at what point has Iran been a democracy? in the last 35 years?