Seven Islamist parties in Egypt have moved to protect the Muslim Brotherhood-led
government from increasing protests, which threaten the movement’s hold on
power.
The parties formed the Umma (“Islamic nation”) Alliance to protect
the “achievements of the January 25 Revolution” and stand against those who
interrupt the “constitutional path that allows people to choose their ruler,”
Ahram Online reported.
The parties, at a press conference on Saturday,
said that they saw “clear dangers” because of the recent protests, the police
strike, and calls for the army to carry out a coup to replace President Mohamed
Morsi, according to the report.
The alliance consists of the Salafist
Raya party, the Reform party, the Asala (“Authenticity”) party, the People’s
party, the Islamic party, the Fadila (“Virtue”) party and the New Labor
party.
They also are demanding a revised timetable for elections since
Egypt’s administrative court canceled the planned April 22 vote. The Umma
Alliance called on all parties to join it to “protect the rights of the
people.”
Meanwhile, an important Salafi leader of the Raya party, Hazem
Salah Abu Ismail, tried to tie the opposition protests to foreign powers,
warning about a “scheme of global powers to sabotage the country,” according to
the Egypt Independent website.
This comes after Ahram Online reported
last month that there were divisions within the Islamist bloc, with the second
largest party, Islamist Nour, disagreeing with the Muslim Brotherhood government
on some matters. It is yet to be seen if all the Islamist parties will unite to
stave off any threat to the government’s hold on power.