Although years have passed since the 2013 coup against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi by Chief of General Staff Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt, the persecution of the oppressed has not ceased. We talked to the Spokesperson of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement Ali Hamad about what happened in the country where many people were martyred and just as many people were waiting for martyrdom. Hamad, who made very important evaluations for our newspaper, told about the future view of the Muslim Brotherhood, the situation of the Islamic geography, the importance of the Islamic Union and much more for our newspaper. While Ali Hamad opening a separate parenthesis for National Vision leader Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan, he said, “Our only solution is to establish the Islamic Union. Despotic rulers in Islamic countries do not want this. We constantly say; Erbakan Hodja's move to establish the Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) was very valuable. If this project is fully realized, we will have a very different world.”
We held a meeting with Ali Hamad, Spokesperson of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement. The interview is as follows…
The oppressive process that followed the coup carried out by Sisi in Egypt continues. What would you say about the latest situation in Egypt, where the dose of persecution has not decreased?
First of all, I would like to thank you and the Milli Gazete. I send my greetings to all my brothers and sisters who will read our interview. After the coup carried out by Sisi, great atrocities began. I must say that even though the persecutions focused on the Muslim Brotherhood, the entire Egyptian people were targeted. The Muslim Brotherhood entered the election and came to power after the ballot box victory. This situation disturbed some sections and a coup was made against Morsi and his friends. If I have to explain the point reached after the coup, I must say that more than 60,000 people are in prison at the moment. More than 100 of our brothers were also executed. These executions were not the processes that developed in normal courts, these decisions were taken under abnormal conditions. We know more than 1,000 people died in prisons due to medical negligence. In addition to these, there were mass murders in squares such as Rabia and Alexandria.
“EGYPT WAS SENTENCED TO FUNDS TAKEN FROM THE GULF COUNTRIES”
Unemployment in Egypt is at the level of 35 percent according to official figures. Many people leave Egypt and pursue their careers in other countries. It is also noted that the coup made the capital owners uneasy. I must say that some of the businessmen who supported Sisi at the beginning of the coup process are now in prison. Because the Sisi administration cannot tolerate even the slightest objection. To be able to sign an economic project, you need to have acquaintances. Egypt was doomed to funds came from the Gulf states. Sisi's debts have left future generations in debt. We are going through an unnatural process right now.
“WE WANT TO BUILD A CIVIL SOCIETY BASED ON ISLAM”
We are implementing individual programs for members of our movement. In this direction, it is aimed to raise conscious individuals and thus the state to be formed in a healthy way. With many of our educational institutions, we bring the real understanding of Islam to people. We want to build a civilized society centered on Islam. The Egyptian people also want this, because a large mass voted for us in the last elections.
“WE WERE TARGET BECAUSE WE FIGHT AGAINST THE DESPOT ADMINISTRATIVES”
We have seen that both Western countries and Gulf countries supported Sisi during the coup process in Egypt. Why did the Muslim Brotherhood offend these actors I have mentioned?
Although the Muslim Brotherhood was targeted by the administrators of some countries, it did not encounter a negative attitude in the eyes of the people. As for why the Muslim Brotherhood is targeted by some regimes, I must say that; we were targeted because we declared war on despotic rulers. Because of our opposition to the dictatorship... Besides, we wanted to produce our own weapons, food and medicine. Morsi also expressed this. If we could do these things, we would be freed from Western slavery.
“WE SUPPORT THE NORMALIZATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND EGYPT”
We see that there has been a rapprochement between Turkey and the Sisi regime in the last period. What is the attitude of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement towards this process?
We have a principled approach. We support all initiatives that will benefit societies. Here too, if there is a situation that will bring the two communities together, of course, we will approach it positively. There is a long-standing fraternity between the Turkish and Egyptian society. This is our approach. I should add that relations between societies are more important than relations between rulers. We support the rapprochement that will bring the Turkish and Egyptian societies closer together. This stance does not spoil our stance against the coup.
“WE WANT PEACE, JUSTICE, LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE”
What is the perspective of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement towards the future? What are your short, medium and long term plans?
We have principles that have not changed since the time of Hasan al-Banna. Our primary goal is the dominance of Islam in the world. The Brotherhood of Muslim wants peace, justice, freedom and independence in Egypt. We have some vehicles on this road. People should be able to choose their own leaders. We think that the country should have a constitution that covers all its citizens. We are a movement that constantly strives to raise people's scientific levels. As people expand their horizons, they will make more accurate choices. The Muslim Brotherhood is a well-established movement and not an imported movement. The Muslim Brotherhood has played important roles in politics in many countries and has never been associated with violence. In this context, the Muslim Brotherhood gained the favor of a very important group in Egypt in the last elections.
“IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD IF TURKEY CAN STOP THE EXECUTIONS”
What are your expectations from Turkey? Could Turkey have followed a more active policy and stopped the executions in Egypt?
We have expectations not only from Turkey, but from all countries. Of course, we would be very happy if Turkey took such a step. What happened in the past has happened, but what happens after today is very important. There are still a large number of people who have not been executed, although it is now decided. It would be great if Turkey could stop these executions. We definitely support this.