Islamist Political Party Becomes a Possibility

August 23, 2005

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Wire Service: AP

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1124763675595

On August 23, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "Nearly 10 years ago, Abu'l-Ela Madi was jailed when he first proposed creating an Islamist party in Egypt. Now, he seems closer than ever to achieving his dream, and if he does, it will further alter his country's already changing political landscape. If Madi's Al-Wasat party is approved, it will launch a new experiment in incorporating Egypt's powerful – but long banned – fundamentalist forces into politics at a time when the government of this key US ally in the Muslim world is promising greater democracy. After a few months in jail when Madi sought to establish his party in 1996 and two subsequent rejections by the committee in charge of licensing new political parties, a State Council court panel in June recommended approval for Al-Wasat. An appeals court is to rule on Oct. 1, but the court has never reversed such a recommendation."