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CAIRO (Reuters) - The leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said in an interview that tourists could drink alcohol inside their hotels and people should decide for themselves whether to accept bank interest.
General Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef was speaking in a television interview broadcast on Sunday on Egypt's Dream satellite channel. A transcript appeared in the independent newspaper Al Masry Al Youm on Monday.
Akef told Reuters that his comments were in keeping with Islam and did not reflect a new position by the Islamist opposition group.
A Koranic text bans the consumption of alcohol and a majority of Islamic jurists have prohibited bank interest.
Asked in the interview about the Brotherhood's policy on tourism, one of Egypt's main sources of foreign currency, Akef said the Brotherhood supported tourism. "Whoever drinks alcohol, let him drink in his hotel. We don't control people in their homes."
He said the issue of bank interest was up to Islamic jurists, but added: "I want to tell people to do what they feel is right in their hearts, because jurists have differed (in their rulings on bank interest)."
Akef's comments were among the most specific in recent times by the Brotherhood leadership on matters which could affect the Egyptian economy if the movement ever came to power.
The government does not recognise the Brotherhood but members stand for election to parliament as independents. They and have 88 seats in the 454-seat parliament, making them the largest opposition group.
The Brotherhood's parliamentary gains have brought them under increased scrutiny, particularly on their economic agenda, on which the group's leadership generally avoids elaborating.
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how do I go about getting an intrest free islamic loan?
mike rozier Member # 10852
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I'd like to buy a round for the islamic brotherhood
Timo Member # 7193
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id like to have a beer with Akef
pregnantcravings Member # 9852
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rofl
PEPI Member # 11128
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quote:Originally posted by mike rozier: I'd like to buy a round for the islamic brotherhood
susy Member # 11321
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salam alekom wa rahmatoallah we barakaatoo
wow, i cant believe this article. it makes u wonder what is the position really of islam to most people. May Allah keep us free from this sinful way Ameen!
pharaoh15 Member # 11334
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yeah true, it is unbelievable..how can they let alcohol be NEAR to them..?? BLASPHEMOUS!!
may day Member # 8936
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the most valuable thing is freedom do what u want to do with respect to the others all the other thinks are bullshits
egyptian-guy Member # 9121
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by the time he is in charge; he will forget everything he has said and will turn Egypt to another Afghanistan . **** the Muslims brotherhood gang , they want to takeover and make us suffer and die starving .
ispy Member # 5871
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quote:Originally posted by egyptian-guy: by the time he is in charge; he will forget everything he has said and will turn Egypt to another Afghanistan . **** the Muslims brotherhood gang , they want to takeover and make us suffer and die starving .
YES
ispy Member # 5871
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quote:Originally posted by susy: salam alekom wa rahmatoallah we barakaatoo
wow, i cant believe this article. it makes u wonder what is the position really of islam to most people. May Allah keep us free from this sinful way Ameen!
YES MORE ISLAM ...AND THEN DIE OF HUNGER
With a name like Smuckers Member # 10289
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Inshallah Susy, it is like making a profit going against the very ideals you hold true. While drinking alcohol is fine in other countries, and that is great for their freedoms it does make you wonder about their position.
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