Egyptian media has reported that Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi has endorsed Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi in the Egyptian presidential runoff election, calling Dr. Morsi the “revolution’s candidate.” According to a report in the Egypt Independent:
A prominent Islamic scholar has voiced his support for Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsy during the presidential election runoff slated for later this month. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars who supports the Brotherhood, said he trusts the group’s ability to lead Egypt during the upcoming period, and urged all Egyptians to stand by Morsy. Qaradawi told Al Jazeera Mubasher Misr in a TV interview late Sunday that the people are required to unite in face of enemies of the revolution and remnants of the fallen regime of toppled President Hosni Mubarak. He said the former ruling National Democratic Party supports Ahmed Shafiq, who served as Mubarak’s last prime minister. ‘The NDP clique and all the corrupt people inside and outside Egypt are backing Shafiq,’ Qaradawi said. ‘Our Zionist enemy also supports Shafiq, believing he is capable of reproducing the Mubarak regime, which had served the interests of Zionists and Americans. Nobody wants Islamic Sharia to rule.’ The sheikh called upon defeated presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabbahi, Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh, Amr Moussa, Mohamed Selim al-Awa and Hesham al-Bastawisi to back Morsy during the runoff. Egypt needs a civilian rather than a military ruler, Qaradawi stressed, though he said he is confident that the ruling military council would not manipulate the poll. ‘Sixty years of military rule is enough,’ he said. Qaradawi also addressed protesters in Tahrir during his interview. ‘I ask revolutionaries to rally behind the revolution’s candidate, whom the people would vote for,’ he said.”
Qaradawi had earlier backed Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh, a former member of the Egyptian Brotherhood’s Guidance Bureau.
Qaradawi, a virulent anti-Semite is often referred to here as the most important leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, an acknowledgement of his role as the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to lead the Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide. Based in Qatar, As his recent large donation to a new Islamic endowment project suggests, Sheikh Qaradawi has reportedly amassed substantial wealth through his role as Shari’ah adviser to many important Islamic banks and funds. He is also considered to be the “spiritual guide” for Hamas and his fatwas in support of suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were instrumental in the development of the phenomenon. A recent post has discussed a video compilation of Qaradawi’s extremist statements.