Seif El Islem, the son of late Imam Hassan El Banna reveals in this exclusive interview with “Echorouk” the nature of the relations entertained by his father, the founder of the “Muslim brotherhood organization” with the strong men of Egypt and the secrets which had marked his epoch. As a matter of fact, a big media uproar in Egypt surrounded the recent release of the TV serial “El Djemaâ” of writer Wahid Hamed who relates the life of the late Imam Hassen El Banna and the bumpy itinerary of the Muslim brothers.

• The first reaction to the broadcasting of this TV serial came from Seif El Islem Hassen El Banna who lodged a legal complaint with the judiciary against the author and the producing company as well.

• “Echorouk” met in Cairo with Seif El Islem, the son of Imam Hassen El Banna, who did not waver to tackle this burning issue for our readers.

• Echorouk : According to you, do the characteristics of the main actor in this controversial TV serial correspond really with the late Imam Hassen El Banna?

• Sei El Islem El Banna : On the contrary, there are numerous confusions about the true personality of the Cheikh as well as about the context and the circumstances which prevailed during that period.

• Certain facts are besides far from the truth and they have completed distorted the reality the childhood of Hassen El Banna notably.

• The dialogues in this TV serial are warped and rife with innuendos.

• Echorouk : What do you reply to Wahid Hamed when he accuses Hassen El Banna of having collected funds from the Saudi Kingdom in order to restore the Islamic Caliphate?

• Seif El Islem : These assertions are utterly groundless. If Hassen El Banna wanted money, he would have taken that offered to him by the English. But the Cheikh flatly refused the offer as he had always led an ascetic life. His main concern was not money.

• Echorouk : What about the nature of the relation between Hassen El Banna and Djamel Abdennacer who was, according to Damerdach Akali, the real spiritual guide of the Muslim brothers? …

• Seif El Islem : Despite all the respect and gratitude I feel towards Damerdach Akali, I don’t know if the latter has evidence of that.

• But one thing is certain, Djamel Abdennacer was a member of a special organization of the Muslim brotherhood. But once he gained power, he did not want to draft a constitution in conformity with our wishes.

• A constitution which provided for the withdrawal of the Army and the impulse of a democratic life in the country.

• Echorouk : Despite the negative aspects of this TV serial on Hassen El Banna, its broadcasting by the public TV seems to be a government’s recognition of the importance of the Muslim brotherhood movement in Egypt? …

• Seif El Islem : Absolutely, one cannot deny it as we have just secured the largest seats in the legislative election. Be that as it may, we will always continue to fight against ballot – rigging, fraud and violence.

• Echorouk : How will you manage to halt the broadcasting of this TV serial which offends the Muslim brotherhood movement and the personality of Imam Hassen El Banna?

• Seif El Islem : To deal a blow to the memory of Imam Hassen El Banna is tantamount to offending all the community.

• Echorouk : Finally, what is your vision for the future of Egypt?

• Seil El Islem : We are really determined to change things for the better. We don’t want to harm anybody but we think that Egypt is now is jeopardy.

• The government and the people of Egypt should be united to face up efficiently to  nefarious external influences, to fight corruption and to live up to the requirements of the country’s development.