Interview- Muslim Brotherhood made the FIS’ mistakes, says ex-founder Merani

Former member of the banned-Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) Ahmed Merani believes that Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi should have chosen peaceful solutions. “The Muslim Brotherhood supporters should search for solutions and they made the FIS’s same mistakes,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

What do think about the situation in Egypt?

It is a tragedy and Egypt has a very big importance for the Arab World. I hope that the Egyptian brothers will find good solutions.

What about the military intervention and Mohammed Morsi?

When Morsi was elected as president, he said in his speech he will be judged by people who chose him. Because of that, he should have proposed a referendum when people were against him.

Does this justify the army’s intervention?

If Morsi gave political solutions, the army would not have intervened.

Was what the army did to Morsi right?

We can not talk now about what the army did but they had two choices: whether to keep Morsi in power or oust him. The army hoped that two years later there will be presidential elections and peaceful solutions.

The Muslim Brotherhood called it a “coup.”

They have the right to protest against the coup but they should have told authorities about the protests. They did not have the right to occupy squares. They can not stay there for more than 40 years and say these are peaceful protests.   

What do you think about the army’s acts against protesters?

I am not used to see the Egyptian people fighting with the police and the army. We need time to know details about what happened and how the police intervened.

Do you hold the army responsible for the bloodshed?

First of all, God sees everything. Secondly, I was not there. Because of that, I can not hold anyone responsible. We need other people such as journalists and specialists to form an impartial commission to know about the reasons behind what happened.

Are Egypt’s events similar to June 1991’s facts in Algeria?

I experienced those events in Algeria. The mistakes which were committed by the FIS were made by the Muslim Brotherhood in Algeria.

Will the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt carry out armed acts?

The armed acts have already started in Egypt. Some of the FIS’ members carried out armed attacks. In Egypt, there are 50 armed groups.

Is Egypt about to enter a civil war?

Egypt can not enter to a civil war. If the Muslim Brotherhood accepts to hold dialogue, the situation will calm down.

What about arrests and killings?

If the Muslim Brotherhood remains attached to its position, the other part will automatically be more stubborn.