(Image source: The New York Times)

 

BY ZACH TOOMBS

 

A liberal Muslim candidate in Egypt took a step toward unifying the nation’s various political elements.

 

On Saturday — presidential candidate and Muslim Brotherhood dissident Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh gained the endorsement of the Salafis  — Egypt’s most conservative political group.

 

The New York Times reports, Egypt’s liberals already backed the candidate — who’s widely considered to have a more liberal understanding of Islamic law.

 

“His endorsement on Saturday by the Salafis now makes him the candidate of Egypt’s most determined conservatives, too.”

 

On Al Jazeera , Aboul-Fotouh points to strong national pride as a unifying factor for the many political interests supporting him.

 

“The mainstream Egyptian voter does not belong to any specific political party.”

“They include volunteers from all walks of life and all political backgrounds …”

“Christians, liberals, Salifis, members of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

 

Ahram Online notes Aboul-Fotouh had been a leading figure of the Muslim Brotherhood. The outlet provides a brief history of Aboul-Fotouh’s rocky path to Egypt’s presidential ballot.

 

“Abul-Fotouh announced in June 2011 that he intended to run for the highest office in Egypt. Shortly after, he was expelled from the Brotherhood for violating a party decision.”

 

The BBC writes the Muslim Brotherhood’s chances at taking Egypt’s top office were weakened after Aboul-Fotouh was expelled from the group and the brotherhood’s first candidate was barred from the race. Still, reports indicate the group has a strong political presence in Egypt.

 

“Although he was not their first choice of presidential candidate, Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood is now throwing its weight behind the head of its political party, Mohammed Mursi. Mr Mursi is guaranteed the support of the Brotherhood's grassroots network and highly organised campaign team.”

 

Bloomberg points to the endorsement from Al-Nour — the most prominent Salafi political party — as Aboul-Fotouh’s biggest pull Saturday. In a statement, the Muslim Brotherhood responded positively to the ground gained by its political opponent.

 

“Mohamed Mursi, the head of the Brotherhood’s political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, said al-Nour’s backing of Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh ‘enriches the democratic process and shows that society is not divided on the basis of who’s Islamist and who’s non-Islamist.’”

 

According to Ahram , first round voting for presidential elections is set for May 23rd and 24th. The winner will be announced June 21st after a runoff vote.