Assem Abdel-Maged, a leading figure of the ultra-conservative Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya, during a press conference held by the Islamist group to unveil its political party in June 2011 (Photo: Sherif Tarek)
Egypt's Conference Party on Monday decried statements made by a leading member of Egypt's ultra-conservative Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya movement, Assem Abdel-Maged, asking the Coptic Orthodox Church not to “sacrifice its Coptic children” by making them participate in mass rallies planned by the 'Rebel' campaign for 30 June.
A statement by the party, led by former presidential candidate Amr Moussa, describes Abdel-Maged's words as the latest in a series of moves involving “discrimination” and “terrorism” that aim to deter citizens from participating in the Rebel movement.
The statement expressed its confidence that such comments will only increase Egyptians' desire to participate in the 30 June demonstrations.
It also stated that such words could not be separated from other methods being used by opponents to weaken the Rebel campaign, such as the torching of its headquarters in Cairo on Friday.
The statement urged those who make such comments to reconsider and put the wellbeing of the country first.
The Rebel movement aims to gather 15 million signatures in opposition to President Morsi, to outnumber the 13.2 million votes that got Brotherhood-fielded Morsi into office in June 2012.
Amr Moussa’s Conference Party supports the movement, as do many other Egyptian opposition groups.
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