Abdel Moneim Mahmoud once organized student elections, collected donations and educated chicken breeders about the dangers of bird flu as an operative for the Muslim Brotherhood. That all ended after he criticized Egypt’s controversial Islamic political group on his blog, Ana-Ikhwan (I Am Brotherhood).
Mahmoud, 28, condemned its opposition to women and Christians holding high office in Egypt, including the presidency. He also questioned its slogan, “Islam is the answer” – a rallying cry of associated groups and imitators across the Islamic world – for implying that religious scripture should be the primary criterion for political action.
Brotherhood officials told Mahmoud to stop blogging or drop out of the organization. While he suspended active participation, he still considers himself a member. He is also unrepentant.
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