Several Islamist and political figures have announced the establishment of a “Conscience Front”, a new coalition aiming to defend the revolution and stop violence, according to its founders.
The front held a press conference at Sawy Culture Wheel on Saturday, where it announced its aims and founding members. The front spokesperson denied that the front is opposing any other political group, claiming that they only work for the good of the Egyptian people.
The front includes prominent Islamist figures such as Muslim Brotherhood members Mohamed Al-Beltagy and Helmy El-Gazzar, Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) member Essam Sultan, Al-Wasat Party member Mohamed Mahsoub, Building and Development Party (BDP) member Safwat Abdel Ghany, and former presidential candidate Mohamed Selim El-Awwa.
Several non-Islamist political figures also joined the new front, including founder of the Ghad El-Thawra Party and the Kefaya movement Ayman Nour, professor of political science Moataz Billah Abdel Fatah, and a sole Copt figure, Father Rafeeq Gaweesh.
The new front issued a founding statement outlining its main aims on Friday, before announcing on Saturday’s conference that the statement sent on Friday was only a draft.
The draft statement stated that the aims of the front are putting an end to the bloodshed currently gripping the nation, refraining from violent acts, and helping Egypt to develop, prosper and achieve the goals of its revolution.
The statement said the coalition aims to represent all ideologies, explaining that the revolution was driven by the will and sacrifices of all Egyptians.
The statement claimed that Seif El Deen Abdel Fatah, resigned presidential advisor and professor of political science, is part of the coalition. However, Abdel Fatah denied on his official Facebook page that he had joined the coalition.
The statement said that the coalition demands managing political and ideological struggles through negotiations rather than violence, affirming that any political faction has the right to seek to lead the country, but only through non-violent means.
The statement said the coalition is ready to oppose the ruling authority if it deviated from the goals of the revolution and the demands of the people.
“The front opens its doors to every Egyptian seeking the development of Egypt and not its destruction, seeking its strength and not its division.” the statement stated.
Ahmed El-Enany, head of the youth committee at the Egyptian Social Democratic Party (ESDP) and member of the National Salvation Front (NSF) youth, said the Conscience Front could be an attempt to imitate the NSF. “If the founders of the front really want to stop violence, they should ask their Islamist government and president to stop attacking, arresting and humiliating protesters instead of issuing some statements that would lead to nowhere. The solution for this crisis lies within the government’s hands.”
The FJP could not be reached for comments on the newly-established front.
