Controversial Salafi leader Hazem Salah Abu Ismail has said the the timing of the announcement of his new political party will be “a miracle of God.”
In an interview with Egyptian daily Al-Shorouk, Abu Ismail blamed the political opposition for the state of the country, saying they were responsible for spreading rumours about the economy that led to its collapse and that “every single protest they have called for ended in killing and destruction.”
He condemned calls for nationwide protests on 25 January, which will be the second anniversary of the revolution, and said that those who call for protests are “criminals” who want to “burn the country.”
Abu Ismail said his new party had been ready to launch since October but that the “politically fluid” situation prevented the announcement. He added that the timing of the launch was deliberately delayed as part of his political plan.
The Salafi sheikh said he would compete against the Muslim Brotherhood in the parliamentary elections and that his coalition would contest all seats available, but that politically cooperating with the Brotherhood after the elections was not out of the question.
Abu Ismail will be leading a coalition called The Free Nation Coalition (Al-Watan Al- Hor). The only known member party so far is the recently launched Al-Watan Party.
Former Nour Party Chairman Emad Abdul Ghafour who, alongside several other members, left the Salafi Calling’s political wing to form a new party allied with Abu Ismail formed al-Watan.
Abu Ismail condemned all recent acts of violence at Tahrir Square, the Presidential Palace, the attacks on Muslim Brotherhood headquarters all over the country and the attacks on Al-Wafd Party and Popular Current headquarters. He neglected to mention that his supporters where responsible for the latter two events.
He also called on President Mohamed Morsy to remove the Minister Of Interior, Major General Ahmed Gamal El-Din, from office.
