Moderate Front Explained

Country:Egypt
Moderate Front
Founder:Sabra al-Qasmy[1]
Foundation:2013[2]

The Moderate Front (also called the Moderate Islamist Front for Combating Violence and Extremism,[1] the Islamic Alliance to Support Stability and Renounce Violence[2] and the Movement of Moderation to Confront the Religious Extremism)[3] is an alliance composed of former jihadis, ex-members of the Muslim Brotherhood and ex-al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya members.[2] The leader of the alliance is Sabra al-Qasemy al-Wasateyya,[4] who was a former member of Egyptian Islamic Jihad.[3] The alliance was founded after the 30 June ouster of Mohamed Morsi and subsequent attacks on civilians.[2] The coalition has supported Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for president in the Egyptian 2014 presidential election.[4] The Muslim Brotherhood has been criticized by the group for its calling for protests on the anniversary of the Mohamed Mahmoud clashes;[5] the members of the alliance want the Brotherhood to turn away from violence.[6] One of the members of the organization, Amr Emara,[4] is also the coordinator of the Dissident Brotherhood Youth Alliance.[7] The leader of the Democratic Jihad Party (Yasser Saad)[8] is currently a member of the front.[3]

The organization worked on a book to combat takfir ideology;[3] the book was published in October 2013 and distributed in Arish.[9]

References

  1. News: Dissident MB member welcome military trial law amendments. Cairo Post. 30 January 2014. 1 April 2014.
  2. News: Moderate Front to hold public conference to nominate Sisi for president. Cairo Post. 20 January 2014. 1 April 2014.
  3. News: Former jihadis back Sisi for president. Egypt Independent. 26 September 2013. 1 April 2014.
  4. News: Islamic Alliance, MB dissidents intensify efforts for Sisi candidacy. Cairo Post. 8 February 2014. 1 April 2014.
  5. News: Jihadist group calls on Egyptians to counter MB protests. Cairo Post. 13 November 2013. 1 April 2014.
  6. News: Al-Jihad dissidents to stage pro-Sisi rallies on 25 January . Egypt Independent. 22 January 2014. 1 April 2014.
  7. News: Brotherhood dissidents to form Islamist electoral alliance with Nour Party. Egypt Independent. 25 March 2014. 1 April 2014.
  8. News: Ex-Jihad members to found party, back Shafiq in Egypt presidency runoff. Ahram Online. 13 June 2012. 1 April 2014.
  9. News: Ex-jihadists publish anti-terrorism book. Cairo Post. 24 October 2013. 1 April 2014.