After a week of tension and widespread speculation over the outcome, Egypt, finally, has a civilian head of state, the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi.
Mohamed Morsi, 60, educated in Southern California, USA, was
declared president Sunday after he took 52% of the vote to 48% for
former Hosni Mubarak official Ahmed Shafik.
During the historic
campaign for president, Morsi said he would support democracy, women's
rights and peaceful relations with Israel if he won.
Morsi was arrested several times "due to his constantly firm stance against the repressive measures and oppressive practices of the overthrown regime," the party said.
The Muslim Brotherhood has been part of the political scene in Egypt for
more than 80 years. It was formed there by Hassan al-Banna in 1928. It is
also and foremost a religious and political group founded on the belief that Islam is not
simply a religion, but a way of life. It advocates a move away from
secularism, and a return to the rules of the Quran as a basis for
healthy families, communities, and states.
The movement officially
rejects the use of violent means to secure its goals. However, offshoots
of the group have been linked to attacks in the past, and critics blame
the Brotherhood for sparking troubles elsewhere in the Middle East.
Many consider it the forerunner of modern militant Islamism.
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