Syrian Muslim Brotherhood to form new political party

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood has announced the conclusion of its political consultations over the formation of a new political party named the National Constitution and Freedom Party, to be known by its Arabic name, Waad (The Promise), London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported.

Former Syrian Muslim Brotherhood General Guide Ali Sadreddine Bayanouni announced that Waad will be led by Dr. Mohamed Walid.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat from Turkey on Wednesday, Bayanouni revealed that the Brotherhood will officially announce the establishment of Waad on Nov 12. He added that the party’s deputy leader will be a Christian.

Bayanouni also revealed that the Waad Constituent Assembly had agreed that a third of the membership of the new party will be allocated to Muslim Brothers, a third to other Islamists, and the final third to liberal and nationalist figures. He added that the party would be a liberal, nationalist party, open to all sections of society, but based on Islamic principles.

The Syrian Brotherhood limited the party’s principles to 10 points, revolving around the concepts of equality, justice, dignity and freedom, democratic mechanisms and Islamic scholarship. The party will also adopt the revolution’s objectives, promote the unity of the Syrian people and territory, and adopt just causes, including supporting Palestine.

The Brotherhood announced it would adopt the parliamentary system to achieve development and justice at all levels. It also vowed to ensure the separation of powers and the independence and fairness of the judicial system.

The Brotherhood said the party’s mechanisms to achieve these aims would be democratic. They will promote intellectual, ideological and political awareness through the opening of strategic studies and research centers.

Syrian Muslim Brotherhood General Guide Mohamed Riyadh El-Shakfeh also issued a statement that the Brotherhood was planning to form a political party based on the principle of nationalism without excluding anyone.

Preparations for next week’s ceremony were made in June during a conference attended by more than 100 Syrian political figures. The principles of the party and rules of procedure were drafted during the conference, and its president and secretary-general, as well as the 11-member executive committee were elected.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, sources from within the Syrian Brotherhood confirmed that the post of deputy president of Waad will be given to a Christian priest, and that the party’s executive committee will include a number of Christians, Alawites and Kurds, and that the Muslim Brotherhood will keep an influential proportion with a third of the membership.

Waad president Dr. Mohamed Walid grew up in Latakya. He graduated from the medical school of the University of Damascus and has also studied in the UK.