CAIRO: Two years after toppling Hosni Mubarak, some Egyptian activists say they are having to resort to violence against the ruling Muslim Brotherhood, which they say mirrors the old regime’s tactics on dissent.
“It’s turned into a war on the streets. With every strike against us, we strike back harder,” said Farid Sayyed, 24, during clashes between Islamists and opponents outside the Cairo headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The area surrounding the building in the Mokattam neighbourhood has witnessed fierce clashes between protesters, members of the Islamist group and police over the past week, injuring dozens.
Violence outside the Brotherhood’s headquarters is evidence that the powerful Islamist movement and its opaque political office are now identified as the true centre of power, eclipsing President Mohamed Mursi who emerged from its ranks.
The fleeting solidarity in early stages of the 2011 uprising between the well-structured Islamist group and the poorly organised pro-democracy activists has evaporated and their political divisions are now being played out on the streets.
“We went out to defend our political ideas. The Brotherhood failed to silence us, now they are trying to kill us,” Sayyed said bitterly.
“Now it’s personal, it’s a feeling of revenge that moves everyone,” he added.
Abdullah Suleim, an 18-year-old law student, saw his friends injured in the latest clashes with Brotherhood members.
“The issue has moved beyond politics now. The anger is personal,” he said. His view was echoed by activists from both sides.
“It has turned from a political issue to a personal one,” said Ahmed Said, 17, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
“The opposition provokes us, with very offensive slogans that include personal attacks,” he said.
Social media have also aggravated matters with pictures of “wanted” activists posted on websites with threatening messages, only stoking anger on all sides.
AFP
