January 31, 2011 | 12:08 pm

Muslim Brotherhood reduces religious rhetoric in Egyptian protests

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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Speaking of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Los Angeles Times has an interesting story today about members of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s primary Islamist opposition party, toning down the religion rhetoric.

Reporter Jeffrey Fleishman opens the story with an exchange between two protesters—one saying they want freedom, the other saying they need Islam and the first then replying “but first freedom and the will of the people”—and then writes:

The organization’s strategy became more apparent Sunday when it announced support for opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei as a transitional president if the Mubarak government is toppled. The move was recognition that ElBaradei, a secularist with Western democratic principles, is the most potent symbol for change in a nation desperate for fresh voices.

“The revolution does not belong to any one group,” said Esam Shosha, a movement member. “We are one country. It’s not just about the Brotherhood, at least not now; it’s about all Egyptians.”

Whether that attitude survives in a post-Mubarak era is uncertain, but it suggests that after a week of uprisings the Brotherhood understands the emerging dynamics of Egypt. The organization, which runs religious and social programs across the country, believes that backing ElBaradei for now is the best chance to further its political ambitions.

“They don’t want to appear as if they’re using this revolt to seize power,” said Wahid Abdul Magid, an analyst at the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. “What they want is free and fair elections to allow them to take power transparently. This would show their real popularity in the Egyptian street.”

Read the rest here.