Qaradawi calls for election boycott

Reuters

Doha

Islamic scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi yesterday called on Egyptians to boycott presidential elections and shun frontrunner Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, saying the former army chief had “disobeyed God”.

Qaradawi has been critical of Egypt’s military-backed government, accusing Sisi of betrayal for ousting Islamist president Mohamed Mursi last year.

“People of Egypt in the capital and the provinces, cities and villages, sit in your houses and do not burden yourselves with a great sin...,” Qaradawi said in an e-mailed statement.

“It is not permissible for you to vote for he who has disobeyed God,” he added.

Sisi is expected to easily win the presidential election.

Since Mursi was ousted, the new military-backed government has cracked down hard on the Muslim Brotherhood. Thousands were killed or rounded up by security forces.

“The duty of the nation is to resist the oppressors, restrain their hands and silence their tongues,” said Qaradawi, who has previously said he only supports peaceful resistance in Egypt.

“I refuse to participate in the election... do not go to participate in the injustice,” he said.

Qaradawi said that Sisi’s victory in the poll would please the “Zionists” and “enemies of the nation”.