Brotherhood's Morsi Tightens Islamist Grip on Egypt
The new governor of the Egyptian city of Luxor is a man who helped found an Islamic terrorist group that carried out a massacre in that same city 16 years ago. His name is Adel al-Khayyat, and he's a founding member of Gamaa Islamiyaa, the notorious jihadist outfit that slaughtered 58 tourists and four Egyptians in Luxor in 1997.
If you're a resident of that city who was appalled by that jihadist rampage (or a family member of the victims), al-Khayyat's new status as Luxor's most powerful man is beyond outrageous.
But what else would you expect in the new, Muslim Brotherhood-led Egypt? Indeed, al-Khayyat was chosen by none other than Egypt's Brotherhood president, Mohammed Morsi. Here's more, from The Blaze:
Morsi’s move was met with disbelief among some Egyptians and outright anger from the local tourism industry, already suffering from a post-“Arab Spring” decline in visitors to Egypt.
Ten years ago, the group renounced violence as a means to promote its Islamist aims, but a fatwa found on its website advises against building tourist accommodations. “Because tourist villages have aspects that anger Allah, including alcohol, gambling and other forbidden things, building these hotels and villages is considered aiding their owners in sin and aggression, and is not permitted,” read the fatwa, according to the New York Times. Its supporters also oppose sunbathing and women wearing shorts.
The group – which in the past received support from Al Qaeda – terrorized Egyptians and tourists during a wave of violence in the 1990s that left hundreds dead. Its spiritual leader is the “Blind Sheikh” Omar Abdel-Rahman who is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
The new appointment has upset those in Luxor who earn their living from tourism. According to Britain’s The Independent, hoteliers and tour operators in Luxor are protesting Morsi’s decision.
It reports that crowds protested outside the governor’s office on Monday, while tourism industry leaders planned to meet to decide how best to respond. Among the ideas being debated: picketing the governor’s office to physically stop him from entering or trying to block his arrival at Luxor airport on Tuesday.
Manager of Viking Travel Mohamed Abdel Samir said, “This decision is completely wrong.”
“This is not a suitable man for Luxor at all,” he told the paper.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brothehrood, al-Khayyat is a perfect choice to help bolster their budding Islamic state.