Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh
Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh عبد المنعم أبو الفتوح | |
---|---|
Secretary General of the Arab Medical Union | |
Assumed office 2004 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh Abdel Hady 15 October 1951 Strong Egypt (2012–present) |
Alma mater | Cairo University |
Dr. Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh Abdel Hady (
He is known for his staunch opposition to the
Early life
Abou al-Fotouh was born in the old Cairo district to a family which was originally from the Gharbia Governorate. He graduated from Cairo University's School of Medicine with honors in 1975 and received a bachelor's degree in law from the same university. He went on to attain a master's degree in hospital management from the Helwan University's Faculty of Commerce.
During his time at university, Abou al-Fotouh was the president of the student union at the College of Medicine at Qasr Aini in 1973 and then became the president of the student union of Cairo University in 1975, as well as the secretary of the Media Committee for all Egyptian Universities. While president of the student union at Cairo University, Abou al-Fotouh famously debated with Anwar Sadat. Abou al-Fotouh called Sadat's close followers a bunch of hypocrites, citing Sadat's restriction on Sheikh Mohammed al-Ghazali's speeches and the arrests of student demonstrators on campus. Sadat was angered and ordered Aboul Fotouh to stop in the middle of the debate, demanding that Aboul Fotouh should show respect for him.
Political career
Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya
Fotouh helped found
Muslim Brotherhood
Fotouh was a prominent student leader in the 1970s and coordinated with other students, including Essam Al Eryan and Ibrahim El Zafarany, to facilitate the entry of the many small Islamic organizations into the Muslim Brotherhood. For many years, he was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and served on its Guidance Bureau. He was called "one of the Brotherhood's most respected members" but he quit its Guidance Bureau in 2009 then quit the Muslim Brotherhood in 2011.[4]
Debate with President Sadat
When he was the head of Cairo University's student union, Abou al-Fotouh had a discussion with President Anwar Sadat. He accused Sadat and those who were working with him of being '
Imprisonment
Abou al-Fotouh was arrested in 1981 in the famous September arrests that targeted members of Islamic groups in large numbers. He was then tried in a military court for the members of the Muslim Brotherhood. He was imprisoned for five years, from 1996 to 2001. He had been working as the aide to the secretary-general of the Arab Medical Union before his imprisonment, and after his release, he became secretary-general of the same organization. He was sentenced for 15 years as of March 29th 2022 due to his criticism of the current Egyptian government.[6]
Presidential campaign
In 2011, after the
Aboul Fotouh has attempted to build a broad base of support. Fotouh was officially endorsed by the
He initiated the Strong Egypt Party after losing the 2012 presidential election.[9]
Positions
Known for liberal Islamist views, as a leader within the Muslim Brotherhood, and a stress of social justice, Abou al-Fotouh claims to have worked to ensure that the ideas of the Muslim Brotherhood conformed with democratic principles. He declared on the BBC that the source of true power and legislation was not in a law or constitution but in the people.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Egypt's opposition condemns detention of Aboul Fotouh". Al Jazeera. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ Hamid,Shadi (9 May 2012). "A Man for All Seasons". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
- ^ "Egyptian presidential election TV debate – as it happened". The Guardian. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ "Fault Lines in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood". The Nation. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ "مناظرة أبو الفتوح مع الرئيس محمد أنور السادات". 13 January 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Egypt court jails former presidential candidate for 15 years".
- ^ "FJP will not support former Brotherhood figure Aboul-Fotouh's presidential bid". Ahram Online. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
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(help) - ^ "Nour Party endorses Abouel Fotouh for President". Al-Masry Al-Youm. 27 April 2012. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- ^ "Egypt: Aboul Fotouh's Campaign Initiates New Party", AllAfrica, 5 July 2012, retrieved 12 July 2012