'We will not repeat mistake of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood', Syria's branch leader says

(Interview by Abdullah Al Ghadawai; Translation by Yusra Ahmed)

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Dr. Mohammed Hikmat Walid, the Supreme Leader of Syrian Muslim Brotherhood has faced all who accused them of prevarication, deception and repudiation of the allies and considered them politically immature, basing on the pragmatic say: there is no permanent enmities or everlasting friendships, but there are permanent interests. "

In an interview with Zaman Al Wasl, Dr. Walid said that Muslim Brotherhood is trying to cooperate with all Syrian national groups, but he confessed the existence groups who hate them, but continuous communication with them eased the hate.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Leader denied their connection to Failaq al-Sham, and mentioned that they work on strengthening links with factions in general.


What about your presence inside Syria?

• We have reinforced our presence inside Syria. The effort was individual and sporadic in some cities, but now our work has become more institutionalized, and we are working to include all the cities we could reach to. We have good relations with all factions on the ground and we especially cooperate with moderate groups like institutes of Imam Nawawi which spread in northern Syria, they are not part of Muslim Brotherhood, but their moderate ideology makes it very close to us.

How do you now see the Base of Brotherhood?

• Brotherhood is ideology and an organization, but the numbers of organized Brotherhood is not that big, but the number of those who hold the Muslim Brotherhood principles is so big despite the all the defaming campaigns being practiced by the West and the East, besides the widespread of the extremism which considers the revolution a terrorist movement. We can say that believers in moderate Islamic principles are increasing and the Muslim Brotherhood is becoming acceptable more and more.

On the other hand, that does not mean we don’t have opponents and who hate the Muslim brotherhood for many reason, but we still communicate with them and the closer we get, the less their hate become.


What is your role in the Sharea guidance inside Syria among the fighting battalions, especially most factions have now what so-called “Sharea”?

• We have been trying for a while to strengthen our links with most factions, we have long and continuous communication with Ahrar al-Sham, Failaq Al-Sham and Islam Army and others. Those have both Sharea and political institutions, we hope we could have a coordinating role that benefits all.


Is Failaq Alsham a faction of Muslim Brotherhood as it is said?

• No, it is not.

 But you have met met with many members of Failaq Alsham and they said that they connected to Muslim Brotherhood and they were responsible for arming?

 Perhaps they intended to say that they have moderate Islamic principles and don’t have extremist ideology, and that makes them close to Muslim Brotherhood's principles.

 To be honest, no one trust Muslim Brotherhood, it is said that you leave your allies at the earliest turnover?

• This statement reflects lack of maturity in political understanding, political Alliances are known to be volatile, as in politics there is no permanent friends or permanent enmities, but there are permanent interests and benefits. What brings us together with any political bloc or national figures is achieving the national interest, therefore alliances change with circumstances, it is not a defect, but it is the main principle of political practice.

 Do you have links with Nusra Front or the Islamic State?

• Nusra Front and Islamic State have the the ideology of al Qaeda, which is different from the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood that is characterized by moderation. We hope they would stay away from the exclusion and atonement, and abide by the moderate ideology which is more likely to survive in future.

You are without a doubt follow the international action about Syria, what would be your attitude if al-Assad stayed for six months?

• We do not accept al-Assad to stay anyway, either during the transitional phase or in the future of Syria, al-Assad is a criminal and must be taken to trial, not to stay as a legitimate president.

The Syrian regime was not honest in dealing with the Syrian crisis at any stage, besides that the international community is sneaky fabricates excuses to change attitudes and promises every day. Who accepts al-Assad to stay for six months would accept him to stay for six years.

What if a settlement demanded al-Assad to stay for six months?

• This settlement is rejected by the Muslim Brotherhood, and the majority of Syrian people, and will be at the expense of Syrian people lives.

 But there is a real worrying question: who is al-Assad's substitute?

• This question is related to “Islam-phobia”, as an Islamic alternative is internationally unacceptable even the most moderate, although most who died and fought and paid the ultimate price are Muslims, and after all that the international community demands Syrians to fight the Islamic State and side by side of the Syrian regime, it is unfair on the sacrifices of the Syrian people.

 But still, you have not said who is the substitute?

• The Syrians would not fail in finding an honest figure with deep and sincere national and patriotic responsibilities, as long as he is not imposed on them from outside. Names are not important if they were not part of an implementable road map for the future of Syria.

Are you going to apply for presidency election if the transitional phase was agreed?

• Anyone who has not committed crimes against the Syrian people have the right to nomination, I do not think that Muslim Brotherhood would nominate a candidate for the presidency, although it is their right to do so.

But the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said the same thing?

• Facts have shown that we should not repeat the same mistake.