Some also stress that sports helps one stay in line with Islam. In an effort to distance themselves from the rejection of sports by more hard-line Islamists, brotherhood members emphasize sport’s health benefits. Zaher pledged last year to end his term early but has since given no indication that he intends to live up to his promise. The brotherhood, which last year briefly toyed with the idea of launching football teams of its own, has vowed to clean out the sports section of the Mubarak regime by removing the heads of associations – such as EFA president Sami Zaher – as well as club board members linked to the ancien regime. These demands have generally been unsuccessful, although some supporters of sports reform take heart from the recent replacement of the Mubarak-era heads of the national sports and national youth councils. ![]() The football fans have repeatedly demanded the resignation of the Mubarak-appointed boards of major football clubs and the Egyptian Football Association (EFA). “Why are you silent? Have you won your rights already?” the revolutionaries shouted at them in frustration.Īdding insult to injury, the brotherhood is vowing to succeed where the militants have failed. Youth activists and football fans in the Cairo suburb of Heliopolis erected projector screens to show residents videos of what they see as the military’s abuse of power. The militants have been campaigning in recent days in a bid to promote itself to a public that is tired of political turmoil and frustrated that their revolt has produced few material benefits. The military effort is backed by the brotherhood. Many in these groups are now demanding the armed forces’ immediate return to the barracks. These celebrations include concerts and football matches for the youth and football fan groups that were at the core of last year’s revolt. The irony of the Islamists striving to achieve the militant football fans’ sports-related goals while the two sides face off on the streets of Cairo has been on vivid display this week as Egypt celebrates the first anniversary of the protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak last year.Įgypt’s military, which last year temporarily took power from Mubarak with a pledge to lead the country to democracy, is seeking to undercut unrest with anniversary celebrations. In doing so, the Muslim Brotherhood is seeking to distinguish itself from more militant Islamists, who often denounce football as a game of infidels and a distraction from the obligation to worship Allah. REUTERS photoįlush with victory in Egypt’s first post-revolt election, Islamists are vowing to initiate the change in the Egyptian sports sector that militant football fans and youth groups have thus far failed to achieve in a year of bloody street battles with security forces. ![]() In the background, fans form a picture of Mohamed Mostafa, who was killed in clashes at Tahrir Square during the revolution, in what is a symbol of politicized nature of Egyptian football. Dorsey Hürriyet Daily NewsĪl-Ahly players listen to the national anthemīefore a league match on Dec 23, 2011. Islamists vow to one-up ultras with clean-up of Egypt sports James M.
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