Members of the Muslim Brotherhood deride the Constitution Party for mixing religion with politics in Qena

Flyers handed out by members of the Constitution Party, recently founded by prominent reformer Mohamed ElBaradei, during Eid El-Fitr prayers Sunday in Qena provoked mockery by members of the Muslim Brotherhood who accused the party of "mixing religion with politics."

The newly formed party was reportedly distributing flyers congratulating people on Eid El-Fitr during prayers Sunday morning.

"ElBaradei's distribution of flyers during the prayers puts an official end to the statement that condemns mixing religion with politics," said Hassan El-Brens, member of the Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood.

A Facebook page run by youth members of the Muslim Brotherhood also mocked the Constitution Party for being present Saturday night to help in the preparation for morning prayers while wearing vests with the party's logo.

In response, Ahmed Hussein, spokesman of the Constitution Party, said that the sole target "was to put a smile on people's faces."

"We never took over mosques to ask people to vote for us in support of religion," said Hussein, adding that party member's involvement was only in observance of a national holiday.

Also criticising the Muslim Brotherhood was Alaa Al-Qadi, member of the Socialist Popular Alliance, stressing that a distinction needs to be made between civil parties and those that are established based on religious ideologies.

"The youth of the Constitution Party have not used mosques to accuse their political opponents of blasphemy the way the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists have done," said Al-Qadi.

Islamists have often been accused of attracting their audience by the misuse of religion.

Ahram

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