The influential Qatar-based Muslim scholar Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi on 25 May called on Egyptians to boycott presidential elections and shun front-runner Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, saying the former army chief had “disobeyed God”. The Egyptian-born scholar, who has close links to the Muslim Brotherhood and whose religious shows on Al Jazeera television were watched by millions, has been critical of Egypt’s military-backed government, accusing Sisi of betrayal for ousting President Mohamed Morsi last year.
“People of Egypt in the capital and the provinces, cities and villages, sit in your houses and do not burden yourselves with a great sin…,” Qaradawi said in an emailed statement. “It is not permissible for you to vote for he who has disobeyed God,” he added.