Egyptian Mufti urges people to vote

Egypt's most powerful Islamic scholar, Ali Gomaa, has rejected claims that he supports a particular presidential candidate but urged all Egyptians to vote in the run-off of the presidential elections in Egypt. In a press statement, the Egyptian Mufti said  Egyptian voters should carefully consider who they want to head their country, without being affected by any electoral influence.   Calling the candidates to abide by their promises in case they win the elections, the Muft said: “Voting is a part of a testimony and God Almighty has commanded us to be honest witnesses.” Gomaa also reiterated his call for voters to accept the results of the elections in order to achieve stability in the country, and reinforced the principles of democracy. He stressed that democracy means respecting the ballot box, regardless of the outcome. He also urged Egyptians not to reject the results if they are fair and transparent. The Mufti denied the rumours about his support for a particular presidential candidate in the runoff for the presidency of Egypt. He said that he and Dar el-Iftaa, an Islamic institution responsible for representing Islam and Islamic Jurisprudence, are neutral. Moreover, that Dar el-Iftaa "does not involve itself in any political or partisan affiliations,"  The Mufti added that he has never  belonged to any political faction or group.