Jordan: Ikhwan MPs Threaten to Quit Parliament

The Jordanian Ikhwan MPs have stepped up their discontent over the rulings issued against two of MB Members of Parliament, sentencing one to two years and the other to one and a half years in prison, in addition to financial penalties.


As a reaction, the MB Shura Bureau in Jordan- the MB highest authority – released a statement (posted to Ikhwanweb) to the effect that the group will consider whether or not to allow its MPs to continue their activities in Parliament, adding that the group’s position will be decided in the light of developments in the two MPs’case as well as the authorities’ attitude toward the group in general. The statement also depicted these rulings as contempt of the legislative authority and a flagrant violation of the MPs rights protected by the constitution.


In a statement to Ikhwanweb, MB Shura Bureau Chairman Sheikh Hamza Mansour said that these harsh sentences against the two deputies are political rather than judicial ones. However, he pointed out that the final decision by the MB on whether or not to collectively resign from parliament will be reached soon, although the group has initially rejected such resignation.  “It will be the last step to resort to, and it will be preceded with the available legal means especially with a wide range discontent on the part of the Jordanian political forces and establishments over the tough stand of the government” he said.


The sentences issued by the authorities against the two Jordanian MPs were based on a visit paid by three Ikhwan MPs to Zarqawi’s family and offering condolences to them for the latter’s death. The three MPs were detained; one of them was cleared while the other two MPs were sentenced to jail time.


The Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood pointed out that the Islamic movement is still a target of the government. They also said that the government fabricates unjustified crises to besiege and weaken the movement and pressure it to give up its visions and attitude, so that the movement eventually rubberstamp and adopt whatever official policies and attitudes. The movement reaffirmed its adherence to its decisions and attitudes, adopting a peaceful methodology in settling disputes at the national level out of respect of the Constitution and the Law and advocacy of democracy and multiparty system. The movement accused the Jordanian successive governments of not respecting public freedoms and multiparty system. They also complained that the government adopts policies of injustice and does not abide by democracy on the ground, giving reign to the security agencies to crackdown on the opposition especially the Islamic one, which is accused by the government of seeking help from foreign quarters. The Muslim Brotherhood says that the government resorts to such accusations to pressure the national opposition as a prelude to adopt more freedom restricting measures.


On the latest developments of the Islamic Charity Center, the movement reaffirmed that it hails reform of any irregularities within the Center, if any, warning that marring the image of the Islamic movement or obstructing the activities of this charity will eventually lead to that gigantic national establishment declining, and thus the government will be held responsible for the impoverished families which will get even poorer with the closure of the charity which works for the Jordanian people.


The Shura Bureau also called on the government to observe the independence of the Jordanian national decision in a way that reflects the Jordanian people’s Arab and Islamic identity, by backing the legitimate resistance in Palestine and Lebanon as well as Iraq, besides the condemnation of the occupation and aggressions, or at least, denying the aggressor any access or cover for its aggression.