The radical Muslim Brotherhood party, officially banned in Egypt, has accepted an invitation to attend the speech by President Barack Obama on Thursday. The opposition party formally has renounced violence but has been accused of retaining ties with terrorism.
The Muslim Brotherhood, despite being officially illegal, holds more than 20 percent of the seats in the Egyptian parliament.
Officials of the Obama administration told American media that the invitations were sent out by the Cairo and Al-Azhar universities but they were fully aware of who was on the receiving list. Presidential advisor Dennis McDonough stated, "I can tell you that invitations have gone out to the full range of actors in Egyptian political society." Approximately 3,000 guests will attend the speech at Cairo University. "Eleven of our Members of Parliament have been invited,” MP Saad el Katatny, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood's 88-member parliamentary bloc, told IslamOnline.net.
National Republican Trust director Scott Wheeler charged that the Muslim Brotherhood is associated with “international terrorists’ attacks, advocates suicide bombings, and [are] the very founders of Hamas."
He added in a written statement, "The American people did not vote for President Barack Hussein Obama to make peace with Muslim terrorists.” His use of the president’s middle name was a blunt reminder of his Muslim upbringing. The president refrained from using his middle name during his election campaign but has recently included it on at least two overseas visits.
Egypt also invited an Iranian official to hear President Obama’s speech, but Tehran has not yet announced whether anyone will attend.