Authorities to keep eyes open as ‘illegal’ Brotherhood plans rally

AMMAN — The delegitimised Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday said it was going on with a plan to organise a rally on May 1 to mark the 70th anniversary for the establishment of the group in Jordan.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry on Monday said its response to the planned celebration by the group will be in line with the law.

The group comprises leaders and members of the Islamist group who rejected a new leadership that obtained a new licence and disengaged from the Egyptian mother company, and officially took over the reins of the largest opposition body.

The Muslim Brotherhood was licensed in 1946 as a charity affiliated with the mother group in Egypt and relicensed in 1953 as an Islamic society, which kept its ties with the international headquarters of the Brotherhood.

The new licence split the group into two entities: the new dovish leaders and the hawkish old guard, whose spokesperson, Muath Khawaldeh, told The Jordan Times that “designated committees in the group are still preparing for the ceremony, and we ensure that we abide by the laws”.

Asked if the government is biased to the new Muslim Brotherhood group that obtained the licence last month, Khawaldeh declined to comment, but insisted that in any activity organised by his group, it will be compliant with the law.

In response to the plan, the new leadership filed a complaint at the governor’s office.

“After obtaining the licence, we are the only legal body representing the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan and that group has no right to carry out activities,” Abdul Majeed Thneibat, the overall leader of the new version of the organisation has said in a previous statement, adding that any act in the name of the group is “impersonation”.

In its statement, the ministry said it will take measures to safeguard public order and ensure that the law is not breached by any party that is not legally licensed. 

Meanwhile, the Public Gathering Law only requires organisers to notify the Interior Ministry 48 hours in advance of any rally or protest.