Egypt preacher says he would hang judges if he were president

A popular Egyptian Islamist preacher said in an online video Thursday that he would kill the country’s judges if he were president because they refused to shut down the comic television program of Bassem Youssef.

“Bassem Youssef is a fool and all what he does is foolishness, ignorance and incivility,” said outspoken television presenter Sheikh Abdullah Badr.

“A respected court or judge, yet, comes and tells you: I will not shut down the channel or the program; this is a purposeful program that presents constructive criticism,” he added.

“I swear to god, if I were ruling Egypt I would execute them, I swear I would execute them,” he said.

Sheikh Abdullah Badr said the country’s judges who are often accused by Islamists of being part of Mubarak’s regime “lack conscience” and deserve to be killed.

Sheikh Badr attacked Egypt’s liberal media, saying they are trying to spread Western culture and dismantle the country’s social values.

Even Islamist President Mohammed Mursi wasn’t immune from Sheikh Badr’s criticism. The fiery Sheikh said President Mursi “wasted life and religion for us.”

Mursi pledged to implement the Islamic Shariah law during his election campaign, but when in power the president found himself facing a daring liberal opposition and widespread social unrest that is threatening his rule.

Mursi’s unrealized Shariah pledge has frustrated hardline Islamists who had hoped that an Islamist president would realize their dream Khalifat state.

Sheikh Badr is known for unleashing fiery statements against the media. A court sentenced him last year to one year in jail for defaming the actress Elham Shahin. During his talk show on an Islamist television channel he criticized the actress, saying: “Elham Shahin is cursed and she will never enter heave.”

Related Articles: