Egypt Islamist campaigns to substitute US aid - Reuters
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's prime minister and the head of the influential seat of Islamic learning, al-Azhar, on Thursday praised a campaign by an Islamist scholar to raise donations as a substitute for U.S. aid that is threatened by a stand-off over civil society groups.
The campaign spearheaded by prominent Salafi scholar Mohamed Hassaan calls on Egyptians to pay 10 pounds each in response to U.S. threats to cut aid to Egypt over investigations that have resulted in charges against 19 Americans.
"The Egyptian people never accept to be insulted or humiliated ... This people won't kneel to anyone but God," Hassaan said in a TV interview broadcast this week.
Egypt has a population of 85 million, many of whom live under the poverty line. Were each to heed his call, the campaign would raise $141.6 million.
The row with Washington is one of the worst in more than 30 years of close U.S.-Egyptian ties. U.S. officials have said $1.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Cairo is at risk, along with some $250 million in economic aid.
Hassaan has a wide following among Egyptians. Speaking about his campaign, Minister of International Cooperation Faiza Abul Naga said the government had received 60 million pounds in donations so far.
In two separate meetings with Hassaan on Thursday, Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri and Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb praised his efforts.
The 19 Americans are among 43 foreign and local activists banned from leaving Egypt. They are accused of working for organisations that were not properly licensed in Egypt and receiving foreign funds illegally.
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