Moderate Islamic Party Recognized In Egypt

Bikyamasr today reports that the first political party to be offically recognized since President Hosni Mubarak's resignation is al-Wasat al-Gadeed, a moderate Islamic party that broke off from the Muslim Brotherhood.  The party, founded in 1996, has a centrist platform and believes in translating principles of Islam into a liberal democratic system. In 2009, the party was denied a license.  A party spokesman says it will run candidates in the next parliamentary election.  The party embraces religious tolerance and has some Christian members.