Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh, the former Muslim Brotherhood leader, stated Tuesday that Islamist groups do not practice real democracy. They do not grasp the concept of Islamic "shura" (consulting) complained Abul-Fotouh during an interview with Al-Arabeya Channel.

The former Brotherhood leader further criticised President Mohamed Morsi, saying he lacked transparency and accusing him of allowing local and foreign forces to interference in Egypt's state affairs, refering to the Muslim Brotherhood organisation. Morsi should not be following such forces when he is an elected president, he added.

Abul-Fotouh also criticised Islamist groups of lacking a clear vision, blaming this on the fact that they had been banned from political life and oppressed since 1952.

Abul-Fotouh, known as a moderate Islamist, ran in the first round of the Egyptian presidential elections following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. He is currently forming a new political party titled "Strong Egypt," which is planning to field candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections. 

Despite being known as an Islamist, Abul-Fotouh insists his party does not have a religious ideological base.