After stating repeatedly that the Muslim Brotherhood would not back a candidate in Egypt’s first presidential election since Hosni Mubarak was forced from office, the group reversed itself. On Saturday, March 31, the Brotherhood nominated Khairat al-Shater. This former political prisoner now serves as one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s three deputy leaders.

Al-Shater is a millionaire businessman who in recent months has “developed the Brotherhood’s economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team.” He has also represented the organization in the “meetings with ambassadors, visiting foreign officials and international investors.”

The Muslim Brotherhood is now saying that the victories by Islamists in the parliamentary elections indicate that the people of Egypt want an Islamic state.

Observers believe Shater has a very good chance of winning the election. “The nomination of Khairat al-Shater is a smart choice,“ writes Mustafa al-Zahran, an expert on Islamist political movements, “because he has mass popularity among the grassroots membership and a long history of struggle.”

Egypt’s first presidential election since Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office is scheduled for May 23 and 24, 2012.

Pray for men and women of integrity and honesty to be given political power to lead Egypt into its special destiny and that the plans of the wicked will be overthrown.