To give any entity in the West the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the Muslim Brotherhood’s rise to power in Egypt requires a bridge too far. Nonetheless, the Ikhwan at least attempts to wear a mask of modernity and moderation. This is not the case at all with the Salafists who, in Egypt, make up the Nour Party. The Salafists make no attempt whatsoever to hide their intentions.

With that as a premise, imagine the US Ambassador to Egypt giving the Salafists legitimacy by meeting with them.

Via the Jerusalem Post:

On Sunday, the US Embassy in Cairo tweeted that the American ambassador and other US officials had met with the Nour party, an adherent to the hardline Salafi Islamist movement and the second-biggest winner in parliamentary elections.

Last year the US administration modified a long-standing ban on official meetings with Egyptian Islamist groups, and high-level State Department representatives have met with Brotherhood figures on several occasions since Mubarak’s overthrow.

Perhaps the most well-known Salafist in the West is Anjem Choudary, who resides in Great Britain. Imagine giving legitimacy to someone like this.

h/t Weasel Zippers