Qatar: Qaradawi to Mubarak: “You are blind, deaf and dumb”  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Banished Egyptian cleric Yusuf Al Qaradawi described Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak as “blind, deaf and dumb,” lending his influential backing to protesters calling for a change in the regime for the fifth day in a row.
Yusuf Al Qardawi. Photo by Nmkuttiady (Creative Commons-Attribution 3.0)
In an interview with Qatari Al Jazeera television, Qaradawi, who also holds a Qatari citizenship, ordered Mubarak to step down and encouraged Egyptians to continue with their demonstrations.
On Twitter, Sultan Al Qassemi transcribed the interview in 140-character messages, which were retweeted around the world, as the interview was being aired.
Following are reactions from the Twittersphere.
From the UAE, Sultan Al Qassemi transcribed his interview. Here's an excerpt:
“There is no more room for you anymore Mubarak. I advise you to learn lessons from Ben Ali. Leave Egypt on your feet now”
Tom Gara is excited:
Aweosome. Qaradawi just called Mubarak “deaf, blind and stupid” #jan25
Sam Shakespear is surprised Qaradawi jumped ship:
I cant believe Qaradawi & Amr Khaled nerves.They've been selling “opium” 4 years then suddenly switch sides& denounce Mubarak on the 5th day
And more reactions followed:
@Ghammaaz The shameful silence of Muslim scholars! RT @hamna_: Yusuf Al-Qaradawi asks Mubarak to step down. Any other Muslim … http://tmi.me/668I6
@hamna_ Yusuf Al-Qaradawi asks Mubarak to step down. Any other Muslim Scholars done the same yet? #jan25
@MmedeSevigne Yusuf Al-Qaradawi,influential cleric calls on #Mubarak to resign.Hosni, you're 80+ years old, you're been in power for 32 years,give it up
@jstrevino Point of maximum danger for revolutionary Egypt, per @ChuckDeVore, is when Yusuf Qaradawi returns from exile.
@readyaimshoot Look for Sheikh Youssef Qaradawi to return to Egypt from exile in Qatar & ascend as a religious leader like Ayatollah Khomeini did in Iran.
This post is part of our special coverage Egypt Protests 2011.