Sisi generally stands against the Salafists, but he also recognizes that they constitute a major portion of Egypt’s population. So he, like many other Egyptian Presidents before him, has to practice steam control, allowing them to have their way enough to pacify them somewhat and keep the whole country from exploding.

“Egypt Reinstates Dangerous Radical Islamist,” International Christian Concern, August 19, 2019:

08/19/2019 Egypt (International Christian Concern) – Egypt’s President Sisi has reinstated a known Salafist extremist leader, allowing him to deliver sermons at an Alexandria mosque despite heavy opposition because of his reputation for intolerance.

Opponents have voiced concerns that Sisi made this decision to discredit Muslim Brotherhood propaganda, which says that the president is waging a war against political Islam. Egypt is an officially Islamic country. Thus, this kind of propaganda is viewed as a serious threat to leadership.

Salafists maintain a strict version of Islam and are extremely hostile towards non-Muslims. The Salafist leader who was reinstated, Yasser Borhami, has a widespread reputation for controversial edicts. He encourages the idea that Christians are not full citizens of Egypt. He has promoted violent concepts towards women and other minority groups. As part of his reinstatement conditions, Borhami was given restrictions on what he can preach. However, few believe that he will comply…