Liberals , modernists and secularists are infidels and must be brought to trial for abandoning Islam, according to an ultra-conservative preacher in the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a video posted on the YouTube channel of the privately owned newspaper Al-Shorouk newspaper on Sunday, preacher Wagdy Ghoneim said: “If they do not repent, the judge must apply the penalty for apostasy.

“If anyone tells you that he is liberal, tell him directly that he is infidel.”

Earlier this month, Ghoneim caused controversy after issuing a fatwa — an Islamic religious edict — that said joining the Constitution Party, led by Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, is forbidden by Islam. Calling it an “infidel” party, Ghoneim said he refused to recognize secular, liberal or leftist political movements.

Members of the Constitution Party subsequently filed a complaint against Ghoneim, saying that he had defamed and insulted their party and its members.

George Ishaq, a founding member of the Constitution Party, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Ghoneim is inciting sedition.

Former liberal MP Amr Hamzawy refused to comment on Ghoneim’s remarks, telling Al-Masry Al-Youm that “we shouldn’t respond to such fatwas.”