Q: What is your assessment of the Wafā’ Costantine incident?
A: She is an Egyptian woman who had a marital problem. The only legal option she had to get a divorce was to convert.
Q: Is the emergence of both Muslim and Christian extremists during the last crisis a sign for the return of extremist waves?
A: They returned fiercely since al-Zawya al-Hamrā incident [in 1981]. Honestly, our country has a formal solitary religion [editor: did not change as uncertain to what was it means i.e. original Arabic].
Q: Some Copts believe that they are suffering from oppression, is this only in the case of Copts or does it apply to Muslims as well?
A: In general we are all suffering. Nevertheless, Copts and women are suffering more.
Q: Is the national unity in danger?
A: In the absence of both the concept of a free citizen and the rule of the law, "national unity" just signifies empty words.
Q: Do you accept the idea of a religion-based party?
A: I do not oppose it as long as it has a clear political program and allows all Egyptians to join it.
Q: Will political reforms occur by pressurizing Arab regimes? And how can political reforms be accomplished?
A: No, the role of the external countries should only be in reflecting our shortcomings. However, we do not have to take that image as the absolute reality. Pressure would lead to hating reform and would create a hypocritical culture.
Q: What is the role of the intellectual Arab figures in reform?
A: The intellectual Arab figures can only contribute to reform by being constructive and criticizing.
Q: Is the United States really concerned about democracy in the Arab world?
A: Democracy is what concerns us and not the intention of others.
Q: How do you explain the strict religious speech of the American policy?
A: All American presidents have used Protestant nuances in their speeches but with deferent strength, and it is inspired from their political and military strength.
Q: And how would you explain the strict fanatic speeches in all religions?
A: I do not agree that this is the case. I believe that this is a generalization resulting from the Arab-Israeli conflict, which is considered a religious conflict. I believe that we should seek the reasons behind extremism outside the religious frame.
Q: Why do Arab leaders believe that Arab people are not ready to practice democracy?
A: The Arab leaders fear losing their power. .
Q: What is your vision regarding the current Arab world map?
A: It is beyond dreadful in terms of relations between regimes and the relations between the people.
Q: What are your thoughts regarding the Egyptian political scene and the fact that the presidency referendum and the People’s Assembly elections will be held this year?
A: I cannot see the difference between this year’s elections and the previous ones.
Q: People neither express their frustration nor their anger. Why has the citizen become so subdued?
A: Citizens are subdued because problems have grown and become interconnected. . The current situation is devoid of popular parties, education, thinking … etc.
Q: Although President Mubārak has denied it, some still insist that his son Jamāl is the next president.
A: President Mubārak declared that his son is only helping him, which is no different from Chirac’s daughter!
Q: Why do we feel the absence of intellectual people in the political scene?
A: The absence is felt because of the nationalization of culture, thinking, education, and media.
Q: Do you think that the intellectual atmosphere has changed throughout the last ten years?
A: It has become worse.
Q: The West could have used your views to instigate a racial attack against Islam.
A: I am aware of that, and I made it clear that I am only criticizing my culture. I am not its enemy.
Q: Where is the university’s role in the civil society in all of this?
A: It needs more freedom to play its vital role.
Q: Where is the dignity of the university professors?
A: With the supremacy of police forces, a brigadier in the university guard is more powerful than the Dean.
