Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Sa‘īd Shu‘ayb begins by pointing to what Pope Shenouda, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib, Grand Imām of  of the Azhar—and ‘Issām al-‘Aryān—member of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Guidance Office —said as to the idea of a woman or Christian president in Egypt. 

 

Pope Shenouda, for example, said that leaders should be followed so long as they are just to their peoples. On the other hand, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib said that he is against having a Christian president and that this would happen only if England appointed a Muslim prime minister or king. Additionally, the Muslim Brotherhood keeps announcing their objection to the idea a Christian or woman president, saying that this completely violates Islamic rules and regulations.

 

Shu‘ayb then goes on to comment that, in saying this, the three above figures are all caught in the trap of the religious state. That is, their opinions stem from a point of view that considers the presidency as not a governmental position where the best candidate is chosen by elections, but rather a religious one.

 

In the end, Shu‘ayb points out that Egypt is ruled by its constitution and laws, not by religion. Accordingly, no one has the right to spread violations of these laws which constitute the country’s foundation.