Last week in Egypt, a group comprised of politicians and intellectuals announced the establishment of The Egyptian Secular Party, under construction, causing waves of criticism by Al Azhar, the official Sunni institution in Egypt, politicians and media outlets. Al Bawaba Egypt interviewed Secretary of the party, Hesham Ouf, who objected to the accusations directed at the party's founders of being atheists and agnostics, saying that what Egypt and the Arab countries need is secularism, to face the extremist waves plaguing the Middle East. Ouf, 45, said that the idea had stemmed from the calls of June 30, 2013 to protest against the Muslim Brotherhood's government attempts to change the Egyptian identity, which is based on diversity and acceptance of the other, no matter their religion, race or color. "We noticed the growing role of Al Azhar in judging TV programs and movies, besides the wave of terrorism that threatens the Middle East," Ouf exclusively told Al Bawaba Egypt. "We realized secularism was the key to face extremism, not embracing Islamists," Ouf added. Private media outlets accused the party founders of being a bunch of atheists and agnostics whose aim was to spread atheism among the youth and to neutralize Al Azhar's role in social life. "A number of Egyptian Atheists has launched a campaign to collect forms to establish an Egyptian Secular Party, which calls for atheism and the abolition of Egypt's Islamic identity," Al Watan, a private newspaper, published on its official news website on April 30, claiming that the founders attracted young people to atheism through a "secret" Facebook page. Al Watan wasn't the only media outlet hostile to the establishment of a secular party. Several newspapers followed Al Watan's lead, which attracted more supporters to the party, as Ouf told Al Bawaba. The Egyptian Secular Party Facebook page attracted 22 thousand fans. The under-construction party posted that it was seeking to establish a civil state based on citizenship not religion or race and to adopt a new secular constitution and dissolve all religious parties in compliance with the 2014 constitution which prohibits the establishment of parties based on religion. No official statement was released by Al Azhar opposing the party, although some of its religious leaders launched a campaign against it, claiming that such calls threaten national security, by destroying the Islamic identity of the state. Former Egyptian Grand Mufti, Ali Gomaa cried during a TV interview aired on "CBC" TV channel on May 5, following the calls to establish an "Atheism Party", according to Gomaa, who affirmed that Al Azhar would defend Islam against these deforming attempts, as it did when confronting the Islamic State. Ouf affirmed to Al Bawaba Egypt that the party's principles were based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which will be introduced to all citizens. When asked about the strategy followed by the party to present its principles and the meaning of real secularism, Ouf said the first step was to establish the party on legal bases, and then reach out to citizens to explain how secularism will serve their interests by separating religion and politics. This is the right path to end extremism through social media and the personal interaction with citizens on the ground, he said. Ouf denied that the party received any kind of external or domestic funds, clarifying that its finances came through self-funding. He also denied any western support to the party founders, ruling out that the current government would mind establishing a secular party, whilst religious parties are still functioning. Secular calls aren't new in the Egyptian society; many politicians called for secularism in different eras, such as former Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Al Nahhas (1950–1952) and former Prime Minister and founder of Al Wafd Party, Saad Zaghloul in 1924. All secular figures faced fierce criticism by society and religious figures, such as the late professor, writer, columnist Farag Foda who was assassinated by members of the Islamist group "Gamaa Islamiyya" in June, 1992, over accusations of "blasphemy." "Our mission is not easy, but we are optimistic," Ouf said, adding that "Discussing the meaning of secularism amongst all spectrum of the Egyptian society is a progress for us."
