Jihan Sadat, Sadat's widow, said Gamal Mubarak has chances to succeed his father as Egypt's president, denying that this would be "inheritance", as there is a mechanism for the presidential elections, and Gamal Mubarak has the right to nominate himself. She denied rumors that there are differences between her and President Mubarak or his family.
In an interview with the US Al-Hurra TV satellite channel, Egypt's one-time first lady refused to comment on why Mubarak has not appointed a vice-president till now. She excluded the possibility of a political vacuum after Mubarak, confirming that the constitution ensures a smooth transition of power.
Al-Hurra made this interview with Jihan Sadat against the backdrop of writing a new book on her vision for the peace with Israel, in addition to other issues, such as women and religious reform. She said that Sadat helped Egypt avoid many problems when he signed the peace treaty with Israel, which could have been attacked Egypt as it did Gaza, and that Egypt would have been like Syria if it did not sign the treaty. With regard to religious extremism in Egypt, Jihan Sadat said the extremists have loud voices although they are a minority. She called on all moderate Egyptian and Arab Muslims to improve Islam's stereotyped bad image in the West and the United States, where people only remember the September 11 incidents and watch what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan.
She added that her new book "My hope for peace" tries to explain the right image of Islam, a religion of love and tolerance, contrary to what some people think.
Commenting on the 'hijab' in Egypt, she said every woman has the right to wear hijab, but she believes that Islam focuses on ethics rather than formalities. However, the Muslim women should not wear see-through or ill-fitting clothes. She welcomed religious reform in the Muslim world, adding: "Some people try to focus on unimportant things like clothes. They try to take us backwards, but Islam gives women and the society many rights, citing the active role of the prophet's wives in society.
Asked about the weakness of the liberal and reformist discourse of Al-Azhar compared to reform outside of Egypt, Jihan Sadat said Egypt shoulders many political and economic burdens, such as the discord between the Palestinians. If peace could be achieved between Israel and the Palestinians, Egypt would have a better chance to take reform actions.
She ruled out that Egypt is on the path of Pakistan in terms of the growth of the Salafist religious trend, because the Egyptians understand well that Islam is not what is said by Ayman al-Zawahiri or his ilk.
With regard to the peace treaty, which led to the assassination of Sadat, she said: "I don't hate anyone, although I paid a dear price for this peace when my husband was assassinated. However, millions of people have benefited from that peace, without which the war would have continued between Egypt and Israel as is the case now between Israel and Palestine and some other Arab countries." If the Arabs had listened to Sadat, the conditions would have changed and peace would have prevailed in the entire Arab region. Sadat wanted peace between Israel and all Arab countries and not Egypt alone, as evidenced by his speech in the Israeli Knesset. The Egyptian people see now what is going on in Gaza, where thousands of young people, children and women are being killed. Therefore, they are convinced that Sadat protected them from such conditions. I still hope that Sadat's dream to see a comprehensive peace in the whole region would come true. Thirty years ago, no one expected peace between Egypt and Israel. Therefore, my hope for a comprehensive peace is no illusion. Asked if Sadat's step could be taken by an Arab official, Jihan Sadat said: "No one has the nerve to take such a step, because Sadat was thinking about the people and their interests before his own. The current officials do not want to sacrifice their positions."
Commenting on the opposition in Egypt, she said: "The opposition plays a great role. If you look at the opposition newspapers, you would discover that they enjoy great courage. During Nasser's era, no one could criticize the government or the officials, but Sadat initiated the principles of democracy in Egypt. Indeed, we now have much more freedom." Asked about the Islamic groups in Egypt, she said: "I am always with moderation. The Egyptian people fear these extremists." Asked why she was denied access to the VIP Lounge in Cairo International Airport, Jihan Sadat said it was just an error by a junior officer.
