Potential Egyptian presidential candidate Amr Moussa yesterday visited the El Refaey Mosque and met with Sheikh Tarek Yasin el-Refaey, becoming the second presidential candidate to visit the Mosque after hopeful Mohamed el-Baradei. Moussa prayed and visited with Sheikh el-Refaey at the Ali Abu Shebak mausoleum. Moussa asked to visit the shrine for King Farouk and the Shah of Iran, but ultimately decided to diplomatically avoid this side trip. Moussa listened to problems with the Sufis and Sheikh el-Refaey demanded that the mosque be returned to the control of Sheikh el-Tareeka since the Ministry of Religious Affairs converted his office into a library. Moussa also heard the people's complaints regarding wheat, education and health. “There was bad management and slow decision making and there are many investments waiting until the end of the transitional period in Egypt,” Moussa said in reference to the poor planning he blames for problems in Egypt. “The Camp David Treaty is over and we should reconsider all its terms. There should be Egyptian army forces in the Sinai Peninsula, including the border region, as this will enable the army to secure Sinai,” he added. “We're living a new era and there can't be any manipulation or humiliation of Egypt's dignity. “The Egyptian people won't allow negligence with regard to Egyptians or Palestinians,” Moussa continued. Moussa highlighted his point by citing the persistent protests outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo. Citing Turkey in the U.S.-led war in Iraq, Moussa called for a decreased dependence on U.S. aid and support, calling for an Egyptian-led future. Moussa expressed his hope that the next constitution will satisfy all Egyptians, underlining his support for the Article Two, ensuring that all Egyptian legislation will stem from Islamic Sharia. “The new constitution should consider the principles of citizenship and full equality for all citizens,” Moussa said, adding that he disagreed with what he called “unconstitutional principles.” Egypt should be a democratic state committed to law and the rights of its citizens, he continued. “When the Egyptian people find a serious government, they will support it in its goal of achieving tasks,” he said. “There won't be a majority for any political movement in the next parliament; instead we will form a coalition government,” Moussa continued. “This will need a strong president who is capable of protecting the country.” The next president should give people hope for the future and a way forward from the economic crisis, he said.
