CAIRO: Egyptian presidential candidate Abdullah al-Ashaal gave a lecture under the name of “Political Islam future in Egypt” in the Egyptian Cultural Forum yesterday December 11 in the presence of Ambassador Ahmed al-Ghamrawy, some Arab and Egyptian ambassadors, activists and members of the forum. Head of the forum Ambassador Ahmed al-Ghamrawy moderated the lecture. He started by praising al-Ashaal and saying, “We are honored by the presence of Dr. al-Ashaal.” He added one of the problems al-Ashaal confronts was his love and passion of science in an era where intellectuals were fought and this was a barrier for him. Al-Ashaal said the elections in the first phase pointed to progress of the Islamic scheme, which is a Western expression imported to the Eastern community, so Egyptians should free their minds from them and warn of the divisions that the West imposes. Al-Ashaal pointed out the crisis now is not in names but in achieving the leading Egyptian political will when intellectuals take the lead. He added the era in which the West used to impose rulers to serve their interests ended, especially since the political gills in Egypt were opened and the Islamic scheme is part of the community. He pointed out Egypt's supreme case now is not combating Islamists but in checking those who take over authority are fulfilling the citizen's needs as their criterion. Al-Ashaal said they need those who made the Egyptian January 25 Revolution possible to choose their parliamentarians independently without any dictations. He clarified the expression of the Islamic scheme came with the appearance of groups who participated in politics under Islam that appeared with the British troop's withdrawal, then came with their new appearance represented in armed groups with U.S. support. Considering the appearance of the Salafi scheme, al-Ashaal said the scheme's social and intellectual ideology is weak. He pointed out there are many bodies and media entities exploiting this and distorting the Salafi picture to fulfill personal interests and dividing the community. He highlighted respect and love should spread among all Egyptians and Islamists don't have the right to expiate seculars. Al-Ashaal said the main reason behind these crises is the political space and to overcome the clashes between Egyptians' will and the foreigners' will. Egyptians must devote to the parliamentary elections regardless of who the dominant scheme is, according to him. Concerning the fears of the upcoming constitution, AL Ashaal highlighted there is no Islamic constitution and there is a civil one. However, the constitution is one selected by the citizens. He added the Egypt's ruling military council deviated from the right path. Al-Ghamrawi said there are many of the West's crimes against Islam, including involving the late president Saddam Hussein in actions he was criticized for and encouraging the entire Middle East to combat communism and the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
