First Egyptian Presidential Debate

Abouel Fotouh (L) and Mousa (R)

The latest polls, according to this article, show Abouel Fotouh (pronounced "PHOtoo-ha") now leading the field of at least a dozen Presidential hopefuls, and the former leading candidate Amr Mousa (pronounced "moze-ah") has fallen to second in popularity and lower in some segments polled.  The poll points out that Abouel Fotouh also leads among Muslims polled, which is not surprising with his Muslim Brotherhood background and new Nour (Salafi) Party endorsement.  The poll did point out the Amr Mousa held the most favor among Christians polled.  In the concluding statements of the article, it is reported that 94% of the poll supported the revolution.  Surprisingly, those polled were also asked about their opinions of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis (the two most active and leading groups of Islamists in the current political process); 42% opposed the Muslim Brotherhood and 46% opposed the Salafis.  This seems to be a dramatic increase in disfavor since the Parliamentary elections that resulted in nearly 75% of the Parliament seats being won by either one of these two Islamist groups.

On Thursday evening, May 10, the top two Presidential candidates participated in a debate.  You can read a reporting of the debate here at this article (NOTE: the transcript begins at the BOTTOM and proceeds to the top--this was copied from a live reporting with the newer posts continually on top).  As I read the report (in the wrong direction at first), there appeared to be a lot of criticism of the other rather than solid direction and vision.  Fotouh criticizes Mousa for former participation in leadership under Mubarak regime, while Mousa criticizes Fotouh for being duplicitous (liberal with liberal, Salafi with Salafis).

There are some statements regarding the focus for beginning in leadership.  Fotouh stated that he would focus on "two things: health, education, and scientific research." (I'm not sure which of the 3 are lumped together--could be a problem in translation from Arabic to English).  Mousa stated that police reform needed to be the focus in the first 100 days.

There are some strong statements regarding relationships with other nations.  Fotouh stated that Israel was an enemy and demanded a position from Mousa; Mousa said he would revisit the relationship with Israel and that Palestine was an interest of Egypt.  Fotouh stated Iran could not be allowed to promote Shiism in Egypt while Mousa stated that he was against waging war in Iran.  Fotouh and Mousa differed greatly on Egypt's relationships with African and Arab League countries--a point of contention relating to the strength of Mousa's history as a leader since he was formerly the Foreign Minister.

There are a couple interesting exchanges in which there are some comments regarding the role of religion and religious groups in Egyptian life and government.  While Mousa advocated the need for some sharia principles, he criticized Fotouh as advocating sharia practices.  Fotouh continually questioned back what Mousa's interpretation of sharia principles would be, while Mousa seemed to continually exemplify differences throughout the debate.

Along the lines of religion in Egypt, Mousa also questioned whether or not Fotouh would recognize religious conversion--Fotouh's answer, "God gave people the right to choose, and that's why apostates should be given a chance to repent" (quoted from the news article, not directly from the candidate).  Religious conversion is a hotbed of controversy in Egypt and there have been accusations of forced conversions.  According to one investigative researcher to whom I spoke personally, there is no evidence for any "forced conversion", but only continual extremists blaming the other religion as a way of explaining why a conversion would take place.  These "blame games" are an attempt to save "honor" rather than looking inferior to their rival; such extremists, both Christians and Muslims, do not help the practices of harmony and peace in communities where the conversions take place, resulting in religious-based riotous outbreaks.  Though such outbreaks have been fewer with so many focusing their dissatisfaction upon military rule and the slow process of new governance, Mousa poses an important question.  The view of the newly elected leadership toward freedom of choice in religion will be paramount in the larger issues of freedom, democracy, expression, liberty, and more.  As such, each candidate's interpretation and application of Islam, particularly sharia, will be key to what direction Egypt will move following the election of their new President.

It does not appear that either candidate fully answered those questions in this initial debate--such incomplete and unclear answers seem to be the way of the modern politician: rather than elevate one view and ostracize another (that is, rather than appeal to one voter and be eliminated by another), the candidates "play such cards close to the vest."  We're not sure a 2nd debate will be scheduled with the election set for May 23  & 24; there will be a runoff election of the two highest candidates in June if a single candidate fails to win 51%+ of votes cast.  If there is a runoff election, which many predict will include Fotouh and Mousa, perhaps there will then be a 2nd debate.  In that case, hopefully, both will come better prepared with plans of action to present rather than criticisms of the other; and, hopefully, both will better be able to articulate what role Islam has in the policies and practices toward future governance.  Perhaps then we will all be better informed as to what direction Egypt may be heading after they elect their next President.

As they say in Egypt, inshallah (if God wills).