The authority of the first elected parliament after the Jan. 25 Revolution, the peace treaty with Israel, a new constitution, relations between Muslims and Christians, and the status of the army: all issues that Egypt’s next president, scheduled to beelected in June, will have to deal with.
Mohammed Selim al-Awwa wants to be the country’s next president, and is thinking about these things, and more.
Unlike what many Egyptians think would be the case, the Islamist thinker and former secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars argues that the new parliament should have the full authority to monitor the performance of the government.
Mohammed Selim al-Awwa wants to be the country’s next president, and is thinking about these things, and more.
Unlike what many Egyptians think would be the case, the Islamist thinker and former secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars argues that the new parliament should have the full authority to monitor the performance of the government.
“The parliament should also have the right to cast a no-confidence vote against the government,” he said on Tuesday during an interview with Al Arabiya.
To allay the fears of Egyptians regarding the parliament’s right to choose the committee that is to be in charge of drafting the new constitution, Awwa stressed that all Egyptians are to take part in this process.
“The Islamist parliamentary majority has repeatedly said that the committee will include representatives of all echelons of the Egyptian society, and I think political powers will succeed in doing this as they did in the elections,” he said.
Regarding the best system of governance for Egypt at the moment, Awwa said that a mixture of parliamentary and presidential democracy is the best solution.
“The president would set the state’s foreign policy and monitor the government’s performance on the domestic political level, while the parliament will monitor the performance of the president on the international political level. This integration between both is ideal for Egypt now.”
When asked about apprehension of applying the sharia, or Islamic law, following the sweeping victory of Islamists in the parliamentary elections, Awwa said that this fear is the product of media campaigns.
“Several Islamic laws have to be applied gradually and some cannot be applied except after the society reaches full development.”
Awwa denied that his relationship with Copts is strained and said he did not attend the Coptic Christmas Mass on January 6 because he was not invited.
“The church was supposed to send an invitation, but it didn’t. I did greet the pope and all my Coptic friends, though.”
He added that the disagreement that took place between him and the church more than a year ago is over and that they are on good terms at the moment.
As for his closeness to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Awwa said that his relationship with the army started only after the ouster of Mubarak.
“I cannot distance myself from the rulers of the country because there are lots of things related to the interests of the people that I need to communicate to them.”
Awwa pointed out that he was among the first to object to violations and mistakes made by the military council.
“I am also against granting the military a special status or allowing them a safe exit.”
Regarding the peace treaty with Israel, which has been a source of concern for Israel, the United States, and the West in general following the ascension of Islamists to power, Awwa explained that he would rather call it “truce” rather than “treaty.”
“This means it should be revisited after things settle down in Egypt.”
Awwa dispelled fears about possible violence during the first anniversary of the revolution.
“I expect that January 25, 2012, will be a peaceful demonstration and will pass without violence.”
To allay the fears of Egyptians regarding the parliament’s right to choose the committee that is to be in charge of drafting the new constitution, Awwa stressed that all Egyptians are to take part in this process.
“The Islamist parliamentary majority has repeatedly said that the committee will include representatives of all echelons of the Egyptian society, and I think political powers will succeed in doing this as they did in the elections,” he said.
Regarding the best system of governance for Egypt at the moment, Awwa said that a mixture of parliamentary and presidential democracy is the best solution.
“The president would set the state’s foreign policy and monitor the government’s performance on the domestic political level, while the parliament will monitor the performance of the president on the international political level. This integration between both is ideal for Egypt now.”
When asked about apprehension of applying the sharia, or Islamic law, following the sweeping victory of Islamists in the parliamentary elections, Awwa said that this fear is the product of media campaigns.
“Several Islamic laws have to be applied gradually and some cannot be applied except after the society reaches full development.”
Awwa denied that his relationship with Copts is strained and said he did not attend the Coptic Christmas Mass on January 6 because he was not invited.
“The church was supposed to send an invitation, but it didn’t. I did greet the pope and all my Coptic friends, though.”
He added that the disagreement that took place between him and the church more than a year ago is over and that they are on good terms at the moment.
As for his closeness to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Awwa said that his relationship with the army started only after the ouster of Mubarak.
“I cannot distance myself from the rulers of the country because there are lots of things related to the interests of the people that I need to communicate to them.”
Awwa pointed out that he was among the first to object to violations and mistakes made by the military council.
“I am also against granting the military a special status or allowing them a safe exit.”
Regarding the peace treaty with Israel, which has been a source of concern for Israel, the United States, and the West in general following the ascension of Islamists to power, Awwa explained that he would rather call it “truce” rather than “treaty.”
“This means it should be revisited after things settle down in Egypt.”
Awwa dispelled fears about possible violence during the first anniversary of the revolution.
“I expect that January 25, 2012, will be a peaceful demonstration and will pass without violence.”
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