The Opening of “Egypt is Changing” Conference at the BA
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"Egypt is changing" conference was launched at the BA on Monday, 28 February 2011, with the participation of a group of intellectuals, researchers, politicians and Egyptian youth.
At the Opening, Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, paid tribute to Egypt’s youth, heroes of the 25th of January Revolution, expressing his confidence in their ability to hold leadership positions in the coming period, guided by the expertise of intellectuals and thinkers.
Moderated by Dr. Khaled Azab, the event hosted General Sameh Seif Alyazal, Khaled Dawoud, Ahmed Bahaa el-Din Shaaban, Ahmed Gamal, and Mr. Hassan Abou-Taleb.
General Saif Sameh Alyazal stated that the army took part in the revolution to cease bloodshed. He maintained that the role of the army is limited to the current transitional phase. Mr. Khaled Daoud spoke about the security system at large and the amendment of the Egyptian Constitution.
Ahmed Bahaa El-Din Shaaban described the revolution as a unique public action, although some of the people’s demands remain unrealized. After ousting the President, all former-regime figures must be overthrown as well. Ahmad Gamal referred to the hundreds of Egyptians, who fought for democracy for decades and not only during the 25th of January Revolution. He pointed out to the Israeli interference in Egyptian Affairs under the former regime.
Hassan Abu-Taleb dwelled on the factors that would ensure a peaceful transition into democracy, on top of which is starting a national dialogue, protecting human rights to freedom and security, as well as controlling people’s pressure and the role of the army in the coming period.
Dr. Sameh Fawzi moderated a session entitled "Parties and Political Powers … to where?”. The event hosted Dr. Nageh Ibrahim, Poet Abdel-Rahman Youssef, Dr. Amani Kandil, and Mr. Essam Sheeha.
The session started with a recital of Abdel-Rahman Youssef’s poem “Prey” (Tareeda), written after ousting the ruling regime in Tunisia. Yusuf said that the signs of the 25th of January Revolution appeared during the American assault on Iraq in 2003. Dr. Amani Kandil said that Egypt witnessed a drastic change 10 years ago, which was a foundation for this revolution.
Dr. Ibrahim sees that the Revolution has put an end to the marginalization of all parties, on top of which was the Muslim Brotherhood that was banned for a long time. Mr. Essam Sheeha condemned the oppression practiced by the former regime against political pluralism, which weakened all Egyptian political parties. He called for running the new elections in the form of proportional representation, electing new governors, dissolving municipal councils and applying decentralization.