Repentant Egyptian burglar runs for president

Mohammed Rashed, a repentant burglar has put forward his name to run for the presidency of Egypt, as he believes his "experience" qualifies him to deal effectively with the country's financial corruption. Rashed has donated his entire funds (about $ 8350) which he has "earned" from burglary,  to support the national economy, calling for  all Egyptian businessmen to follow suit to help Egypt overcome its financial crisis. In an interview with Arabstoday, Rashed said:  "My plan for the country encompasses all the needs of the Egyptian people, and I will give priority to the slum areas.  I have lived there so I'm completely aware of the conditions they are living in". On the reason behind his decision to run for presidency, Rashed said  "I consider my burglary experience as a doctorate in addressing financial corruption, I was robbing those who were robbing the whole nation.  I can encourage others to believe that these crimes  and their ill-gotten gains are wrong." Rashed praised the January 25 uprising, saying he protested in Tahrir Square wearing pilgrim clothes to send a message to the former regime that it had  "robbed the people, while I have decided to give them their money back". Rashed wished to give some valuable advice to the citizens in order that  they can protect their homes against burglary. He warned that it was not a good idea "to put an outer-lock  on the house door. This is an indication that the house is empty.  It is better to turn on the Radio or TV, to give the impression that there is someone in the house.  Also metal doors are better than wooden ones for protection" he advised. Rashed said that he did have a moral compass even when he was still a burglar. "One day I entered an apartment where there was nothing to steal, so I felt sympathetic towards the home-owners and left them 80 Egyptian Pounds to help them."