Egypt has never been a “theocracy”

Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh Cairo – Akram Ali      Egyptian presidential hopeful Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh has said that Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) should hand over power to civilians and return to its barracks. "The SCAF handling of the transitional period wasn’t successful," said Aboul-Fotouh In an interview with ‘Arabstoday’, Aboul-Fotouh, a former leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood said that democracy would arrive after stability in Egypt, pointing out that forming a new Constitution and carrying out presidential elections would pave the way to democracy. “This is our first year in democracy and we want to keep in the right track,” Aboul-Fotouh added, calling on all Egyptians to support democracy, which is in his opinion "the most important goal of January 25 revolution". “This is the reason that most of our young people sacrificed their lives in the revolution, as they called for justice, freedom and democracy,” he said. "Our young people have set an example for sacrifice and self-denial as many of them lost their lives for the sake of creating a democracy in Egypt,” he added. Aboul-Fotouh refused to celebrate the first anniversary of the revolution, saying it was still incomplete. He praised the “Al-Azhar initiative” that calls for the military council to cede power. "That must happen on schedule and without delay...also, the current trials of former regime officials must be accelerated," he said. Aboul-Fotouh was known for his liberal views during his longtime membership in the Brotherhood and was suspended from the organisation after he announced in May 2011 that he intended to run for president. About Islamists winning almost three quarters of parliamentary seats, especially Salafists, Aboul-Fotouh said: “Egypt have never been a theocratic state...everyone in Egypt has citizenship’s rights that must be guaranteed by the coming rulers." “Our pluralism is an advantage, so it's time to learn how to properly handle our differences in accordance with the principles of mutual respect,” he said.  Meanwhile, Aboul-Fotouh praised the Salafists’ participation in the recent elections, pointing out that “their participation will make them more realistic and moderate, as the former regime banned them from political work.” About offering a safe exit for the SCAF by some political figures, Aboul-Fotouh said: “Egyptians will never tolerate that.”