Dubai: Egyptians seem to be heading for political polarisation in next year's presidential election in spite of the domination of the ruling National Democratic Party in the political life of country over the past 40 years.
Political groups, including the ruling party, are trying to influence public opinion through promoting their candidates even before the race for the top position is officially launched.
Singers, comedians, TV stars and writers are at the forefront of the campaign for presidency. The Presidential election 2011 will be the second multi-candidate race for the top post since Egypt became a republic in 1952.
Following Adel Emam's sarcastic remarks about Mohammad Al Baradei, former IAEA chief, who said he would run for presidency if the constitution was altered to allow Egyptians to run for the top job on equal basis, Khaled Abol Naga, another popular Egyptian cinema star and singer told Gulf News he supports Al Baradei as he considers him a symbol of what Egypt needs at this stage. The Unicef Goodwill Ambassador said he felt Al Baradei promised a genuine initiative for a free and real democracy in the country.
Following are the excerpts of the interview with Khalid Abol Naga:
Gulf News: Why do you support Al Baradei?
Abol Naga: I support Al Baradei and want him to run for presidency because he is a symbol of what Egypt needs and for his initiative of building a free and real democracy in Egypt. People had enough of false promises and they need to have safe, free and just Egypt for all. My contacts with people proves that no Egyptian was against such demands.
Do you think Al Baradei is capable to run the country successfully if he becomes the president?
It's not important to me at this time to think if Al Baradei would succeed or not. I think our people had enough stagnation and they need some change. But, I think that there are a few people who are qualified to become president and Al Baradei is the number one among them.
People have reached an unprecedented level of frustration due to the lack of real progress. The corruption at all levels is killing people's hopes. The system is becoming more and more violent against political movements. Al Baradei was able to stir and revive people's hopes and dreams of a better Egypt.
But, Al Baradei called for changing the constitution to suit his position. The constitution has been amended a number of times. Do you think Al Baradei has the right to demand further changes?
I consider the 2005 constitutional changes improper and inadequate. They were designed to allow President Hosni Mubarak to continue in his position or to [leave] the post to his son if needed. I think most Egyptians agree with Al Baradei to end this monopoly.
You grew up in the era of President Mubarak. Why do you think a man like you do not support his reelection or the election of his son Jamal?
I don't support reelection because of the same reason you have mentioned. I grew up with the same people in power and I believe the time has come for a true change. Stagnation of power is not good for any society. It generates a sense of hopelessness among people.
Would you explain why the Egyptians whom you know did not like the hereditary idea? Some say that Jamal Mubarak has been trained to rule Egypt better than any one else in the country. What do you think?
Hereditary of power in Egypt is a nightmare scenario, because Egypt is not a cottage owned by its president to [leave] it to his family. We are a country that used to lead when it comes to liberty and civil rights in the region. By the way, Egyptians like Mubarak and probably would like his son Jamal on a human level, but are against the policies and stagnation in the country.
You played roles in 17 different films. Some were romantic films while other dealt with political and social issues. What is the movie you feel describes the current situation in Egypt?
Mowaten we Mokhber We Haramy (A citizen, a state secret police and a thief) I feel describes the current situation in Egypt. It was a warning signal against corruption.
Do you think that Al Baradei is able to achieve his goals in altering the clauses 76 and 77 of the constitution to be able to run for the presidential election in 2011?
If the people were given the freedom to choose and express their opinion, Al Baradei would win today. However, the positive thing that happened with Al Baradei's move is the people came forward and expressed their views in a clear and sharp way.
Some artists support President Mubarak while others back Al Baradei. With artists' reflecting the people's opinion; do you think Al Baradei's move has divided Egyptian society?
This is not true. It is ignorance if someone reads and hears what the state-owned media says. Millions of Egyptians support Al Baradei.
Don't you think that your support to Al Baradei will affect your popularity in governing party circles? Would this affect your popularity as a whole in the future?
It's people's opinion which makes celebrities popular and not by any particular power or ruling circle! If anyone had monitored a change lately, it's for an increase in my popularity, not the opposite! I still have many friends in power circles and most of them expressed support to Al Baradei. In fact, artists are in the forefront in any country when it comes to supporting freedom and equality and justice over oppression and stagnation. So I really don't see I'm doing anything special! The majority of young artists are very happy and supportive of the man of change.
Do you think art will play a role in the upcoming political events in Egypt?
I am sure artists and intellectuals will play a great role to achieve the change Egyptians are looking for.
Do you find a transformation in the way the Egyptian public is now choosing a president? Would Al Baradei make a competent leader? Or has he further divided public opinion?
