Region | Egypt

Opposition in Egypt drops slogan from campaign

The slogan was based on a word used in Egyptian Arabic during slanging matches and quarrels among uneducated locals.

  • By Ramadan Al SherbiniCorrespondent
  • Published: 00:00 October 25, 2009
  • Gulf News

Cairo: One week after launching a campaign against the possible handover of power in Egypt from President Hosni Mubarak to his younger son, an opposition alliance has agreed to drop its controversial slogan, considered "inappropriate".

The controversial slogan, coined by political dissident Ayman Nour, was "mayohukmshi", roughly translated as "he has no right to rule".

It is based on a word used in Egyptian Arabic during slanging matches and quarrels among uneducated locals.

It was agreed to drop this slogan, which was launched by Nour during the maiden meeting of the campaign, said Abdul Halim Qandil, the coordinator-general of the protest group Kefaya (Enough), and senior member of the anti-Mubarak effort officially known as The Egyptian Campaign against Inheritance.

Nour, who trailed a second distant to Mubarak in Egypt's first competitive presidential election in 2005, said about the abrogation of the slogan: "I have no objection to this cancellation. But those dismissing the slogan as vulgar should know that the real vulgarity lies in allowing hereditary power to take place in Egypt."

Nour was released from prison earlier this year after more than three years in jail in a forgery case, which his supporters say was politically motivated.

Over recent years, Egypt's opposition has widely claimed that Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981, is grooming his younger son Jamal to succeed him. Mubarak, 82, has not designated a successor, but has repeatedly denied claims that his son, who is an influential official in the ruling party, will take over after him.

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