Essam Heggy: "The [Egyptian] revolution brought about an important change, but
this change is not complete because one important thing has not happened. This
is not about political decisions or about the constitution. Let me tell you, I do not
believe in politics at all. I am saddened by all these political conflicts. There can be
no such thing as democracy without education.
"Even if all of us, sitting in this studio, agree on something, we might still be wrong.
As an example, let me mention an incident that took place. Fourteen people were
riding in a minibus, and they all agreed to rape a woman. Although they did not
know one another, they decided by majority rule to do this. Does this make it right?
Majority rule is merely a step forward, but there is also education and knowledge.
Completing the revolution does not depend on political decision-making, on the
shakeup of the cabinet, or on the constitution. What constitution? We are fighting
over it while 48% of the Egyptians cannot even read. The illiteracy rate here is
48%. It is all about education. The values set by the revolution must be adopted by
the schools and universities in order for the change there to be a real change."
[…]
Interviewer: "What score would you give the Egyptian revolution?"
Essam Heggy: "Maybe 10%."
Interviewer: "10%?!"
Essam Heggy: "The revolution was never completed. Indeed, we replaced the
ruler, but there is a greater struggle ahead: We must change ourselves. Just as
Egypt was in need of a new president, it is in need of a new people. If we want to
become that new people, we must stand in front of the mirror, and face Egypt’s
greatest enemy – ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of poverty, and it is the
reason that any democratic system in Egypt is a source of conflict. We exert more
effort fighting one another than we do defending one another. Over the past few
months, we have hated one another more than we have ever hated any enemy in
the history of Egypt.
[...]
"What you hear from all the political parties is laughable. [Mubarak] loyalists call
upon us to return to the former regime. Other people call upon us to return to the
military rule of 40 years ago. Then there are others who call upon us to go back
1,400 years. Some others would like us to return to the days of Gamal Abd AlNasser. Is all we have our past? Is there nothing in the future for us? Can’t we
Egyptians do anything but emulate those who came before us? What kind of
country states a revolution for the future while looking backward – be it 40 years or
1,000 years?
"This notion which is ingrained in us – that we cannot effect change by ourselves,
and that we must either import it from abroad or emulate the past – must change.
We were not born in order to emulate our forefathers."
[…]