11 May 2012

Egyptians watch first presidential debate with bemusement

.... He insists that Islam rejects compelling anyone to obey behavioural codes such as wearing the veil or giving up alcohol, and when asked whether he believed people should be allowed to convert from Islam to Christianity said there should be no interference in freedom of belief.

But he was also forced by Mr Moussa to admit that he wanted the rules of Sharia to be the basis of Egyptian law, not just its principles, as stated by the current constitution.

Although both men have sought to win over the middle ground, the debate highlighted their differences. Mr Aboul Fotouh was able to make telling points about Mr Moussa's late conversion to the cause of overthrowing Mr Mubarak, whom he served as foreign minister during the nineties. [telegraph.co.uk] Read more