09 August 2013

Can secularism survive in Egypt?

.... Wael Nawara, co-founder of the al-Dustour Party, which is focused on preserving the moderate Egyptian identity, explained that the Western notion of secularism is "not exactly the right word to describe what is happening in Egypt".

"No-one is calling for separation of mosque and state," he added.

"There are calls not to abuse religion or to use religious merchandising or trading in politics."

The notion of a society or rule of law entirely free from religion is not a popular one in Egypt, where the country's brand of Islam, said Nawara, "is moderate and doesn't eliminate religion from law and society". [Al Jazeera] Read more