Q How did the events of 2011 affect the formation of Islamist political parties?
A There was no opportunity to start a political party unless the former regime had approved it, but today the doors have been open for different kinds of parties. We now have more than 57 parties.

Q Why do you think people are so afraid of Islamist parties?
A The former regime created panic and apprehension over Islamist parties.

Mubarak’s regime used the Muslim Brotherhood as a way to terrify the public. Until today, there still remains the effects of that terrorization.

It’s especially present among the higher classes of society, as well as the Coptic community, but not so much for the lower classes.

Another reason might be the misconception of the nature of Islamist parties’ bid — we promote a moderate ideology that people abide by the core of Islam, for society to be governed by Shari’a. Islamic Shari’a has no boundaries: It extends to all aspects of society, and within all of that, we want to achieve freedom, stability and safety.

Q Does the media also play a role in enforcing that image of Islamist parties?
A Yes, the media definitely does, as well as the liberals.

For them to establish their place on the political scene, they are trying as much as possible to feed into the idea of terrorizing away people from the Islamist stream.

Q Do you think that Parliament can hold both liberals and Islamists?
A Definitely. All political forces should be represented.

Everyone has to promote their own ideals, therefore there will be some things that not everyone will agree on, but hopefully they will be the type of differences that promote diversity in opinions rather than conflict.

Q How do Islamist parties feel about the status of Copts in Egypt?
A All political parties agree on the fact that democracy cannot be achieved without the unity and agreement of all forces out there, whether they be Islamist, Christian, liberal or secular.

We have to reach out to all sorts of people and change the image they may have of Islamists by being present in the public eye and having real communication with the people — that’s the most important thing we have to focus on right now.

Q Did you expect the Islamist parties to take the majority of the votes?
A Personally, I did not expect that to happen, but what I also did not expect was the major downfall of the felool [remnants of the old regime]. I did not expect that people would vote for the Islamists as opposed to them.

Q In your opinion, what will be the role of the upcoming Parliament?
A This Parliament will be sort of bland.

It will not be able to form its own government, according to Article 56 of the Constitution Declaration [which states that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces is responsible for the affairs of the country, including naming the prime minister and the rest of the Cabinet] and won’t be able to withdraw authority from the Cabinet.

I believe this Parliament will not last very long and will be dissolved as soon as the new Constitution is in place.

The Constitution will include major changes, specifically related to the authorities of the president and the position of the Shura Council, therefore things will be flipped around, causing another round of parliamentary elections to take place.

Q How will the Islamist parties being in Parliament affect the policies of the country?
A I believe that as soon as the newly elected members enter Parliament, reality will set in and they will realize all the chronic problems currently facing the Egyptian society such as health, education and lack of financial liquidity.

These are all real problems that will face the Islamist parties, and they will realize that they are going to have to give up on some of the promises they made and focus on the reality at hand by fixing all these major problems.

Q Will the Islamist parties being in power affect a sector such as tourism?
A No, of course not. The coming period is considered a transitional period, and we need stability. They will have to focus on matters such as bringing in more foreign investment, encouraging local investors and revitalizing the tourism industry in order to boost the economy.

I don’t think they will change tourism in any way.

Q How will the upcoming parliament deal with women’s rights?
A Again, they will have to focus on the problems at hand. I don’t think they will have an effect on women’s rights. et