Alexandria, Egypt, January 16, 2013 – Egyptians will debate the extent of their political, social and religious divisions at two public debates in Alexandria next week, just days before the divided country marks the second anniversary of its tumultuous revolution.
The discussions, part of the second season of the New Arab Debates (NAD), will be recorded at the Main Hall of the Library of Alexandria and will discuss the motion: “This House believes Egypt is becoming dangerously divided and intolerant”.
Former BBC television journalist Tim Sebastian, who founded the NAD in early 2011, is moderating the English debate on Monday, January 21st at 7pm. A day later, renowned Egyptian TV presenter Mai El Sherbiny will present the Arabic version with different speakers and audience.
Sebastian hopes the debates will reveal whether Egypt is heading for stability or further political and social chaos.
“Since the revolution, the Islamist parties have won every referendum and every election. But how much of the country actually supports them – and where are the faultlines between different sections of society? Is President Morsi a leader for all Egypt or a politician intent on maximizing the power and influence of his own movement? Just some of the questions we hope our debate will address,” he said.
Both moderators will question two panelists — one supporting the motion and the other against it – and invite the audience of university students and political activists to quiz the speakers before deciding the issue by electronic vote.
In Sebastian’s session, lawyer Ghada Shahbender from the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights will argue for the motion against Tarek Shaalan, US-educated engineer and founding member of Al Watan, a conservative political party which adheres to Salafist principles.
In Sherbiny’s session, Suzan Nada, lawyer and executive committee member of the opposition Socialist Popular Alliance Party, will speak for the motion.
Dr. Hussam Abu al-Bukhari, spokesman for the General Islamic Movement, an alliance of Islamic parties formed to face an electoral alliance of civil forces, will argue against.
The New Arab Debates are a high profile platform to foster democratic accountability after the popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. The debates are funded by the British and Swedish governments and encompass an extensive outreach campaign in schools and universities with the aim of encouraging young people to participate in the political dialogue and development of their country.
Both debates will be transmitted for the second year on Deutsche Welle TV in Arabic and English along with its global network of partner channels.