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.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
Former BBC television journalist Tim Sebastian, who founded the NAD in early 2011, is moderating the English debate<\/a> on Monday, January 21st\u00a0<\/sup> at 7pm. A day later, renowned Egyptian\u00a0TV presenter Mai El Sherbiny will present the Arabic version<\/a> with different speakers and audience.<\/p>\n Sebastian hopes the debates will reveal whether Egypt is heading for stability or further political and social chaos.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Both moderators will question two panelists — one supporting the motion and the other against\u00a0\u00a0it – and invite the audience of university students and political activists to quiz the speakers before deciding the issue by electronic vote.<\/p>\n In Sebastian’s session, lawyer Ghada Shahbender<\/a> from the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights will argue for the motion against Tarek Shaalan<\/a>, US-educated engineer and founding member of Al Watan, a conservative political party which adheres to Salafist principles.<\/p>\n In Sherbiny’s session, Suzan Nada<\/a>, lawyer and executive committee member of the opposition Socialist Popular Alliance Party, will speak for the motion.<\/p>\n