Egyptian Novelist Alaa Al-Aswany: Our Problem Is That We Do Not Oppose Autocracy as a Concept

In a recent TV interview, Egyptian novelist Alaa Al-Aswany said that the problem of the Arab and Islamic world was "that we do not oppose autocracy as a concept." "I oppose any dictator, even if he turns Egypt into a superpower," he said. "If even a single Egyptian is tortured or has his honor trampled upon, I would not want Egypt to become a superpower." Al-Aswany, speaking on BBC Arabic on September 12, said that his opposition to Al-Sisi and his predecessors stemmed from his belief that Egypt and the Arab world in general "cannot make any progress without a true democratic system."

Interviewer: "Why should the state ban a lecture by you?"

Alaa Al-Aswany: "We are not talking about the state. We are talking about the regime. We all love the Egyptian state. But regime is an interest group, which has seized power and wants to hold onto it. This group thinks that the main reason for the toppling of Hosni Mubarak was the young generation, and therefore, the regime now has a big problem with the Egyptian youth, as well as with some people who may have played a role in preparing public opinion for change before the revolution. I am honored to be one of those people. Therefore, the current regime is now doing a 'retake.' It's like someone who fails an exam and then does a 'retake.' This is the Mubarak regime's 'retake.' They felt that after the fall of the Mubarak regime, they had to place Mubarak on trial - although the trail is not a serious thing at all. They think that when doing a 'retake,' they must avoid Mubarak's mistakes. What were Mubarak's mistakes? There was a certain..."

Interviewer: "He was tolerant toward the youth and the media."

Alaa Al-Aswany: "Exactly."

Interviewer: "When did you begin to oppose the regime of President Hosni Mubarak?"

Alaa Al-Aswany:

"It's not that I am opportunist..."

Interviewer: "Was there a turning point? Did something happen to make you oppose Mubarak?"

Alaa Al-Aswany: "I am defending a principle. We in the Arab world have a problem, which has a lot to do with the Arab and Islamic heritage. The problem is that we do not oppose autocracy as a concept. We only oppose autocracy when it leads to a bad outcome. Take any citizen from any of the 22 Arab countries, and tell him that this or that ruler will be an autocrat, and will pass his rule down to his children, but will give you better wages, free medical treatment, and so on... The citizen will say that he supports (the autocrat), because hatred of autocracy per se has not yet crystallized within us. I oppose any dictator, even if he turns Egypt into a superpower. If even a single Egyptian is tortured or has his honor trampled upon, I would not want Egypt to become a superpower. I am defending a principle. Therefore, it was only natural for me to oppose all those who rose to power - Mubarak, the SCAF, Mohamed Morsi, and the Abd Al-Fattah Al Sisi - because my opposition is not to them personally. My opposition stems from my defense of a certain model (of government). I believe that Egypt, and the Arab world in general, cannot make any progress without a true democratic system."