Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef, interviewed on January 12 on MBC Misr TV, talked about the assumption, in Egyptian society, that "democracy is not for us." "I believe that all peoples are ready for democracy, so long as the regime wants democracy," he said. Youssef reiterated his view that "just like religion, the military should stay out of politics."
Following are excerpts:
Interviewer: [On June 30, 2013] - was it a revolution or a coup?
Bassem Yousef: You remind me of the inquisition courts… Every time I try to say it was a revolution, they say, No, it was a coup, but we are please with it. That is what the Egyptian media says. They say: This is not a military regime. Our people can't do without a military rule.
Interviewer: Is that really true?
Bassem Yousef: If so, we are the only people that cannot do without military rule. Are all the people of the world, which manage without military rule, made of one thing, whereas we are made of another? Why are we the only people that must be governed by a whip? The only people that must be ruled with an iron fist? Why?! Or maybe the people are being told this so that they will accept this reality? I dedicated an entire show to the issue of democracy, and to the assumption that "democracy is not for us."
Interviewer: Are we ready for democracy?
Bassem Yousef: I believe that all peoples are ready for democracy, so long as the regime wants democracy.
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My opinion is – and I've said this before – that just like religion, the military should stay out of politics.
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