Istanbul: Scholars participating in ‘The Muslim Ummah’ conference being hosted by the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (IZU), Istanbul believe that military chief turned ruler of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is “eliminating the Middle class” of the Muslim majority Arab country.
In a special lecture during lunch session, former International Cooperation minister in the government of the first democratically elected president, Dr Mohammad Morsi, Prof Amr Darrag gave revealing insights into how the military chief turned ruler of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is “eliminating the Middle class” of the Muslim majority Arab country.
“Middle class represents intellectuals, those who speak out… 2011 (revolution) was due to them but Sisi is eliminating the same class,” Prof Darrag noted.
In his assessment, Prof Darrag said that Sisi has transformed in to a classic dictator from an army ruler who led the coup in 2013. “First he was doing everything at the behest of army but now even army has fallen under him and he even removed his closest aides,” he maintained. “He has assembled a bunch of loyalists which is good as well because it has earned him rivals too.”
He said that army under Sisi is controlling everything in Egypt from Media to economy to police to politics. “Sisi is ensuring that no one stays in power… he removes people from their posts just after one year.”
He said that Sisi has even managed to form political opposition but for the sake of it.
On economy, Prof Darrag said that “the picture of Egyptian economy shown in international media does not correspond to the economy on the ground”.
“More than 85% families are living under international standards of poverty line,” he said calling it “totally miserable”.
Voicing hope, Prof Darrag said that people in Egypt have 110% more good reasons to come on streets today than they had in 2011. “Spirit of 2011 is still in people but yes people are not on roads.”
