Romany Gad El-Rab: We want secular civil government

Interviewed by: Steven Aiello

Mr. Romany Gad Elrab is a Coptic Christian. He is also an Egyptian lawyer and a human rights activist. He is involved in numerous projects to promote a more religion-neutral governmental stance. He shared with AIC his thoughts on a number of questions pertaining to religious freedom in Egypt.

AIC: What kinds of challenges to religious practice occur in Egypt? What is the government’s role?

Mr. Romany: The government is responsible, either implicitly or explicitly, for many challenges to religious freedom here. For example, there are legal obstacles to building a house of worship for the minority religions. Young Christian girls are kidnapped by extremists and brought up as Muslims. The police turn a blind eye to this. The authorities will usually take the side of a Muslim in a dispute between Muslims and non-Muslims. Also, human rights activists are persecuted and often fired for their work. And in the public universities, bright Coptic students are often given poor grades, to hinder their advancement.

AIC: If you were a government minister working towards religious reform, what would you do, and what challenges would you face?

Mr. Romany: From the judicial perspective, I would promote judging that ignores religious lines more. From the legislative aspect, I would work on reforming the legal system to treat Egyptians all equally, regardless of their religion.

AIC: Do you support the idea of a religious government? Do you think that Egypt’s government should be completely secular, more religious, or maintained?

Mr. Romany: A secular, civil government.

AIC: Are you first Egyptian, or first Muslim, Bahaii, Christian, Jewish, etc.?

Mr. Romany: Equally Christian and Egyptian. We are told in society that the Christians are Arabs, not regular Egyptians, but historically we are the true Egyptians.

AIC: Do you have more faith in religious leaders or in politicians to bring religious reform?

Mr. Romany: Both religious and political leaders can be two-faced.

AIC: How does religion contribute to intolerance?

Mr. Romany: (e.g.:) There are Quranic verses that point to violence or even to terrorism.

AIC: Do you consider religious extremism to be a fringe group, or do you think that is has become or is becoming a mainstream occurrence?

Mr. Romany: Extremism in religion is becoming more common. In Egypt, it stems from al-Azhar University and is financially backed by Saudi money.