Ezzedine Choukri Fishere, the Supreme Council of Culture general secretary, announced that he would take no part in the National Dialogue’s seminar about the future of culture in Egypt.
Tuesday's seminar is to be chaired by Ismail Serag El-Din, the director of the Library of Alexandria and vice-president of the World Bank.
Choukri commented on his decision to boycott the National Dialogue by saying: “The future of culture in Egypt will be determined by those who produce this culture in a quiet manner, with their writings and innovation.
“Those who sought to keep the identity of the Egyptian culture intact and fought against the fist of tyranny and the domination of the nation [before the revolution]. Not those who contributed to this tyranny and now are trying to sneak back in from the National Dialogue door.”
A number of political forces and movements decided not to participate in the National Dialogue after several disciples of toppled president Hosni Mubarak and former NDP members showed up in its sessions.
Fishere, a renowned writer and diplomat, called on those who worked with Mubarak’s younger son, Gamal, and the now-dismantled NDP not to be involved in politics, nor hold key posts. He said: “Several leaders of the heritage [of power] scenario haven’t gotten the message yet.”
Gamal was Mubarak’s erstwhile heir apparent until his father was brought down following the 18-day revolt. Both men, along with many former regime cronies, have been held in police custody for weeks pending investigation into multiple charges of corruption.
The National Dialogue is designed to be a dialogue between a loose coalition of political groups and the interim government. It is conducted by former Prime Minister, Abdel Aziz Hegazi.
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