Egypt has been in labor for more than a year since the eruption of the revolution in January 2011. It's a labor for a better tomorrow for this great Arab and African nation. Egypt is the heart and soul of Africa, the Arab and the Islamic worlds. What goes on in Egypt usually impacts the region, culturally, politically and in many other ways.
The Mubarak regime that lasted for three decades had done a lot of damage to this once glorious nation. The country is still recoiling from the impact of that regime; the vast corruption that infested the previous government and the remnants of the Mubarak regime, the overbearing of the military institution, the impoverishment of the masses and the middle class, and the self-interests of some neighboring countries who do not wish to see Egypt rise and regain its rightful place in the world arena.
The coming presidential election in early June brings some hope for the Egyptians who are gasping for a wise and capable leadership that will steer Egypt to stability and prosperity. The economy is on the top list of concerns of people of Egypt. The front runner in these elections seems to be none but Dr. Abdolmoneim Aboul-Fotouh known for his staunch opposition to the Sadat and Mubarak regimes as well as his openness towards people of different political ideologies. Aboul-Fotouh was born in Cairo in 1951 and graduated from Cairo University School of Medicine with honors in 1976. He also received a Bachelor's Degree of Law from the same university and attained a master's degree in hospital management.
Aboul-Fotouh was the president of the student union at the School of Medicine. While president of the student union at Cairo University, Aboul-Fotouh debated with former president Anwar Sadat live on TV. Aboul-Fotouh called Sadat's close advisors hypocrites, and denounced the arrests of student demonstrators on campus. Sadat was angered and Aboul-Fotoh was arrested in 1981 in the infamous September arrests -- that targeted thousands of Muslims, Christians, journalists, and all critics of Sadat -- and tried in a military court. Under Mubarak, Aboul-Fotouh was also imprisoned from 1996 to 2001. He had been working as the aide to the secretary-general of the Arab Medical Union before his imprisonment.
Aboul-Futouh had been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood from 1987 until 2009. In 2011 he formally quit all political work with the Muslim Brotherhood, following his decision to run for president in 2012. Aboul Fotouh has attempted to build a broad base of support across the political spectrum despite perhaps some disagreements with others. He was endorsed by the Salafi Al-Nour Party on April 2012, and many liberals. Known for his liberal and open-minded views and as a leader, he declared that the source of true power and legislation was not in a law or constitution but in the people.
Known for his humility and reaching out to all people, Aboul-Futouh enjoys a great deal of respect among Egyptians. He is an excellent speaker, very disciplined, and with a clear vision for the future. Aboul-Futouh is ahead of all the other candidates in the polls and his campaign seems to be gaining momentum and more supporters by the day. His campaign depends of the support of single individuals unlike other candidates who alleged obtained huge sums of cash from suspicious sources and do have dubious leaning serving foreign agendas. The popular sentiment in Egypt is a total refusal of candidates that were linked or part of the Mubarak regime, came from a military background, or above the age of seventy five. The vast majority of Egyptians are looking for a younger candidate with a clean slate who is not out of touch and does not live in an ivory tower with the rich business elite. Aboul-Futouh is only 60 and highly driven and energetic. He has clean and patriotic record and has promised to pick a young vice president and leadership. Will he then make it in June and become the savior of Egypt?
Aladdin Elaasar is the author of The Last Pharaoh: Mubarak and the Uncertain Future of Egypt in the Obama Age. Email him at: omaraladin@aol.com