CAIRO: Presidential hopeful Abdel Moneim Abol Fotoh emphasized the integral role of women in Egyptian society in a forum held to commemorate late novelist Ehsan Abdel Quddous Wednesday at the Journalists' Syndicate. Abol Fotoh lamented how today, men abuse their power to oppress woman. “These conditions are abnormal and do not match the values of the Egyptian people,” he said. “Ehsan Abdel Quddous was one of the advocates of women's [rights],” he added, sending out an encouraging invitation to Egyptian women to be socially and politically active. The forum launched the Ehsan Abdel Quddous salon, according to his son, journalist Mohamed Abdel Qudous who explained that it was his father's wish to host political, literary and artistic forums. The series kicked off on a political note. Ehsan Abdel Quddous was born in 1919. He was known for his literary works challenging social norms related to love and marriage. He became the editor-in-chief of Rose El-Youssef magazine, which was founded by his mother, leading an often controversial career of journalistic and literary success. “We are missing Ehsan in a transitional period in Egypt, from authoritarian rule to hopefully, democratic rule,” said Abol Fotoh. The presidential hopeful called for peaceful protests on Jan. 25, dubbed “The completion of the demands of the revolution,” which was agreed upon in a meeting led by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and including Pope Shenouda and public figures from across the political spectrum. Rejecting the military council's invitation for celebrations, the former Muslim Brotherhood member said, “Celebrations do not happen unless the revolution is complete. “Some people are saying we will start the second revolution; but we didn't finish the first to start a second. We will come together on Jan. 25 to make sure the goals of the revolution are achieved.” Emphasizing the role of youth, Abol Fotoh declared that if he becomes president, he will appoint one of the Jan. 25 youth as his vice president to prepare him for the following presidential elections.
