Sisi statements spark debate about status for Egyptian atheists
The Egyptian president's remarks on human rights have drawn attention to freedom of belief for the nonreligious.
"I respect nonbelievers. If someone tells me [they are] neither Muslim nor Christian nor a Jew or that he or she does not believe in religion, I would tell them, you are free to choose."
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's remarks, which came during the launch of the National Human Rights Strategy Sept. 11, sparked controversy on social media.
Some activists criticized Sisi over "his selective approach to freedom," in reference to the increased restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in Egypt and the detention of government critics and opposition figures; others welcomed his words as signaling a positive change to come.
"And it is not because I am not protective of my religion. I am. And that is why I respect the will of nonbelievers, which is based on freedom of belief — a God-given right. … But will a society that has been conditioned to think in a certain way for the last 90 years accept this? " Sisi asked.
