Statement from Emad Shahin: Statement to my Students, Family and Friends The military-backed government in Egypt has put forward baseless claims and politically motivated charges against me. It has named me in a case known as the “Grand Espionage,” which also included former President Mohamed Morsi and senior leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood. The indictment listed far-fetched charges that repressive regimes typically levy against their political opponents: espionage, leading an illegal organization, providing a banned organization with information and financial support, calling for the suspension of the constitution, preventing state institutions and authorities from performing their functions, harming national unity and social harmony, and causing to change the government by force. I categorically and emphatically deny all the charges, and I challenge the State Security Prosecutor to present real evidence to substantiate these fabricated charges. I am an academic and have been independent throughout my life. I am an advocate for democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and a fervent supporter of the main objectives of the January 25 Revolution in Egypt, namely freedom, dignity, and social justice. For the record, I definitively state that I have never been a member of the Society of the Muslim Brothers at any point in my life, and I have never provided it with any financial or material support as alleged in the so-called indictment. Furthermore, the indictment stated that I was at large. This could not have been farther from the truth, as I have never been subpoenaed by any prosecutor even though I have been living in Egypt since 2011. I have openly traveled abroad many times during this period to participate in conferences and attend academic events without ever being stopped or prohibited from leaving or entering the country, especially over the past few months. My workplace, the American University in Cairo, is well known to the authorities. I have never left or changed my place of residence, which is also well known to the government, and I have never been banned from travel or placed on a watch list as I left and entered the country several times during the past month. I appeared on television interviews as an analyst and a commentator to discuss the delicate political situation in Egypt and have always maintained a public presence. I am neither at large nor was I unwilling to appear before any interrogator had I received a formal subpoena and guarantees for fair proceedings, due-process of law, and a fair trial. Though I have always been a fervent opponent of authoritarian rule in Egypt, I have always expressed strong support for peaceful protests to restore democracy and express popular opposition against government repression. Needless to say I am a well-known academic and intellectual with a long record of teaching and scholarly achievements. I received my PhD from the Johns Hopkins University (SAIS) and have been a faculty member at prominent universities in the US, Egypt, and the Middle East, including the American University in Cairo, Harvard, Georgetown, Notre Dame, George Washington, and Boston Universities. I have produced major scholarly works including being the editor in chief of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics; co-editor with Professor John L. Esposito of Georgetown University of the Oxford Handbook of Islam and Politics; and co-editor with Professor Nathan Brown of George Washington University of Struggling over Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa. I have opposed the military coup in Egypt that took place on July 3 and for the record I still stand against its repressive means to thwart democracy and the free will of the Egyptian people. Along with many academics and intellectuals I support the peaceful mobilization against it until we build a future for Egypt that is built not on repression and authoritarianism but on democracy, freedom, equal rights for all citizens, and inclusion of all democratic actors. I will continue to speak out and protest peacefully against this military coup and its illegitimate government until Egyptians regain their liberties and the democratic system they deserve and have sacrificed so much to build. Emad Shahin, Ph.D. Professor of Public Policy, The American University in Cairo Henry R. Luce Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame (2009-2012) Visiting Associate Professor, Harvard University (2006-2009) Faculty Affiliate, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Belfer Center (2007-2008) Editor in Chief, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics Member of the Academic Advisory Board, Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding, Georgetown University Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, Oxford Research Directions (Since 2011) Advisory editor, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (Oxford University Press, 2009) Member of the Academic Board, Al-Hadara Center, Cairo, Egypt Member of Alexandria Library Scientific Board for the Production of Selections of Modern Islamic Heritage (Since 2012) Foreign Reference Member, University of Oslo (since 2007) Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council (2008)
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 08:39:55 +0000
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