Dr. Moustafa Elfeki, Director of the Library of Alexandria, stated that the UK sometimes misjudges the situation in Egypt and thus allows some figures from the Muslim Brotherhood to instigate violence against the Egyptian state. He expressed his astonishment that British flights were suspended to Sharm ElSheikh for three years, although all international airlines, east and west, fly regularly to this touristic city.
In a hall affiliated to the UK’s Parliament main Lobby, Dr. Elfeki gave a lecture to members of the UK Houses of Commons and Lords, including Sir Gerald Howarth, Mr. Jonathan Lord and The Lord Dear, at an invitation of the UK Parliamentary Association for the Middle Eastern Affairs.
Elfeki, who is currently visiting London, discussed the Egyptian internal affairs since 25 January 2011, the people’s uprising on 30 June 2013, Egypt’s endeavors to face terrorism in spite all vicious propaganda powered by terrorist groups. Elfeki also referred to the grave state of affairs witnessed currently by the region, especially in Sudan and Libya, and underlined Egypt’s policy, which calls for non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries.
In a two-hour lecture characterized by openness and frankness, the Director of the Library of Alexandria said that President El-Sisi is the best Egyptian leader at this time. He highlighted the Egyptian President’s efforts to revive the principal of citizenship and national unity and promote Islamic-Christian relationships, a national trend which was not common before.
Some participants from the UK Houses of Lords and Commons stated that Dr. Elfeki’s lecture was very enlightening as it clarified several ambiguous matters. They also called upon the Egyptian state to adopt the principles of moderate Islam in the face of extremism led by Erdogan and his supporters in the Arab region. Dr. Elfeki mentioned that the Egyptian President adopts a call for renewal of religious discourse through Al-Azhar, which is the world's leading Sunni Islamic institution.
Lord Stone, a renowned member of the House of Lords, stressed the importance of rendering Sinai a holy land embracing different religions and embodying a universal project calling for peace. Commenting on Lord Stone’s account, Dr. Elfeki said that this proposal depends on the outcome of Egypt’s fight against terrorism.
Following the lecture, Ambassador Tarek Adel, the Egyptian Ambassador to the UK, attended the coffee break organized by the association honoring Dr. Elfeki.