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Following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian screenwriter Wahid Hamed, which aired on Al-Hayat TV on June 5, 2011:
Wahid Hamed: In my view, the [Muslim Brotherhood] uses Islam for its political purposes. Personally, as a Muslim Egyptian, first and foremost, I say "no" to a religious state.
Interviewer: The Muslim Brotherhood have also declared that they are against a religious state.
Wahid Hamed: Don't believe them.
[…]
If the military rule is extended, it will lead to a dictatorship. The same goes for a religious rule, and it may lead us even more quickly to a dictatorship. That is why I support a civil-secular state. To those who support military rule, I say "no," and to those who support religious rule, I say "no."
Interviewer: I agree with you completely, but let me play devil's advocate. You have just told me not to believe any Muslim Brotherhood member who says that they want a civil state with a religious source of authority. You have said that we should not believe this. What if we apply the Turkish model of rule, with its secular management of state affairs? Why can't we give the Muslim Brotherhood the benefit of the doubt, and assume that they will implement this if they reach power?
Wahid Hamed: The Turkish model…
Interviewer: Especially after the Turkish president's visit to the office of the Muslim Brotherhood General Guide several weeks ago…
Wahid Hamed: The Turkish model cannot be implemented in Egypt.
Interviewer: Why not?
Wahid Hamed: I will tell you. The Islamic party that rules Turkey has brought about a great revival there, but in Turkey, the army protects the country's secular character. There are night clubs in Turkey…
Interviewer: Anything can be found there.
Wahid Hamed: Anything.
Interviewer: Women wearing the niqab, as well as women wearing bikinis.
Wahid Hamed: Freedom is guaranteed to all – to those who pray and to those who get drunk. Here, it's not like that.
[…]
What is the problem with religious rule? The problem with military rule is that if you oppose it, it will use excessive force against you.
Interviewer: What do you mean? Here in Egypt?
Wahid Hamed: In any country where there is military rule. By nature, the military should defend the homeland, and the politicians should rule the country.
Interviewer: Each has its role?
Wahid Hamed: That's right. If we examine history, we see that whoever opposes a military regime – for example, in African republics, or in banana republics – is treated with violence. If you oppose a religious regime, I regret to say that you are not opposing individuals. They tell you that you are opposing the religion itself, and therefore, you are a heretic. End of discussion. Differences of opinion between people or politicians should never be construed as opposition to the religion. Religion is sacred to all.
[…]
Our constitution states clearly that it is forbidden [to establish] religious parties. When the Muslim Brotherhood established a political party, they said paradoxically, that it has nothing to do with the Muslim Brotherhood, even though all the party members belong to the Muslim Brotherhood. This is a religious party, and it is forbidden by the constitution.
Interviewer: They also said that many non-Muslim Brotherhood members joined the party.
Wahid Hamed: There are Copts too. In my personal opinion…
Interviewer: The party's deputy leader is a Copt.
Wahid Hamed: It doesn't matter. With all due respect, I think that the goal is to avoid any religious hue for the party.
Interviewer: Outwardly?
Wahid Hamed: Yes, but in fact…
Interviewer: It's a political game.
Wahid Hamed: Yes.
[…]