Do you belong to a particular faith?
I am a practicing Muslim. One thing I value about my faith is its teachings about compassion and the equality of human beings. We are all equal before God.
As a young person, who was most influential to your development of faith and ethics?
My father. He was a true Muslim committed to the principles of equality and fairness, even though he didn’t publicly practice his faith.
You’ve done a lot of work on behalf of peace in the Middle East. How has that process refined your own beliefs or values?
I don’t think my work on Middle East peace has changed my values. Rather, my beliefs are what have made this quest for peace in the Middle East bearable with all its highs and lows. A foundation of faith has strengthened my commitment to the basic principle of justice, and helps me open my mind to the concerns of others.
What Egyptian values did you most appreciate, or miss, while you were living in the United States?
The Egyptian community, Muslim and Christian, greatly values the rights of society even as it works to expand the notion of individual civil liberties. In the United States, individual liberties are strongly embraced with tremendous success. But the role of society and its rights seems to be less clearly defined.
What are some of the gravest misconceptions about Islam or Arab values that you’ve faced in your time as a diplomat?
Misconceptions about Muslims or our values have developed in response to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and usually focus on the mistaken belief of Islam as an intolerant religion, rather than a religion of compassion. These conflicts are political issues, and should be seen as separate from our faith or cultural values.
What inspires your belief that there can be an end to any of the Middle East’s current conflicts?
In the early 1970s, very few believed that an Egyptian-Israeli peace was possible. And yet, this year we’ll celebrate its 30-year anniversary. Jordan and Israel also have a peace agreement, and there is much greater clarity today about what is required between Israel and Palestine, and Israel and Syria—Israel’s return to 1967 borders and a peace agreement that will provide security to all states in the region. All of these developments give me hope for the future. Regrettably, what is missing right now is the political will to reach a final agreement.
At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?
I believe that faith is a personal relationship with God that provides direction, commitment, and foundation. I respect and understand the desire of many believers to express themselves publicly and to live in an environment conducive to their faith. This is a personal choice which shouldn’t be prohibited but rather expressed in a way that doesn’t judge others. People are free to believe but should leave judgment to God.
