Sisi’s speech moved me to tears

Egyptian singer Hany Shaker Cairo – Mahmoud Al Rifai Egyptian singer Hany Shaker has broken his silence and spoken out in support of the June 30 movement which led to the overthrow of former president Mohammed Morsi. The star also refused to apologise for singing to former dictator Hosni Mubarak, saying he had no regrets. The defeat of the Muslim Brotherhood-led government has led to spiralling tensions between Egyptians, who disagree over whether it was a revolution, or a military coup. The Egyptian army, led by General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, toppled Morsi following mass protests and installed an interim president. In an interview with Arab Today, Shaker explained why he took part in the June 30 street protests, saying: “We, all Egyptians, felt like there was something wrong during that year of President Morsi being power. The Egyptian people became very distant from the ruling regime. The rulers didn’t sympathise with the people or care about them, and no promises or wishes were fulfilled during their rule. Our conditions got worse, as well as our position in the Arab and African region declining.” The star added: “We all had to take to streets again to say enough after a year of farce, to unite again just like what happened in the January 25 revolution, to amaze the world, as it was amazed before, and to topple the regime that merged politics with religion, because it failed to be suitable. “As the late President Anwar el-Sadat said: no politics in religion and no religion in politics,” Shaker continued. On the topic of the Egyptian armed forces, who some Egyptians fear are cynically seeking political influence in the country, the 60-year-old singer had nothing but effusive praise. “I have no words or lyrics to describe the role of those heroes, who sacrifice their lives every day for our country, so that we can live a happy life.” Describing the now foreign minister General Sisi as a “hero” and national “symbol”, Shaker said: “Every time this man speaks, I feel the kindness and power of all Egyptians in his character. I couldn’t stop my tears during his speech at the army celebrations, that were attended by many singers and artists. “I also cried when I saw him joining the ranks of the Egyptian people to support them in their cause and their revolution,” he added. “I don’t want to be ungrateful for the heroic role of the police during this period, which restored the beautiful image of the security forces, erasing the other one that dominated during [former Egyptian president] Mubarak’s era. “I hope we make June 30 police day, as police returned once again to serving the people,” he said. But Shaker said he had no regrets about singing for Mubarak, insisting: “I don’t mind singing for anyone who rules Egypt. When I sing for a president, it’s not hypocrisy, I am singing for my homeland, Egypt, which is represented by its president. I don’t think a five-minute song is the reason for rulers’ arrogance.” “I sang for late president Anwar el-Sadat, the song Ya Sayed al-Sadat (Oh Mr Sadat), and I sang for Mubarak, Nawart Masr (You brought light to Egypt), and if I could sing for the late president Gamal Abdel Nasser, I would. “Each song has a memory and I never regretted any of them, even Mubarak’s song, because he helped me during my daughter’s illness, and called me to ask about her health, therefore, when he recovered from his illness, I dedicated this song to him, sending him my greetings through it,” he continued. “I’m ready to sing for the coming president, but he should first take care of this great people, who always write their own history,” Shaker concluded.