London University professor predicts Iran-Egypt ties will become stronger

TEHRAN,Feb.16(MNA)--“Iranian-Egyptian relations are likely to de-escalate further and to move towards closer diplomatic relations,” London University Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam tells the Tehran Times. Adib-Moghaddam also says the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood “has adopted a democratic discourse and has accepted the sovereignty of the people as the main principle for the political conduct of the organization.” Following is the text of the interview: Q: What is your prediction of Iran-Egypt relation? Iranian-Egyptian relations are likely to de-escalate further and to move towards closer diplomatic relations. From my conversations with Egyptian decision-makers and intellectuals I gather that there is a consensus that after Mubarak, Egypt should have closer relations with Iran. Having said that, many countries are uneasy with the rhetoric of President Ahmadinejad, and are waiting for the outcome of the presidential election in Iran to make decisive moves. The region, Muslim-majority societies after the Arab spring, have embraced democratic rule, and now everyone is looking at Iran to see what happens in June. Q: What is your prediction of the future status of Ekhvan-al-Moslemin and President Morsi? A: The Ihkwan has been institutionalized as a grassroots movement since its establishment by Hassan al-Banna in the late 1920s. It is a functional and wide-ranging organization with many wings including educational foundations and hospitals. In addition, the mainstream of the Ikhwan has adopted a democratic discourse and has accepted the sovereignty of the people as the main principle for the political conduct of the organization. The institutional presence and the tilt towards democracy and pluralism is likely to ensure that the Ikhwan will continue to play a major role in Egyptian politics and beyond. Morsi himself is merely the outcome of this process of course. He does not have any power beyond the legitimization he receives from his party and first and foremost from the people. Dr. Dipl. Pol. Arshin Adib-Moghaddam is a reader in comparative politics and international relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of the University of London. His latest book is entitled "A Metahistory of the Clash of Civilisations: Us and Them beyond Orientalism". (By Javad Heirannia)