Witness History Mohamed Morsi: Egypt's first democratically elected president
Sep 15, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Rabab El-Mahdi, a political science professor and chief strategist for a rival candidate during Morsi's campaign, shares her insights from Egypt's first democratic elections in 2012. El-Mahdi discusses the intense political rivalries, her personal experiences facing opposition, and the emotional toll of campaigning in a divided nation. She also reflects on how Morsi attempted to recruit her and the broader societal challenges at play as Egypt navigated a new era of democracy.
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Caught Between Two Camps
- Rabab El-Mahdi was chief strategist for Abdul Munum Abul Fattah and faced hostility from both secular and Islamist circles.
- She described being cast out by family and attacked by the Brotherhood as a 'loose woman' for supporting a moderate Islamist candidate.
Joining A Compromise Campaign
- Rabab joined Abul Fattah's campaign to bridge conservative society with progressive politics despite personal conflicts with Islamist views.
- She recounts meeting Morsi and finding him friendly but with limited horizons and a poor sense of humour.
The Hollow Centre In 2012
- Many moderates faced a stark choice between Islamist rule and a return to the old regime, revealing weak centrist options.
- Rabab felt her support offered moderate Egyptians a distinct, compromise voice in a polarized election.