Arab Spring: Looking to the future with hope

The meaning of the Arab Spring is being discussed at the Rimini Meeting, the annual gathering organized by the lay movement Communion and Liberation. One concern has been the prospect of Islamist radicals gaining influence as autocratic regimes are being overthrown.

There is some difficulty for some Europeans to understand what is going on in the Arab world…because they start from their fears, not reality,” said Wael Farouq, President of Tawasul Cultural Centre in Cairo, and Vice President of the Cairo Meeting.

“What is happening now in Egypt is something that should make all of us – east and west, Christian world and Muslim world – feel safe because for the first time in history the power of noble human principles is winning a war against absolute materialist power. What moved the people in Tahir square, and what people had in Tahir square, was nothing but their faith” he told Vatican Radio during the Rimini Meeting.

“This power of faith, and this success of this faith, to change reality should make all of us feel safe and feel happy, and look in a very positive way toward the future,” he said.

Listen to the full interview by Luca Collodi with Wael Farouq: