Dr. Hossam Badrawi Participates in the First Annual Conference of the Egyptian Liberal Party

Egyptian Liberal Party’s First Annual Conference: “Return of Egyptian Liberalism”

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Dr. Hossam Badrawi participated in the first annual conference of the Egyptian Liberal Party at the Helnan Landmark Hotel, under the slogan “Return of Egyptian Liberalism,” at the invitation of Shady El-Adl and the youth of the Egyptian Liberal Party. The conference witnessed the launch of the party’s political vision, a discussion of the most prominent priorities for the upcoming phase, and an announcement of the party’s stances on upcoming electoral entitlements and a number of issues concerning Egyptian public opinion.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Amr Moussa, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Professor Ali Abdel Aal, and several leaders of political parties.

Dr. Badrawi’s speech during the conference was as follows:

“My dear son, Shady El-Adl, my friends and children, the youth,

I stand before you today not to teach you, but to share with you a dream, an idea, and a belief that you, and no one else, will shape the future of this nation.

Liberalism, as I understand and believe in it, is not merely a political current or a set of policies. It is a philosophy of life. It is a deep belief in human freedom, in human dignity, in the right to choose, to create, to err and learn. Liberalism means that the state is not a guardian over minds, but a guardian of freedoms, and that society is not built on guardianship, but on trust.

Some may say that liberalism is an intruder, Western, not compatible with our traditions. I tell them: respect for the mind, the value of the human being, and freedom of conscience are deeply rooted in our civilization, in enlightened Islam, in the thought of Ibn Rushd and Ibn Khaldun, in the calls of the revolutionaries of 1919, and in the dreams of the first three days of the January Revolution.

Oh youth,

You are not just the audience of tomorrow, you are its creators. And liberalism, if it is not represented in you, in your courage to think, in your respect for difference, in your defense of justice and equality, then it will be no more than an empty slogan.

You are not followers, you are leaders. Liberalism needs youth who believe that dialogue is stronger than suppression, that law is stronger than whim, and that pluralism is richness, not a threat.

Dear friends,

Egypt does not only need a new party, but a new spirit. A spirit that liberates politics from fear, liberates the economy from monopoly, and liberates human beings from subservience. Liberalism is not a promise of paradise, but a long path of work, accountability, and reform.

Let us not just talk about freedom, but practice it. And let us not just raise the slogan of citizenship, but live it, and let our morals be as firm as our ideas are free.

You are the hope, so do not underestimate your strength.

And you are the future, so do not allow anyone to confiscate it from you. Now, I will test your liberalism:

“Seven things… if you do them, you talk about liberalism, but you are not liberal!”

Ask yourself honestly, oh liberal youth:

1. If you believe in freedom of expression… but get upset by personal criticism?

   Then you talk about liberalism, but you are not liberal.

2. If you say everyone is free… but you can’t accept those who differ from you in religion, inclination, or thought?

   Then this liberalism is selective for you.

3. If you attack authority when it is against you… and defend it when it is with you?

   Then this is not freedom, this is self-interest.

4. If you talk about human rights… but remain silent in the face of injustice happening to your friend or from your group?

   Then you are not with rights, you are with bias.

5. If you call for modern education… but as soon as someone thinks freely, you call them ill-mannered?

   Then you are not raising free individuals, you are producing copies of yourself.

6. If you talk about pluralism… but always see your opinion as the absolute truth?

   Then you are not celebrating difference, you are suppressing it.

7. If you talk about a civil state… but as soon as things get tough, you resort to a sheikh, an officer, or a leader?

   Then you are not liberal, you are anxious.

Liberalism is not a slogan, it is behavior. Not words, it is a lifestyle. Ask yourself… are you really liberal? Or do you just want to be?

Thank you, and may you remain free, rational, and responsible.”

Dr. Badrawi then concluded his speech, which established many meanings about liberalism and its philosophy, amidst applause and support from the attendees.

The meeting was attended by an elite group of partisan, political, and human rights figures, and a group of prominent personalities in Egyptian society.

We attach the founding statement of the Egyptian Liberal Party; please click on the link:

https://drive.google.com/…/1z5WuiQ…