He was replying to a question about Freedom and Justice Party vice-chairman Esam Al Eryan’s comments against the UAE.
At a Press conference in Cairo, Prof Qandil said: “All appreciation is to the deep-rooted relationships between Egypt and the UAE… we are only concerned about official statements from our side. “There have been offensive statements from the UAE, but we did not give them heed because they were not given by officials.”
The Egyptian community in the UAE has also expressed the view that aggressive statements are not the right way to solve any problem, particularly between brotherly countries with deep-rooted relationships.
On June 17, Al Eryan told the Shura Council that Egypt has lost patience over 11 Egyptians detained on alleged security grounds in the UAE since December 2012 without any charges.
His offensive words were renounced by the majority of the Egyptians here and in Egypt, be they regular people or officials. Even the Egyptian government and the Freedom and Justice party on June 18 disowned Al Eryan’s offensive words.
Umm Nada, an Egyptian pharmacist, said she has been peacefully staying in the UAE for over seven years. “I have enjoyed several services not available to me at home.” Abu Omar, Egyptian translator, said such offensive words end in nothing, and may only complicate the situation. “We, as Egyptians, are sorry for these aggressive statements against the UAE which has always backed Egypt since the late Shaikh Zayed (bin Sultan Al Nahyan) – May Allah rest his soul in peace.”
Echoing the same, Abu Abdullah, an accountant, said it is wiser to use gentle words than abusive ones to settle any dispute, particularly as the UAE is backing Egypt and does want to enhance relationships with it.
“I still remember a senior Emirati official here saying that all Arabs have two home countries: the first is Egypt and the second is where he or she was born.”
On June 18, Saad Al Katatni, leader of the Freedom and Justice Party, said Al Eryan’s comments did not represent the party’s or the Muslim Brotherhood’s views. “These are just personal statements and we have nothing to do with them.”
Mohammed Hussain, a Brotherhood leader in Egypt, said the relations between Egypt and the UAE are very strong and deep to be affected by such statements. “The statement of Al Katatni represents our stand in the party and as Muslim brothers.”
Diplomatically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo said Egypt was proud of its deep-rooted fraternal ties with the UAE and its people.
“Relations with the UAE are based on mutual respect and interests, and shall never be affected by such statements,” the ministry said in the statement issued on Tuesday. A senior diplomat at the Egyptian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, who wished to remain unidentified, told Khaleej Times that the Egyptian community in the UAE is very upset with Al Eryan’s statements.
“The Emirati people, known for their kindness, generosity and love fir Egypt, are very close to all Egyptians so much so that more than 22 strategic and sustainable projects in Egypt are carrying the name of the late Shaikh Zayed.”
He added that Shaikh Zayed refused to cut relationships with Egypt in the Baghdad conference saying that “the one who wants to cut his hands, his legs, and head may cut relations with Egypt”.
