By: Salah Ibrahim

At one of the winter's long nights I was sleepless. I put the pen, papers and books aside and started to think about myself and my country.

Suddenly I remembered the deceased leader Anwar al Saddat. He occupied my mind until I fell asleep.

I didn't know how long time passed before he came to my humble office. I was very embarrassed for the place was dusty and untidy.

However, it came to my mind that the man was a man of culture. He loved books and may be this was the reason behind his unexpected visit at such a very late hour.

As for the dust, I think we were alike since he came from under the earth.

He didn't waste time. He seated himself and asked me:

Are the revisions of al Jamaa al Islamiyya true or they are just a shelter?

You know very few of Sunnis, unlike Shiites, use Toqya (hiding their real beliefs) only when their lives are jeopardized.

Be sure that every word in the revisions' books is deep from the hearts and all the Jamaa leaders signed them.

Why were you so late?

You can ask the al Jamaa members and Shura Council about this. You know I'm an independent writer. I support what I see right and reject what I see wrong and I seek my reward only from Allah.

My opinion about you didn't and won't change. I believe you were an extraordinary leader. You owned imagination, adventure and courage. You experienced hunger, fear, homelessness and prison.

I think these are unrepeatable attributes. I said that in the past and I'll keep saying it.

I cannot forget that I joined the 1973 war, which was the greatest of your good deeds, under your leadership.

Why didn't they hear you?

Because they were young. They didn't hear except the voice of enthusiasm. But thank God it was for Islam not for worldly interests. Man doesn't feel the importance of what he owns until he loses it.

Did you discover after such a very long time that all my decisions were correct?

No one never errs but God's' prophets. Other human beings do wrong and right. Only Allah is complete.

Then what were my faults in your view?

First: you were speaking a lot. You used to leave the papers of speech and speak your mind. So, you were often offending somebody or threatening another. This style doesn't suit men high positions especially presidents for it almost makes them commit mistakes.

Tell me the second.

You started you era by releasing political prisoners and giving more freedoms. However, you spoiled all this by arresting members from almost all segments of the society as a precautionary measure.

I intended to set them free after the Israeli withdrawal out of Sinai. It was only a few months for this to happen. Couldn't you bear with me for our country?

We didn't know that. Had the al Jamaa al Islamyia members known that, I think they wouldn't have done what they did. They believed it would be like what happened in 1954 or 1965. Your angry speeches gave them such impressions.

Tell me the third you "Freedom Philosopher".

It was the worst; I mean Camp David Treaty. You had the opportunity to achieve much better conditions. You had only to wait for the Arab countries or some of them to sign with you and support your decision.

They never failed you whether during war or peace. Egypt doesn't worth much without the Arab nation and vice versa. Egypt is the heart of the Arab body and the heart cannot work without a body as the body cannot live without a heart.

We are not against just peace. We appreciate your bravery during war and peace but the peace battle is more difficult than war. It needs more patience. You were able to wait a little for the Arab to support you.

If you were me, you would excuse me. We didn't free the whole of our lands by war and we couldn't continue fighting. There was no way but peace. I ought to take a brave step to end this state of no peace no war. Our troops were in the desert and all activities of development were paused. Peoples' destinies need leaders not philosophers. The evidence that I was right is that all the Arab countries today wish to achieve a even a part of what I get.

Is there any thing else, my little philosopher?

Yes. But I beg you not to ask me about it.

You have to say it. It is an order, boy. Do you forget you were a soldier in my army?

I'm afraid it will upset you.

Never mind. All people criticized me but now they know my value.

Yes. This is true.

Then, say it, boy. Don't be scared.

You said that the Americans have 99% of the game cards. What did you leave to God?

He shouted:

Does Allah play games, you boy?

Then he lifted his stick. I feared he would call al Nabwi, then I startled from sleep.

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