“My brothers and sisters, the danger all around us is great, and we must be strong and united,” Ulama Khalid al-Khan said in a deep, resonant voice. He was speaking before a special session of the People’s Assembly, the 454-member legislative body of the Egyptian government. As ever, Khan wore traditional Arab garments, the white jubba, quba, sirwal, and qalansuwa, even though most of the rest of the members of the People’s Assembly wore Western- style business suits. But it was not only his clothing but his long, angular features, his carefully trimmed beard, haunting voice, and hypnotic eyes that commanded attention from all, even those who thought of holy men such as Khan as threats to freedom in Egypt.

“Our nation, our way of life, our very souls are under attack,” Khan went on, his voice growing louder and more strident by the moment. “The horrible murder of our beloved President Salaam, may he stand at the right hand of God, is vivid proof that we are not safe and secure even within our holiest shrines and most precious places of worship. The danger is everywhere, my friends. It is time for bold leadership and unity for Misr.” Khan preferred using the traditional name for his country, rather than the foreign-derived name, Egypt.

“I know many of you do not stand with me,” Khan went on. His eyes drifted toward where he knew a large congregation of his political opponents sat. “Although our laws are based on Shari’a, the holy book, you do not feel those laws should be strictly interpreted and applied, as I and my fellow high priests do. I am not here to debate your attitudes about how to serve God. I am here to offer to you my vision for our country.

“My goal is to stop the anarchy, stop the violence, stop the corruption of our laws, our families, our companies, and our beliefs. I believe those dangers emanate from two places: the Zionists and the Americans.” Several dozen legislators shook their heads and voiced their displeasure in carefully muted tones. “Yes, you know it as well as I. Our nation has slipped into crushing recession and inflation ever since the traitor Sadat signed the so-called peace treaty with Israel. We have barely been able to hold on to the very fabric of our country. And who has come to our aid to help? The Americans, with their spies, their fat bloodsucking industrialists, their weapons of hatred and class warfare, and their corrupting cash. It is all tied together, my brothers—the Zionists weaken us, and their masters the Americans suck us deeper into their lustful, depraved ways.” More voices, some disagreeing but more of them agreeing with Khan, easily drowning out the dissenters.