Egypt's new era is one of hope and unity, not revenge

Following Hosni Mubarak's resignation, Egypt today stands at the dawn of a new era, one born of the ingenuity, sacrifice and dedication of an entire nation. We remember and recognise all those brave men and women who lost their lives, but not before igniting and galvanising the movement of change. The past 20 days have been a testament to the spirit and integrity of the Egyptian people. With great pride we witnessed their exemplary behaviour during some of the most turbulent moments in the nation's history.

At times, it was unclear what the next day held - whether food shortages would prove debilitating, whether the safety of the people would be assured, or whether the situation would spiral out of control. However, history bears witness that it is in times of difficulty that the Egyptian spirit of community asserts itself most. The display of national unity has been remarkable - people from all walks of life have joined together to imagine a better future. Religious, social and economic differences were put aside: it was Egypt as a whole that was on display for the world.

It is important to acknowledge at this juncture the crucial role played by the armed forces in maintaining peace throughout the nation, asserting their respect for, and unity with, the Egyptian people. As they embark on this transitional phase, we have every confidence that they will ensure the welfare of the nation transcends all else.

The new era in which we stand is one of hope. It was built on an agenda of reform. While that agenda has largely focused on political and constitutional reforms, this is the moment to remind ourselves that this is simply the beginning. To foster a truly healthy civil society, we need to take measures to ensure economic and social reform as well. This requires the continued goodwill and dedication of all Egyptians. This is not beyond our reach. Now is the time to seize the moment and and achieve truly comprehensive and far-reaching reforms. We must continue to be united in solidarity, working towards a better future, and putting Egypt above all else.

This is a moment of hope, and not of revenge. Islamic teachings ask that we not dwell on the past, and instead move forward, active and alive, focused on creating a better future. Egypt has a unique ability to remember the positive contributions of its historical figures, whetever their faults. Let old grievances neither divide us nor eat away at the spirit that has characterised this noble uprising.

I have been at pains during my tenure as the Grand Mufti to stress inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue. In particular, I was asked to participate in a pioneering initiative to promote cooperation between Christendom and the Muslim world. It is with great pleasure that I became a signatory of "A Common Word Between Us and You", a declaration in which Christian and Muslim leaders highlight their common bonds, and their dedication to the welfare of their societies through their devotion to God.

This is an important time to affirm that the Dar al-Ifta, Egypt's supreme body for Islamic Legal Interpretation, remains at the service of the Egyptian people, offering religious guidance on all matters. We have always remained independent of political affiliations and have been providing pragmatic guidance to all those who seek it. We support the aspirations of the Egyptian people, and we call on all citizens to ensure the safeguarding of the five overriding objectives of Islamic law - the preservation of life, property, honour, family and reason - values shared by all humanity.

For the past few years, the Dar al-Ifta has made great strides in restructuring the organisation to enhance accessibility and responsiveness, incorporating new technologies along the way. The past few weeks have inspired us to embark on a set of initiatives to move further along this path, improving communications. These include a presence on social media (Facebook, Twitter), meetings with youth and media regularly, as well as an expansion of our translation department which already provides religious guidance in nine languages.

The new era is one on which we embark together as a nation, full of hope, trusting in God, and determined to make Egypt prosper. My sincere prayers and wishes for an orderly and peaceful transition of power and a constitution that fulfills the aspirations and needs of the people.

Ali Gomaa is the Grand Mufti of Egypt and co-chair of C1 foundation