Akmal Yacoub graduated from Cairo University’s Law School in 1999 with honors and an impeccable GPA. He lived his life in accordance to the law, he said, knowing someday he would pursue a governmental law position. However, soon after he graduated, he did not expect to enter the biggest legal battle of his life.
In Egypt’s constitution, Yacoub noted, it states that law graduates who would like to apply for the appointment of a government position must meet two stipulations: The applicant must have graduated with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and the applicant must be a well-behaved, law-abiding citizen.
Yacoub met both stipulations, he said. The only catch, according to him, is that he is a Christian. The majority of Egypt’s citizens are registered as Muslim.
Yacoub applied to be appointed as a judge in 2000, soon after graduating. According to Yacoub, he did not get the job because he stated on his application, a detail required by Egyptian law, that he was a practicing Christian. Every Egyptian citizen must identify themselves as either Christian, Muslim or Jew on their identification cards. The Egyptian government recognizes only these three Abrahamic religions.
“The reason they didn’t choose me and some of my friends is based only on discrimination. They violate the constitution right based on faith, religion, and sometimes based on your financial status. So all of this is nonexistent in the law and constitution,” explained Yacoub.
“All of us are equal according to [the] Egyptian constitution,” he added.
Egypt’s Constitution states: “All citizens are equal before the Law. They are equal in rights, freedoms and general duties, without discrimination based on religion, belief, sex, origin, race, color, language, disability, social class, political or geographic affiliation or any other reason.”
Instead of accepting the court’s decision, he took what he found to be the next logical step: In 2004 he filed a lawsuit against the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.
The trial lasted three years, which were filled with television interviews and protests. Below is an archived video of a television interview of Yacoub and one of his supporters.
Then, in 2007, the Egyptian courts ruled in Yacoub’s favor. They found their original decision to be unconstitutional and gave Yacoub a second chance to be a judge.
“We were in many newspapers. It’s very rare to win a lawsuit against the president,” recalled Yacoub. However, the favorable outcome meant the courts could now only interview Yacoub for a judge spot in court. But it did not specify when the court would grant him a seat as judge.
According to Yacoub, he did not receive a phone call for an interview until 2009. And two years later, when the revolution (The Arab Spring) hit Egypt, all governmental activity ceased, meaning Yacoub’s appointment for judge, which he originally applied for in 2000, is still on hold.
He, however, moved on. He said he would not accept the position even if it was offered. The 37-year-old currently works as a governmental officer in Egypt’s Youth Ministry, or Bureau. Three years ago he married Candy, an American, and on August 19, 2012 emigrated to the United States to start a life with her.
Yacoub currently takes a political science course at North Central State College. He said 10 years from now, he would like to run for congress for our district because he wants to be able to be a force for change for his new life in the United States. He passionately disagrees with many policies in place under President Obama’s administration.
“Hopefully I will change something. Hopefully if I have the opportunity, I will change what I can,” said Yacoub.
