“Egypt has finally broken free from the prejudice that modern Egypt is the same as ancient Egypt. When people think of Egypt now, they will no longer only be thinking about camels and pyramids. Instead they will think about democracy, freedom….”— Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities & a National Geographic Explorer in Residence, in Al Masry Al Youm, April 25, 2011
Less than a month later:
“We have always needed a strongman; without one you have chaos.”
— Zahi Hawass, in an interview with The Guardian, May 19, 2011