According to the Egyptian Government they are working on building a modern civil and democratic state where all Egyptians, including Copts, will enjoy the rights of citizenship. However, people fear that if such a state is not created, the military will go on ruling Egypt, or a religious state will be created.

Some believe that a majority of the people would reject a civil state, which is seen as something for liberal intellectuals. Islamists add that under religious rule all people are treated equally as well, regardless of their religious or ethnic differences.