Students can take a lead in Egypt crisis
Posted February 7, 2011 at 7:53 pm in Opinion
Although the media might have led us to believe the Egypt crisis is under control, the truth is young people in the United States must take a stand on this issue — it is perhaps more critical now than ever before.
In response to the demonstrations in Egypt, some critics are concerned the situation in Egypt will result in something similar to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Unlike the radical Islamic movement that led the revolution in Iran, however, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is a social religious movement that supports a democratic government in Egypt. If a democracy is to flourish in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood must be allowed to compete for power.
Contrary to what some skeptics believe, however, the Muslim Brotherhood has not played a significant role in the demonstrations. It was the enlightened youth who began the protests Jan. 25 and who are continuing to lead them.
Hosni Mubarak has said he will work on constitutional reform and legislation in hopes of settling the unrest. He has appointed his first successor and put a brand new cabinet in place. The Egyptian people, however, believe his attempts are too little, too late.
At this moment, the only clear path to achieving transparent elections in September is to establish a legitimate transitional government. The Obama administration has shown support for newly appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman, Mubarak’s righthand man and the CIA’s point man for Egyptian rendition. This is what most Egyptians do not want: the same military dictatorship hidden behind a slightly prettier face.
The United States is attempting to install a strongman, and that has the capacity to create conditions for a secular democracy.
But what the Egyptian people need is an organic democracy, not a chemically induced one.
This is not to say there should be an election now; Egypt has neither the institutions nor the political leadership to ensure a smooth transition. If it did, protestors would not be out on the streets.
But there are alternatives. Democracy advocate, Nobel laureate and former IAEA leader, Mohammed ElBaradei, has just returned to Egypt, and by gaining support from the Muslim Brotherhood, could prove an exceptional candidate for achieving a national unified government.
Egyptian leaders should take one thing into account: Two-thirds of the entire Arab population is under 30 years old — and look at all the changes they are making.
It is our responsibility in the United States, as members of the younger generation, to speak out, whether by participating in protests inspired by the Egyptian revolution, writing to our members of Congress or merely changing our Facebook statuses to express our solidarity.
The repressed people are relying on us to amplify their voices, and who else better with our advanced technological and networking skills to expand this revolt for liberation, human rights and self-determination?
Whatever the case may be, as students of a highly recognized research university, we need to look beyond what is fed to us by the mainstream media.
Nesma Tawil is a junior majoring in political science and international relations.
For more stories on the crisis in Egypt, click here.
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This article is tagged: demonstration, egypt, Mohammed ElBaradei, Omar Suleiman
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Nesma,
Small detail (just between me and you):
Hezbollah and Hamas was said to be social movements just as you call the Muslim Bortherhood.
Problem is, now that Hezbollah and Hamas are in power it’s hard to tell the difference between then and Al Qaeda.
Could youn describe “social movement” for us. TIA
Very, very….very good point
Nesma writes, “…however, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is a social religious movement that supports a democratic government in Egypt. ”
That’s a good one! SNL needs more writers like you.
Here’s my take on it, though:
The only way for the people of the Middle East (all of Islam for that matter) to experience true democracy is to free themselves from the shackles of Islam.
Islam and democracy are incompatible and anyone who says Indonesia is an example they are simply showing just how dire Islamic democracies are.
Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Mauritania, Niger, Algeria, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kirgizstan, etc…
Name one country from this or any list of Islamic dominated countries where one can freely criticize Islam, convert from Islam, proselytize for any other religion, draw pictures of Mohammed, criticize Saudi Arabia, openly practice homosexuality or Judaism, be a free woman with all this implies.
So please don’t blame Egypt’s problems on America. I would bet money that if America could foster true democracy in any Muslim country it would, just as it fostered freedoms and democracy in Germany and Japan after WWII.
Quit blaming their problems on anyone but them and their backwards-looking religion.
Finally, let me say, Mohammed was Islam’s first political leader. He refused to acknowledge a separation of mosque and state as Jesus did (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s…). Mohammed was a theocratic despot who killed, raped, enslaved and pillaged his way to power and wealth.
This is who Muslims look to for direction, no? Not to America, but to Mohammed and therein lies the tale of the tape.
Once again, it is asserted by the actions of USA and Israel that democracy in certain parts of the world is not in the best interests of the USA and Israel.” While it will be readily admitted that the current regimes in the Middle East suppress freedom, these regimes are believed to also suppress a far worse alternative: the radicals and fundamentalists who might win democratic elections. The message is clear from USA and Israel. It is better to deal with a Middle Eastern dictatorship that is the friend of USA and Israel than a democratic regime that is their enemy. One thing is for sure this development in Egypt will prove many points and illusions to the Arab world that, USA will support democracy in Middle East only for material gains. As long as they have the Arab Kings and dictators who play puppets to USA and serve their cause with regards to Israel they will close the eyes on the atrocities committed by them. Time for the whole Arab to wake up and realize the intentions of USA and Israel. Call for liberation from the monarchism and dictatorships and strive in the way of popular governments through democracy
[...] and communicating people. Two-thirds of Egypt’s population is under 30 years old (as reported here) and has been using sites, like Twitter, to call for support and additional protesters. The [...]
Egypt needs to sort out its own problems…..The more we help other nations, the more we are hated for trying to help!!!!…..They want our monitary contributions, but that is about it.
The cat is the cat. Dog is dog. The Muslim Brotherhood is extremist, nobody can’t argue, but it hides its true role now. Everybody knows it. Very dangerous if you try to play with a tiger.
Heny