A Final Note on EGYPT After a harrowing week of death and destruction, reports are being released of some calm on the streets of Cairo. This will be my final post on Egypt for a while, so I’d like to send a few messages to my compatriots and concerned friends. Media: Egyptians, stop expecting the foreign media and governments to side with you or to report “the facts." They won’t. Not because they don’t want to or have developed some broad conspiracy against Egypt’s prosperity, but because they simply can’t. The media is overflowing with inflated propaganda and hearsay and it is disheartening to see Egyptians objecting to these claims by SHARING the misleading articles. Friends, if you see a biased article, just close your browser window. These pieces gain their credibility and popularity based on views and shares, don’t encourage them. We know we’re not a “divided nation.” This is a country of 80 million against a small militant group. The truth will be seen as their already minimal numbers diminish even further. Alternatively, share articles that you think are fair and honest. Let’s try to use our voices to praise, not punish. Foreign Aid: In case you haven’t noticed, no matter how frequently they threaten it, no one is withdrawing a dime from Egypt’s aid. As long as 800,000 barrels A DAY of crude oil are traveling through our canal, the west will stand against the wall quietly, until things fizzle. (If the price of gas in America was to suddenly jump to $7.50/gallon, the protests in New York and Los Angeles would rival the marches of June 30th). So let’s stop “taking offense” to the threats of withdrawn aid. They’re irrelevant. Not to mention, enough of our wildly rich neighbors have been more than willing to cover the tab. What Remains: As the dust settles, we see there are only two kinds of Egyptians left. Those who want to move forward and those who want to go back. If you want to return to military rule, you’re moving back. If you want to drag Egypt back to the 13th century and ban “sinful acts” like the ballet, you’re moving back. Let’s move ahead. Rabaa was a disaster and like Maspiro before it, it leaves one unsettled and heartbroken over the losses. The military has a history of using brutality and even after their repeated warnings to withdraw from the square, the Morsi supporters expected a different outcome. A poor judgement call on both sides, with a cost that was much too high. With a heavy heart, lets choose to move forward. Let’s open ourselves up to the potential of a new constitution, progressive public policy and honest, qualified leadership. A painful step to take, but a necessary one for our future. Hope: Our hope now lies in the hands of an interim government that is made up (for the first time in a LONG TIME) of dignified, educated, and patriotic Egyptians. These dedicated people are working tirelessly and around the clock to negotiate with people that won’t negotiate, address eager journalists and construct a roadmap for a country that is in turmoil. While many of them won’t move on to join our newly elected officials in the upcoming race, their service and contribution should not go unnoticed in our history books. Like all great Mothers, Egypt’s wish is for her children to grow together in love, health, and harmony. It’s in our hands to grant her that wish. Ta7ia Masr.
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 19:44:40 +0000
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