All or Nothing: Lotfy Basta MD,FRCP, FRCPE, FACP, FACC, FCCP, FAHA (Aug.8-2013) History teaches us that groups who wanted to have everything or else, end up with nothing. I do not recall one instance where the reverse was true. The Muslim Brothers dug their heels and insist not to go to the back burner; they are demanding the return of Morsi and want to govern according to sharia law. Neither of these will be realized. The youth insist on owning their Egypt and to have their place among progressive nations. I am a devout Coptic Christian and it pains me immensely to see other Christians living in Egypt, subjected to all kinds of discrimination and escalating acts of violence because of their religion. Also, I firmly believe that no political parties should become established on the basis of religion. Countries join the parade of modernity because of innovation in science and technology. Human excellence should be rewarded based upon merit and not because of adherence to a certain doctrine. Some of my best friends belong to other religions.; they command my respect and admiration. I believe strongly in including ALL Egyptian factions under the big Egyptian tent provided they renounce violence and use their expertise to serve Egypt and not to promote a certain religious ideology or various precepts of jihad. The use of Religions to justify barbaric acts is a toxic brew that hampers progress and modernity at all time. The pushing of any group, that abides by the law, underground delays a certain bad outcome and eventually results in an upheaval when eventually. Its destructive powers erupt and spew their poison on the whole burgeoning society. It is far better for a peace loving group to join the parade of progress than to hamper the forward march. Muslim Brothers ruled Egypt for one year and failed miserably. they were ousted by the recent spectacular uprising of Egyptians yearning for dignity and freedom with the help of the Military. the question remains whether the MB’s will retire easily in the sunset . I doubt this outcome since it has never been their mantra or style. Their Manifesto written by Hassan El-Banna in 1928 calls for dying for Allah (jihad), and that manifesto was reinforced subsequently by Sayed Quotb who called for the forced Islamization of the West. For these reasons and because of many others I am not at all optimistic. about their easy exit from the scene. Of course, other deeply religious Muslims are welcome to participate in shaping the future of Egypt so long that they call for equality and justice for all citizens regardless of their gender or beliefs. On the advent of the “Arab Spring” youth called for the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, and had their way, then called for his trial for many crimes allegedly committed by him, his appointees or cronies, subsequently they railed against the military, then against Ahmed Shafiq and they voted for Mohammed Morsi; and it is said that some of the voters simply wanted to express their displeasure with Mubarak’s despotic corrupt regime. Astonishingly, when they discovered that Mubarak is the lesser of the two evils when compared with the MB’s they hailed Mubarak during his trial in court. This second uprising we have a fantastic capable transitional Government backed by a determined, and now loved, military. However the Muslim Brothers continue to represent an enormous obstruction for the hoped for reform. The MB’s must understand that this“All or Nothing” demand does not work in any Democracy and that while the Government must be inclusive, but it should never tolerate violence or criminal acts. Once it yields to these evil forces it loses all credibility. Religiosity produces more love, caring, concern for neighbors, friendships and generosity of the spirit as well as peace and harmony. These are the qualities that defined Egyptians through the ages. The spectacular failure of the Brothers to rule (which should weaken all kinds of extremism in the whole region) coupled with the rapid progress that the current Egyptian Government can achieve should be causes of optimism. Nothing equals economic growth and full stomachs as potent antidotes to bigotry.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 15:12:37 +0000
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