It's been a week of protests. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is facing the biggest challenge in his 31 years in power. Egypt's most prominent democracy advocate. Mohamed El-Baradei, calls on Mubarak to resign The Muslim Brotherhood is also increasingly in the mix. The Egyptian military claims that it won't fire on peaceful protesters. Bookeristas - Muslim and Christian - weigh in on what's going on over in northern Africa:
A Muslim Conservative Perspective, USA: AkBar Shabazz: "The U.S. Must Support The Egyptian People In Their Quest For Liberty"
The Muslim conservative in Georgia writes on his Facebook page: "A lot of changes are happening in the Middle East. Requires thorough analysis of old allegiances in light of the expected changes. I hope our leadership does what is best for AMERICA's future and influence."
Mr. Shabazz takes issue with one of his Facebook friends who argues that supporting President Mubarak has been in America's interest. He argues that the U.S. government should start talks with Mr. El-Baradei: "Scott, please clarify how propping up Mubarak as 30-year 'President' works(ed) to our best interest? If we [were] promoting full and free elections long ago, the pendulum wouldn't swing so far to the opposite direction. We have to be consistent in our support for democracy and people's right to self-determination. We can't say those are universal principles then, support those who repress these exact same rights. The crazies are opportunistic and will surely fill the vacuum if it isn't filled by liberty. More countries over there are watching. Again, it will be in our best interest to be consistent."
More: "Our 'best friends' over there just asked us and other countries to stop criticizing Mubarak. Yeah, that will go over well and be helpful to us later down the line. As Stephen [another one of his Facebook friends] said, we simply need to butt out. We should get involved only when it is time to promote our own interests."
Mr. Shabazz ain't done just yet: "We can butt out by simply allowing Egyptians to determine their future direction. Yes, we've put a bunch of money over there. But, apparently this didn't work to our advantage. Standing by democracy and its principles are definitely in our best interests. I don't care how others want to steer us."
A Conservative Perspective, USA: Rep. Allen West: "Mubarak Is Bad. However, His Successors Could Be Radical Islamists & Thus Far Worse"
From the liberal Broward Palm Beach News, about the conservative Republican's appearance on Fox News to discuss the issue: "This weekend Mike Huckabee interviewed him on Fox News about the massive protests in Egypt against President Hosni Mubarak. And in a matter of minutes, West swung from defending civil liberties to advocating crackdowns on 'radical elements' of Islam. First, he began by criticizing Mubarak, who has been accused of jailing political opponents and turning a blind eye to police brutality. 'When you have these regimes that are autocratic, theocratic, dictatorial and being led by despots, they do tend to repress the people, as far as their freedoms and liberties. And there does come a point when the human will wants to have those liberties,' West said."
The article continues about Rep. West's remarks: "But then he decided Mubarak's repression might not be so bad. When Huckabee prodded him about the threat the Muslim Brotherhood -- a fundamentalist, government opposition group -- has posed to Egyptian leaders in the past, West jumped on the attack wagon to discuss his favorite subject, radical Islam. 'Over there sometimes it does require a stronger hand to keep those radical elements at bay,' he said. 'When [former president Anwar] Sadat let up, he was assassinated by the Brotherhood. That's the biggest concern that I have....If you don't keep these radical elements at bay then all of a sudden they rise up and they take advantage of these turbulent situations.'"
A Secular Muslim Perspective, France: Rama Yade: "Il Faut Une Ouverture Démocratique Significative En Egypte (We Need A Meaningful Democratic Opening In Egypt)"
The French ambassador to UNESCO and moderate - who was born in Senegal to a prominent Muslim family but identifies herself as a secular Muslim - is interviewed by readers of Le Monde (original article in French). An excerpt from the interview with Ms. Yade, who is France's former human rights minister:
You've always made it clear what you thought of authoritarian regimes. Like your past critiques on Gaddafi, do you feel that Mubarak should step down from power? The Egyptians should take control of their destiny. I think that the Egyptian regime can't remain deaf or blind to the suffering of its people. When a powerful freedom movement awakens, it is impossible to calm it down through repression. It takes a significant democratic opening. With whom? This is the Egyptian people to decide.
A Christian Libertarian Perspective, USA: William N. Grigg: "Saviors In Uniform? Don't Count On It"
The libertarian blogger in Idaho - who has spent time in Egypt - takes issue with some Egyptians' hopes that the military is on their side: "The ongoing upheaval in Egypt offers a potent illustration of the fact that government police agencies are instruments of plunder, rather than protection -- and that protection of person and property is best handled privately. When they weren't beating people in the streets or hauling them off to be murdered, plainclothes thugs from Egypt's Central Security Service (or Mukhabarat) brazenly looted private businesses or provided protection to those who did -- deputized criminals referred to by one protester on the scene as 'prisoners who have been released by that bastard Mubarak in return for their services to beat up civilians.' Egyptians not employed in the coercive sector responded by creating private anti-looting patrols. Public loathing of the government's police force is widespread in Egypt, which is a healthy development in any society. However, as [protester] Mr. [Mustafa Abdel] Wahab's comments illustrate, the growing disrepute of Egypt's police organs organs has actually enhanced the stature of the military."
He continues his commentary: "For 31 years, Hosni Mubarak has been a CIA sock puppet ruling through decree while maintaining a pretense of 'legitimacy.' Mubarak avoided naming a successor, most likely because Washington didn't give him permission to do so. In the terminal crisis of his reign, he has tapped Omar Suleiman, the head of the Mukhabarat secret police, to serve as vice president. Since Suleiman has been running Egypt's apparatus of imprisonment, torture, and murder for decades, this appointment wasn't really a promotion. And in his current position Suleiman would be in charge, even if somebody else is cast in the role of figurehead.
More: "During Egypt's long 'state of emergency,' its army managed to lose two wars abroad, while fine-tuning its skills as an instrument of domestic suppression. Granted, it has announced that it will not fire on Egyptian citizens, which is always a welcome development. But why should the Egyptian Army fire on protesters, given that the citizen uprising is helping to entrench military rule, rather than end it?"
A Secular Muslim Perspective, Britain: Walaa Idris: "Maer Um Eldonya"
That title means "Egypt Is The Mother Of The Universe" in Arabic. The Conservative Party activist in London - who was raised in neighboring Sudan - writes: "Every journey begins with a step; Mubarak appointing a VP is that first step and one in the right direction. Because it allows him to quietly and peacefully hand over to the army, step down and disappear with some dignity and without creating a dangerous political vacuum. By not simply cutting and running, he is paving the way for an orderly transitional government, most probably lead [sic] by the Nobel Prize winner Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, who although not a politician is still the best bet Egypt have for a unifier – and someone respected by all to lead the country while the politicians and the political parties properly prepare for democratic govern."
She continues her commentary: "Many talk about the risk of the Muslim Brotherhood hijacking the coming change and the question in everybody’s mind is can it happen? Yes, of course it can. As a unit, they are highly organised, well funded and always ready to fill any political vacuum in the region. If in doubt, then think of this, the Egyptian people were on the streets protesting for days but even when the government cut off all their communication nationally and internationally – the movement managed to gain its maximum momentum but only after a Friday prayers call. It was that call that re-energised the streets, organised and focused the protest. Besides worshiping, [m]osques are also a place for social gathering and some are open 24/7, with the opportunity to communicate information en masse at least five times a day."
More: "As a nation and a civilisation Egypt and Egyptian culture has lead [sic] the way in the region throughout history time and time again, I am hopeful this time she will peacefully and collectively lead the way once more."
A Christian Conservative Perspective, USA: Kevin Jackson: "Kiss The Pyramids Goodbye"
Asserts the conservative Republican in Missouri: "Egypt may be to Obama, as Iran was to Carter. The sad thing is that Obama is performing worse than Carter, and Egypt didn’t take any American hostages. One would think that Obama would have a much more firm grip on African politics than most. After all, he is of African descent. Yet Obama seems distracted, if not downright detached. What was my clue? Putting a rookie in charge of America’s foreign policy. Rookie #1 didn’t disappoint and hired rookie #2, and based solely on political payback. You know that Obama and SoS Clinton can’t stand each other. It seems these days they are both vying for 'Who’s more stupid than Biden?'"
He continues his commentary: "Egypt is the closest thing to a democracy in Northern Africa, ergo the Middle East, at least from the Afro-Arab point of view, and the Obama administration is blowing it. That government is in danger of disappearing, becoming the new millennium version of Iran, all because we have the Addams family running the show. The world is exponentially less safe under Obama. The U.S. can’t protect our borders, with Mexican cartels controlling the borders of America. Rogue regimes are building nuclear weapons, daring the U.S. to intervene. Meanwhile, Obama gets rid of our nuclear arsenal and is designing new draperies for the military. When it comes to running the country, Obama has checked out. He reminds me of a meth tweaker, who moves from project to project finishing none. His projects make no sense too. Let me see, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, or the safety of the world? Let me put it this way. I’d cancel that Egyptian vacation. If you’re American and haven’t seen the pyramids in person by now, you may have to kiss the pyramids goodbye."
Discuss "Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 3" post here.
Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 3
