tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86948562069321071032024-03-18T23:59:05.328-05:00Democratizing the New EgyptThis blog will detail my adventures, experiences and political observations while working and living in Cairo in the year of protest and transition, and beyond . . . .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-55243120841085721842017-03-27T16:33:00.001-05:002017-03-27T16:36:01.687-05:00The Ides of March <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> Although there has been no shortage of depressing news with regards to politics in 2017, the </span><a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/260847/Egypt/Politics-/Mubarak-ordered-released-following-acquittal-in-ki.aspx" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">release of the modern pharaoh </a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> Hosni Mubarak on March 13 is some of the worst, in my view. Al Ahram put it better than I could have, noting </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The former autocrat ruled Egypt from 1981 until a popular uprising ousted him on 11 February 2011."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">In a somewhat incredulous statement, Mubarak's <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/mubarak-s-lawyer-denies-his-client-owns-assets-outside-egypt">lawyer Farid al Deeb</a> claims that his client owns no money or property outside of Egypt, and is now borrowing American President Donald Trump's phrase of "false news" in defense of his client. Meanwhile, amidst these denials, a Swiss bank states that they have frozen close to 500 million in Egyptian assets linked to the Mubarak family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> In 2012, relatively free elections ushered into power the
Islamist leader, Mohammed Morsi’s administration, which was short lived as his
leadership was deposed by General </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Abdel Fattah El-Sisi</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">
in 2013. Since then, the Sisi administration has drafted draconian laws that prevented
illegal protests, which was a strategic law to prevent any dissenting views
hence increased the number of </span><a href="https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2016/1/24/egypt-reverting-back-to-a-police-state" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">political
arrests</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">. The police made more recent </span><a href="http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2017/03/18/618973/" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">arrests</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">
of Muslim Brotherhood militia personnel who made several attacks on the police
and army in Cairo through exchange of fire leading to the death of a civilian. In good news, the Egyptian Supreme Court has declared portions of the controversial protest law <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/261619/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-parliament-to-discuss-amended-protest-law-Su.aspx">unconstitutional</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
New York Times piece on the prominent youth leader (</span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/14/magazine/how-egypts-activists-became-generation-jail.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FEgypt&action=click&contentCollection=world&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=collection"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ahmed
Maher</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">) during the 2011 uprising, explains how Egyptian judges used
draconian laws to find him guilty of illegal demonstration and ‘thuggery.' Maher was sentenced to three years in the </span><a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/09/27/we-are-tombs/abuses-egypts-scorpion-prison"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tora
Prison</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, which is </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a
notorious complex housing political prisoners and criminals. Maher is still monitored
closely by the police because the government views his influence over social
media as "a terroristic threat". As a result, he spends 12 out of 24 hours of each day with the
police to ensure that he is not inciting any dissenting views to topple the new
administration as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> France has been eyeing Egypt as a strategic partner in to <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/france-supports-cairo-militarily-confront-terrorists-immigrants-foreign-affairs">become a major military force in the region. </a>I thought Egypt was already a huge military force in the region. Egypt has long been an ally of USA and receives over a billion a year in <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/05/egypt-us-military-aid.html">military aid from the US. </a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Indeed, the US provided </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">$6.5 billion in </span><a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/congress-egypt-aid-cut-backlog-sisi-cairo.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">military assistance to Cairo</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> between 2011 and 2015.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">As a
result, President Trump is expected to visit Egypt from April 1 to 4 as a
follow-up of their 23 January 2017 phone conversation to discuss ways to
increase bi-lateral relations. Let's hope they do not trade notes on how to crush dissent . . .</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> .</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Huge thanks to my wonderful graduate assistant Shem Ngwira in helping me put together this piece. </span></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-24440733307302191802014-11-29T14:34:00.000-06:002014-11-29T15:12:23.325-06:00Mubarak's Rise and Fall <span style="font-family: inherit;">They say that if you are going to commit a crime, you should commit a big one, like the Savings and Loan scandal, or the Wall Street Credit default swap debacle, or in the case of former Egyptian President Mubarak, perhaps, loot a country for a generation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the run up to the verdict, the main response of Egyptians was a big yawn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The Washington Post reported that the "trial of the century" for Egypt has largely dropped from people's attention, partly because of its length, and partly because of the massive protests that began in June 2013, during the retrial. After the protests against the domination of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood that brought to his ouster, TV and newspaper dropped their criticism of Mubarak's old regime and shifted the blame for the violence on Islamists and foreign conspirators. Issandr al-Amrani, North Africa Project Director at International Crisis Group declared that "there's been a steady narrative to say 2011 wasn't a real revolution, the real revolution was June 30, 2013". </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">(</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Mubarak verdict due, but Egyptians' interest wanes</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by Associated Pess,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The Washington Post, </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">November 27, 2014) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span>But Mubarak got off in any event. The New York Times reported today that<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 23px;">" An Egyptian court dropped all remaining charges against former President </span><a class="meta-per" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/hosni_mubarak/index.html?inline=nyt-per" style="background-color: white; color: #326891; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 23px;" title="More articles about Hosni Mubarak.">Hosni Mubarak</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 23px;"> on Saturday, raising the possibility that he could go free for the first time since being removed from office in the 2011 uprising that defined the Arab Spring revolt."</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">(Kirkpatrick and Thomas, 11.29.2014 NYT) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Most bizarrely, Mubarak was acquitted of corruption charges, which seemed to be a slam dunk. It makes one wonder. Here are two reasons why. First, the judiciary is widely rumored to be full of "feloul" Mubarak allies. Second, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">the government is currently run by a new military-backed strongman, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. Mubarak is from the military, so it is no surprise that they are taking care of business. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This verdict seems to bode well for another not-very-well liked Egyptian President, Mohamed Morsi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A committee was appointed by Egypt's interim
president Adly Mansour to investigate the violence after Morsi's ouster. The
committee will present a final report divided into five parts, and it will
cover 11 files. The most important part, entitled "Gatherings and sit-ins
in public squares and roads in Egypt," will document events in support of
Morsi during which several supporters were killed. Marawan announced: "The
report will give a complete list of the names of the victims from the
dispersals and where and how they were killed". He also announced that
"the report tried to be as neutral as possible". (<o:p></o:p></span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Committee to announce report</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on Egypt's post-Morsi violence on Wednesday </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by Gamal Essam El-Din, </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Ahram Online, </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">November 24, 2014)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Given the Mubarak verdict, one can expect that impunity will be the order of the day, although you never know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Women may have been a major beneficiary of the Arab Spring, along with some release of restrictions on the press. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In Egypt, more
than 90 percent of women are estimated to have undergone female genital mutilation
(FGM), although the practice, also known as "circumcision", has been
penalized in 2008. Some still still consider whether to circumcise their daughters or not, because
without it she could be "sexually voracious", and this could be
"dangerous for her". The tradition is practiced because "it is
seen as needed for cleanliness or to prevent a girl's sexual desire from
running out of control". In fact, a widely used Egyptian Arabic term for
it translates as "purification". In southern Egypt, Manal Fawzy runs
the Assiut Childhood and Development Organization, a UNICEF partner
organization that "takes a community approach to getting people to abandon
the practice". She and her colleagues go from village to village to talk
to the residents, but also to religious leaders and doctors, encouraging the
latters and the families to speak publically about their rejection of the
tradition. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">(</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Egypt making slow progress on genital mutilation </i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">by Associated Press, </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The Washington Post,</i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> November 25, 2014)</span></div>
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Many thanks to my fabulous GA, Paola Cavallari, for doing much of the research that helps me stay on top of things.<br />
<br />
WMB </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-85406739148319954182014-09-16T14:09:00.000-05:002014-09-16T14:12:26.557-05:00Wrap up of August, 2014, events in Egypt<style>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the Rab'a Massacre</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In a 188-page report entitled
"All According to Plan: The Rab'a Massacre and Mass Killings of Protesters
in Egypt", Human Rights Watch has accused the Egyptian police and army of
crimes against humanity committed during at least 6 demonstrations between July
5 and August 17, 2014. The report is the result of interviews to more than two
hundred witnesses, visits to the protest sites right after the attacks, and
reviews of physical evidence, video footages, and statements by public
officials. In particular, Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights
Watch, has declared that the Rab'a massacre of August 14, 2013, "was a violent crackdown
planned at the highest level of the Egyptian government." Egyptian
officials have tried to justify the massacre by claiming that the civilians
were armed. Human Rights Watch documented the throwing of rocks and Molotov
cocktails against the army forces, but it affirmed that the killing was disproportionate. In about 12 hours, 817 people were
killed in what is considered "the biggest mass killing of civilians in
modern Egyptian history." Moreover, the Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim
declared that his forces found only 15 guns in the square. This massacre was not "the result of poor
training or unexpected circumstances", but it had been premeditated because
"the violent dispersal of the sit-in was thoroughly planned in
advance". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The main question surrounding the events in Rab'a is: "How
do we explain the behavior of the Egyptian military on Tahrir in January 2011
and in Rab'a in 2013?" On one hand, in January 2011, the military at first
stood by Mubarak, killing hundreds of people during the uprising. Then, a week
into the rebellion, the army declared its refusal to raise its weapons against
civilian protesters. On the other end, during the Rab'a massacre, the army
coordinated closely with the Ministry of Defense, locking any possible way out
of the Rab'a's square where people were gathered, using snipers to shoot on the
crowd and bulldozers to clear the path for the gunmen. The operation was
overseen by President al-Sisi, at the time "minister of defense, general
commander of the armed forces, chair of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces
(SCAF) and deputy prime minister for security affairs". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Scholars have been
studying and developing theories to explain these two different behaviors of
the military forces, but it is hard to reach a conclusion examining one single
regime crisis. "Future research [...] would do well to account for both"
events. Finally, since those
events took place, Egyptian authorities have engaged in several other measures
to deprive citizens and political opponents of their basic human rights. No one
has been held responsible for the massacres, although the government has
created a committee to investigate the human right abuses since June 30, 2014.
Human Rights Watch has asked the government to provide its perspective
on the events, but it has not received any response yet. One year after the Rab'a
massacre, not one of the officials who perpetrated the
massacre has been held accountable for it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Other issues regarding democratization</i> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span>On a different note, in July 2014 the Egypt's
regime announced the reduction of fuel subsidies. Although the announcement
generated waves of anger among the poor, many of whom are still suffering from the turmoil
undergoing in the nation since January 2011, the next day the lines at the gas
station across the country seemed as normal as ever. After several weeks, gas
stations recorded a shift in the preference of private drivers from the 92
unleaded gasoline to the 80 gasoline, the cheap one, and to natural gas. One
reason for the lack of uprisings was the deployment of riot police at several
gas stations and around main arteries of Cairo. Another reason is that many
decided not to protest because they estimated the cost of an uprising to be
higher than heeding the government's decisions, while wealthier citizens
consider inflation a natural phenomenon, and thus see no reason to protest
against it. A third reason is the intervention operated by the military to open
three main traffic intersections, relieving the traffic jams suffered by the
eastern part of Cairo. This operation had two main consequences: it increased
the value of real estate in those areas, and it had positive effects on public
transportation and taxi services, since the drivers don't have to take massive
detours anymore, increasing their income. Finally, according to Hatem Zayed, an
economic researcher, people accepted the recent economic measures because of
the fear generated by the outcomes of recent protests, and because of how
gradually inflation is happening. However, although President al-Sisi keeps
promising mitigation policies, he is just maneuvering around the economy.
Therefore, '"it's only a matter of time before people start protesting the
economic distress; it is inevitable"'.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Additionally, the Ministry of Interior has
launched a government project aimed to relocate street vendors from downtown
Cairo to Al-Torgoman. The project has the purpose of enforcing the sovereignty
of the law in Egyptian streets, as well as to deal with traffic congestion,
electicity theft, and violation of public property, as declared by Major
General Abdel-Tawab. Street vendors have been protesting against the measure,
stating that Al-Torgoman is a non-commercial area, and that they foresee huge
material losses. Hussien, head of the street vendors syndicate, affirmed that
the measure took them by surprise, and that they are willing to prove that the
new location is non-commercial. They will sell their products <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Al-Torgoman for five days, and decide to
stay if satisfied, or return downtown if not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Finally, prosecutor-General Hisham
Barakat is leading an investigation into the administrators of the Facebook
page "Popular Resistance Movement" because it allegedly "incites
against state institutions and calls for assaulting army and police
personnel". The police has arrested the page's administrator, a teacher
living in Qalioubiya, for posting slogans of the Muslim Brotherhood, and they
have confiscated his laptop. His brother has been arrested too. This
investigation follows restrictive measures enforced by the Egyptian police
after the Muslim Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organization after
Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was ousted last summer. Since then, hundreds
of his supporters and members of the Brotherhood have been killed and thousands
have been put into jail. In January, the Interior ministry has declared the
beginning of arrests of users and administrators of social media websites that
incite violence against the police or citizens; dozens of Brotherhood members
have been accused and arrested after the announcement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Good news: Karima El-Serify, detained in
Qanater prison since mid-April, has been released by the Cairo Criminal Court
under "probation measures". Karima has been on hunger strike for 68
days, and this may be the main reason behind her release, according to one of
her friends. Karima was arrested and charged in espionage cases along with
other members of Morsy's presidential team. Moreover, as her mother has declared,
her arrest has been a way "to put pressure on her father, Ayman
Al-Serify" close associate of Morsy. Karima began her hunger strike after
"prison guards ordered cellmates to beat her and her colleagues and steal
their belongings". Hunger strike has been used as a protest tactic by
several prisoners currently detained in Egypt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">~WMB</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Many thanks to my Graduate Research Assistant, Paola Cavallari </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-79511673021034603422014-05-05T10:48:00.000-05:002014-05-05T10:48:46.894-05:00Egypt's elections 2014 <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklPGgcutWOVjbyqCtGd-k-JZc2KsGRpjjQ8hPU78oiAvRZNmOWG1HGBH2b0TIuQe54SWcvNv2XIfjBS9KRFMxzkF1n-SXatkHEEJLpm7_W8X0IBjPTQL_roKdsp31B3LSf0Ezqkv-3_I/s1600/2014-635348876874560848-456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklPGgcutWOVjbyqCtGd-k-JZc2KsGRpjjQ8hPU78oiAvRZNmOWG1HGBH2b0TIuQe54SWcvNv2XIfjBS9KRFMxzkF1n-SXatkHEEJLpm7_W8X0IBjPTQL_roKdsp31B3LSf0Ezqkv-3_I/s1600/2014-635348876874560848-456.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secretary of State Kerry, and my old boss, Nabil Fahmy, now Egyptian Foreign Minister. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Things do not look so good in Egypt. The country has strayed fairly far from the goals of the Revolution, in my opinion. I am really hoping to go to Egypt some time in June.<br />
<br />
Egypt is becoming increasingly dependent on financial inflows from the Gulf. <a href="http://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2014/04/24/imf-in-egypt-act-two/h906">Gulf Inflows (Cargnegie Endowment).</a> This is a problem for several reasons. Egypt has traditionally been a relatively secular, politically moderate state, with a strong Sunni heritage, but a tolerance for multi-culturalism. The Gulf states, by contrast, particularly the wealthy Saudi Arabia tend to observe Wahabiism. Wahabis are much stricter, much more puritanical, and much more missionary than mainline Sunnis. (Compare evangelicals to Methodists for example) This financial dependency could push Egypt into a more radical position culturally, and a much less tolerant position.<br />
<br />
Egypt tentatively has scheduled presidential elections in May. The IMF, according to Carnegie, has bought into the "restoration of democracy" narrative postulated by the Egyptian government. Personally, I do not see how a coup by the military doth democracy make. Here is a good quote.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">There is also historic precedent for dealing with Egypt regardless of
its domestic political climate. The IMF dealt with former president
Hosni Mubarak as compensation for Egyptian support for coalition forces
during the First Gulf War, whose government by then had a less than
optimal record on human rights, civil governance, and transparency. The
g</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
eopolitical reasons for reengaging with Egypt today are equally
profound. Despite public censure, western actors—notably the United
States and European Union—by and large need Egypt to maintain pressure
on armed Islamist groups in the Sinai and to remain a buffer against the
larger destabilization of the region caused by the prolonged conflict
in Syria. Western actors also want Egypt to not seek rival sponsors,
such as Russia, whose <a href="http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/egypts-arms-deal-with-russia-potential-strategic-costs">recent arms agreement</a> with Egypt buttresses speculation that Cairo is moving away from Washington.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy Monday. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">~WMB </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-49191290544694334302014-05-05T10:12:00.001-05:002014-11-29T14:35:27.179-06:00Wangeci Bowman - Rest in Peace Dear readers <br />
<br />
I apologize for my extended absence. My sister, Wangeci Bowman, passed away of breast cancer on November 7, 2013 at age 43.<br />
<br />
I had always hoped she would visit Egypt, but we never had the chance.<br />
<br />
Rest in Peace.<br />
<br />
~WMB Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-42689126479781635872013-09-17T13:55:00.003-05:002013-09-17T13:58:21.331-05:00Egypt's State of Emergency Continues <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBkbE7SNMPJIsO7TTQYASYNmyAXxAFuJ2noaoQwLFZUSUhL8aYRTa2sA7-7jvtvtJPE7cT6JZQMLyC-mveh6av9g1T1H86gvfw4gG3ksynhi9gVVjzSBpXDnQJ2Mx-RIgz5_WAjdgKbQ/s1600/20130917_ATR_1.1-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBkbE7SNMPJIsO7TTQYASYNmyAXxAFuJ2noaoQwLFZUSUhL8aYRTa2sA7-7jvtvtJPE7cT6JZQMLyC-mveh6av9g1T1H86gvfw4gG3ksynhi9gVVjzSBpXDnQJ2Mx-RIgz5_WAjdgKbQ/s320/20130917_ATR_1.1-photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to the Daily News Egypt, The cabinet has approved the establishment of a fact-finding
committee to investigate the violence occurring on June 30<sup>th</sup> and
subsequent weeks. Egypt’s interim Prime Minister, Hazem al-Beblawi, explained that the state of
emergency was extended due to security issues, and cited several acts of
violence and terrorism. The cabinet has further stated that the Prosecutor
General specifically carried out the startling number of arrests, and that
those detained were charged with
criminal offenses. The interim cabinet has commissioned the National Council
for Human Rights to collect and record data from the events that followed Morsi’s
ouster, including several violent altercations.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is growing unrest related to the extended state of
emergency. The April 6 Youth Movement called for a protest, scheduled in
Talaat Harb Square in downtown Cairo on Monday evening. This is amid increasing
calls for the release of what are perceived as random arrests and for stopping
military trials for civilians.The Muslim Brotherhood has also issued statements condemning
the extended state of emergency.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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While the Presidential spokesman, Ihab Badawi, has stated that
there was full support for the continuance of the state of emergency, several
political figures have voiced concerns over a potential abuse of power, and
human rights violations that may have occurred within this volatile timeframe. Interim President issued Presidential order 532 on Thursday stating that the state of emergency will continue for at least two months. The abolition of the law, which has been in force on and off since 1958, was one of the key demands of the 2011 Revolution. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It remains unclear how the work of the National Council for
Human Rights committee will impact this dialogue, however, their research,
particularly the rehashing on several deadly clashes, may serve to further
intensify this debate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Another hot issue: Some of the latest in Egypt is related
to the land dispute between Nile University and Zewail City for Science and
Technology. Former Prime Minister Ahmed
Nazif gave a plot of land over to Nile University in 2006 that had had been
designated for the Zewail City of Science and Technology project in 2000. After
the January 25<sup>th</sup> revolution, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf granted the
land back to Zewail City and moved Nile
University over to Smart Village instead. However, the Nile University campus
was already built in that space and ready for use. Nile University students
have hosted sit-ins at the campus, demanding use of the facilities. A short-term solution for what has been deemed "the Nile University crisis" has been rejected. The disputed land now hosts two
hotly contested buildings. Nile students have not yet been granted access to
the disputed buildings. Zewail City accepted 300 students into the contested
buildings at the beginning of its first academic year on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many thanks to my wonderful GA, Neena. </div>
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~WMB</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-24750138918003684952013-05-01T17:21:00.000-05:002013-05-01T17:21:07.407-05:00The Egypt Independent Says Farewell in a blaze of Glory
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0KbrrkBG5y4OZhC7TQwJCGrp78zQFiPfMe_PHqD7XzEaX-dvvFPAfhAFf2kRykXEE5nTK5FBbitl881fk4lYce1TyvdXRZxGL1hH7uIGzlWh_aQR_G8wb6Cb3P0gs9uYn4lZvInkIw4/s1600/130765232-580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0KbrrkBG5y4OZhC7TQwJCGrp78zQFiPfMe_PHqD7XzEaX-dvvFPAfhAFf2kRykXEE5nTK5FBbitl881fk4lYce1TyvdXRZxGL1hH7uIGzlWh_aQR_G8wb6Cb3P0gs9uYn4lZvInkIw4/s320/130765232-580.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coming up
on about a week now, it was announced throughout the world that Egypt’s main
independent English language news source, Egypt Independent, was to stop
publication. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This loss is particularly painful for me. I wrote several editorials for the Egypt Independent, and it was an important location for me both physically and intellectually during the Revolution and beyond. I am heartbroken .. . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">American news outlets such as New York Times and the Wallstreet
Journal spoke of the media outlet positively, citing that as it’s name
suggested, was the country’s only true independent voice that reflected the
expression of the revolutionary voices </span><a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/news-web-site-in-egypt-abruptly-shuts-down/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Stack, 2013).</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In the last four years, Stack explains,
the staff <span style="color: #262626;">chronicled the waning days of the Mubarak
regime, the outbreak of revolution in their own country and across the Arab
world, military rule and most recently the administration of the first
democratically elected Islamist leader of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi. The staff,
which has been notably critical of the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated government, believes that it was shut down by the self-censorship of its sister paper Al-Masry
Al-Youm </span></span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2013/04/26/egypts-independent-press-takes-a-hit/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Habib, 2013).</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Investors of the paper and
the sister company’s chairman, Abdel Moneim, cited financial difficulties for
the reason of the closure and has not commented about the accusations that the
closure was political. The Muslim Brotherhood also declined to comment on the
situation </span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2013/04/26/egypts-independent-press-takes-a-hit/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Habib, 2013).</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Egypt Independent is the
second independent English-language publication to shut down in Egypt in the
past year as The Daily News Egypt abruptly closed after a seven year run when
investors also claimed unbearable financial losses </span><a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/news-web-site-in-egypt-abruptly-shuts-down/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Stack, 2013).</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcbZX7CEtzVE-XB8cI1OiAVjq5lE6KDazjvabzJoEzdzgE8jfqkG2pM7GIT6njbnHQC3TeYYp7MkT64LTG39y1pSSOjsl04LznW2evFUGBxRcVrCcXQ_JYuxIfS3cRX-T-eDA4YjCxPQ/s1600/1-4cf5c0dcbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcbZX7CEtzVE-XB8cI1OiAVjq5lE6KDazjvabzJoEzdzgE8jfqkG2pM7GIT6njbnHQC3TeYYp7MkT64LTG39y1pSSOjsl04LznW2evFUGBxRcVrCcXQ_JYuxIfS3cRX-T-eDA4YjCxPQ/s320/1-4cf5c0dcbf.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">On April 23,
2013 the latest edition of the paper, in fact it’s 50<sup>th</sup> edition, was
sent to the presses and Al-Marsy Al-Youm “pulled the plug”, which the outlets editor
in chief Lina Attalah stated she believed it was due to the editions’ </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">scathing critiques of not just the
government, but criticism of the parent company’s management and
self-censorship </span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2013/04/26/egypts-independent-press-takes-a-hit/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Habib, 2013).</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since President Morsi has taken office, the
prosecutor general has summoned several journalist on charges of “insulting”
the president. The administration is accused of intimidating reporters and
inciting violence against them </span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2013/04/26/egypts-independent-press-takes-a-hit/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Habib, 2013).</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is not the first major incident of
censorship or confrontation between the two media companies. In late 2011,
Egypt Independent then referred to as- “Al-Marsy Al-Youm English Edition” broke
partially away from its then-parent company as its content was “squashed” for
being too critical of the government. During this confrontation, Egypt Independent
announced the break and expressed they felt the revolution was incomplete and
the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule was increasingly heavy handed. Supporters of the
newspaper expressed their dismay of the recent closing. “After the revolution
there was a flood of people who expressed what they wanted…but we’re beginning
to see that this change wasn’t real and that we were fooled,” said Habiba
Effat, 22 year old from Cairo </span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2013/04/26/egypts-independent-press-takes-a-hit/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Habib, 2013).</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a short </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">statement called “Egypt Independent
2009-2013” the news outlet explained that they were not going down without a
fight and pushed their last issue online and in PDF format. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The explained that this issue continued their
standards of critical journalism, discussing issues that reflected the county’s
challenges as well as those facing Egyptian media. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Four
years after the birth of Egypt Independent, the management of Al-Masry Media
Corporation has informed our editorial team that our print and online news
operation is being shut down. Because we owe it to our readers, we decided to
put together a closing edition, which would have been available on 25 April, to
explain the conditions under which a strong voice of independent and
progressive journalism in Egypt is being terminated. The management, however,
withheld the printing of this edition. While the print house received the final
proofs on 23 April, management ordered a last-minute stoppage after scrutinizing
the issue’s content. In keeping with our practice of critical journalism,
we use our final issue to reflect on the political and economic challenges
facing Egyptian media, including in our own institution” </span><a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egypt-independent-2009-2013"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">(Egypt Independent,
2013)</span></a><span style="color: #434343; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 22.5pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The articles
in the last edition were understandably full of anger but also reflection. The
staff spoke about the vision of the paper that denoted a commitment to
professionalism and civil rights. They explained they were trying to be more
than a “mouth-piece” for the state and the political parties </span><a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/news-web-site-in-egypt-abruptly-shuts-down/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Stack, 2013)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Attalah and other Egypt Independent
discussed the closure via social media. <span style="color: #262626;">Attalah
that she considered one of the key questions for professional journalists to
be, “How do we become active mediators as opposed to silent vehicles of
information?”</span> </span><a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/news-web-site-in-egypt-abruptly-shuts-down/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Stack, 2013)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Attalah promised that her staff would
continue their work in some new form and that their leaders had not seen the
last of them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">More news on the shutdown </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/04/egypt-independent-newspaper-closing-al-masry-al-youm.html">The Death of Egypt Independent </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/opinion/goodbye-al-masry-al-youm">Goodbye Al Mary Al Youm </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/137896360/Egypt-Independent-s-50th-and-final-print-edition">Egypt Independent's 50th and Final Edition </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201304251942-0022704">Public Mourns Loss of Egypt Independent </a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-33254632675359481822013-04-01T12:04:00.003-05:002013-04-01T15:40:23.870-05:00Women's status, unrest in Cairo, and weakened protest rights <style>
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The Muslim Brotherhood has responded
negatively to a newly ratified United Nations (UN) declaration, which seeks to
end violence against women. They reject the declaration deeming it as
misleading and deceptive and stating that it contradicts the principles of Islam and would
destroy society. The National Council for Women (NCW) has dismissed the
Brotherhood’s statements insisting the declaration advocates for law enforcement
to execute plan to combat violence, while stressing equality in education,
health, and human rights. Further, they state the claims made by the
brotherhood that it violates Sharia are a “misuse of religion, and an attempt
to tarnish the UN’s image in order to quash women’s rights.” Other groups see
the “showdown” between the two groups as a stage due to Egypt signing the
declaration, meaning the ruling party (Brotherhood) signed it, keeping
appearances both internationally and locally. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is the
Brotherhood feigning a feud with the women’s council? </i>By Dalia Rabie March
25, 2013) </div>
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The "Strong Egypt" Party launched an
initiative in January called “Transportation that respects women” in an effort
to alleviate sexual assault and other issues women face while in public. The
microbuses are provided to offer an alternative to public transportation system
that “is failing to provide a basic, respectable method of transport that meet
women’s needs.” In a study conducted in Cairo and Monufiya universities, 68% of
women said they had been subjected to either physical or verbal abuse. Private
taxis are too expensive so many women are happy this new alternative is
available to reduce the risk of harassment. However, some women’s-rights groups
are concerned that it encourages gender discrimination and only treats the
symptom of an overarching problem. (<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Women
only: Will a segregated transport system solve or perpetuate a problem? </i>by
Heba Helmy March 27, 2013) </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
Meanwhile, two years after the revolution, street violence remains high, and the rule of law seems weak. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
At least 90 people were injured during
clashes on Friday the 22<sup>nd</sup> between Muslim Brotherhood supporters and
opponents. The opponents ransacked three of the brotherhood’s offices including
their headquarters in Cairo. The Brotherhood’s spokesman said opponents
attacked women who were holding mother's day commencements. Riot police defended
the headquarters but did not interfere to break up the sides a few blocks away.
The opposition demanded Morsi to be tried for the killings of protestors just
like Mubarak. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dozens
injured as clashes erupt in Egypt </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by
<i>Al Jazeera</i> March 22, 2013) </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
Last week, a new round of clashes erupted
in cities in northern Egypt, and protestors rallied in Cairo in the latest
demonstrations against President Morsi. The clashes in Alexandria occurred between
citizens, those who supported the Muslim Brotherhood, and those who oppose the
group. At another location, anti-government protestors threw stones at offices
that used to be home to the Brotherhood’s office before it was stormed a few
weeks back. This halted train traffic for a few hours. In the Nile River Delta,
protestors and riot police clashed in front of the office of Prosecutor General
Talaat Abdullah. Early this week, Egypt’s prosecutor general issued warrants
for five of Egypt’s most prominent advocates stating they instigated the
violence over the past few months where hundreds have been injured. A few weeks
ago members of the Brotherhood beat activists, including women, who were
spray-painting anti-brotherhood graffiti outside their headquarters. Earlier
this week, Morsi gave a speech calling his opposition thugs and warned foreign
nations that are interfering in their domestic issues. “No one in our
neighborhood wants this nation to stand on its feet. I will cut off any finger
that meddles in Egypt.” (<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Protestors
rally in Cairo, clashes erupt in 2 other Egyptian cities in latest wave of
unrest </i>by Mohammed Khalil March 29, 2013) </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
Despite this tough talk by Morsi about foreign meddling, perhaps Morsi should work on cleaning his own house. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
Amnesty International is criticizing the
Egyptian government for failing to protect Coptic Christians, the largest
minority group in the country. There has been a rise in tension in religious
communities and authorities have done little to relieve it. In February a
Muslim woman was reported “missing” and accused a church of converting her to
Christianity. Protest erupted demanding she be returned and the Coptic Christians
leave the community. “Let the Christians die from fear” were common chants that
were paired with anti-Christian leaflets distributed throughout public areas.
After a week of protest and violence (shut down Christian stores and beat
anyone who resisted), on March 25, a large group of Muslim men threw Molotov
cocktails inside a Christian church and set fire the local priest’s car. Muslim
and Christian elders met for a “reconciliation meeting” which agreements to
allow Christian stores to reopen and for the missing woman to be returned by
April 24 were made. Amnesty International state the response is poor and
“reconciliation” should not be a replacement for prosecution of offenders of
sectarian violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Amnesty
Slams Morsy for failing to protect Copts </i>by Egypt Independent March 27,
2013)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
Freedom of speech is increasingly restricted in Egypt. A draft that restricts the right to
demonstrate has been approved by the Shura Council. The bill prohibits citizens
from organizing protests that “pose a risk to the nation’s security.” To
enforce this law, the police must approve all demonstrations three days in
advance. All demonstrations must be 200 meters away from all governmental
building. Anyone who violates this law will be sentenced to prison and a hefty
fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Shura
Council passes law curbing protest rights </i>Egypt Independent March 26, 2013) </div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
~WMB</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-35255499382743002512013-03-14T13:32:00.001-05:002013-03-14T13:32:11.220-05:00Cancelled Elections and Violent Clashes
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOJ0uWMMqab8hqbQIHzlj5TfCHm1R0QXg0aKfAnUsgo0jlY4vDdf5NpPVWKztU6zTyqL77_JhRUI1ljHKhDqcUbTzBlIylHk8czv4FfEIvQuIcNSV7zJ7jMmjOgFSn4kOZ8ynI3jHNOA/s1600/hzm_bd_lhmyd_4.jpg.crop_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOJ0uWMMqab8hqbQIHzlj5TfCHm1R0QXg0aKfAnUsgo0jlY4vDdf5NpPVWKztU6zTyqL77_JhRUI1ljHKhDqcUbTzBlIylHk8czv4FfEIvQuIcNSV7zJ7jMmjOgFSn4kOZ8ynI3jHNOA/s320/hzm_bd_lhmyd_4.jpg.crop_display.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violent clashes going on between central security forces and dozens of protesters at Kasr al-Nil bridge, Cairo, 11 March 2013. Photo Credit Hazem Abdel Hamid of the Egypt Independent. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three topics are heatedly being discussed right now in Egypt: the cancelled parliamentary elections, steps towards economic reform, and
police protests throughout the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A top court cancelled parliamentary elections scheduled for
April referencing confusion regarding election laws in the new constitution and
political instability across the country. This decision launches
Egypt’s political transition back into legal limbo, leaving the upper house (the Shura) as
the temporary legislature. The street violence since late January and the
anticipation of more violence add to the doubts about feasibility of
holding a vote in certain parts of the country. Further, the National Salvation Front has declared it
would boycott any lection, demanding the restoration of stability and the
overhaul of Egypt’s new Constitution <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/world/middleeast/egypt-court-cancels-parliamentary-elections.html?_r=0">(NYT-Kirkpatrick)</a>.
Cairo University professor, Mustafa Kamel al-Sayyed explained that the decision
to cancel the April legislative polls looks bad for Morsy. “It is a bad
decision for the president and bolsters the feeling that his decisions are
never thought out and that his advisers are not competent.” Other analysts
offered similar sentiments that this is just another sign that Morsy’s
presidency is failing <a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Mar-07/209247-egypt-poll-cancellation-a-blow-to-mursi-experts.ashx#axzz2NMUmn1r1">(Daily-Star)</a>.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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After months of teetering towards economic collapse, with soaring
unemployment, a gaping budget deficit, and steep declines in the currency’s
value (The Egyptian Pound) , Egypt is starting to get serious about economic reform. US Secretary of State John
Kerry visited Egypt at the beginning of March and urged that the country needs
to institute economic reforms and satisfy the conditions the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) has set. IMF has agreed to give Egypt a loan for $4.8
billion if arrangements are met. Further, the U.S. and the European Union have
stated they are prepared to provide substantial assistance if there is an
agreement made between Egypt and IMF <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/world/middleeast/kerry-hoping-to-nudge-egypt-toward-reforms.html?_r=0">(NYT-Gordon</a>).
With agreements yet to be made, IMF offered Egypt a $750 million rescue credit,
which it rejected. Egyptian Finance Minister El-Morsi Hegazy claimed that since
the country has started implementing a full economic reform program, it was
entitled to the larger loan by the IMF, not an emergency loan. He assures the
country that talks will continue throughout this month <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/business/2013/03/2013312175754343677.html">(Aljazeera</a>).
</div>
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<br /></div>
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The police force was widely regarded to be the underpinning of
former President Hosni Mubarak. The post-Revolution police force has continuously been accused of not reforming
and cases have been cited throughout the country which accuse the police of being even worse since the
2011 revolution. Human rights groups accuse the police of acting like armed gangs,
laying down collective punishment. Ahmed Helmy, Egypt’s deputy Minster of Interior, denies all claims of police abuse and states there is no evidence of
such occurrences, just political conflicts <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/03/07/173645079/in-post-revolution-egypt-fears-of-police-abuse-deepening">(NPR)</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since January 6<sup>th</sup>, over 70 people
have been killed during protests, which investigations are currently underway.
Similarly, 16 policeman have been killed and almost a thousand injured in
encounters with anti-regime protestor. Several police departments and security
camps throughout the country staged strikes, demanding better arms to defend
themselves as well as an end to the politicization of the force <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/sixteen-policemen-killed-january-says-interior-minister">(Egypt
Independent)</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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~WMB with assistance from Jillian Underwood </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-79411917027251315522013-02-22T16:11:00.000-06:002013-02-22T16:13:16.410-06:00Women in Egypt Two Years After the Revolution <style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hws0AnKpTESxbX91-uhybiPgIKVStxEDCpXpHmPKEq9MJE6CdMcmoKFVu4SfQuHI6dd2ptuaoNTHdEhGQo4Vu9lt7iwa4rJ6gz19v4inxYMdnZBkYV2zcrnihRBdOilNMVRcGc6UtNw/s1600/ljrnwsy_1.jpg.crop_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hws0AnKpTESxbX91-uhybiPgIKVStxEDCpXpHmPKEq9MJE6CdMcmoKFVu4SfQuHI6dd2ptuaoNTHdEhGQo4Vu9lt7iwa4rJ6gz19v4inxYMdnZBkYV2zcrnihRBdOilNMVRcGc6UtNw/s320/ljrnwsy_1.jpg.crop_display.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Various
organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the
United Nations have expressed their concern with the epidemic of violence and
sexual assault of women in Egypt. While harassment and gender inequity have
persisted throughout Egypt for decades, the level of sexual assaults at anti-government demonstrations
have risen both in numbers and intensity the past year reaching its height late
January and early February 2013, which marked the two year anniversary since
the fall of autocrat Mubarak (</span><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/02/13/egypts-women-sex-assaults-knives/1918309/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">USAtoday</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">). During a three-week period, <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">dozens of women have reported being stripped, groped, and
raped at demonstrations across Egypt. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Many activists
exclaim that sexual harassment in Egypt is a reality and expect little to be
done by police, but are refusing to be silenced. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Throughout the world, people gathered
outside Egyptian embassies in early February to denounce the occurrence of
violence against women and particularly against female protestors (</span><a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/64635/Egypt/Politics-/Thousands-worldwide-protest-sexual-assault-on-fema.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trew</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">). Statements made by the Shura council, the Salafi
movement, other ultra-conservative Islamist that placed blame on the victims
fueled the backlash of the violence. “They basically said that women are
responsible for the horrendously violent attacks on Tahrir and said we should
have specially designated areas for women to protest. We might as well have a
separate Egypt for women,” said Mariam Kirollos, a member of the Human Rights
Watch and a member of Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment movement (</span><a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/64635/Egypt/Politics-/Thousands-worldwide-protest-sexual-assault-on-fema.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trew</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">). Some activists believe,<i> and I think they are correct</i>, that the<span style="color: #262626;">
attacks are aimed at excluding women from public places, silencing them and
breaking their spirits. </span><span style="color: #0e0e0e;">“Women have been a
vital part of protests and have sacrificed much in their fight for freedom and
social justice. Egyptian authorities need to honour their activism and
pull out all stops to address endemic violence against women in all echelons of
society,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and
North Africa at Amnesty International (</span></span><a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-impunity-fuels-sexual-violence-2013-02-06"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amnesty International</span></a><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Groups
such as the </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tahrir
Bodyguards who have promised to protect female demonstrators have offered
self-defense courses and also patrol the square. Further, videos of the
assaults and marches have taken place in order to raise awareness about this
issue </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">(</span><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/02/13/egypts-women-sex-assaults-knives/1918309/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">USAtoday</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">)<span style="color: #262626;">. The fact
that women are coming forward to talk about their harassment is a good sign for
Egypt as it is typically seen as taboo. </span></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Michelle Bachelet</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Executive
Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment
of Women urges</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Egyptian leaders to put in place the legislation and mechanisms that ensure the
protection of women and children and for women to continue to fight for their
rights. “As a vibrant force in civil society, women continue to press for their
rights, equal participation in decision-making, and the upholding of the
principles of the revolution by the highest levels of leadership in Egypt” (</span><a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44046#.USPqDY7R5E8"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">United Nations</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">My huge thanks to my GA Jillian Underwood, who helps me stay on task in the blogosphere!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">~WMB </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-39791080494236660152013-02-18T12:10:00.002-06:002013-02-18T12:54:58.403-06:00Frustration with Morsy builds <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDydXigaZZw2brb7A3cVszh18A8vhpqaIQa3_LiNzl5moAn7a-pv5a44Ojn8XeLzijsq-pn7ytD5CGwmnqR4tCKz0KKPuI2vNw8ALBScUFhtl13t78s0vsLziiyUs8txTLV5MiQSg7HSE/s1600/anti_constitution__protest06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDydXigaZZw2brb7A3cVszh18A8vhpqaIQa3_LiNzl5moAn7a-pv5a44Ojn8XeLzijsq-pn7ytD5CGwmnqR4tCKz0KKPuI2vNw8ALBScUFhtl13t78s0vsLziiyUs8txTLV5MiQSg7HSE/s320/anti_constitution__protest06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protest in front of Presidential Palace, February15, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week protests continued in Egypt. February 11<sup>th</sup>
marked the second anniversary of the end of the Egyptian Revolution, the 18-day uprising that overthrew Mubarak. Since protests started again in late January, 2013 dozens
have been killed and hundreds injured. There have been accusations of police
brutality and other abuses by security forces in Egypt. While avoiding direct
criticism of Morsy, representatives from the United States expressed concern
about the climate and stated that people’s economic and political concerns
should be addressed. Further, the US Embassy suggested that the Egyptian Government needs to reach out widely
to opposition to find a common ground. Reflecting the fear of backlash, it was
reported this week that dozens of police officers have rallied outside the
local security administration headquarters demanding to stop being used as a
tool for political oppression in the country’s ongoing turmoil.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many in Egypt are
frustrated with Morsy and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is increasingly accused of monopolizing power. The economy has
deteriorated, conservative Islamists are obstructing progress in the country,
there are troubling concerns with the new constitution, and security forces
continue to be heavy handed. “Of course I feel disappointed. Every day is
getting worse,” said a citizen. Morsi and his supporters have dismissed the
opposition’s claims that he is the same as Mubarak and accused them of trying
to “topple a democratically elected president.” Bouts of protests and uprising started
in December when Egyptians perceived some of Morsy’s actions, as power grabbing.
Since December, Morsy’s approval ratings have continuously declined and are
currently the lowest it has been since he’s been in office. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~WMB</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to my wonderful GA, Jillian Underwood! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-76305521508050028552013-02-18T11:55:00.002-06:002013-02-19T07:35:47.188-06:00A Valentine for Eypt <div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBtcD4SKVy9hdbhY2woqu5ONFd1AQKll4Jr734rNIS1T1rhzqZrKLlCqilzSdsyLMdzwmNQnMcTptR3tlPCXbRWy5o3Gn7Xlej2ENwlLj7t4XTliGxyeUNFxN6quf39-ENYOSMEcEO4w/s1600/8258.jpg.crop_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBtcD4SKVy9hdbhY2woqu5ONFd1AQKll4Jr734rNIS1T1rhzqZrKLlCqilzSdsyLMdzwmNQnMcTptR3tlPCXbRWy5o3Gn7Xlej2ENwlLj7t4XTliGxyeUNFxN6quf39-ENYOSMEcEO4w/s320/8258.jpg.crop_display.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day Gifts in Cairo Stores. Photo Credit Islam Farouk</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Egypt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You thrill me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I try to leave, but cannot</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I push forward in the desert winds, feeling the palm air caress my face</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The boats carry me away, but I return</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a pull as strong as the Nile's current dragging me ever toward you</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
feeling your richness, feeling your depth</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
fearful of your embrace, but addicted to your bottomless charms </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
wondering how our story will end </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~WMB</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-20669087870910173072013-02-08T15:05:00.000-06:002013-02-08T20:07:22.249-06:00Friday of Departure<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/1456346" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="مظاهرات «جمعة الرحيل» ببورسعيد " height="239" src="http://www.egyptindependent.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/photo-watermarking-large/photo/2013/02/08/228/_rsh3493.jpg" title="مظاهرات «جمعة الرحيل» ببورسعيد " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protests of "Friday of Departure" in Port Said, 8 February 2013, demanding toppling of Mohamed Morsy's regime. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Egypt was rocked today by "Friday of Departure" protests. Train lines near Tahrir were blocked as protesters asked for Morsy's departure. The protests seemed to contain significant bitterness against the Muslim Brotherhood with slogans like "Brothers cannot be trusted." Today's protest demanded the ouster of Mohammed Morsy, and the formation of a National Salvation Government.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the National Salvation Front states that it is not demanding
the overthrow of President Morsy. Rather, they say they support peaceful
protests, and clarify that they believe Morsy is elected, but is
abusing his powers. <i><br /></i><br />
<br />
However, not all is well with Egypt's opposition. In a thoughtful editorial, Dina el-Khawaga, a Professor at the University of Cairo argues that the NSF has focused too much on installing a new type of political regime, and not enough on consolidating a revolutionary, social policy-driven agenda. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/opinion/crying-need-new-opposition">A Crying Need for a New Opposition </a>She also points out that by focusing on an anti-Brotherhood agenda, the opposition polarizes Egyptian society even further, and worsens existing societal divisions. <br />
<br />
She states that the opposition<br />
<br />
<i>needs to develop a discourse that expresses the demands of broad,
disenfranchised social groups, and stresses the need to restructure the
political system to serve the aspirations of citizens with regard to
dignity, freedom and equity.</i><br />
<br />
Well said Doktora. <i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
There has been a surge of violence in the recent weeks<i>, </i>with dozens dead from police violence. According to Reuters, the US government condemned violence against protesters, as well as the numerous acts of sexual violence against women which have taken place over the past two weeks. At least 60 persons have been killed. Although the police are part of the upsurge in violence, so are civilians.<br />
<br />
One of the most shocking episodes has been a video of a naked middle-aged man being beaten and dragged through the streets by police to their armored vehicle. Saber has alternately blamed protesters and the police for his beating. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk./news/world-middle-east-21330132">Egypt Police Beating: The Strange Case of Hamada Saber</a><i><br /></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Pope has expressed concerns that the new Egyptian Constitution is discriminatory, and is worried Christians will continue to be treated as an oppressed minority. The Pope called for all laws to be based on the concepts of citizenship, not religion.<br />
<br />
In news that may make gender activists happy, early in February, the Supreme Constitutional Court upheld the criminality of female genital mutilation, and has determined that it violates article 2 of the1971 constitution, and is also inconsistent with the principles of Sharia. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
~WMB<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-37354794112041645142013-01-25T16:52:00.000-06:002013-01-25T16:52:16.253-06:00Happy Birthday to a More Democratic, if not Revolutionary Egypt <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkk8CbBN_Wh0JoDw8H7IRbz49a2eOZdGatzUmkwECaUBIgE0KMP8TveaTY_QiZRWr9gaShEImmFN1SlrSkFR6CYa6dbtqJiiyOfSHgv08SCRRLFGq-bU3xZawXmAZlQ3-ZOnznkDjwMg/s1600/destroyed_wall_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkk8CbBN_Wh0JoDw8H7IRbz49a2eOZdGatzUmkwECaUBIgE0KMP8TveaTY_QiZRWr9gaShEImmFN1SlrSkFR6CYa6dbtqJiiyOfSHgv08SCRRLFGq-bU3xZawXmAZlQ3-ZOnznkDjwMg/s320/destroyed_wall_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Destroyed wall in Qasr al Aini street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today marks the second anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. January 25, 2011 marks the day when the Egyptian Revolution really began. Protesters took to the streets demanding "bread, freedom, and social justice." The protests would last 18 days, ending with the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak. <br />
<br />
Where is the country of Egypt now? Some things in Egypt are much improved. The press is much freer. Women have used the opening up of discourse to raise some important issues that require discussion, such as the role of women in Egyptian politics, and the high rate of sexual violence against women in their country. Issues of inequality have been pushed to the fore, and there are signs of democracy. A parliament was elected, if only temporarily, and a president was also elected. These are promising improvements.<br />
<br />
<br />
This has been a violent birthday for Egypt. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">There
were calls for major protests in Upper Egypt, Nile Delta and the North
Coast, including the governorates of Aswan, Qena, the Red Sea, Assiut,
Minya, Gharbiya, Kafr al-Sheikh, Damietta, Daqahlia, Suez and
Alexandria, and of course, Cairo. Protestors are chanting "Bread, Freedom, and the President lost legitimacy." Others are waving signs saying the Revolution continues. Scores are dead. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">There are tensions between the ruling Muslim Brotherhood and more liberal and revolutionary groups. Clashes have erupted today in Suez and Alexandria. The Muslim Brotherhood has not participated in protests, organizing charitable activities in major cities instead. Many protesters are chanting slogans against President Mohamed Morsy, the Department of Interior, and the Muslim Brotherhood. </span><br />
<br />
The National Salvation Front, led by Mohamed El Baradei, called for protests targeting the domination of Egyptian politics by the Muslim Brotherhood. Police have been firing tear gas on protesters. Hamdeen Sebahi and Khaled Ali also participated in the marches, along with other leftist leaders, and Abdel Fotouh. <br />
<br />
Most of the media is going to focus on the challenges facing Egypt now,
as well they should. I have said it before, and I will say it again,
massive social change, such as the change Egypt is currently undergoing,
is a time-consuming process. The French Revolution lasted at least 10
years, from 1789-to 1799. France required two more revolutions 1830 and
1848 before the modern country we now know took shape. Indeed,
conservatively estimated, the American Civil Rights Movement took from
1955-1968, or thirteen years. Social upheaval is a time consuming process. A Luta Continua. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-32824435559298427892013-01-12T17:06:00.000-06:002013-01-12T17:06:00.468-06:00Speech about Egyptian Democratization to the Arkansas Peace and Justice Coalition, January 12, 2013<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/1380551" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="مشاهد من ميدان التحرير " height="239" src="http://www.egyptindependent.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/photo-watermarking-large/photo/2013/01/12/228/tswyr_hsn_shlb_2.jpg" title="مشاهد من ميدان التحرير " width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;">Mural of Nasser, Tahrir Square, January 12, 2013</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7768339603456195" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Democratization in Egypt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">January 12, 2013</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank
you for inviting me here tonight. It is a real honor to have received
this invitation, and be asked to speak in front of such a diverse group
of progressive activists. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
am excited about the chosen topic for tonight’s talk, but I also
realize its pitfalls. How do I summarize the high points of a Revolution
only two years old, but one that has more excitement, plot twists, and
drama than a novel by Tolstoy? I was lucky enough to live through the
Egyptian Revolution, and actually arrived in Egypt to teach at the
American University in Cairo on the first official day of the
Revolution, January 25, 2011. I stayed in that country until December
31st, at which point I returned to the US, and began teaching at the
Clinton School of Public Service. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So
tonight, I am going to just briefly sketch a history of movement
towards democratization in Egypt over the past two years, and what I
believe are the concerns around those matters. Then, I want to invite
questions from the audience to fill in the gaps people are most
interested in. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Demographically,
Egypt has significant economic potential. It is the most populous
country in the Arab world. It has the Nile River. It has strong ties to
both Africa and the Middle East and lies upon the mediterranean ocean.
It has significant natural gas reserves, and massive tourist potential.
It has a well developed manufacturing base, and some impressive
engineering, such as the Aswan dam. It is a diverse country with
approximately 90 percent of a Muslim population, ten percent Coptic
Christian, and the remaining population consisting of Bahais, and
traditionalists. Every shade of skin is represented in Egypt from the
blue eyes and blond hair of Alexandria, to the dusky tones of the
bedouin in the Sinai, and the rich dark skin of the Nubians in Upper
Egypt. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So,
what is the current political situation in Egypt? As you know, an
enlightenment style revolution swept through Egypt two years ago. One
of the mottos of the revolution was “bread, equality and social
justice.” Hosni Mubarak, a US ally, and an authoritarian, oligarchic
leader was forced to leave power. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Politically,
Mubarak was very beholden to the US. He was enormously corrupt. He had
emerged from the military and maintained strong ties with them. Under
Mubarak, business and the state became one in a manner a political
scientist might characterize as nearly fascist. In an interesting twist,
the military created its own business empire under his rule. Under
Mubarak, the poor became desperately poor. Illiteracy increased to
nearly 70 percent, and corruption was rife. Inequality increased
rapidly, and as the Revolution indicated, Mubarak and his cronies stole a
significant amount of the nation’s wealth under his rule. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
Mubarak left, the country was ruled for an extended period by the
military, known as the Supreme Council of Armed Forces, or SCAF.
Essentially, the country remained authoritarian in this period, but the
military was the leader, not Mubarak. Many viewed this as the death of
one head of a two-headed hydra, where the beast remained alive. One
head had been cut off yet the other head remained. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
conservative right and liberal left categories which categorize Europe
and perhaps the US simply do not fit well in Egypt. Rather, parties can
more easily be divided along a crucial axis: support for a secular
state, or support for a religious (Islamic) state. Another axis might be
support for human rights, democratic mechanisms, social justice and the
poor, or conversely support for large business, the military and an
authoritarian state. So to give an example, Mubarak was secular, but
pro-business and autocratic. The Muslim Brotherhood supports poverty
relief, but also leans towards an Islamist state. The Nour party
(Salafis) support a strong Islamist state and have no well thought out
views on most of the other issues. The opposition led in part by
Mohammed El Baradei, supports a secular state, the rights of women and
minorities, poverty reduction, and more democratic approaches. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
a point of clarification, being Muslim does not make one an Islamist,
or a radical or al qaeda. There are many practicing Muslims who prefer a
secular state. The threat, in my view, comes from the Salafis, or
fundamentalists, who wish to impose a Wahabi, Saudi style, stripped
down, and very strict version of Islam on Egypt. These are the people
who are destroying Sufi relics in Mali, and who terrorize Afghanistan as
the Taliban. Like Christianity, Islam has many voices, from the most
conservative, (Wahabi) to the most liberal, perhaps the Sufi, and a
whole spectrum in between. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A
burst of optimism among the liberal secularists occurred as the nation
prepared for the first ever truly free parliamentary elections in the
Winter and Spring of 2012. However, after the dust had settled, the
first post-revolutionary Egyptian parliament had few women, and many
Islamists, some of them extreme. One good outcome of the parliamentary
election was that the liberals and secularists did better than expected,
capturing about 15 percent of the seats in the lower house. Given the
fact that the majority of liberal parties were formed after the
Revolution, I believe that was a strong showing. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Late
in the spring, however, the sunshine of democracy dimmed as the
judiciary dismissed the lower house of parliament on technical grounds. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In
June 2012, I returned to Egypt to the American University in Cairo to
work on my research. In mid June, an election took place between Ahmed
Shafiq, former prime minister under Mubarak and a military man, and
Mohammed Morsy, a well educated engineer, and prominent member of the
Muslim Brotherhood. Tensions ran very high, and matters were tense. It
appeared to be a Hobson’s Choice: on the one hand, Shafiq was resolutely
secular, but nonetheless had strong ties to the deposed regime. On the
other hand Mohammed Morsy was a revolutionary of sorts, but he was also
clearly an Islamist. It was really a choice between the devil and the
deep blue sea. As we know now, it was a tightly contested election, but
Morsy seems to have fairly won Egypt’s presidency. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
ushered in another strange interregnum with both democratic and
authoritarian elements. An Islamist was President, the judiciary had
been appointed by the old regime, and the freely elected parliament had
been dismissed. After only a few months in power, Morsy stunned the
world by trying to implement a power grab in late November 2012,
sparking outrage and massive protests across Egypt. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Egypt’s
New Constitution was approved by referendum in December, and was signed
into law by President Mohamed Morsy on December 26, 2012. Human Rights
Watch states that the draft constitution provides for basic protections
against arbitrary dentention and torture and for some economic rights.
However, it fails to end military trials of civilians or protect freedom
of expression and religion. One positive development is that the final
draft does not require strict adherence to sharia with regard to women's
rights (former article 68 has been removed). However, sex or gender is
not a grounds for prohibiting discrimination in the approved version,
and potentially interferes with women's choices about work and family. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Also,
in the period between Christmas and New Years, more developments
occurred. In accordance with the recently passed Constitution, eight
judges have been dismissed from the Supreme Constitutional Court, one of
whom was the first Egyptian woman to hold a post in the judiciary.
Activists believe this dismissal violates the separation of powers, and
shows that the judiciary is increasingly under attack. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
dispute about the Constitution, which was largely viewed as drafted by
Islamists, has had a positive side effect of bringing the opposition
together. The new opposition coalition is called the National Salvation
Front. This group includes Mohamed El Baradei, the Social Democratic
Party (a European style left democratic group), The Free Egyptians (A
free market group which has secular and coptic membership) and a variety
of socialist, communist, and secular groups. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All
legislative power now rests with the upper house, the Shura. A draft
law on elections has been proposed by the Egyptian Shura council. This
law is being put in place to plan for a new round of parliamentary
elections scheduled for April. The National Council of Women,
however,has said the draft does not allow proper representation of
women in Parliament, nor does it represent the capabilities, potential
and ambitions of women after the January 25th revolution. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So,
in summary, there is good news and bad news about democratization in
Egypt. Egypt has made remarkable, and bold strides. It is impressive
that elections were held. They were not completely free and fair, but
neither were they totally rigged. The fact that the Islamists won is
encouraging in the sense that the electorate did elect a completely
different group into power than held power during the Mubarak
government. The bad news is that the Islamists are not progressive, nor
particularly interested in democratic institutions, and they seem to be
consolidating their grip on power. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
we have seen, two years into the Revolution, there is still a lot of
work to still be done. That is, in and of itself, not a bad thing.
Please remember that the French Revolution took nearly twenty years to
complete. Many countries that have gone through democratic transitions
recently, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, often experienced
long periods of partial transition. Thus, it would be realistic to
assume that Egypt has a good ten to twenty years ahead of it before the
democratic transition is complete.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What
can American activists do to support democracy in Egypt? We can send
support and training to the emerging progressive parties, such as the
National Salvation Front, and urge the American government to do the
same. We can also educate our fellow Americans that there are different
kinds of Islam, most of which are moderate, and not affilated with </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">al qaeda</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
We can also encourage support for the rule of law, and democratic
processes. The best idea is to support Egyptian based NGOs doing work in
these areas. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-77031524719104609382012-12-24T21:16:00.001-06:002012-12-25T09:53:49.925-06:00A Leader Worth Mourning: Samer Soliman (1968-2012)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDQHahYekW_gdmmgiiDp9jN7WZDJZYLMv-RPdGvp3ly_va_mHYj5YCDEHvjAJehVRL_L2IqNMx7Aw3Gj-zW_i5UEk8u2YkB3axs2R1dG6ochPVEOFBQh5QVecksunFbz-Hvw8klJGb4w/s1600/Samer+Soliman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDQHahYekW_gdmmgiiDp9jN7WZDJZYLMv-RPdGvp3ly_va_mHYj5YCDEHvjAJehVRL_L2IqNMx7Aw3Gj-zW_i5UEk8u2YkB3axs2R1dG6ochPVEOFBQh5QVecksunFbz-Hvw8klJGb4w/s320/Samer+Soliman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
As we prepare for Christmas, we celebrate a season of illumination, yet we also mourn many tragedies across the globe. This is appropriate, as Christmas is a time of endings as well as beginnings, and more subtly perhaps, it is also a continuation. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. It therefore represents an end as well as a beginning. The birth of Christ, over two thousand years ago represented the beginning of a new world religion, a continuation of revered Abrahamic beliefs, as well as the incorporation of ancient pagan, animist, and pharaonic traditions. <br />
<br />
On this day, as we prepare for the 2013th celebration of the prophet whom we call Christ, I want to celebrate the life of one of the most influential politicians, activists, and scholars I have ever met: Dr. Samer Soliman. As I mourn his leaving this planet earth, I also am mourning the passage of a an ill-thought out, undemocratic constitution by the people of Egypt. I pray earnestly for the continuation of the Egyptian democratic opposition on this holy night. I ask all the people of Egypt, and of the world, to keep working to ensure that the promise of the Egyptian Revolution is fulfilled. <br />
<br />
Samer would have wanted me to feel all of these feelings. Samer died after a battle with terminal cancer at the age of 44. He was a Coptic Christian, who was nonetheless a fundamentally secular person. He was a journalist, and a brilliant scholar who wrote <i>The Autumn of Dictatorship: Fiscal Crisis and Political Change in Egypt under Mubarak. </i>He was a Professor of Political Economy at the American University in Cairo, and a founding member of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/61148/Egypt/Politics-/Samer-Soliman,-prominent-academic-and-activist,-di.aspx">Ahram Online bids writer, activist Samer Soliman farewell. </a><br />
<br />
Yet these dry facts, as impressive as they are, do not do justice to Samer's life. I do not have space to eulogize his life as a devoted spouse and family man to his beautiful wife Mary Shenoda. Nor is there room to discuss his stature as a professor at the American University in Cairo. Rather, I will focus on his work as an activist and a politician, since Egypt is facing a political crisis larger than perhaps any since the January 25th revolution itself. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/farewell-samer-soliman"> Farewell Samer Soliman (Egypt Independent)</a><br />
<br />
Samer had a vision for the new Egypt. Samer came from a political family, reared in Egypt's long tradition of secularism, which made Cairo the jewel of North Africa in the 1950s and early 1960s. He drew on these resources when he helped found the Social Democratic Party of Egypt shortly after the January 25th Revolution. I arrived in Cairo on January 25th, 2011, the first day of the revolution. While I tried to understand what was going on in my new home, Samer was on the barricades with students, farmers and workers, fighting valiantly to usher Egypt into a new era of democracy and human rights. He had long been involved in Egypt's historically strong labor movement. He reached out to the European social democratic parties, forged in Europe's struggle for democracy and labor rights in the 1920s, and revived after World War II in the 1950s.<br />
<br />
Although Western news sources tend to focus on the Muslim Brotherhood, the Social Democratic Party, one of the few genuinely new post-revolutionary parties to emerge in Egypt, has made a huge mark in this time frame. In coalition with the Free Egyptians and Tagamoo, the SDP formed the Egyptian Bloc ("Kotla). In the new (now dissolved) parliament, the Bloc made an impressive showing for such a new party, winning 7 percent of the available seats. The Kotla became one of the top five parties, and the major party representing women, secularists, democrats, Nubians, bedouins, Copts, human rights advocates, and so many other underrepresented yet crucial segments of Egyptian society.<br />
<br />
Inspired by Samer and the SDP, I decided that I needed to document the emergence of Egypt's emerging opposition. I spent countless hours speaking to Samer and other SDP members learning about this new political forces. Samer spoke to my leadership class on the budget challenges facing the new Egyptian government. He kept the fire burning bright that Egypt could be a democratic country that had room for all constituents, and all citizens. He championed human rights, civil rights, democracy, and social justice. <br />
<br />
What would Samer think of the recent constitutional referendum?<a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/farewell-samer-soliman"></a> He would be dissappointed, I am sure, perhaps even frustrated and angry, but he would tell us not to give up. Samer received his doctorate in political science from the prestigious Science Po in Paris, France. As an intellectual and a scholar, he would remind us that the French Revolution spanned decades. He would tell us that like our French compatriots centuries before, we must keep moving forward, clear in our objectives, inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment.<br />
<br />
I like to think that he would be cheered that the April 6 Movement is planning a march on the presidential palace to oppose this constitution that does not truly represent the Egyptian people. He would applaud the fact that after nearly a year of disunity, the Egyptian opposition has finally been galvanized. Indeed, the National Salvation Front, composed of the Constitution Party, Wafd, the Social Democratic Party, the popular current party, and the National Association for Change have stated that they will run for parliament on one list.<br />
<br />
I believe that tonight, Samer looks down on us from Heaven. I pray that we remember the message of his life, and all take steps to ensure that his vision becomes a reality. I pray that the Egyptian opposition seizes the moment to unite, and move the revolution, and Egypt's democracy forward.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas Samer. Egypt has lost a great leader, a lion of a man. Like the Lion of Judah, we hear your call. May we reach the mountaintop that you pointed us toward. May the peace of Christ be with you, always.<br />
<br />
Your comrade in arms, WarigiaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-82320485050624538882012-12-17T17:01:00.004-06:002012-12-17T17:01:39.145-06:00Egyptian Constitutional Referendum: I am not impressed <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxy578EdekB2r1gjtJ1Ut4y5i1qDPtNSPo6jr8FwJ-Jg9RM7NdXjpmDnnsO3gI0xPu3Y-M8kQW6etjXkD_Fm3E-dZ74zNHQTLHULw0cWb1eNW3bpDcK04kcipTWjtS7HvjLEGkaMSdv0/s1600/img_2616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxy578EdekB2r1gjtJ1Ut4y5i1qDPtNSPo6jr8FwJ-Jg9RM7NdXjpmDnnsO3gI0xPu3Y-M8kQW6etjXkD_Fm3E-dZ74zNHQTLHULw0cWb1eNW3bpDcK04kcipTWjtS7HvjLEGkaMSdv0/s320/img_2616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
The first part of the constitutional referendum took place this weekend in Egypt. Voting will complete on the 22d.<br />
<br />
I am not a fan of these multi-stage voting operations. They give some groups, most notably the MB, the opportunity to influence the outcome while voting continues. Thousands of violations have been noted in the first round of voting, and many are calling for a repeat of this Saturday's referendum.<br />
<br />
It looks like there will be a big protest against the referendum tomorrow, Tuesday. The Egyptian state has deployed an additional 120, 000 troops to provide security. Turnout has been low, at just 31%.<br />
<br />
Low turnout will contribute to the already prevalent perception that this is not a consensus document that really represents the views of a broad swath of Egyptian society. Rather, this document is generally more reflective of a religiously biased, Islamic approach. There are certainly strong elements of this constituency in Egyptian society. But Egyptian society also has a strong secular, and leftist tradition, as well as a significant Christian population. <br />
<br />
This development is dissappointing. From the standpoint of building a successful democracy, having a constitution that is not widely accepted by the Egyptian people is not an auspicious start. It suggests that Egypt has moved from an autocracy to a theocracy, and not toward a democracy. <br />
<br />
Yet residents of Gharbiya voted a resounding no. at least 52.1% of the governorate rejected the draft document. The town of Mahalla actually declared its independence from Egypt, as a rejection of Morsy's policies. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/rights-group-if-complaints-not-addressed-referendum-voting-should-be-repeated">If Complaints Not Addressed, Referendum Voting Should be Repeated (Egypt Independent) </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/12/201212179859603746.html">Protests Planned Against Egypt Charter Vote (Al Jazeera) </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/world/middleeast/egypt-constitution-vote-results.html?_r=0">First Round of Voting Spurs Dispute in Egypt (NYT) </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/gharbiya-home-autonomous-mahalla-votes-no">Gharbiya Votes No (Egypt Independent) </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-34343784337973405052012-12-12T15:01:00.002-06:002012-12-12T15:02:48.231-06:00Vote No on the Egyptian Constitution<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtw1OB9d1nzsNeOTJhsdsJwYNGQy5eVVfZ1R_xZiQ2QeXSVRuaSt1PRuNDXBxF61EZ2Lcg5GI42mLud-yWMGr4mJ5B5Vw5dF7sEI9-86zo8KRkJXB1w7FH_Fde_m_OLEl1f_fzthP2_Vc/s1600/dsc_0801.jpg.crop_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtw1OB9d1nzsNeOTJhsdsJwYNGQy5eVVfZ1R_xZiQ2QeXSVRuaSt1PRuNDXBxF61EZ2Lcg5GI42mLud-yWMGr4mJ5B5Vw5dF7sEI9-86zo8KRkJXB1w7FH_Fde_m_OLEl1f_fzthP2_Vc/s320/dsc_0801.jpg.crop_display.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violent clashes at the Presidential Palace, December 5, 2012. Photo Credit Al Masry Al Youm</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A constitutional referendum is scheduled for December 15, 2012 (this Saturday) and December 22, 2012. The National Salvation Front is asking supporters to vote NO.<br />
<br />
Egyptian president Mohamed Morsy issued a law yesterday dividing the constitutional referendum into two stages. Ten governorates will vote in the first stage on 15 December: Cairo,
Alexandria, Aswan, Assiut, Daqahlia, Gharbiya, Sharqiya, Sohag, South
Sinai and North Sinai. The remaining governorates will vote on December 22d, 2012. These governorates include
Giza, Qena, Beheira, Beni Suef, Damietta, Ismailia, Kafr al-Sheikh,
Matrouh, Monufiya, New Valley, Port Said, Qalyubiya, Red Sea, Suez and
Luxor.<br />
<br />
The leader of the National Salvation Front is leftist politician Hamdeen Sabbahi. They want the referendum to take place over a single day. They have also asked for full judicial supervision, and have called for domestic, international, and NGO teams to supervise the vote. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/national-salvation-front-urges-no-vote-constitution">National Salvation Front Urges No Vote on the Egyptian Constitution (Egypt Independent)</a><br />
<br />
Most judges have refused to supervise the vote in protest of Morsy's recent power grab. Egyptian expatriates began voting today, Wednesday, December 12, 2012. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/update-morsy-issues-official-law-staggering-referendum-vote">Morsy Issues Law Staggering Referendum Vote (Egypt Independent)</a> <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Street remains outraged at Morsy's efforts to give himself more power. According to Nathan Brown, a professor at George Washington University, Morsy has paced all of his actions, and those of the constitutional assembly outside of judicial review. He has made it impossible to disband the constitutional assembly, and has effectively assumed legislative powers. Brown argues that the constituent assembly (or constitutional assembly) is dominated by Islamists. Morsy has reduced the pressure for the CA to reach a consensus document, and he is instead allowing the predominantly Islamist CA to force their version on the Egyptian opposition. <a href="http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/11/23/as-egypt-s-constitution-waits-in-limbo-mohammed-morsi-grabs-more-power/emza">As Egypt's Constitution Waits in Limbo, Morsy Grabs More Power (Carnegie Endowment)</a><br />
<br />
Human Rights Watch states that the draft constitution provides for basic protections against arbitrary dentention and torture and for some economic rights, but fails to end military trials of civilians or protect freedom of expression and religion. One positive development is that the final draft does not require strict adherence to sharia with regard to women's rights (former article 68 has been removed). However, sex or gender is not a grounds for prohibiting discrimination in the new draft, and potentially interferes with women's choices about work and family. <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/29/egypt-new-constitution-mixed-support-rights">Egypt: New Constitution Mixed on Support of Rights (Human Rights Watch) </a><br />
<br />
Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Alexandria yesterday to reject the referendum on the new constitution in front of the Haqaniyq Court. Further, thousands of opposition members marched from Hijaz Square in Heliopolist to the presidential palace last night to reject the referendum. More marches are scheduled beginning today. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/opposition-protesters-march-again-presidential-palace">Opposition Protesters March Again (Egypt Independent) </a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-88641697525676996822012-12-03T21:40:00.000-06:002012-12-04T10:19:55.932-06:00A very bad version of the Egyptian Constitution and a very big protest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LwQY5_Xpq3N39Awb9f9ls-YVJoTOAXNO9THkawjH7sErODxlDAICe-AqzF7iDf522PK7-HZSdOy3CtmPDS9hxC4gXvxi9Nx38fRNZezRhMfSfKSYXfw6MOZoHS9LLjJ_ZnpRsb3JoEo/s1600/wah1564.jpg.crop_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LwQY5_Xpq3N39Awb9f9ls-YVJoTOAXNO9THkawjH7sErODxlDAICe-AqzF7iDf522PK7-HZSdOy3CtmPDS9hxC4gXvxi9Nx38fRNZezRhMfSfKSYXfw6MOZoHS9LLjJ_ZnpRsb3JoEo/s320/wah1564.jpg.crop_display.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sit In at Tahrir. Credit: <i>Al Masry Al Youm</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
There is so much going on in Egypt it is next to impossible to keep track of it all. But wait, I have had this feeling before!!!<br />
<br />
To make a long story short, the draft Egyptian constitution is almost as unpopular as Morsi's decree. Here is a collection of materials about the <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">massive </span>Friday protests and the constitution. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/11/30/166210814/egypts-islamists-approve-draft-of-new-constitution"><span style="color: #385bc8; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The Associated Press
reports</span></a><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, Islamists approved the Constitutional draft "without
the participation of liberal and Christian members, seeking to pre-empt a court
ruling that could dissolve their panel with a rushed, marathon vote that
further inflames the clash between the opposition and President Mohammed
Morsi." </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/11/30/166217433/egypts-constitution-vote-mired-in-controversy"><span style="color: #385bc8; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">On <i>Morning Edition</i></span></a><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Critics say it's not just that the
president is rushing through an imperfect document, but one that could be
dangerous. For instance, the draft constitution has preserved broad powers for
the president although it does stipulate four-year term limits. There is still
little civilian oversight of the military. And perhaps the most controversial
part is the slightly expanded role and influence of Islam, which gives clerics
a consulting role on legislation.</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman";">"For all the hope of change, observers say the document is
quite similar to the 1971 constitution it's expected to replace." <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/11/30/166224441/in-egypt-draft-of-constitution-okd-protesters-return-to-tahrir-square">In Egypt, Draft of Constitution OK'd (NPR)</a></span> <style><!--
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Al Ahram reports that The finalization of Egypt’s
new constitution did not help to stop protests. <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/59533/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-political-opposition-holds-firm,-mulls-esca.aspx">Egypt's Political Opposition holds firm (Al Ahram) </a>Although given a 2 month
extension, the Constituent Assembly finished the draft in a marathon session that lasted more than 15
hours. “According to analysts, the move was intended to placate activists and
anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators angry at what they see as Morsi’s attempt
to impose autocratic rule.” Once a draft constitution is approved via popular
referendum, Morsi's decree will be cancelled and his legislative powers
transferred to a newly-elected parliament. However, protests showed no sign of
abating. Tahrir Square demonstrators, who are pushing for a 'no' vote in the
upcoming referendum, believe the draft constitution neither fulfils the
aspirations of Egyptians nor achieves revolutionary objectives. "Egypt
will not be forced to choose between a dictatorial declaration and a rushed
constitution written by a fraction of Egyptian society… Egypt will not bow down
to the will of a few," former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Protests had begun after Morsi's power decree on November 22nd, but the release of the poorly drafted constitution made things worse, not better. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-constitution-protests-20121201,0,6795093.story">Egypt Constitution Protests (LA Times)</a> Morsi continues to defend both his recent decree and the draft constitution, claiming that it is necessary to advance Egypt's political transition. Human Rights Watch suggests that secular moderates in Egypt may approve the constitution because of the fear of a future full of uncertainty. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are some of the more controversial articles of the constitution: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323751104578150993786840534.html">Egypt Constitution Sparks Outrage (WSJ) </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Article 2:</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Says that Islam is the religion of the state and that
principles of Islamic Shariah are the primary source of legislation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Article 11:</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The state has power to issue unspecified laws that regulate
'public morality, discipline and order.'</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Article 150:</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> President can call binding referendum on 'important matters
related to the state's paramount interests.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Article 198:</span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Military tribunals can try civilians for crimes 'that harm the
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<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Egypt Independent notes that </span>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">"Participants chanted
against the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis. “Egypt for all Egyptians, not
Brothers and Salafis,” they chanted, along with “Down with the supreme guide’s
rule,” referring to the Brotherhood’s leader. Demonstrators call for canceling
the new constitutional declaration, canceling the referendum on the
current draft constitution, restructuring the Constituent Assembly to write
a constitution that reflects the views of all Egyptians, and providing
retribution for the martyrs of the revolution who have died since
25 January 2011. “Among the most prominent participants are the Free
Egyptians, Strong Egypt, Egyptian Social Democratic, and Constitution parties,
as well as the April 6 Youth Movement Democratic and Ahmed Maher fronts, the
Coalition of Egypt’s Copts, the Popular Democratic Movement, the Maspero Youth
Union, the Voice of Freedom Movement, the Free Front for Peaceful Change, the
Coalition of the Lotus Revolution and the Revolutionary Youth Union.”</span>"<a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/update-thousands-converge-tahrir-political-leaders-pledge-join-sit">Thousands Converge on Tahrir (EI) </a><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, that is enough for today. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman";">~WMB</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-67692776029785569312012-11-29T11:37:00.000-06:002012-11-30T07:39:18.173-06:00The Morsi Maneuver Part 2: Tahrir revolts against massive power grab<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marchers arrive in Tahrir to protest the Constitution</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear readers, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been watching the unfolding events in the past days with some trepidation, but not that much surprise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Morsi has issued a sweeping decree on November 22, 2012 expanding his powers. Opponents are furious, arguing that his declaration has made all his decisions immune to judicial
review and banned the courts from dissolving the upper house of parliament and
an assembly writing the new constitution, both of which are dominated by Islamists.
The decree also gave Morsi sweeping authority to stop any ‘‘threats’’ to the
revolution, public order or state institutions. The powers would last until the
constitution is approved and parliamentary elections are held, not likely
before spring 2013.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://bostonglobe.com/news/world/2012/11/27/egyptians-protest-morsi-tahrir-square/ek14CK8LMzRpMG9FIpa6WP/story.html">Egyptians Protest Morsi (Boston Globe) </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20507387"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">His supporters argue that he is protecting the Revolution <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20507387">Morsi has split Egypt down the middle (BBC) </a></span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20507387"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> According to the BBC, his supporters state that he merely took unchecked power away from the judiciary -
which is still full of personalities from the Mubarak era - until the
constitution is done and there are systems in place to allow the country to
move forward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course, when Morsi was elected, many people feared that exactly such a power grab would happen. Morsi is a complicated character. On the one hand, he was educated in America, and even taught at Cal State Northridge and is quite learned. On the other hand, he was a member of the Guidance Office of the Muslim Brotherhood before that organization became legal after the Revolution. <a href="http://world.time.com/2012/11/28/transcript-times-interview-with-egyptian-president-mohamed-morsi/">Times Interview with Mohamed Morsi</a>. Unfortunately, his rhetoric, that he wants a civil, constitutional state, is not in line with his current actions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The crazy thing is that it is <i>not even Friday</i>, and all hell has broken out in Tahrir. The most astute analysis I have heard comes from my old boss at AUC Dr. J--- B----. She says that </span></div>
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"At this point, almost any scenario could be built. Morsi may realize he
has to prove himself and show the courage to confront his own side and
rebalance the constituent assembly, in which case he could pull if off
if he demands unanimity or a super-majority on every provision, to force
them to reach consensus or take it out. </div>
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Conversely, the MB could militarize and we could have green shirts jack-stepping around Tahrir. </div>
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Or we could have massive unrest and economic collapse.</div>
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Or the military could come back if things get dicey. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">He has really painted himself into a corner. We'll
have to wait and see if he knows something we don't -- about the Gaza
situation or the IMF, or whatever -- but he risks having all hell break
loose if there are any more unpleasant surprises. Word is MB HQs in 7
governorates all over the country were burnt. One of the students also
told me that the police and the army were shooting at each other at the
head of Road 90 last week."</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My analysis is that if Morsi knows something we do not, he needs to convey it to the left, to regain their trust. He has shown strength and statesmanlike behavior toward the conflict in Gaza,<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/world/middleeast/talks-begin-in-cairo-on-steps-after-gaza-cease-fire.html?_r=0"> Talks begin in Cairo after Gaza Cease Fire (NYT)</a> and in relations with Iran, but his inability to manage the domestic front in his own country could neutralize Egypt's effectiveness as a foreign affairs powerhouse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most worrisome is Morsi's attempt to maintain the work of the Constituent Assembly. As I have noted in previous posts, from day one, the Constituent Assembly has been heavily Islamist. With only 7 women on the Assembly to begin with, the Assembly clearly did not represent the interests of a majority of Egyptians. I noted my discomfort with the opposition parties and the Christian parties pulling out. Strategically, they should have stayed in and fought for a better CA. Nonetheless, if Morsi has his way, the current CA, which is even more Islamist now than when it was initially convened, will be in charge of a new constitution that certainly does not reflect the secular, mult-religious, modern nation of the Egypt we know and love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This blog is called Democratizing the New Egypt. Morsi's behavior is not democratic, and is made even worse by the fact that there is no parliament currently sitting. It is true that the judiciary needs reform, and <i>feloul</i> in the judiciary need to be routed, but concentrating all of the nation's power in the executive is not the correct tactic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a silver lining to all of this: my beloved secular opposition is getting its second wind. As reported by the Egypt Independent, </span></div>
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For almost two years, civil
and secular groups were constantly blamed for being disunited and
unorganized, paving the way for Islamists to rise to power after Hosni
Mubarak’s ouster.</div>
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That changed this week as
opposition leaders, former presidential candidates, secular liberal and
leftist parties, and even some figures previously labeled as feloul — or
remnants of the former regime — united against President Mohamed
Morsy’s constitutional declaration, through which he claimed sweeping
powers for himself, and formed the National Salvation Front. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/civil-groups-pounce-political-space-seen-pro-democracy-triumph">Civil Groups Pounce Into Public Space (EI)</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">As one protester quoted by the BBC (article above) pointed out,</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It's unfortunate that my
demands are still same - bread, freedom and social justice. If Morsi doesn't
get it, well, we have seen this movie before and all know where this is going
to end.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Credits: Huge thanks to my awesome graduate assistant Jillian Underwood for assisting with research and keeping me organized!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-6920488347260629682012-11-19T12:38:00.001-06:002012-11-19T12:38:19.090-06:00Troubles with the Egyptian Constituent Assembly <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJrF0nNUfdm70aTbQcRq6AdAwMQjh3bjRqsgphaRCiV7OvkV3cJBaj7HN4CXQHzNp-Ky03yZhKni3H29OGHz_Zm8-LUoIxpNMhZYfdgrLdWVig3nrs4IUFb79kyptezfi3jpAqKf88b8/s1600/mhmwd_khld_03_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJrF0nNUfdm70aTbQcRq6AdAwMQjh3bjRqsgphaRCiV7OvkV3cJBaj7HN4CXQHzNp-Ky03yZhKni3H29OGHz_Zm8-LUoIxpNMhZYfdgrLdWVig3nrs4IUFb79kyptezfi3jpAqKf88b8/s320/mhmwd_khld_03_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday of Islamic Sharia in Tahrir Square. Photo Credit Al Masry Al Youm. </td></tr>
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The Constituent Assembly is the somewhat difficult name for the group of Egyptians tasked with writing the Constitution for this emergent democracy. <br />
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On Sunday, several leftist and liberal members withdrew from the Constituent Assembly. Further, Coptic Orthodox Pope Bishop Pachomius announced the withdrawal of three Christian members from the CA on Saturday. I am of two minds about this. First, I can see that maybe some of them feel they are participating in a fundamentally flawed process. Principles aside, they risk handing the task over to conservative Islamists, which will result in a document not widely accepted by the entire Egyptian population, particularly the educated population.<br />
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Salafis in the CA wanted to replace the idea of "Sharia principles" with the idea of "Sharia provisions," which would leave less open to interpretation in the Constitution, and might usher in a Sunni theocracy of sorts.<br />
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Christians and liberals are protesting what they see as an "Islamic" Constitution. They are also concerned about the far reaching powers granted to the Executive by the Constitutional draft. Further, there is concern that the way the draft is currently written, it would preclude a civil state. The Church has said that the withdrawal of the Christian members of the CA is final.<br />
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~WMB<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-68679743810247354502012-11-16T17:15:00.002-06:002012-11-16T21:41:04.769-06:00Constitutional Conundrum and Egypt's stance on Gaza attacks<br />
The process of drafting the Egyptian constitution is turning out to be difficult, to say the least. Court cases, threats, and a debate over human rights are common occurrences. Further, a polarizing debate about the role of religion in the new Egyptian state continues to make headlines. One important debate is Islamist representation in the Assembly. Further, observers feel that the conservative language of certain articles may violate the human rights of religious minorities, women and even children. Liberal and secular groups are protesting the recent draft. <br />
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Human Rights Watch argues that the draft of the constitution provides basic political and economic rights, yet it falls short on women's and children's rights, freedom of religion, as well as torture. HRW believes that several provisions of the September 27th draft are at odds with international human rights standards. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/human-rights-watch-egypt-fix-draft-constitution-protect-key-rights">HRW tells Egypt to fix draft constitution </a>(October 8, 2012)<br />
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Nathan Brown, a law professor at George Washington University, notes that the Egyptian constitution is not a secular document, rather it puts Islam at the front and center. Most of the 100 members of the Constitutional Assembly are Islamists, however, but Brown argues that they are trying to defer some major issues to get national buy in. Sharia law governing marriage, divorce and inheritance--which gives men and women very different rights-- will continue, although it has some language supporting the status of women at the beginning. In the long run, he notes, those provisions may come into conflict. Brown states that "[l]iberals, secularists, Islamists, leftists, people from all across
the political spectrum are having to hammer out an agreement, and
they're not used to having to do that," yet he is hopeful that they will make it work. <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/10/21/163336908/looking-to-rebuild-egypt-leans-on-new-constitution">Looking to Rebuild, Egypt Leans on New Constitution</a> (October 21, 2012)<br />
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Meanwhile, President Morsy has threatened to form a new Constituent Assembly if this one does not complete its work within six months. He also accused members of the former Mubarak government of sowing dissent in the country. <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/update-morsy-puts-pressure-constituent-assembly-blames-former-regime-dissent">Morsy puts pressure on Constituent Assembly</a> (October 28, 2012)<br />
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The New York Times suggests that the new Constitution will insert religion more deeply into Egypt's judicial and legislative processes. Yet, the document firmly seats power in the hands of Egypt's elected officials and civil courts, so their is little likelihood that the country will become a theocracy as is the case with Iran. Liberal delegates believe that the guidelines are vague enough to give the nation flexibility with regard to interpretation in crafting the future Egyptian state. Egypt is the first Arab state to attempt to meld Sharia with principles of democracy. Tunisia is using a more liberal constitutional approach.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/world/middleeast/draft-egyptian-constitution-adopts-a-role-for-religion.html?_r=0">A Vague Role for Religion in Egyptian Constitution</a> (November 9, 2012)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg653suaBEC-GZPvFPvXtoe7nfuZvHmlm0en3s_tT32dlzIc6S8_6YaZUwXPBUuHjWiQL_DFPfz9i7llh54a-LWx5_6qem04KGXrtbneFVsv48YGd7OeB4nweoCqGhgHa10D_f1OhDjeOA/s1600/03473487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg653suaBEC-GZPvFPvXtoe7nfuZvHmlm0en3s_tT32dlzIc6S8_6YaZUwXPBUuHjWiQL_DFPfz9i7llh54a-LWx5_6qem04KGXrtbneFVsv48YGd7OeB4nweoCqGhgHa10D_f1OhDjeOA/s320/03473487.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that Morsy remains firm in his support for Hamas, as he attempts to negotiate the delicate space between supporting the Palestinians, and honoring his treaty obligations with Israel. Thousands of Egyptians rallied in squares and mosques to condemn Israel's air strikes on the Gaza Strip, and to urge the Egyptian state to support the Palestinians. The post reports that Morsy has taken the lead among Arab leaders in confronting Israel. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egyptians-rally-in-support-of-palestinians-in-gaza-conflict/2012/11/16/d40ef46a-2ffa-11e2-a30e-5ca76eeec857_story.html">Egyptians Rally in Support of Palestinians in the Gaza Conflict </a>(November 16, 2012) <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-39289460638443459022012-10-13T10:12:00.000-05:002012-10-13T10:12:18.542-05:00Anniversary of Maspero, and other thoughts Dear readers<br />
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I think we should just commemorate the anniversary of the Maspero massacre on October 9, 2011. It was a very stressful and emotional time in my life, and the life of my colleagues. It really made me pay attention to the discrimination faced by Christians, and Bahai in Egypt. What was particularly eerie about the Maspero Massacre was how the state run press tried to pretend that a) it had not attacked the protesters, and b) the protesters were violent terrorists who had attacked the army.<br />
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The Maspero episode also made me worry about the fate of any minority group, Bedouin, Nubian, or women, who want to make a peaceful point in the face of a violent state. This is particularly a matter of concern, because Syria has devolved into a bloody civil war. Egypt's revolution was supposed to lead to a brighter future.<br />
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My colleague Abdel Rahman has written a few posts worth reading that I would like to share with you <br />
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As my brother Abu says, "Meet the old state, same as the new state." We need to keep our eyes on the prize and hold Morsi accountable. We need to keep fighting to finish this revolution. <br />
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<a href="http://sibilantegypt.com/2012/10/07/amnesty-reports-on-persistant-scaf-and-police-violence/">Amnesty reports on persistent violence</a><br />
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<a href="http://sibilantegypt.com/2012/10/11/maspero-massacre-a-year-on-from-the-terrible-turning-point/">Maspero Massacre, a Year on from the terrible turning point</a><br />
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<a href="http://sibilantegypt.com/2012/08/14/the-morsi-maneuver/#more-303">The Morsi Maneuver</a><br />
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~WMBAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-88448658556354915672012-10-11T17:50:00.000-05:002012-10-11T17:50:25.873-05:00First draft of new Egyptian Constitution released <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Egypt's Constituent Assembly announced this Wednesday that it has finished the first draft of the new Egyptian Constitution. They released an unfinished draft to the Egyptian public on Wednesday, and encouraged public debate regarding the document. The draft leaves key questions unanswered. No sections address the future role of the military, for example. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypt-releases-partial-draft-of-new-constitution/2012/10/10/cec2852e-131e-11e2-ba83-a7a396e6b2a7_story.html">Egy[t Releases partial draft of new constitution, Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post. </a></div>
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The Constituent Assembly comprises 100 persons. It is generally viewed as being dominated by Islamists. Only 7 women were chosen to take part in the 100 member Constituent Assembly. </div>
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Egyptians will have an opportunity to vote yes, or no to the entire constitution. They will not have an opportunity to disapprove individual articles. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place within two months of the national referendum on the new constitution, which is scheduled for the end of the year. <a href="http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/reading-the-morsimeter-in-egypt/">Reading the MorsiMeter, Issandr El Amrani, <i>The New York Times. </i></a></div>
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The current draft divides power between a president, and a prime minister representing a parliamentary majority. The Egyptian Parliament will consist of two chambers, the People's Assembly and the Shura Council. </div>
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The draft limits gender equality to the extent that it interferes with "the rulings of the Islamic Sharia," according to the Washington Post. <i>Al Masry Al Youm </i>reports that the wording may pave the way for fresh attacks on women's rights. </div>
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Osman El Sharnoubi of <i>Al Ahram</i> writes that Article 9 stipulates citizens' religious freedom. Christians are a small minority in Egypt, and the members of the Bahai faith are not recognized by the Egyptian state, leading to discrimination in the most basic aspects of life. </div>
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The current draft eliminates the role of the state a protector of religious freedoms, limiting religious freedom in comparison with the 1971 version of the constitution. However, human rights lawyer Ahmed Seif El Islam states that the new constitution appears to guarantee freedom for Abrahamic religions to build places of worship. This would assist Shiite, Jewish and Christian Egyptians in their efforts to build houses of worship, but would do nothing to assist the Bahai, or Buddhists. <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/54582/Egypt/Politics-/New-Egyptian-constitution-offers-fewer-religious-f.aspx">Egyptian Constitution offers fewer religious freedoms, El Sharnoubi, <i>Al Ahram</i></a><i>. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203053744820864529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694856206932107103.post-73419363771735442512012-09-18T17:09:00.002-05:002012-09-18T17:09:53.763-05:00The Speech Obama Should Give about ‘Innocence of Muslims’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My colleague Nivien Saleh, an Egyptian Professor of International Relations who works here in the US, has written a terrific article about how Obama should react to the movie "The Innocence of Muslims."<br />
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I highly recommend it. Here is an excerpt. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">The current turmoil in the Muslim world that has unfolded over the YouTube video clip <i>Innocence of Muslims</i>
offers the U.S. what educators call a “teachable moment:” an
opportunity provided by circumstance to explain an idea that the
audience might otherwise find abstract and irrelevant.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The idea is freedom of expression. . . .</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Citizens of these nations do not appreciate how valuable freedom of
speech is in protecting them from the very dictatorships Tunisians,
Libyans, Egyptians, and Syrians have struggled so hard to overcome. But
right now, they want to hear from the United States. If President Obama
keeps his silence, this moment will become a memory of insult and
murder. In fact, the seeds for this may already be germinating: In
Egypt, an Islamist member of the Shura Council – part of the country’s
legislature – <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/jama-al-islamiya-forms-movement-defend-religion">announced</a>
that a group is forming that consists of young people from various
Islamist persuasions. Its aim is “to defend the Prophet by producing
documentaries about the history of Christianity and Judaism.” In other
words, some of Egypt’s young Islamists believe that tit-for-tat, insult
for insult, is the appropriate answer to <i>Innocence of Muslims</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">If, on the other hand, Obama speaks to the video and its
consequences, explaining that listening to obscenity once in a while is
the price that democrats are willing to pay for their ability to
participate in the political process, he may be able to heal some of the
injury to the American psyche from the killing of U.S. personnel. He
also might succeed in convincing many of the 1.6 billion people in the
Muslim world that even though the United States does not penalize
offensive speech, it understands the injury that it can cause.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">And in the process, he just might open a few minds to a truly revolutionary idea.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.psmag.com/culture/the-speech-obama-should-give-about-innocence-of-muslims-47021/">The Speech Obama Should Give About the "Innocence of Muslims"</a> </span></div>
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