News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
Al-Azhar, (in Arabic: The Glorious) the oldest and most venerable Islamic institution in the world of Islam, has just issued a historic document. Established more than one thousand years ago by the Fatimide Dynasty (Shii) in Cairo, it is the center of Islamic learning, both Sunni and Shii, that exerts moderation on the Muslim faith. It has branches all over Egypt and the entire Arab world from Sudan to Gaza to other far-flung areas. It is not only a great focus for Islam as a moderating force; it has also played a key role in guiding Egypt's quest for both modernity in times of peace, and nationalistic fervor in times of war.
You can tell an Azhari graduate male by his white turban (my late father wore one which he bequeathed to me). Female students usually wear a simple scarf over their hair. Traditionally, Al-Azhar enjoyed full independence from the Egyptian Government until internal dictatorship, beginning with Nasser in July 1952 and ending with Mubarak's ouster in February 2011, destroyed that Al-Azhar status. The institution's Imam Al-Akbar (the highest Imam) became an appointed functionary, instead of an elected authority and pre-eminent scholar chosen democratically by his peers. Thus began the decline of Al-Azhar in both prestige, and the advent of militant Islam in a hopeless attempt to fill that huge void. The void was then filled with ridiculous fatwas (religious opinions) and militant movements which fed on both ignorance and unemployment.
Then came the Egyptian Revolution of January 25, 2011 and the departure of Mubarak's reign of terror. With that, Al-Azhar revived. And on June 20, 2011, Al-Azhar's Rector, Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb (who speaks fluent French), promulgated a historic document (Al-Azhar Document) signaling the return of that institution to its independence from the Executive, and to its pre-eminence in Islamic thought, Islamic jurisprudence, and Islamic centrism. Another fatal blow to Al-Qaeda and all its franchise units everywhere. Real Islam is suddenly ascendant; extremism is now in flight with its places of refuge shrinking.
Approved by a very broad consensus by the leaders of the entire spectrum of political, academic, religious, social and economic groupings, including the Muslim Brotherhood, the Document calls for a secular Egypt. It declares Al-Azhar's abhorrence of a New Egypt based on religion. Though it recognized Islamic Law (Sharia), as moderately interpreted, a primary source of legislation, yet it fully guarantees to Coptic Egyptians their full right to resort to the Church's rulings in personal status matters (marriage, divorce, inheritance, worship, entails, and such).
Elucidated by a prominent member of the Consortium of Islamic Research (an arm of Al-Azhar), by the name of Dr. Abdel-Mottee Bayoumi, a co-drafter of that Document, said, "We now have the bases for a modern State based on the Constitution, and free from the concept of a state based on faith." He went on to say, "The New Egypt shall be democratic, whose new Constitution (to be drafted in 2012) will guarantee separation of powers and the Rule of Law, especially equality of all before the law."
The Grand Imam, Dr. Al-Yayyeb, pointed out at a press conference held at Al-Azhar, that the Document guarantees free elections, diversity, the peaceful transfer of power periodically from one elected President to another, transparency and accountability, the fight against corruption, and the freedom of information.
The full rights of women and children are also declared in that document, and the recognition of all religious beliefs (including Christianity and Judaism), and the right to full citizenship are integral components of Al-Azhar Document.
The Al-Azhar Rector also highlighted the Document's condemnation of groups arrogating for themselves the authority to signal someone as an apostate or a traitor to Islam. It regarded such usurpation of the power to exclusiveness as anti-Islamic and as leading to sectarian conflict, religious apartheid, and a derogation of the power and capacity of the community represented by Parliament to pursue the development goals of Egypt in its newly-found renaissance.
The Document also equated between Muslims, Christians and Jews in their right to freely pursue their efforts in building up the New Egypt. It also emphasized Egypt's commitment to the observance of all its international treaties and obligations.
The Al-Azhar Document called for the re-establishment by the New Egypt of its harmonious relationships with all its sister States in the Arab, African and Islamic geographic spheres. It stressed the need for respecting the right of the Palestinians to an independent and sovereign State.
The Document highlighted that Egypt's renaissance is a vital factor in regional stability, that the Arab Revolution is anchored in the quest for dignity, development and equality, and that the new Constitution shall be the framework for the march of post-Mubarak Egypt toward a future of equal opportunity for all.
Welcome Back, Al-Azhar (The Glorious) to your historic roles in the national and international arenas of moderation in Islam, belief in inter-faith, nullification of crazy fatwas, and delegitimation of Al-Qaeda and terrorism!!!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
No More Fear - Almost
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
The news were electrifying. It was February 11, 2011, evening, when the big TV screen in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, came alive with the thundering news that Hosni Mubarak has relinquished his post as President. The dark night of military dictatorships which descended upon Egypt since 1952 was suddenly over. The youth revolution which began on January 25, returned Egypt to its historic role of guiding the Arab world towards the promised land of democracy, dignity and equal opportunity.
Yes, the Arab Spring began in Tunisia, but Egypt, with its demographic weight of a population of 90 million (25% of the entire Arab population) gave its unlimited oxygen. On that evening of February 11, Tahrir, and with it all Arabs beyond its boundary, went wild with joy. A foreign correspondent, in Tahrir, shouted this question to a young Egyptian woman, "What do you say now?" Her answer is seared in my mind: "NO MORE FEAR!!"
The legacy of oppressive fear which began with Nasser in July 1952 and ended nearly 60 years later began to dissipate. The phantom of fear, both real and imagined proved to be no match for the millions shouting all over Egypt, "Go/IRHAL!!"
The success of the masses in ending the 60-year military coup brought to my mind the last scene in a novel which was published for me in Cairo in 1948. It is entitled, "Charlatan in the Village" (Dajjal Fi Qariah). In it, the Charlatan's aide runs to him at night to urge him to leave the village that night because the villagers had discovered that they were the victims of a huge swindle. Upon hearing that, and fearful for his life, the Charlatan snatches from the hands of his aide the bag in which his ill-gotten loot was placed. Then he flees under the cover of darkness for fear of his victims' wrath. His last words to his hapless aide whom he leaves behind to face his fate, "I do not care about them. I was their shelter and refuge... Those ingrates!!"
Every Arab dictator perceives himself as the great savior, not the wicked oppressor. Like the Charlatan in my novel, revolt against his wicked ways is an unforgivable treason. In the hands of those dictators, fear of the unknown is their great barrier against regime change. The army, the police, the intelligence personnel (which in Egypt numbered 1.2 millions, more than the number in Egypt's armed forces), the Republican Guard, the one-party system, the media and corruption are all in the service of the perpetual degradation of human freedoms. The people's voice in these fear regimes, became an inaudible whimper that can only be heard in the dungeons of torture.
Now fear is largely gone. During the first session of the Giza Criminal Court, south of Cairo, three of the symbols of the defunct Mubarak regime sat in mid-June in the defendeants' enclosure to hear the people's thunder. They were Amr Asal, the former Commissioner for Industrial Development, Ahmed Izz (the former monopolizer of the steel industry) who was a stalwart in the now dissolved Democratic National Party, and in absentia, Rasheed Muhammad Rasheed, the former Minister of Commerce and Industry. The charge: wasting and stealing public funds.
In a full-throated voice, devoid of any trace of fear, the Public Prosecutor, Counselor Abdel-Lateef Al-Sharnoubi told the 3-panel Court, "I stand before you today to accuse these defendants of destroying Egypt, of emptying its treasury and of causing perverse poverty among millions of Egyptians."
If fear from dictatorship is gone, yet fear of chaos which usually ensues after a prolonged period of oppression. The diehards of the Mubarak regime are still lurking in the alleys. Tourists are afraid to return, though they are beginning to trickle back. Coptic-Muslim relationships are still being repaired. Border security is on the mind of policy-markers. But, as the Berlin wall fell, so did the fear wall in Egypt and beyond.
***************************************
The news were electrifying. It was February 11, 2011, evening, when the big TV screen in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, came alive with the thundering news that Hosni Mubarak has relinquished his post as President. The dark night of military dictatorships which descended upon Egypt since 1952 was suddenly over. The youth revolution which began on January 25, returned Egypt to its historic role of guiding the Arab world towards the promised land of democracy, dignity and equal opportunity.
Yes, the Arab Spring began in Tunisia, but Egypt, with its demographic weight of a population of 90 million (25% of the entire Arab population) gave its unlimited oxygen. On that evening of February 11, Tahrir, and with it all Arabs beyond its boundary, went wild with joy. A foreign correspondent, in Tahrir, shouted this question to a young Egyptian woman, "What do you say now?" Her answer is seared in my mind: "NO MORE FEAR!!"
The legacy of oppressive fear which began with Nasser in July 1952 and ended nearly 60 years later began to dissipate. The phantom of fear, both real and imagined proved to be no match for the millions shouting all over Egypt, "Go/IRHAL!!"
The success of the masses in ending the 60-year military coup brought to my mind the last scene in a novel which was published for me in Cairo in 1948. It is entitled, "Charlatan in the Village" (Dajjal Fi Qariah). In it, the Charlatan's aide runs to him at night to urge him to leave the village that night because the villagers had discovered that they were the victims of a huge swindle. Upon hearing that, and fearful for his life, the Charlatan snatches from the hands of his aide the bag in which his ill-gotten loot was placed. Then he flees under the cover of darkness for fear of his victims' wrath. His last words to his hapless aide whom he leaves behind to face his fate, "I do not care about them. I was their shelter and refuge... Those ingrates!!"
Every Arab dictator perceives himself as the great savior, not the wicked oppressor. Like the Charlatan in my novel, revolt against his wicked ways is an unforgivable treason. In the hands of those dictators, fear of the unknown is their great barrier against regime change. The army, the police, the intelligence personnel (which in Egypt numbered 1.2 millions, more than the number in Egypt's armed forces), the Republican Guard, the one-party system, the media and corruption are all in the service of the perpetual degradation of human freedoms. The people's voice in these fear regimes, became an inaudible whimper that can only be heard in the dungeons of torture.
Now fear is largely gone. During the first session of the Giza Criminal Court, south of Cairo, three of the symbols of the defunct Mubarak regime sat in mid-June in the defendeants' enclosure to hear the people's thunder. They were Amr Asal, the former Commissioner for Industrial Development, Ahmed Izz (the former monopolizer of the steel industry) who was a stalwart in the now dissolved Democratic National Party, and in absentia, Rasheed Muhammad Rasheed, the former Minister of Commerce and Industry. The charge: wasting and stealing public funds.
In a full-throated voice, devoid of any trace of fear, the Public Prosecutor, Counselor Abdel-Lateef Al-Sharnoubi told the 3-panel Court, "I stand before you today to accuse these defendants of destroying Egypt, of emptying its treasury and of causing perverse poverty among millions of Egyptians."
If fear from dictatorship is gone, yet fear of chaos which usually ensues after a prolonged period of oppression. The diehards of the Mubarak regime are still lurking in the alleys. Tourists are afraid to return, though they are beginning to trickle back. Coptic-Muslim relationships are still being repaired. Border security is on the mind of policy-markers. But, as the Berlin wall fell, so did the fear wall in Egypt and beyond.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Sound of Music in Aid of the Revolution
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
The Egyptian Revolution lives on by its resort to music and films. Since the age of the Pyramid builders, nearly 5000 years ago, Egypt integrated music, dance and festivals into its faith which evolved into monotheism
Not surprisingly, modern Egypt was the first in the Arab world to use the arts of music, song and story-telling to produce its films in the early 1930s, which have been the rage of the Arabic-speaking world. Its opera theater was inaugurated in 1869 in the heart of Cairo by the opera "Aida" to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal. This great opera was written by Verdi in celebration of that event which made Egypt the world's cross-roads and bridgeway.
The names of Egypt's singers, like Umm Kalthoum, Muhammad Abdel-Wahab and Abdel-Haleem Hafez continue to be house-hold names from the Atlantic to the Gulf. Its historic film stars from Youssef Wahbi, to Anwar Wagdi, to the lovely Laila Murad, that great Egyptian woman singer of the Jewish faith (one of her great songs are eternalized in the film, "Ghazl El-Banat - the Girls Romance") continue to please, inspire and liberate the imagination. The great song entitled "Don't Lie," in which a lover expresses his devastation at discovering that his girl friend was cheating on him made its woman singer, Nagat Al-Sagheerah, the heart throb of all Arabs.
Then came a long period of dearth: the dearth of military dictatorships which stunted the vibrancy of Egyptian society as represented by song, dance, music and performing arts for half a century. And with dictatorship came a weird interpretation of Islam which depicted those arts as profane. The descent of Egypt into darkness during the period preceding the Egyptian Revolution of January 25, 2011 proved that a great society deserves great art - the Key to Life (Ankh) inspired by the Pharaos. The image of the Ankh is that of constant rebirth. It is a key-like cross as a symbol of enduring life and generative energy. The Revolution of January was not only led by youth; it infused Egypt with youthfulness through returning it to its true cultural heritage. It is back to the future.
Now all Arab singing stars are converging on the Cairo International Stadium from June 21 to June 24 to celebrate Egypt's return to its artistic life. That four day - all Arab event is entitled, "For You - Egypt." A huge song and music fest led by Nancy Agram, Assy Al-Hibary, Hussein-Al-Gismy, Saber Al-Rubaie, and Shereen Abdel-Wahab to cite only a few from among 25 great singers covering the length and breadth of the Arab World. They are all volunteering their great talent, with the proceeds going to charities and the families of those nearly 900 martyrs who dared to stand up to the Mubarak goons to say "No to Fear! Yes to Democracy!" Out with the goons; in with the music and songs for the heart of the Arab lands.
A historic events like this one is under the sponsorship of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, Egyptair, the Ministry of Social Interdependency, and the Cairo International Stadium Authority. Commenting on that huge artistic event, Egypt's Minister of Culture, Dr. Emad Abu-Ghazy said: "Culture is not at war with religion. Our concern is the development of the re-discovered citizenship which accepts the other, within secularism, democracy and political participation."
The sound of music is shrinking the sound of religious lunacy which helped produce Osama Bin Laden, 9/11, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the likes of Terry Jones (the Quran burner).
At the Cairo new opera theater (the original building of the Opera theater was consumed by fire in 1973), an event was held in honor of a great opera figure, Ziad Bakeer, who was martyred during the January 25 Revolution. Two thousand mourners participated as the singer Aly Al-Haggar sang, and the Cairo Opera Company performed a new ballet entitled "The Revolt of the People" choreographed by Arminia Kamel with music by the young composer Kareem Abdel-Wahab.
Art is a true-revolutionary weapon of mass re-construction!!
***************************************
The Egyptian Revolution lives on by its resort to music and films. Since the age of the Pyramid builders, nearly 5000 years ago, Egypt integrated music, dance and festivals into its faith which evolved into monotheism
Not surprisingly, modern Egypt was the first in the Arab world to use the arts of music, song and story-telling to produce its films in the early 1930s, which have been the rage of the Arabic-speaking world. Its opera theater was inaugurated in 1869 in the heart of Cairo by the opera "Aida" to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal. This great opera was written by Verdi in celebration of that event which made Egypt the world's cross-roads and bridgeway.
The names of Egypt's singers, like Umm Kalthoum, Muhammad Abdel-Wahab and Abdel-Haleem Hafez continue to be house-hold names from the Atlantic to the Gulf. Its historic film stars from Youssef Wahbi, to Anwar Wagdi, to the lovely Laila Murad, that great Egyptian woman singer of the Jewish faith (one of her great songs are eternalized in the film, "Ghazl El-Banat - the Girls Romance") continue to please, inspire and liberate the imagination. The great song entitled "Don't Lie," in which a lover expresses his devastation at discovering that his girl friend was cheating on him made its woman singer, Nagat Al-Sagheerah, the heart throb of all Arabs.
Then came a long period of dearth: the dearth of military dictatorships which stunted the vibrancy of Egyptian society as represented by song, dance, music and performing arts for half a century. And with dictatorship came a weird interpretation of Islam which depicted those arts as profane. The descent of Egypt into darkness during the period preceding the Egyptian Revolution of January 25, 2011 proved that a great society deserves great art - the Key to Life (Ankh) inspired by the Pharaos. The image of the Ankh is that of constant rebirth. It is a key-like cross as a symbol of enduring life and generative energy. The Revolution of January was not only led by youth; it infused Egypt with youthfulness through returning it to its true cultural heritage. It is back to the future.
Now all Arab singing stars are converging on the Cairo International Stadium from June 21 to June 24 to celebrate Egypt's return to its artistic life. That four day - all Arab event is entitled, "For You - Egypt." A huge song and music fest led by Nancy Agram, Assy Al-Hibary, Hussein-Al-Gismy, Saber Al-Rubaie, and Shereen Abdel-Wahab to cite only a few from among 25 great singers covering the length and breadth of the Arab World. They are all volunteering their great talent, with the proceeds going to charities and the families of those nearly 900 martyrs who dared to stand up to the Mubarak goons to say "No to Fear! Yes to Democracy!" Out with the goons; in with the music and songs for the heart of the Arab lands.
A historic events like this one is under the sponsorship of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, Egyptair, the Ministry of Social Interdependency, and the Cairo International Stadium Authority. Commenting on that huge artistic event, Egypt's Minister of Culture, Dr. Emad Abu-Ghazy said: "Culture is not at war with religion. Our concern is the development of the re-discovered citizenship which accepts the other, within secularism, democracy and political participation."
The sound of music is shrinking the sound of religious lunacy which helped produce Osama Bin Laden, 9/11, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the likes of Terry Jones (the Quran burner).
At the Cairo new opera theater (the original building of the Opera theater was consumed by fire in 1973), an event was held in honor of a great opera figure, Ziad Bakeer, who was martyred during the January 25 Revolution. Two thousand mourners participated as the singer Aly Al-Haggar sang, and the Cairo Opera Company performed a new ballet entitled "The Revolt of the People" choreographed by Arminia Kamel with music by the young composer Kareem Abdel-Wahab.
Art is a true-revolutionary weapon of mass re-construction!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A Unique Revolutionary Flag
This week's blog will be posted ahead of the usual every Friday schedule. My next blog will be posted on June 10.
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
On that flag, the Crescent embraces the Cross. No stars. It is the flag hoisted by the Egyptian Revolution against British occupation in 1919, after World War I. That revolution, led by Saad Zaghloul, was inspired by De Valaira, the leader of the Irish revolt against the British at that time. So the Irish inspired the Egyptians, and Ghandi of India, who led the Indian Congress Party in its pacific struggle against the British, gave Egypt the name of his party, the Congress Party modified in 1919 to the "Delegation", or the "Congress" or the "Wafd" party. An imponderable revolutionary borrowing between oppressed nations: Irish, Indians, Egyptians. They all succeeded against foreign occupation and exploitation.
The time space between 1919 and 2011 is more than 92 years. Following the pattern of Tunisia, Egypt with its 90 million people convulsed on January 25, 2011. The Arab Spring was in full swing, this time revolting against internal dictatorships and corruption. A new Middle East was being born, and in Egypt, the old flag of the Egyptian revolution of 1919 was resurrected in Tahrir Square: the Crescent was again embracing the Cross.
That symbolism had a message, not only for Egypt, but also for the whole world: Islam is diversity; and down with Al-Qaeda and terrorism which caused 9/11 and other world calamities!! The New Renaissance embraces all faiths and the principle in the Quran is: "There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error." (Sura II/verse 256). Enough is enough!!
With the overthrow of 60 years of military dictatorship, which produced an unintended product, militant Islam, cosmopolitan Egypt is being resurrected. Not only does the Crescent embraces the Cross. Old historic Jewish temples are being refurbished. New churches are being built. Al-Azhar, that citadel of Islam as a moderate system of beliefs of all Islamic sects for more than 1000 years (built by Shiites) in Cairo, is reassuming its historic independence and interfaith role. The secular State is asserting itself.
Yet the remnants of the defunct Mubarak regime are still at work. Attacks on Coptic churches in Cairo and Alexandria have taken place. Muslims and Copts in Imbaba (an underdeveloped section of Cairo) have resulted in nine fatalities and 119 persons injured (May 12).
Responses of the New Egypt came very swiftly:
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
On that flag, the Crescent embraces the Cross. No stars. It is the flag hoisted by the Egyptian Revolution against British occupation in 1919, after World War I. That revolution, led by Saad Zaghloul, was inspired by De Valaira, the leader of the Irish revolt against the British at that time. So the Irish inspired the Egyptians, and Ghandi of India, who led the Indian Congress Party in its pacific struggle against the British, gave Egypt the name of his party, the Congress Party modified in 1919 to the "Delegation", or the "Congress" or the "Wafd" party. An imponderable revolutionary borrowing between oppressed nations: Irish, Indians, Egyptians. They all succeeded against foreign occupation and exploitation.
The time space between 1919 and 2011 is more than 92 years. Following the pattern of Tunisia, Egypt with its 90 million people convulsed on January 25, 2011. The Arab Spring was in full swing, this time revolting against internal dictatorships and corruption. A new Middle East was being born, and in Egypt, the old flag of the Egyptian revolution of 1919 was resurrected in Tahrir Square: the Crescent was again embracing the Cross.
That symbolism had a message, not only for Egypt, but also for the whole world: Islam is diversity; and down with Al-Qaeda and terrorism which caused 9/11 and other world calamities!! The New Renaissance embraces all faiths and the principle in the Quran is: "There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error." (Sura II/verse 256). Enough is enough!!
With the overthrow of 60 years of military dictatorship, which produced an unintended product, militant Islam, cosmopolitan Egypt is being resurrected. Not only does the Crescent embraces the Cross. Old historic Jewish temples are being refurbished. New churches are being built. Al-Azhar, that citadel of Islam as a moderate system of beliefs of all Islamic sects for more than 1000 years (built by Shiites) in Cairo, is reassuming its historic independence and interfaith role. The secular State is asserting itself.
Yet the remnants of the defunct Mubarak regime are still at work. Attacks on Coptic churches in Cairo and Alexandria have taken place. Muslims and Copts in Imbaba (an underdeveloped section of Cairo) have resulted in nine fatalities and 119 persons injured (May 12).
Responses of the New Egypt came very swiftly:
- The Women's Rights Coaltion, made up of 21 organizations condemned all attempts to tear at the Egyptian fabric made up of Muslim/Coptic unity;
- Egypt's Mufti, Dr. Aly Gomaa declared at a press conference that a sectarian struggle in Egypt could put the country back 500 years;
- Al-Azhar's Grand Imam, Dr. Al-Tayib, and Pope Shenouda III, the Pope of Alexandria, stressed the historic amity between the Church and the Mosque since the 8th century;
- The Supreme Council of Armed Forces declared that those who are trying to foment sectarian discord would be prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.
- The Coordinating Committee of the Revolution devoted Friday, May 20 for a "million person" demonstration in Tahrir for "the protection of National Unity."
- The flight of the Holy Family to Egypt was recalled and celebrated. And the initiative of Al-Azhar, called "The Family's Home" became a national program.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Egyptian Folklore in Aid of the Revolution
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
Since time immemorial, folklore has been a powerful popular instrument. It draws its force from the shared experiences of its public. This has proven its strength in aiding the Egyptian Revolution of January 25. Egyptian poetry, chants, jokes, songs, anthems and slogans were all on display at Tahrir Square, Cairo for all the world to see. That folklore was and shall always be a powerful tool in moving people, especially in this case, the Egyptians from bandage to liberty, from silence to participation, from submission to sovereignty.
So this Friday's blog is dedicated to the beautiful noises which made for the grand symphony of "we are now free!!" It is a global message which resonates across all cultures, religions, borders, affiliations, governmental systems and even international animosities. It is the Esperanto [presumed international language] of the Arab Spring and beyond.
Samples:
But one of the best pieces of poetry which emerged was that by Mohja Kahf entitled, "My People Are Rising." Here is the first part:
***************************************
Since time immemorial, folklore has been a powerful popular instrument. It draws its force from the shared experiences of its public. This has proven its strength in aiding the Egyptian Revolution of January 25. Egyptian poetry, chants, jokes, songs, anthems and slogans were all on display at Tahrir Square, Cairo for all the world to see. That folklore was and shall always be a powerful tool in moving people, especially in this case, the Egyptians from bandage to liberty, from silence to participation, from submission to sovereignty.
So this Friday's blog is dedicated to the beautiful noises which made for the grand symphony of "we are now free!!" It is a global message which resonates across all cultures, religions, borders, affiliations, governmental systems and even international animosities. It is the Esperanto [presumed international language] of the Arab Spring and beyond.
Samples:
- IRHAL - in Arabic "BEGONE" - Chanted in unison telling Mubarak and his motley crowd: after 32-years of dictatorship, the game is up. Go!!
- "AL-SHAAB YUREED ISSQAT AL-NIZAM" - In Arabic: "The people want the fall of the regime." As it did on February 11.
- "YA TAYYAR YA TAYYAR: MENEEN GIBT SABATASHER MILLIAR?" Since Mubarak was a pilot, yet allegedly amassed $17 Billion, the chant is: "Pilot, Pilot: How did you get $17 Billion?"
- "Come Back, Mubarak: We were only kidding!" Mocking Mubarak after his fall by asking him to return because the public was only kidding.
- "Come Back, Mubarak: How are we going to rename 670,000 establishments bearing your name?" Too much to change all those signs!!
- "Please Return: The loaf of bread is now getting bigger, threatening my plan to lose weight!!" During Mubarak's time, and as a result of corruption and cronyism, the loaf of bread, a main part of Egyptian diet was getting smaller and smaller.
- "Mubarak, Please, Come Back. I am now talking freely and I am not accustomed to that."
- "Please Return!! I am afraid that Egypt will forge ahead to become a modern nation."
But one of the best pieces of poetry which emerged was that by Mohja Kahf entitled, "My People Are Rising." Here is the first part:
My people are rising my people are rising,Above everything else, the Revolution taught the Egyptians the love of country, of the flag, of their civilisation, of their diversity, and of their national anthem which begins by: "Biladi, Biladi, Fidak Dammi:" "My Country, My Country, for Thee I Sacrifice!! And their slogan has become: "Love Egypt!!" There is an Arab proverb that says: "Love of Country is a part of faith."
with olive branches and song, they are waking;
the earth underneath their marching is shaking;
my people are rising! They are not crouched;
they are not stooping; they are not hungry for bread alone;
we don't want your bread they say, we are hungry for more.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Mubarak and Sons on Trial
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
Why is Mubarak and sons on trial in Egypt? The immediate reason for the detention and criminal investigations of the three most visible symbols of the collapsed Mubarak regime is the theft of public resources. In my co-authored book (with Kevin Ford and Mark Davies with a contribution by Vincent Green) Law Enforcement and Government Ethics (Praeger, 2000), corruption was simply defined as the conversion of public funds and other resources into private funds and resources.
In 1983, while I was on an assignment to write an article for Forbes magazine on the Egyptian economy, I interviewed Ambassador Frank Wisner, the then U.S. Ambassador to Egypt. I posed the following question to the Ambassador, "What is the future of U.S. aid to Egypt (then under Mubarak)?" His short but enlightened answer was, "Egypt has plenty of resources. Egypt does not need aid. It needs trade."
With the January 25 Revolution toppling the 32-year long Mubarak dictatorship, the first set of charges levelled by Egypt's Prosecutor General is: "How did you, Mr. Mubarak, on your salary as Egypt's President, amass billions of dollars deposited abroad?" This is the central charge on which the former President and his two sons, Gamal and Alaa, are being subjected to detention pending investigation before trial.
No other issue has galvanized all of Egypt as seeing the law being applied for the massive corruption engaged in by the ousted regime, including several members of the various Mubarak cabinets. And anti-corruption measures have also included the abuse of power, police brutality, and the peddling of influence through bribes.
The ecstasy generated by the sight of the formerly high and mighty, wearing prison garb and sitting at the Tora massive detention camp south of Cairo, for their misdeeds is palpable. In an upper Egypt city of Souhag, nearly halfway between Cairo and Aswan, a popular political figure declared recently, "These investigations and prospective trials have filled our hearts with joy. They like medals which are now worn by every Egyptian. Jail is the logical abode for Mubarak."
During my recent visit to Egypt (April 2 to April 22), I delivered a lecture in Arabic before the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, an NGO which I represent before the U.N., New York City. Most of the questions addressed to me following that lecture were focused on how to undo the great harm done to Egypt for 32 years by the Mubarak regime. The audience were in a hurry to know, "How can we get our money back?"
That interest, which accurately reflects the spirit of the millions in Tahrir Square and beyond was reflected in headlines of seven daily newspapers of mass circulation in the Arab world. One of them, Al-Akhbar (The News) headlined in its edition of April 15: "Yassin El-Ayouty of Fordham University School of Law Asserts that Recovery of the People's Stolen Funds Is Not Impossible." So was the tenor of other news media.
In Al-Ahram newspaper of May 12, that 135-year old newspaper, declared on its front page: "Investigating the Former Minister of Interior Next Week for Illegal Profiteering." It is therefore expected that the Egyptian media will give prominence to what the New York Times reported, also on May 12, on President Obama's "own impatience" with the fact that "many of these countries remained mired in corruption." For there is a definite link between corruption and the upheavals now taking place in the Arab world.
***************************************
Why is Mubarak and sons on trial in Egypt? The immediate reason for the detention and criminal investigations of the three most visible symbols of the collapsed Mubarak regime is the theft of public resources. In my co-authored book (with Kevin Ford and Mark Davies with a contribution by Vincent Green) Law Enforcement and Government Ethics (Praeger, 2000), corruption was simply defined as the conversion of public funds and other resources into private funds and resources.
In 1983, while I was on an assignment to write an article for Forbes magazine on the Egyptian economy, I interviewed Ambassador Frank Wisner, the then U.S. Ambassador to Egypt. I posed the following question to the Ambassador, "What is the future of U.S. aid to Egypt (then under Mubarak)?" His short but enlightened answer was, "Egypt has plenty of resources. Egypt does not need aid. It needs trade."
With the January 25 Revolution toppling the 32-year long Mubarak dictatorship, the first set of charges levelled by Egypt's Prosecutor General is: "How did you, Mr. Mubarak, on your salary as Egypt's President, amass billions of dollars deposited abroad?" This is the central charge on which the former President and his two sons, Gamal and Alaa, are being subjected to detention pending investigation before trial.
No other issue has galvanized all of Egypt as seeing the law being applied for the massive corruption engaged in by the ousted regime, including several members of the various Mubarak cabinets. And anti-corruption measures have also included the abuse of power, police brutality, and the peddling of influence through bribes.
The ecstasy generated by the sight of the formerly high and mighty, wearing prison garb and sitting at the Tora massive detention camp south of Cairo, for their misdeeds is palpable. In an upper Egypt city of Souhag, nearly halfway between Cairo and Aswan, a popular political figure declared recently, "These investigations and prospective trials have filled our hearts with joy. They like medals which are now worn by every Egyptian. Jail is the logical abode for Mubarak."
During my recent visit to Egypt (April 2 to April 22), I delivered a lecture in Arabic before the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, an NGO which I represent before the U.N., New York City. Most of the questions addressed to me following that lecture were focused on how to undo the great harm done to Egypt for 32 years by the Mubarak regime. The audience were in a hurry to know, "How can we get our money back?"
That interest, which accurately reflects the spirit of the millions in Tahrir Square and beyond was reflected in headlines of seven daily newspapers of mass circulation in the Arab world. One of them, Al-Akhbar (The News) headlined in its edition of April 15: "Yassin El-Ayouty of Fordham University School of Law Asserts that Recovery of the People's Stolen Funds Is Not Impossible." So was the tenor of other news media.
In Al-Ahram newspaper of May 12, that 135-year old newspaper, declared on its front page: "Investigating the Former Minister of Interior Next Week for Illegal Profiteering." It is therefore expected that the Egyptian media will give prominence to what the New York Times reported, also on May 12, on President Obama's "own impatience" with the fact that "many of these countries remained mired in corruption." For there is a definite link between corruption and the upheavals now taking place in the Arab world.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Under Construction: Egypt
News from the Egyptian Street and Media Translated Without Comment from Arabic into English As a Public Service
***************************************
A secular state is presently under construction in Egypt. It is a return to a historical status of the pre-Nasser Egypt. In the new Egypt, following the January 25 Revolution, religion and the state do not mix. In Tahir, the Egyptian flag of the 1919 revolution against British occupation - a crescent embracing the cross, symbolizing Muslim/Coptic unity - was again raised at Tahrir. At a meeting between Dr. Abdullah Al-Husseini, Egypt's Minister for Religious Affairs, and the Russian Ambassador, Al-Husseini stated that Egypt is a secular state with religious traditions. These traditions, the Egyptian Minster added, do not mix religion with the state.
At this transitional period from Mubarak's Egypt to a newly-reconstructed Egypt, the Supreme Council for Armed Forces issued its Internet message No.45. In it, it warned against Facebook messages with no attribution spreading false rumors aiming at inflaming sectarian strife. Among the false rumors which the Supreme Council's message is refuting is that some of the January 25 youth are being detained. In this regard, the Council stressed that the Armed Forces of Egypt, a conscripted army, is the security shield of the Revolution.
Under the leadership of Dr. Abdel-Aziz Higazy, Minister for National Dialogue, and a former Prime Minister of Egypt, 51 national leaders, including some of the January 25 youth, began their work in Cairo. In a statement to the press, Dr. Higazy defined 5 axes to that dialogue. These are democracy; human rights; development of human and social resources; development of economical and financial resources; and culture, inter-faith dialogue, and public information. The aim is to hold these national dialogue sessions to all governorates of Egypt and to translate these findings into national policies.
In his first public statement, Dr. Muhammed Morsi, leader of the new party called "Liberty and Justice," with 90% membership of the Muslim Brotherhood, declared that this new party, which is presently under construction, would be ready to join a future coalition government in Egypt.
An unprecedented meeting took place between the Rector of Al-Azhar, the main religious institution for Islamic learning (established more than 1000 years ago), Imam Dr. Ahmed-El-Tayieb, and the General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood on May 3. Following that meeting, Dr. El-Tayieb stressed that Al-Azhar aims at unifying the message of Islam to its people and to the world. He went on to say that Al-Azhar aims at propagating moderation and tolerance, and the elimination of extremist fatwas (religious pronouncements).
The news of the slaying of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan at the hands of the U.S. Special Forces on May 1, were greeted as the most important event in anti-terror activities throughout the world since 9/11. The main comments on that event was that Bin Laden's rise to notoriety was the direct consequence of dictatorship in the Arab/Muslim region. But after a decade has passed since 9/11, a new type of youth arose in that region leading to the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere. The new generation, using social information technology had as a global objective, not terror a la Al-Qaeda, but the Rule of Law and states based on democratic principles. The popularity of Bin Laden had drastically waned even before his demise.
***************************************
A secular state is presently under construction in Egypt. It is a return to a historical status of the pre-Nasser Egypt. In the new Egypt, following the January 25 Revolution, religion and the state do not mix. In Tahir, the Egyptian flag of the 1919 revolution against British occupation - a crescent embracing the cross, symbolizing Muslim/Coptic unity - was again raised at Tahrir. At a meeting between Dr. Abdullah Al-Husseini, Egypt's Minister for Religious Affairs, and the Russian Ambassador, Al-Husseini stated that Egypt is a secular state with religious traditions. These traditions, the Egyptian Minster added, do not mix religion with the state.
At this transitional period from Mubarak's Egypt to a newly-reconstructed Egypt, the Supreme Council for Armed Forces issued its Internet message No.45. In it, it warned against Facebook messages with no attribution spreading false rumors aiming at inflaming sectarian strife. Among the false rumors which the Supreme Council's message is refuting is that some of the January 25 youth are being detained. In this regard, the Council stressed that the Armed Forces of Egypt, a conscripted army, is the security shield of the Revolution.
Under the leadership of Dr. Abdel-Aziz Higazy, Minister for National Dialogue, and a former Prime Minister of Egypt, 51 national leaders, including some of the January 25 youth, began their work in Cairo. In a statement to the press, Dr. Higazy defined 5 axes to that dialogue. These are democracy; human rights; development of human and social resources; development of economical and financial resources; and culture, inter-faith dialogue, and public information. The aim is to hold these national dialogue sessions to all governorates of Egypt and to translate these findings into national policies.
In his first public statement, Dr. Muhammed Morsi, leader of the new party called "Liberty and Justice," with 90% membership of the Muslim Brotherhood, declared that this new party, which is presently under construction, would be ready to join a future coalition government in Egypt.
An unprecedented meeting took place between the Rector of Al-Azhar, the main religious institution for Islamic learning (established more than 1000 years ago), Imam Dr. Ahmed-El-Tayieb, and the General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood on May 3. Following that meeting, Dr. El-Tayieb stressed that Al-Azhar aims at unifying the message of Islam to its people and to the world. He went on to say that Al-Azhar aims at propagating moderation and tolerance, and the elimination of extremist fatwas (religious pronouncements).
The news of the slaying of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan at the hands of the U.S. Special Forces on May 1, were greeted as the most important event in anti-terror activities throughout the world since 9/11. The main comments on that event was that Bin Laden's rise to notoriety was the direct consequence of dictatorship in the Arab/Muslim region. But after a decade has passed since 9/11, a new type of youth arose in that region leading to the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere. The new generation, using social information technology had as a global objective, not terror a la Al-Qaeda, but the Rule of Law and states based on democratic principles. The popularity of Bin Laden had drastically waned even before his demise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)