The majority of the people expected instant change and were very frustrated when the transitional government could not succeed in satisfying their needs or responding to all their demands. Frustrations, differences, prejudices and anti-revolutionary forces led to a dead lock situation. However, Egypt has just completed the first phase of the parliamentary elections after a week of great turmoil. Egyptians abroad have for the first time been granted the right to vote.
During the revolution, police forces had resorted to violence which resulted in the loss of life of hundreds of young protesters and over more than a thousand wounded, some very severely. Revolutionaries demanded liberty, human dignity and social justice and to get rid of Mubarak and his corrupt regime. Mubarak was ousted, the army sided with the people. The National Assembly (Parliament), Shura council, local councils, syndicate councils and labour union boards were brought down since they were accused of forged elections during the past regime. The former president and many of his associates and former cabinet ministers are being tried. Mubarak had handed over the presidency to the Supreme Council for Armed Forces SCAF.
In March we had a referendum regarding constitutional amendments. A date was set for parliamentary elections, to be followed by choosing the committee to draft the new constitution to be passed by another referendum and then holding the presidential elections and finally SCAF would hand over the presidency to the newly elected president.
In June, the Grand Imam of the Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El Tayeb, invited a group of thirty Muslim and Christian Egyptian intellectuals [men and women] to draft a very important document regarding the future of Egypt as a modern civil state. This could very well be considered a preamble to the aspired new constitution.
Unfortunately, although the revolutionaries and political parties [new and old] have agreed earlier on the goals, they now differed on the means. The majority of the people have become impatient. They want to see the fruits of the revolution instantly. They want a magic formula to eradicate corruption, instant measures to regain stolen public money, instant economic reform and prompt trials for the accused and punishment for the proven guilty. Police violence in the face of the non-violent protesters has precipitated a lot of hatred and distrust. The former regime agents are still on the ground plotting for a comeback, provoking dispute, distrust, confusion and threatening the stability, security and even independence of our nation.
As an MRA family in Egypt, we have been trying to keep in touch and seek guidance as to what our role should be at such a critical phase. We try to observe, absorb, reflect and take the necessary actions. Some of us have been on the ground among the revolutionaries in Tahrir square, others contributing to the relief efforts, some acted as human shields separating the police from the protesters and some analyzing the situation and searching for solutions. We find Professor Rajmohan Gandhi's remarks in the Caux Human Security forum, regarding foundations for democracy, very true and inspiring. In his remarks ,Rajmohan acknowledged the bravery, nonviolence and commitment of the young Tunisian and Egyptian revolutionaries ,related highlights of the Indian experience since the time of his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi, his own struggle for democratic rights and the lessons learnt that could aid the Tunisians and Egyptians to consolidate their remarkable gains and keep the momentum of the revolution going. We hope to learn more about the Indian experience. We also look forward and pray that some of us could participate in the forthcoming dialogue in Panchgani with the theme: "Making Democracy Real.”
While the Egyptian MRA Association and team have a long experience in reinforcing the national social fabric, trust building and community development based on shared moral values reviving hope and human dignity,
the current upsurge and Arab Spring has put new challenges ahead; achieving justice, fighting or eradicating corruption and promoting integrity, healing the past and forging the future, preventing "Fitna" and building bridges of trust, raising public awareness contributing to and as a bases for true democracy and sustainable development. The moral perspective equipped with community strategic management tools and skills is a key element in recognizing priorities , putting public interest before personal, private or special interest, preserving human rights and fighting greed and exploitation which need both personal and institutional change.
We believe that MRA has a great role to play now more than ever especially in terms of reconciliation, trust building and reviving human conscience. We find that achieving a break through in a dead lock situation and building national consensus necessitates the following:
- Adhering to your principles while getting rid of your prejudices
- Reaching out to understand other points of view
- Struggling for justice without bitterness
- Calming down in order to be able to think clear and straight
- Overcoming our grief and sorrow in order to be able to look up to the future
- Loosing the fury but not the fire [i.e. loosing the anger not the enthusiasm ]
- Finding a common ground and basis for agreement, even if it seems limited
- Respecting the fact that we are all partners caring for the safety, unity and prosperity of our very dear country and that every one is needed and has a role to play
Our Moral Rearmament team in Egypt have been lately working on a paper to be used in Egypt and also, hopefully presented on the forthcoming Human Rights International Conference to be held in Cairo, God willing, between the 11th and 14th of December. The paper draws on the experience of Moral Rearmament MRA/Initiatives of Change IofC in terms of reconciliation and bridge building using demonstrative case studies from South Africa, Nigeria, Lebanon and Egypt.
In the summer of 2004 during the IofC Human security Forum at Caux, Switzerland, an Egyptian delegation presented the multi media "Egypt New Hope" during a special Egyptian Evening. During the conference, we had the honour to listen to Mrs. Ginn Fourie sharing with former guerilla commander and freedom fighter, Letlapa Mphahlele, the most moving experience about forgiveness, reconciliation, repentance and trust building in South Africa after the fall of the Apartheid. In December 1993, Ginn's only daughter, Lyndi, was killed by an attack where whites congregated. Letlapa had ordered the attack, yet both were able not only to overcome their traumatic experiences but to reconcile and put their hands together to help others cross the divides of race, gender and differing ideology. In July of this year, we received an email conveying a very profound and inspiring message from the respected South African leader Nelson Mandela addressed to the people of Egypt and Tunisia encouraging them to benefit from the experience of his country.
In 2005 AD we held a three days pan Arab MRA meeting at Sundus, Ismailia, Egypt. Our Motto was: " Together for a better future.” We had several themes to cover including " The future in the eyes of the youth.” More than a hundred participants were present, from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza and we were very delighted that representatives of the global IofC /MRA family joined us, [Peter Riddell, Marriane Spreng and Charles Aquilina].
At that meeting, I thought of the future we want to see and share in terms of five Ss.
1-Serene and peaceful soul
2-Sound family life
3-Sound and cohesive communities
4-Safe and clean environment
5-Secure and peaceful world
We are all trying hard to fulfill that vision in different capacities and through different initiatives and programs, despite the difficulties and obstacles that we may face.
Egypt in the transitional period after the 25th of January revolution needs, more than ever, the IofC /MRA perspective and experience, so do other Arab countries, especially those going through the Arab Spring.
The Egyptian MRA team and association are tying hard in various directions and trying to collaborate with other active entities sharing our convictions. We have immediate needed action, short term initiatives and still need to develop a long term strategy.
1- We are currently embarking on an initiative to launch a multi purpose campaign for abolishing illiteracy while promoting shared moral values, reinforcing our national unity and social fabric. Dr. Latifa Fahmi had this thought when she was in Caux two years ago. We have been working on a tool to be used in abolishing illiteracy classes as well as schools. This is something along the lines of the three other Rs, developed by MRA teachers in Britain, promoting "Responsibility, Relationships and Respect for life.” Our focus would be on promoting shared values, trust building and dialogue. Hopefully this would help save Egypt a lot of undesirable problems and possible clashes due to ignorance or prejudices.
2-Another tool which is urgently needed is a documentary film confirming our common interfaith heritage and MRA experience in Egypt and reviving hope for a better future. We hope that 'For the love of tomorrow films' would help in that. Two of our young people Maha Ashour and Kessmat Waked have participated last summer in the Caux Creatifs training course. Maha is now studying for a year in Britain and Kessmat is busy with her studies since she is hopefully graduating this semester. We already we have material that can be integrated in such a documentary.
3-Another project we are working on is to update the multi media show, 'Egypt New Hope' which we presented in Caux twice. Once in August 1973 and the other time in 2004 during the human security conference The updating relates to the current situation in light of the Arab Spring.
4-We are also collaborating with Arab -West foundation on a pilot project for early warning early response for conflict prevention and resolution along the lines of what Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye from Nigeria have done.
We need a miracle of the spirit. We need to approach and appeal to the good side in each of us and revive our conscience. We need to repent, forgive and reconcile. We need to loose the fury but not the fire, in order to find guidance and direction, as the late aunt Erica Evans once put it [in 1972].We need to train ourselves to struggle for justice without bitterness, as some Sudanese leader once put it. Bitterness and hatred only bring negative energy and are counter productive. A few days ago, one Egyptian satellite channel kept repeating an old broadcast of a very profound statement for the late famous and most respected Muslim, Sheikh Mohammed Metwally Elsharawy: "A true revolutionary revolts to bring down corruption and then calms down to build glory."
MRA Egypt was delighted to know that Dr. Omnia Marzouq was unanimously elected as the next President of IofC. We have Known Omnia for years and years. Dr. Omnia's statement is very inspiring and reflects her sincere and deep convictions. We also would like to express our gratitude for the former presidents, Professor Rajmohan Gandhi, Ambassador Mohammed Sahnoun and Dr. Cornelio Sammaruga.
May God Almighty helps us meet our challenges and fulfill our aspirations. Amen
Dr.Nagia Abdelmoghney Said
Vice President of the Egyptian Moral Rearmament Association
November 30th 2011
P.S. For Rajmohan Gandhi's remarks see
http://makingdemocracyreal.org/2011/remarks-by-rajmohan-gandhi/
