Amidst all the euphoria and jubilation running through the throngs of protesters as they sense the realization of their primary objective (the ousting of Mubarak), I find myself weary of the epilogue.
I remember back in 2007 and 2008, when another embattled ex-military general president, Pervez Musharraf, was similarly fighting for his political life. The movement calling for his removal had also gained considerable momentum and the public was looking forward to 'change'.
Major protests, led by Pakistani lawyers, against Musharraf's dismissal of the nation's top judges as well as a dubious alliance between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto calling for his impeachment combined for a very uncomfortable situation for the man infamously referred to by W. Bush as 'the General'.
Finally, when the dust settled and Musharraf was sent scurrying to London on a 'self-imposed' exile, the Pakistani peoples finally had their day. So how did they celebrate their chance to decide their political future? They put their minds together and elected their knight in shining armor:
A sleazy used-car salesman, better known to the world as Asif Zardari.
(excuse me while I pick up my keyboard that I just threw against the wall)
..
..
OK, I'm back.
So, my advice to the people of Egypt is to temper your emotions and focus not on who you were able to depose, but on who will replace him.
*That* is the real challenge.
And if history is any indicator, it doesn't bode well for my Misri brothers and sisters.
True revolutions aren't made by mass protests and Tweeting and checking out Facebook. They are made by changing the hearts and minds of the masses. Once this foundation is present, then the protests and and social movements and political machinations can lead to a successful change.
Until then, we're all suckers waiting to get ripped off by sleazy used-car salesmen.
Just don’t call it genocide
1 week ago
8 comments:
It's clear that his time is up, but I suspect the colonial powers are already plotting on who his successor will be - no doubt one that is as close an ally to them as Mubarak was....
I must say that its my primary concern too... I fear that they will replace him with another US puppet dictator. But then I'm also hoping that they never forget that they hold the real power in Egypt.
Assalamu alaikum,
Thanks for putting things into perspective about Egypt. For me personally, on the one hand I am happy to see Mubarak resigned (just today!) Because I wouldn't want to see anyone resigned to living life in such an oppressed manner (as most people do around the world unfortunately). Insha'Allah Egypt and Tunisia may spark future revolutions around the world against autocratic rulers.
At the same time I understand what you're saying about the Egyptians being careful of who replaces the last Firawn. People have to band together under a common ideology that will revolutionize the society and bring it out of darkness. And what better ideology is there than the one brought by our Beloved Rasul (SAWS) by the Beneficent Creator who knows us better than we know ourselves?
Here's what I predict will happen as long as people remain confused by what they want to be ruled under:
Alot of squabbling and infighting over what the new government setup will be; whatever new government comes out of this will not be able to solve the people's problems because things like inflation and rampant poverty will take a long time to dismantle and sometimes the problem (like inflation that's affecting the world) may be out of one's control.
Two good things I can see coming out of this is that the new government may not be as amenable towards influence from the West and Israel as Mubarak was. There may be splits and disagreements over doing the West's bidding (much like Pakistan right now). I also read that a future Egyptian government may do what Pakistan currently does: force the US to pay up more and offer more concessions if it wants Egypt to uphold its interests in the region; they could use the anti-American public sentiment to scare the US into giving in to their demands.
The second good thing is that when Egyptians become disenchanted with the future government (because they'll see it's the same old same old and they'll see it's unable to fix the entrenched problems in society) they may be more willing to listen to alternative forms of ruling which may lead them to see the Truth.
BTW I hope the Pakistanis learn not to fall for Musharraf's tricks! The guy has the audacity to claim he might re-enter Pakistani politics soon (hopefully the Egypt revolts will scare him away from that notion!)
AA- R,
"There may be splits and disagreements over doing the West's bidding (much like Pakistan right now)"
I don't see that happening too much in Pakistan, nor do I envision it taking place in Egypt. The West may allow for minor concessions to appease the masses, but major decisions will always have to be made in favor of outside (read West/Israel) interests.
"they may be more willing to listen to alternative forms of ruling which may lead them to see the Truth."
And this will only happen when serious Muslims get their houses in order. And this just ain't happening in any meaningful manner right now.
In fact, I see many educated Muslims accepting democracy as a political way of life completely resonant with Islam. Mindboggling!
Wa salaam Brother,
Yeah I feel you may be right about minor concessions...just yesterday the Egyptian military announced it would abide by the peace treaty...I guess I was a bit too optimistic after reading reports like this coming out of Pakistan:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/MB15Df01.html
But yeah should learn not to expect too much...and you're right the truth won't arrive until Muslims, particularly religious Muslims get their house in order. It's a shame to see so many religious Muslims endorsing democracy both in the West and elsewhere. And they use all sorts of excuses to believe in democracy; one thing I always remind them of is that democracy entails giving people absolute freedoms from religion. So would they really be ok with their kids proclaiming the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in trying to excuse whatever haraam lifestyle they adopt? Most religious Muslims have nothing to reply to that...
BTW brother I know you meant no harm and were only poking fun but I read once that we shouldn't badmouth anyone, including leaders, even in jest (eg. calling Zardari "sleazy").
While it's allowed to criticize their policies and actions that affect their societies, we should try not to judge their personalities/character/intentions because that is up to Allah to judge.
What we should all do is pray for these leaders' guidance so that in the future Insha'Allah they may change for the better and help bring about more just and fair societies based on the full implementation of Islam.
I know you to be a good God-fearing brother so I'm sure you won't feel I'm personally criticizing just providing you with some naseehah. May Allah keep us all steadfast upon His Straight Path Amin.
Fool Me Once, Shame On You
Fool Me Twice Shame On Me.
Now we are in double digits in Pakistan and shamed by every politican. Just how stupid we really are?.
Fool Me Once, Shame On You
Fool Me Twice Shame On Me
We are in double digits now in Pakistan. Shamed by every politician. Just how stupid we really are????
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