George Bush’s “war on terror” continues to deliver. Even if the context is different, the slogan continues to haunt civilians, especially Muslims. But the latest chapter doesn’t include an American army attacking a Muslim nation; rather Muslims who have branded their own as terrorists—people with whom they share heritage and race. The Egyptian interim government, led by American-trained Sissi, is using this abused slogan for its own vile purposes.
As part of this narrative, both state and private media channels, ranging from pro-Sissi to super-pro-Sissi, have plastered their TV coverage with “war on terror” 24/7. For Americans this would be tantamount to having only Rush Limbaugh covering politics on TV. In fact, in terms of the despicable and disgusting dehumanization of Muslims, even Girt Wilders, Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer could take a few tips from Egyptian media. As this quote from Hossam al-Hamalawy, member of far-left socialist party, illustrates:
“The media is lying, exaggerating, and picturing this like Islamist demons with horns creating havoc everywhere” [From an excellent piece in CSM]
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Egyptians who rely only on local media outlets have effectively been brainwashed into seeing Muslim Brotherhood (MB) supporters as “others”. To make matters worse, since no one carries a MB badge on their sleeves, this brainwashing paints all overtly appearing Muslims as terrorists. There have been ample reports of bearded men just being picked up randomly by police.
While the Egyptian media is plastering the massacres as struggle against terrorism (and succeeding nationally), the proliferation of social media and presence of foreign journalists on the ground has made media narratives impossible to control completely outside its borders. In this regard the government’s narrative is failing.
When the world sees unarmed civilians being shot openly and blatantly, no false narrative can hold up effectively. Foreign media outlets, initially slow to respond, have since done an admirable job. Washington Post’s blistering editorial called out Obama as being complicit in violence, as well as calling for cut-off of aid to Egypt as did NY Times. The Guardian newspaper has also been effective with pieces such as this. Their collective coverage has been helped by the presence of brave journalists on the ground including NY Time’s Robert Mackey, Guardian’s Patrick Kingsley, WSJ’s Matt Bradley, WaPo’s Abigail Hauslohner, Democracy Now’s Sharif Kouddous and others.
The government’s dismay at losing its desired global media narrative was recently highlighted by the lecturing that Egyptian’s State Information Service (SIS) gave to foreign journalists for coverage that “supports terror”, ironic to say the least.
In the backdrop, it appears that Egypt’s Coptic Christians may be becoming unwitting pawns in the government’s attempt to reassert its failing narrative. Many influential political commentators have started to openly wonder whether the post-coup massacres were actually deliberately extreme in order to incite a violent response by MB; permitting the government to effectively shut out MB from politics. Similarly, it is not a great leap of logic to see the attacks on Christians as part of a narrative-control strategy.
Attacks on Churches
Who is actually attacking churches and Christians in Egypt remains a mystery. Extremism has been growing in Sinai since Mubarak’s removal and involvement by elements from this region cannot be discounted. As for MB, officially the organization has condemned such violence. But could pro-MB thugs acting on their own volition resort to such attacks? Of course.
When one considers the fact that the military coup was openly supported by Christian leaders, it is not difficult to imagine this position spurring some pro-MB thugs or Muslim extremists from Sinai into taking “revenge” on “soft targets”.
One might argue that even Al-Azhar supported the coup, however, the comparison between Al-Azhar and Christian Copts fails simply because the misguided “Christian vs. Muslim” theme needed for such heinous actions doesn’t apply to Al-Azhar. While Christian leaders like other Egyptians had every right to voice their position on the coup. In this regard, Christian leaders may have made a strategic mistake of not remaining neutral but instead siding with a military coup. This position is as blameworthy as other Muslim groups taking up similar positions, however it was always going to be riskier for Christians due to underlying historical religious tensions.
Regardless of Christian leaders’ choices, it was still their right as citizens to be protected by the government. And one would think that an interim government so whole-heartedly supported by its Christian minority would take every measure to protect it. And based on the massive number of military and police personnel that the government had at its disposal, it clearly wasn’t for lack of resources that it has not protected its most vulnerable.
Hijacking The Narrative
The destruction of churches served the interim government’s media narrative best. Thus one can logically conclude that this government made the strategic choice to either (a) destroy the churches using its own hired thugs—most Machiavellian option and some may say conspiratorial but cannot be brushed aside based on other abhorrent choices that this government has made. Or more likely to (b) simply not provide ample protection to churches deliberately.
If the choice to allow churches to be destroyed was not strategic, then it was certainly ineptness, and even by this most generous reading of the situation, Egypt’s interim government has failed comprehensively in protecting its minority Christians.
In conclusion, foreign media should not fall into the government’s narrative trap, which claims to call for “balanced” coverage—Egyptian style. The government is desperate for it, as evidenced by this recent tweet from the ground by Matt Bradley: “#Egypt’s military was so keen on us covering the churches that were attacked that they offered to fly us to Minya by helicopter”.
Foreign journalists should report on church attacks, but for true balance, they should continue to bear in mind that this coverage is competing with the nearly 1500 lost lives (by official count). They cannot let the same government that claims it exercised “maximum restraint” and did not shoot live rounds while committing open massacre, hijack the narrative. And when pointing fingers, everyone, including journalists, should point it ONLY at Sissi’s interim government. It took over power forcibly, and with power comes responsibility for preserving the life and property of every citizen, Muslim or Christian (or other).
Announcements2 weeks ago
Mahmud
August 21, 2013 at 3:17 AM
Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
At the core of this conflict is this:
The Muslims in Egypt want to judge by the judgement of Allah aza wa jal.
The secularists, prefer another law.
There is no way to reconcile to two positions.
Unfortunately, Christians have gotten caught in the crossfire. The secularists are using them as pawns, and it’s probable that some of the Muslims are taking there anger out on the Christians. While Christians are disbelievers who are forbidden from Paradise forever, they are not the enemy.
The Muslims should have understood that Christians will naturally be apprehensive of Muhammad Mursi, his group and the rest of Egyptians who want to establish the Shariah of the final Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ibn Abdullah. They should have been calm, patient, and overlooking their faults like righteous believers.
They should never have been soft with the secularists. Islam is the only way, and the only parties and people that should have been able to participate in this “democracy” are those that are Muslim!
Abu Bakr RA was not soft with the people who refused zakah! He did not give them the right to vote! SubhanAllah.
Mahmud
August 21, 2013 at 3:21 AM
I wrote this because I feel many Muslims are getting misguided and seeing only the “unjust coup” and “massacre” part of this. But in reality, it is far deeper than any atrocities either side may commit.
Jon Solis
August 25, 2013 at 7:42 AM
Mahmud: As I understand it, you are stating that the democracy you envision is one that only allows Muslims (as you would define them) to run for office. I assume you are using Iran as an example where candidates would be vetted by a group of mullahs? Christians or secularists would not be allowed to run for office and I also assume you would not allow them to vote either (not that it would make a difference if they had no real candidates to vote for). I understand that your goal is a unified Islamic state run under the rule of Shariah. However, the reality is that your methods and goal would possibly result in a catastrophic civil war and an economic nightmare for the citizens of Egypt. I suspect that such a result really doesn’t bother you that much since you ignore commenting on any of the consequences of your goals.
Mahmud
August 25, 2013 at 8:20 PM
Well, you certainly assume a lot, and none of your assumptions mean anything to me, but I’ll address the ones I care to.
“However, the reality is that your methods and goal would possibly result in a catastrophic civil war and an economic nightmare for the citizens of Egypt.”
They are already far more divided than rival groups in democratic countries. This runs deeper than water and blood.
“I suspect that such a result really doesn’t bother you that much since you ignore commenting on any of the consequences of your goals.”
I suspect the long term(really short) good of Egyptians doesn’t bother you much since you ignore commenting on it. But it is far greater than any civil war or economic catastrophe.
The Muslim view is dictated by the ultimate abodes (ie Paradise and Hell) and this line of reasoning may not be clear to you in your present situation.
*This comment was edited by the MM Comments Team in order to comply with our Comments Policy*
Hossam
August 23, 2013 at 10:34 AM
1 – Why did the Egyptian people after the revolution against dictatorial Mubarak regime security choose Muslim Brotherhood to rule?
Did not exist on the scene societal Egyptian forces organization similar in strength Islamic forces taking advantage of public sympathy for the persecution throughout the 60-year-old and taking advantage of sectarianism to spread subsidized propaganda to project the Renaissance sham, which denied having access to the rule, as well as to encourage the United States to advance to the presidency, to non-existence of currents regulatory unreliable. as the liberal currents forced to choose between presidential candidates, one Muslim and the other was supported by the Mubarak regime. And thus settled mostly that tends to the new ruling and the word old with this difference in the vote for Max to 2.5% and by a vote of 13 million votes of the total votes of 55 million of people stood population of 90 million. Resorted تللك group threatened to burn Egypt if there is no announcement Mohammed Marina president of Egypt despite the objections of the other candidate on some violations of the electoral process in the cities of Upper Egypt, which was the result may change.
2 – What came out of the Egyptian people on their own Governor-elect?
Out crowds enormous unprecedented history of human to the streets and squares demanding regime change if it happened in any European country to be invited ruler for a referendum to renew confidence in him, but strange that Myers insisted on its legitimacy, despite the upset crowd, and warning the military establishment has signs of a civil war threatens the security folk Egyptian but ASTM t بعناده the military forced the popular will of bias, isolated and for the following reasons:
1 – failure of leadership Brotherhood in uniting all Egyptians, but instead insisted on the exclusion of all other trends on governance, including their allies Islamists represented in the President’s decision to return Parliament to convene, despite the judicial ruling issued by the Supreme Constitutional Court dissolved and then retreat after threats of an international judicial body. Furthermore individually currents of political Islam put the Constitution despite the nose all other currents and exclusion, which are moving some of its clauses to rooting for fascism and religious people called for a referendum under the massive demonstrations of the opposition has been unseal by mobilizing armed supporters of a berth in the scenes befell the Egyptian people, but Islamists have raised the slogan ( Islam is the solution), taking advantage of their physical support to the poor, needy hand and ignorant Almtjuvon of Copts home from partners on the other hand to pass a defective constitution
2 – Poor relations Egyptian Arab father and mechanism except for Qatar, which carried out an agenda of their own region. Example, support the Brotherhood Islamist takeover to judge the state of Mali, causing a crisis between Egypt and France as well as support cells for them Arab Emirates, Kuwait and try to incorporation of the State of the Islamic caliphate in the Middle East
3 – Constitutional Declaration issued by the marina and the fort itself and its veto in court and called on his supporters to blockade the Supreme Constitutional Court and judges of the national performing their role
4 – Crown Morsi all positions and the State Administration for people with confidence, not competence than a negative impact on the level of security and economic services and service should be available in the country
5 – Brotherhood failure in the State Administration for their inability to fulfill their electoral promises to improve the income of the Egyptian citizen on the basis of social justice, but worsened as more and prevailed crises kinds of unavailability of fuel and electricity as well as an increasing rise in commodity prices Algmaihz
6 – Extortion of businessmen and pressure them to pay royalties to come to terms with them and called the settlement conditions and Cetkhv of more in the future
7 – the prevailing animosity between the institution of the presidency on the one hand, the police and the judiciary, media, artists, intellectuals and categories of home partners on the other hand
8 – Launch of the hands of Islamist groups to tamper with security folk Z the Egyptian Sinai and the threat of a peace agreement represented in the spread of spending and the arms trade, drugs and human beings and the sale of land to the Palestinians for resettlement in Sinai homeland alternative to Gaza and then use those groups to threaten citizens Almesean if they think to challenge authority Brotherhood demanding their rights. As examples of that: the siege of the Supreme Constitutional Court to prevent it from issuing the provisions unconstitutional decisions of the President, the siege owe output media to influence the media and threatening journalists. Moreover assault on demonstrators in front of the Palais des Alathaddeih and tortured to extract false confessions also adopted the style to get rid of both disagreed with them in opinion either dismissal from work or imprisoned or even killed for private judgment.
9 – a personal weakness of the former president in front of his group and his inability to make decisions only after the advice of the group, which threatened the idea of state institutions as well as stubbornness and the exclusion of all shades of the Egyptians and the failure in any of his speeches in access to the Egyptian citizen.
Abbreviated insisted Marina and his group to challenge all who stood in front of him and walk against popular demands, due to the absence of the people expresses the people’s will left the masses of the people to regain its legitimacy and identity of the ruling fascist and the only thing succeeded by the Muslim Brotherhood is to unite all the forces and movements against them, especially after his failure in the management of Ethiopia Renaissance Dam crisis and scandal broadcast consultative Conference between him and the political forces on the air without being alert to that which has had a disastrous impact on the Egyptian-Ethiopian relations.
10 – Hope came at the hands of an insurgency campaign against the fascist regime Vetohadd with all Egyptians, despite the threat of militant Islamic groups for all participants in the demonstrations of murder and the bombing of demonstration sites and arrest, but came out awesome numbers of Egyptians demanding the army as a national institution to protect them from religious fascism.
3 – and why countries differ in dealing with the Egyptian crisis?
1 – there are common interests declared between Musrmen hand, the European Union and the United States on the other hand is to maintain and secure navigation through the Suez Canal corridor Navigation international indispensable and keep the peace treaty and the security of Israel as a strategic ally of the United States in the region and maintaining the rights of minorities and respect for international treaties and conventions on human rights and the lack of supporting terrorism.
But Alttakov real ability of the commander of the Egyptian army at the crowd of human millions during the two-day mandate to confront any terrorist potential, who ignored calls for the West not to isolate the marina, but mi army into the matter to ايعد challenge to the will of the international, but the bias to the will of the people and Tgniba the country’s risk of civil war, which strengthened the apprehension rejection of the Egyptian Minister of Defense received an angry phone call from U.S. President during the attempted resolution of sit fourth, citing that there is a head of the Egyptian state and Hokoma they are the only ones they were assigned to discuss their decisions.
2 – Declaration adoption of the West and the media, the European berths to matter who ينساقون behind eating news from Al Jazeera, which implements own agenda in Qatar, which supports projects to invest in the Suez Canal away from the rule of Egyptian law which has had the effect of masterful in influencing public opinion (EU) and some politicians Americans Ot Sawyer what happened on that a military coup, which is contrary to reality, especially as the coup revelations preceded by warnings from the army for all the forces to avoid blockage of political and civil war. Moreover that military coups take the army authority which did not happen the situation Egypt took over the presidency Chairman of the Constitutional Court as a compromise solution to the political crisis in addition to the military coups do not constitute a civilian government, but in that case was the formation of a transitional government of technocrats on the civilian constitution, elections and support the economic situation of the state.
3 – the intensification of the conflict and nitpick and different alliances in the Democratic Party and the Republicans in the management of the crisis with Egypt, there are those who came to fail Alostath between the parties to the crisis Egyptian such as McCain and supply only to put Obama on the path of confrontation with the new Egyptian government … If they do not face Obama would have been pressed in Congress كمتعاطف with human rights violators and resolutely faced and lost Egypt as an ally is accountability Kmaady of the allies, but if the Brotherhood succeeded and returned to power for the transformation of McCain to the fore as a supporter of them and all of that at the expense of the Egyptian people
4 – joined the tangle of interests between the Brotherhood on the one hand, Turkey, Qatar and Hamas as supporters of the Islamic caliphate and harness مخابراتهم and their communities in the Sinai, empty of the presence of Egyptian security because of the provisions of the Camp David as well as harnessing the Al-Jazeera International in fueling conflict and fabricating images and scenes incomplete to exploit to gain sympathy and support International, whether at home or abroad., but it came in this satanic coalition that draws Brothers how to gain popular support through imperfect scenes or agreed to implement and can be for all who cares to ask their own intelligence to ensure the health of prayers.
5 – fever statements International paid interests malignant region or resulting from irritability media erroneous by some channels foreign media (especially the island because of its global reach and a professional able to eat a demonic version of events broadcast band and calls into question the credibility of the other), which received exporters images erroneous than bone with him deal with it and go back تللك the media diabolical to deal with the reactions of the angle at which it deems appropriate to establish for sedition among citizens to gain support., but warn that the chaos of the statements and reactions Mujhah is thoughtful has contributed greatly to the support of these groups thinking that they are the holders to the right and stick the return of Marsa president, a natural unless never happen
6 – the statements of some international bodies to the Egyptian authorities of the need for restraint while it to اتدين terrorism perpetrated in the right effects, churches and police stations, prisons, and their homes, thereby enhancing citizens have the idea that they are right.
7 – the insistence of the Muslim Brotherhood to portray its power struggle in the uniform of the victory of Islam and that of the opposers of opinion is not a Muslim and thus may be killed in cold blood, knowing that they even look at their supporters Knaqsy Islam so it can be sacrificed in the bloody confrontations to save for the elite of them which gives sympathy for the world of the large number of victims certificate seekers in defense of Islam.
4 – Are you confused at all European and مخابراتهم countries assess the situation in Egypt?
1 – Some countries that are not interested in non-public opinion charged by the media with agendas, and that contribute to the Shipping Western public opinion because of their sensitivity towards violence and Alamadadz The major countries that have intelligence reports resorting to punishment of the Egyptian administration to follow an approach supportive of the will of the Egyptian national and disobeying their advice non-compliance, for fear of the growing influence of the Egyptian military and exclusivity decision and fear that switching hubs in the Middle East and worried that the Egyptians resort to the Eastern bloc to the lack of effective compression tools on the ground.
2 – the failure of the new Egyptian leadership in influencing international public opinion due to the lack of interest in pre-established media outlets influential international movement of what is happening on the ground, transparency, credibility and standing in front of coop, uh, the island lies with the political agenda and thus lost popular international public opinion.
3 – acceleration of events and the insistence of the Brotherhood not to negotiate until after the return marina for power, this insistence on the reincarnation of the role of the victim to the point of faith, and whenever Salt blood whenever matters worse and increased stubbornness Brotherhood, which facilitates the Mission of the island monument theater of operations and directing drama
4 – European nations fear of armed violence transition to its territory as a punishment for the weakness of support for political Islam, but if endemic terrorism Egypt Verady, Europe is not far from them, and the day will come and explodes eligible.
5 – Why should the world to support Egypt?
1 – There are now after all what happened only for the Ahdlhal crisis, namely the roadmap for the establishment of the constitution and referendum and then elections, parliament, followed by presidential elections within 7 months but has to be Astgar state first in order to control the conduct of those elections Bashvlfah and international control, but we run into again Brotherhood refusing to sit at the negotiating table and engage in dialogue and participation in the future Musrmdauma not to international condemnation for those who raise arms in the face of the Egyptian state and society.
2 – This situation may establish a European American runner for the Egyptian peoples to felt Balemrar the double standards when looking for freedom and his future and maintains its national security and the security of the region, which could affect its policies and its alliances in the region in the near future.
3 – The stability of the Middle East, including contains the headwaters of wealth depends on the stability of both secular Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which is a strategic goal for all countries of the world, if the Egyptian state collapsed and turned into Kandahar will affect world peace and security.
نص العربية الأصلي:
وبالتالى استقر معظمهم على ان يميل الى الحكم الجديد ولفظ القديم مع ان هذا الفارق فى التصويت لايزيد على 2.5% وبنسبة تصويت بلغت 13 مليون صوت من اجمالى تصويت 55 مليون من شعب بلغ تعداده 90 مليون.ولجأت تللك الجماعة للتهديد بحرق مصر اذا لم يتم اعلان محمد مرسى رئيسا لمصر رغم اعتراض المرشح الاخر على بعض الخروقات بالعملية الانتخابية فى مدن الصعيد والتى كانت قد تغير النتيجة.
اقتراح ترجمة أفضل
1 – Why did the Egyptian people after the revolution against dictatorial Mubarak regime security choose Muslim Brotherhood to rule?
Did not exist on the scene societal Egyptian forces organization similar in strength Islamic forces taking advantage of public sympathy for the persecution throughout the 60-year-old and taking advantage of sectarianism to spread subsidized propaganda to project the Renaissance sham, which denied having access to the rule, as well as to encourage the United States to advance to the presidency, to non-existence of currents regulatory unreliable. as the liberal currents forced to choose between presidential candidates, one Muslim and the other was supported by the Mubarak regime. And thus settled mostly that tends to the new ruling and the word old with this difference in the vote for Max to 2.5% and by a vote of 13 million votes of the total votes of 55 million of people stood population of 90 million. Resorted تللك group threatened to burn Egypt if there is no announcement Mohammed Marina president of Egypt despite the objections of the other candidate on some violations of the electoral process in the cities of Upper Egypt, which was the result may change.
2 – What came out of the Egyptian people on their own Governor-elect?
Out crowds enormous unprecedented history of human to the streets and squares demanding regime change if it happened in any European country to be invited ruler for a referendum to renew confidence in him, but strange that Myers insisted on its legitimacy, despite the upset crowd, and warning the military establishment has signs of a civil war threatens the security folk Egyptian but ASTM t بعناده the military forced the popular will of bias, isolated and for the following reasons:
1 – failure of leadership Brotherhood in uniting all Egyptians, but instead insisted on the exclusion of all other trends on governance, including their allies Islamists represented in the President’s decision to return Parliament to convene, despite the judicial ruling issued by the Supreme Constitutional Court dissolved and then retreat after threats of an international judicial body. Furthermore individually currents of political Islam put the Constitution despite the nose all other currents and exclusion, which are moving some of its clauses to rooting for fascism and religious people called for a referendum under the massive demonstrations of the opposition has been unseal by mobilizing armed supporters of a berth in the scenes befell the Egyptian people, but Islamists have raised the slogan ( Islam is the solution), taking advantage of their physical support to the poor, needy hand and ignorant Almtjuvon of Copts home from partners on the other hand to pass a defective constitution
2 – Poor relations Egyptian Arab father and mechanism except for Qatar, which carried out an agenda of their own region. Example, support the Brotherhood Islamist takeover to judge the state of Mali, causing a crisis between Egypt and France as well as support cells for them Arab Emirates, Kuwait and try to incorporation of the State of the Islamic caliphate in the Middle East
3 – Constitutional Declaration issued by the marina and the fort itself and its veto in court and called on his supporters to blockade the Supreme Constitutional Court and judges of the national performing their role
4 – Crown Morsi all positions and the State Administration for people with confidence, not competence than a negative impact on the level of security and economic services and service should be available in the country
5 – Brotherhood failure in the State Administration for their inability to fulfill their electoral promises to improve the income of the Egyptian citizen on the basis of social justice, but worsened as more and prevailed crises kinds of unavailability of fuel and electricity as well as an increasing rise in commodity prices Algmaihz
6 – Extortion of businessmen and pressure them to pay royalties to come to terms with them and called the settlement conditions and Cetkhv of more in the future
7 – the prevailing animosity between the institution of the presidency on the one hand, the police and the judiciary, media, artists, intellectuals and categories of home partners on the other hand
8 – Launch of the hands of Islamist groups to tamper with security folk Z the Egyptian Sinai and the threat of a peace agreement represented in the spread of spending and the arms trade, drugs and human beings and the sale of land to the Palestinians for resettlement in Sinai homeland alternative to Gaza and then use those groups to threaten citizens Almesean if they think to challenge authority Brotherhood demanding their rights. As examples of that: the siege of the Supreme Constitutional Court to prevent it from issuing the provisions unconstitutional decisions of the President, the siege owe output media to influence the media and threatening journalists. Moreover assault on demonstrators in front of the Palais des Alathaddeih and tortured to extract false confessions also adopted the style to get rid of both disagreed with them in opinion either dismissal from work or imprisoned or even killed for private judgment.
9 – a personal weakness of the former president in front of his group and his inability to make decisions only after the advice of the group, which threatened the idea of state institutions as well as stubbornness and the exclusion of all shades of the Egyptians and the failure in any of his speeches in access to the Egyptian citizen.
Abbreviated insisted Marina and his group to challenge all who stood in front of him and walk against popular demands, due to the absence of the people expresses the people’s will left the masses of the people to regain its legitimacy and identity of the ruling fascist and the only thing succeeded by the Muslim Brotherhood is to unite all the forces and movements against them, especially after his failure in the management of Ethiopia Renaissance Dam crisis and scandal broadcast consultative Conference between him and the political forces on the air without being alert to that which has had a disastrous impact on the Egyptian-Ethiopian relations.
10 – Hope came at the hands of an insurgency campaign against the fascist regime Vetohadd with all Egyptians, despite the threat of militant Islamic groups for all participants in the demonstrations of murder and the bombing of demonstration sites and arrest, but came out awesome numbers of Egyptians demanding the army as a national institution to protect them from religious fascism.
3 – and why countries differ in dealing with the Egyptian crisis?
1 – there are common interests declared between Musrmen hand, the European Union and the United States on the other hand is to maintain and secure navigation through the Suez Canal corridor Navigation international indispensable and keep the peace treaty and the security of Israel as a strategic ally of the United States in the region and maintaining the rights of minorities and respect for international treaties and conventions on human rights and the lack of supporting terrorism.
But Alttakov real ability of the commander of the Egyptian army at the crowd of human millions during the two-day mandate to confront any terrorist potential, who ignored calls for the West not to isolate the marina, but mi army into the matter to ايعد challenge to the will of the international, but the bias to the will of the people and Tgniba the country’s risk of civil war, which strengthened the apprehension rejection of the Egyptian Minister of Defense received an angry phone call from U.S. President during the attempted resolution of sit fourth, citing that there is a head of the Egyptian state and Hokoma they are the only ones they were assigned to discuss their decisions.
2 – Declaration adoption of the West and the media, the European berths to matter who ينساقون behind eating news from Al Jazeera, which implements own agenda in Qatar, which supports projects to invest in the Suez Canal away from the rule of Egyptian law which has had the effect of masterful in influencing public opinion (EU) and some politicians Americans Ot Sawyer what happened on that a military coup, which is contrary to reality, especially as the coup revelations preceded by warnings from the army for all the forces to avoid blockage of political and civil war. Moreover that military coups take the army authority which did not happen the situation Egypt took over the presidency Chairman of the Constitutional Court as a compromise solution to the political crisis in addition to the military coups do not constitute a civilian government, but in that case was the formation of a transitional government of technocrats on the civilian constitution, elections and support the economic situation of the state.
3 – the intensification of the conflict and nitpick and different alliances in the Democratic Party and the Republicans in the management of the crisis with Egypt, there are those who came to fail Alostath between the parties to the crisis Egyptian such as McCain and supply only to put Obama on the path of confrontation with the new Egyptian government … If they do not face Obama would have been pressed in Congress كمتعاطف with human rights violators and resolutely faced and lost Egypt as an ally is accountability Kmaady of the allies, but if the Brotherhood succeeded and returned to power for the transformation of McCain to the fore as a supporter of them and all of that at the expense of the Egyptian people
4 – joined the tangle of interests between the Brotherhood on the one hand, Turkey, Qatar and Hamas as supporters of the Islamic caliphate and harness مخابراتهم and their communities in the Sinai, empty of the presence of Egyptian security because of the provisions of the Camp David as well as harnessing the Al-Jazeera International in fueling conflict and fabricating images and scenes incomplete to exploit to gain sympathy and support International, whether at home or abroad., but it came in this satanic coalition that draws Brothers how to gain popular support through imperfect scenes or agreed to implement and can be for all who cares to ask their own intelligence to ensure the health of prayers.
5 – fever statements International paid interests malignant region or resulting from irritability media erroneous by some channels foreign media (especially the island because of its global reach and a professional able to eat a demonic version of events broadcast band and calls into question the credibility of the other), which received exporters images erroneous than bone with him deal with it and go back تللك the media diabolical to deal with the reactions of the angle at which it deems appropriate to establish for sedition among citizens to gain support., but warn that the chaos of the statements and reactions Mujhah is thoughtful has contributed greatly to the support of these groups thinking that they are the holders to the right and stick the return of Marsa president, a natural unless never happen
6 – the statements of some international bodies to the Egyptian authorities of the need for restraint while it to اتدين terrorism perpetrated in the right effects, churches and police stations, prisons, and their homes, thereby enhancing citizens have the idea that they are right.
7 – the insistence of the Muslim Brotherhood to portray its power struggle in the uniform of the victory of Islam and that of the opposers of opinion is not a Muslim and thus may be killed in cold blood, knowing that they even look at their supporters Knaqsy Islam so it can be sacrificed in the bloody confrontations to save for the elite of them which gives sympathy for the world of the large number of victims certificate seekers in defense of Islam.
4 – Are you confused at all European and مخابراتهم countries assess the situation in Egypt?
1 – Some countries that are not interested in non-public opinion charged by the media with agendas, and that contribute to the Shipping Western public opinion because of their sensitivity towards violence and Alamadadz The major countries that have intelligence reports resorting to punishment of the Egyptian administration to follow an approach supportive of the will of the Egyptian national and disobeying their advice non-compliance, for fear of the growing influence of the Egyptian military and exclusivity decision and fear that switching hubs in the Middle East and worried that the Egyptians resort to the Eastern bloc to the lack of effective compression tools on the ground.
2 – the failure of the new Egyptian leadership in influencing international public opinion due to the lack of interest in pre-established media outlets influential international movement of what is happening on the ground, transparency, credibility and standing in front of coop, uh, the island lies with the political agenda and thus lost popular international public opinion.
3 – acceleration of events and the insistence of the Brotherhood not to negotiate until after the return marina for power, this insistence on the reincarnation of the role of the victim to the point of faith, and whenever Salt blood whenever matters worse and increased stubbornness Brotherhood, which facilitates the Mission of the island monument theater of operations and directing drama
4 – European nations fear of armed violence transition to its territory as a punishment for the weakness of support for political Islam, but if endemic terrorism Egypt Verady, Europe is not far from them, and the day will come and explodes eligible.
5 – Why should the world to support Egypt?
1 – There are now after all what happened only for the Ahdlhal crisis, namely the roadmap for the establishment of the constitution and referendum and then elections, parliament, followed by presidential elections within 7 months but has to be Astgar state first in order to control the conduct of those elections Bashvlfah and international control, but we run into again Brotherhood refusing to sit at the negotiating table and engage in dialogue and participation in the future Musrmdauma not to international condemnation for those who raise arms in the face of the Egyptian state and society.
2 – This situation may establish a European American runner for the Egyptian peoples to felt Balemrar the double standards when looking for freedom and his future and maintains its national security and the security of the region, which could affect its policies and its alliances in the region in the near future.
3 – The stability of the Middle East, including contains the headwaters of wealth depends on the stability of both secular Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which is a strategic goal for all countries of the world, if the Egyptian state collapsed and turned into Kandahar will affect world peace and security.
Parvez
August 21, 2013 at 12:28 PM
The misguided general sisi claims to be maintaining order in Egypt, while he and his militants displaced the elected government and have killed innocent lives.
Sisi is following the footsteps of tyrants like bashar al assad who in the name of ‘war on terror’ have killed thousands of people.
Allah says in the Quran:
“They think to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive it not. In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.”Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.” [2: 9-11]
Jon Solis
August 21, 2013 at 8:14 PM
I am pleasantly surprised by this author’s article. Although he clearly has an opinion, he has examined all the facts and even examined theories that although he does not agree with, has considered their possibilities. Clearly there are no real winners here, only losers. The Muslim Brotherhood has obviously lost because they have lost their power and are permanently left to the sidelines unless they embrace violence as a means to regain power. The military has lost because they have lost the respect of the Western world and rather than concentrate their mission on external threats to Egypt will now need to forget that mission and become an almost permanent internal police force to suppress the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies. The Coptics have lost because they have gained permanent enmity of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies and have exposed their alliance with the military as a paper tiger. The economy of Egypt will be left shattered as it will take a minimum of 10 years for Egypt to even attempt to regain its previous share of the tourism industry. I would like to think that the Egyptian people deserve far better. They clearly are going to get no real help in rebuilding the country from their wealthier Arab neighbors. The only country in the area that would probably agree to help them rebuild their country would be Israel, and I find it hard to believe that Egypt would ever be willing to enter into that type of cooperative agreement.
Amad
August 22, 2013 at 2:22 AM
Thanks Jon. I agree that all parties have lost. And while in the short-term, the military’s friends (Israel, Saudi, UAE, etc.) have achieved something that appears to be better for them, but in the long-run, a weak Egypt will haunt friend and foe alike.
As a side-point since you mentioned Israel,
I do not say Israel caused the coup or the bloodshed, as only Egyptians bear responsibility for their own actions, but Israel’s lobby in Washington did ensure that Egypt’s coup will be protected by USA to some extent or will avoid the consequences that a coup, esp. a bloody one, will normally have. Thus just like WAPO said that Obama has complicity in the bloodshed, indirectly so does Israel and to a lesser extent Saudi and UAE. As a Muslim, actually I am more disgusted by Saudi’s open support of the military and killings than Israel which shared a common strategic interest (even if short-term) to get rid of MB.
Foreign Policy’s article on Israel Lobby and Egypt:
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/08/19/egypts_rulers_have_a_new_friend_in_dc_the_israel_lobby
P. Ami
September 25, 2013 at 3:38 PM
Israel does not have a lobby in the United States. Americans have many lobbies in the United States, and one of those lobbies functions to express the interests of Americans who value a strong relationship between Israel and the US. Israel does not fund AIPAC, it does not lead AIPAC, it does not control AIPAC. Americans do. The Pro-Israel lobby is not capable of ensuring anything in Washington. It has to compete against and/or work with other equally well organized, well connected and well funded lobbies. From the NRA, to Oil Lobby, to the US Military manufacturers, to Insurance companies that insure shipping, to the Union lobby, each (and more) has their interests. Pro-Israel citizens of the US have theirs, and certainly, one can see their legitimate concern with an Egypt that is permitting a build up of armed militias in the Sinai. This same Egypt was permitting the smuggling of weapons and fighters into and out of Gaza. That Egypt was itself developing an exclusive and illiberal political system, reflective of the views of people such as Mahmud above, all while a large proportion of Egyptians were protesting in person and/or signing petitions against a government insulated against votes of no-confidence or impeachment. Meanwhile, a civil war in Syria, heavily involving Lebanon, is raging and threatening to spill into Israel. A long border with a violently convulsing Syria, as well as a long border with a lawless Sinai and Gaza, is not in the short term interests of Israel (and one can argue the US). The threat is such that one can be concerned it would also threaten the long term interests of Israel, the US, tech companies, oil companies, shipping companies, global manufacturers, tourist industry, airlines, and a host of other entities. It is like blaming Europe’s wars on the Rothschilds and neglecting to realize there were Catholic bankers, Quaker bankers, Lutheran Bankers, National banks, and a host of other institutions that worked with and competed with each other. The Pro-Israel Lobby is one power among hundreds. Stop scapegoating.
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barry
August 21, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Egypt was over 90% christian and most of north africa had adopted that faith as well-until mohammad initiated his military campaigns of invasion,conquest,enslavement and colonization.
muslims whine endlessly about western “imperialism” and zionist “occupation” (which is actually reoccupation,since there was an israel for thousands of years before your mohammad).
there was islamic imperialism and occupations almost a thousand years before the usa even existed!
islam at it’s very core is both antisecular and totalitarian- a “complete way of life”,meaning no room for individual freedom nor critical discourse.
any educated rational mind might wonder if political islam is in some pathological historical race with communism to see which system can hold more adherents captive.
Abu Asiyah
August 21, 2013 at 11:59 PM
Wait, I’m sorry. Did you just try to use the fact that Christians still exist in Egypt as a proof that Islam is a political evil?
Juan José Rivera Díaz
April 29, 2014 at 4:06 PM
ALmost a year has passed since you posted this and christians are still being slaughtered by the followers of the “religion of peace”. Christianity faces extinction in the middle east thanks to Islam.
Amad
August 22, 2013 at 2:25 AM
Haha Barry, always nice to see a troll here :)
Beth USAa
August 22, 2013 at 1:09 AM
Balanced coverage is no where to be seen. For example, the snipers at Raaba were shooting down wards at greater than a 30 degree angle: were they properly trained and equipped to accurately attain their targets under such a circumstance? Have you seen a single media outlet ask that question? I haven’t.
Yet, if we assume the snipers were simply assigned to take out armed protesters and that every one of them adhered faithfully to his assignment (admittedly, this could be a mistaken assumption), then poor training might have made their shots go wild, as per the ‘rifleman’s rule,’ deepening the tragedy.
Human error doesn’t seem to be part of ANY of the competing narratives unless it is exaggerated to epic proportions, but does that agree with everyday experience? No, in the everyday world we all fall short in small ways: we say the right thing the wrong way and cause hurt; we drive along chatting with a passenger and miss a stoplight, potentially causing grievious harm, etc. We mean well, but we don’t always do well, none of us. Are the various leaders of Egypt so different? Are they indeed the super-men the media seems to assume they are? I think not.
Amad
August 22, 2013 at 3:13 AM
Beth, thanks for your comment. I think people would be more generous to the idea of human error, if we were talking about low casualties. But when you have a crowd, it is to be expected that you will kill bystanders “even” if you are trying to do “targeted killing”.
Most neutral folks have given up on the idea that the military was trying to be targeted. This is not how that sort of tactic works. It is clear that this was more of a “shock and awe” campaign in order to re-instill the fear of government back in the hearts of ordinary folk, esp. the MB supporters. This fear is what Mubarak used for decades and his predecessors want to bring it back.
Beth USAa
August 22, 2013 at 3:38 AM
Yes, that was my first thought also, and probably the reaction of most people. I just wonder though, if human limitations may not have been primary. Do look up “rifleman’s rule” on the internet. If the snipers did not take that into account, their shots would have gone wild and killed people at random, irregardless of the intention of the shooters.
I cannot know whether that was the cause of the tragedy of Raaba, but the media should be discussing such matters, yet they are not. That was my point. The media is off in space.
Thanks for writing such a stimulating article!
Amad
August 22, 2013 at 3:44 AM
Thanks for your input. Appreciate it.
Beth USAa
August 22, 2013 at 3:57 AM
You are very welcome! My thanks for your thoughtful replies :)
As I sad earlier, please keep writing. Common sense seems in short supply of late, yet it is badly needed, and you appear to be gifted with some of it :)
Beth USAa
August 22, 2013 at 1:26 AM
PS – Please keep writing. Your article was very sane and good sense is needed at this time.
Beth USAa
August 22, 2013 at 4:15 AM
Oh wow, I have a thumbs down on that. Someone doesn’t think common sense is a good idea or what? Please explain.
Amad
August 22, 2013 at 6:25 AM
haha.. lots of trolls with lots of free time :)
kareem
August 22, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Its not a coup…. most of the Egyptian people commissioned the army to deal with those terrorists ” Muslim Brotherhood ” …
Aly Balagamwala | DiscoMaulvi
August 23, 2013 at 12:10 AM
Amazingly “most of the people” are not quantified but those same people lost a democratic election which voted these “terrorists” into power. So what does that tell us? Either they were wrong the first time round or they were wrong the second time round. In either case the fact that they were wrong means they are going on whims and desires rather than deep rooted ideology.
-Aly
*Comment above is posted in a personal capacity and may not reflect the official views of MuslimMatters or its staff*
azmathmoosa
August 24, 2013 at 1:13 PM
*Comment removed in order to comply with MM Comments Policy*
Aly Balagamwala | DiscoMaulvi
August 26, 2013 at 12:52 AM
Dear Azmath
If you can’t remain civil please do not comment.
-Aly
azmathmoosa
August 30, 2013 at 1:36 PM
oops sorry… i usually dont loose my cool but some ppl r jst unbelievable…
awaiskhan
August 22, 2013 at 8:43 PM
Neutral media is not been seen to show how the Barbarism spreading in the Muslim World,untill we Muslim not united.
Hisham
August 23, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Hardly any protests today; seems like the MB supporters have realized it is futile to win by terrorism and that they can never go against the will of the Egyptian people
Jon Solis
August 23, 2013 at 4:53 PM
One can examine the past and attempt to assign blame in all directions, but the real question here is what does this mean for the future of Egypt? Clearly the answer here is that Egyptians want a democracy, but that the army has self-designated itself, possibly (or possibly not) with the consent of the majority) as the arbiter of what a political party and it’s elected leader is allowed to do. Apparently the M.B. and Morsi crossed that undefined imaginary line with catastrophic results. So where do all the involved parties go from here?
The M.B. – They have to decide whether they are willing to concede to the Egyptian people that they were misguided in many of their policies. If yes, then they must say so publicly and ask forgiveness of the Egyptian people and pledge to “go slower” and act in concert with the army in the future. If no, then they are doomed to permanent conflict with the army and I suspect they will like the results even less than are currently evident. I understand that a significant number of M.B. supporters feel that there is nothing to apologize for. The reality is that if they don’t there will be a civil war and I suspect they will be on the losing side with disastrous consequences for them, their supporters, and their families. If the M.B. thinks that any group will “save” them from the potential wrath of the Egyptian army, I think they would be sorely misguided.
The Army – I would like to think they could take a step back, but I think they believe that they have crossed their Rubicon. I believe the army now feels that if it ever allowed the MB back into power that its leaders would be put on trial, so IF the M.B. wants to be able to participate in the process it must somehow assure the army that this wouldn’t happen. The army is now in the situation where it is fighting its own citizens and this could cause unrest within its ranks, so it should look for a solution to end this as quickly as possible.
The Copts – As much as the M.B. lost, the Coptic Christians lost more. By supporting the army, they gained enmity of the M.B. even more than before and were targeted for church burning. I suspect that most of the burning was done by Salafis as opposed to MB but who really knows at this point? From a Coptic perspective, does it really matter? What they do know is that the army they supported did nothing to protect them! If I were Coptic (which I am not), I would view the actions of the last couple weeks as an Egyptian Kristalnacht and would view promises by the army to rebuild the built churches as propaganda. Unless the entire Egyptian people (on ALL sides) collectively apologized to the Copts and performed some real penance, then the Copts should realize (as the Jews in Germany did not), that one day it’s the destruction of property and the next day it’s your life. Time to pack the bags and leave while you are still alive.
Chrissy
August 23, 2013 at 11:22 PM
“Egyptian Democracy” is an oxymoron. It is sad that the Coptic Christians are being blamed for their fate by not voting for those who want them dead and gone from “their country” even though the Copts are the indigenous people.
And Putting this under “Home » Current Affairs » Anti-Muslim Bigotry ” makes me cry. How about a new category “Anti-Coptic-Christian Bigotry?”
Zaheer
August 25, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Just a clarification: the Copts are not the ‘Indigenous people’ of Egypt – if we’re talking ‘Indigenous’ in the true sense of the word, that would be the ancient Egyptians – who no longer exist as a clearly defined ethnic group. Modern-day Egyptians are, generally speaking, and admixture of Arab and native Egyptian populations.
However, it is true that Coptic Christians were settled in Egypt long before Islam ever reached it. The reality today, however, is that Coptic Christians are a small minority in Egypt. No matter which way you want to spin it, they represent a significantly smaller proportion of the population than non-Coptics, and by extension non-Christians, in Egypt. That is not to say that violence against them is justified; I’m just trying to address this “Coptics are the ‘true’ people of Egypt” idea which I see floating around as a sort of side-show commentary on the current crisis.
If I were a Copt, or pro-Copt, I’d be very concerned at present because various groups are trying to use the Copts as pawns in their political games. As Jon pointed out above, people’s allegiances and promises quickly change depending on circumstance, and it is likely that the total break down of law and order in Egypt could end up worsening the situation for Copts in the country, instead of improving it, as they were promised.
Amad
August 26, 2013 at 4:46 AM
Good comment. I agree with your thoughts that a minority needs to be very careful on how it plays its hands. Any minority, anywhere. For examples, should Muslims be on forefronts of anti-gay marriage laws where they are a small minority. Probably not a good idea on multiple fronts, one of which is, don’t position yourself where you can remain neutral.
Mahmud B.
April 30, 2014 at 2:41 AM
Amad…are you saying that if we are a minority we shouldnt voice our opinions or concerns?
Or even speak out against the injustice or evils of society?
Perhaps I misunderstood
Juan José Rivera Díaz
April 29, 2014 at 4:42 PM
Copts are the minority now, thanks to the islamic religious cleansing. Christians were the majority at the beginning of the XX century. Today are like 15%-20% but this numbers are denied by the muslims.
syed moen uddin
December 27, 2013 at 7:41 AM
very good message conveyed by this article good effort made by author appreciate your effort good concept discussed by author may Allah give you more time to clear more concepts like this. May Allah give you more strength to write articles like this article has got a place in my heart. in these days Muslims has gone away from the true teachings of Islam. the authors like you can play a good role to create a society which would be based on the true teachings of Islam. i really appreciate you.