A defining moment for US, Egypt and the Middle East
Mike Huckabee, the conservative former Arkansas governor, this weekend said that he is concerned about Islam's role in Egypt's future. As On Faith panelist Reza Aslan this week noted, Huckabee has also called for Americans to "take this nation back for Christ" and, while running for president in 2008, declared that "what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards."
In America and in Egypt, should a majority religion inspire political life? How will Islam play a role in the struggles for democracy happening now in Egypt and other parts of the Muslim world?
We are in the midst of what could well be a historic change for the Middle East. The Arab street is alive with the possibility of democratic reform, the hope for a new commitment to human rights, and enhanced economic opportunity. The West has been cautious in response, evidently afraid to antagonize old friends (especially if they are successful in holding onto power), as well as fearful of widespread instability in the region and the possibility of more Iranian style governments coming to power.
This is not a time for half-hearted platitudes. How the US responds to the surge of democratic aspiration in the Arab world will not only help shape the future of the region, but will also dictate the state of American relationships with the Arab world and the Muslim world for the next century. If we tread too carefully, we will be remembered as weak, and lacking in commitment to the democratic ideals we proclaim to be spreading. We will be viewed with continued suspicion and hostility.
If on the other hand, we are bold in supporting democracy in the Arab world -- and at this point it looks that Yemen, Jordan, and Syria and perhaps others could join Tunisia and Egypt in ousting repressive regimes -- then we will be seen as true to our ideals, and an ally of the common man. Such a response has the potential to be powerfully redemptive in the eyes of the Arab street and the Muslim world at large.
It is true, democracy might bring to power people who do not share our ideals completely. It might bring to power socialists who want to nationalize the natural resources of the Middle East. It might bring religious conservatives who want to enact conservative social laws. It might bring secularists who believe in human rights and freedoms for the Arab world after so many decades of oppressive rulers. If we truly believe in that every nation should be controlled by the will of its people, if we believe in the power of democratic states to self-correct and eliminate extreme views by drawing them into dialogue and cooperation in governance, then we must be willing to tolerate regimes in these countries that may not always see eye to eye with us.
"If we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it," the old adage tells us. We must learn from Iran -- we didn't like Mossadegh's views and the CIA supported and assisted in a coup d'état that returned the shah and his secret police to power. This is the history that set the stage for the Iranian revolution. We clearly cannot afford to make that mistake again.
So too, we must learn from Algeria. When the Islamic Salvation Front looked set to sweep the elections in that country, we turned a blind eye to the military coup. A decade of civil war and chaos ensued, with hundreds of thousands believed to have been killed in the fighting. Another mistake we cannot afford to repeat. Civil war in Egypt would be disastrous.
The US needs to take a bold stand for human rights, for freedom and democracy, for sustaining hope in the Middle East, while advocating for peaceful and calm transitions of power and processes of reform. The consequences of failing to do so are simply too dire.
By
Pamela K. Taylor
|
February 3, 2011; 6:39 PM ET
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Posted by: YEAL9 | February 9, 2011 10:39 AM
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I see there is still the occasional bit of gibberish on this blog.
Posted by: YEAL9 | February 9, 2011 10:34 AM
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Abrahamahab,
Yours and Daniel Pipes/Robert Spencer recommendations on what is good for muslims is like the KKK giving recommendations to the African Americans.
Posted by: Kingofkings1 | February 9, 2011 9:32 AM
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Some Islamist complains;
“No country currently implements true Islamic law, not even Saudi Arabia, Iran or Afghanistan.”
How more Islamic can those failed states be other than making the Quran and Sunna as their constitution as well as their their daily manuals. An impartial observer would quickly discover that poverty, corruption and ignorance in Muslim majority societies are in direct proportion to the degree of their implementation of the “sharia” in their daily lives. This refrain by Islamists that their societies need more and not less Islam is like prescribing more poison for a poisoned man.
Posted by: abrahamhab1 | February 9, 2011 8:19 AM
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The current regime has nothing to do with the fact that Islam is a major religion in the country. The regime does not implement any real Islamic law and does not follow any of Islam's tenants on justice, fairness and equality and definitely does not allow for fair elections as was the norm in previous times under Islamic rule.
The current dictator Hosni Mubarak and his regime were being supported by the US for 30 years despite the fact that they are corrupt and do not cater or hear the demands of their people. The United States saw fit to provide this regime with 1.3 billion of your tax dollars so that their interests are protected. The call for democracy in the region by the US is therefore hypocritical. It is the same with all the regimes in the Middle-East and North Africa and yet the US does not speak about these regimes and still provides financial aid to keep the people of these nations oppressed.
This has nothing to do with religion and has alot more to do with political interests for the US and Israel and the exploitation of natural resources of the region.
No country currently implements true Islamic law, not even Saudi Arabia, Iran or Afghanistan. If Islam was truly implemented true democracy, justice and freedom for all would clearly be evident in these regions.
Posted by: m_ljuc | February 8, 2011 4:12 PM
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perhaps the echo's of history crying out to be remembered The pitiful example of Herbert Hoover who destroyed the America economy to feed the rich ... Egypt even has a "Hoover ville" being constructed ... this experiment of feeding the rich while letting the poor eat take your pick cake or now fake .. has the same results in real life. I f the Egyptian's stand by thier participles peacefully they will push the idiots 2 the side this time in history setting the example for all .. If not them some other country soon.. truth it has to happen someday the economics have to balance in the real world truth, tolerance of others spiritual beliefs, and culture are perhaps indispensable towards progress in civilization and society.
Posted by: artistkvip1 | February 8, 2011 4:25 AM
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There is no historic change in the Middle East, this is failure of government and turmoil as usual. If change is to come in the ME then these nations must abandon whatever they have been doing in the past. They need a complete overhaul. Why is it that all Muslim majority countries have some or all of these problems; over population, illiteracy, corruption, and censorship with little or no human rights?
All these nations have one thing in common; huge doses of Islam.
There is plenty of Islam in the Middle East to go around; even so the Egyptian so-called revolution does not get it. They overwhelmingly believe that their women should be stoned to death for adultery. They want Islam to play an important role in government. This it seems is going to be the solution to their problems, get more Islamized.
The Egyptians, Tunisians, Yemenis or other disgruntled Muslim populations are revolting due to frustration. They are paying the price of huge young populations with bleak and/or no futures...but plenty of Islam.
It takes about 50 years for a country to turn around and be either prosperous or disastrous. Today we have cars and technology from Taiwan, Korea etc giving the Japanese a run for their money. But in the same years that it took these countries to be world contenders the Muslim nations and Middle Eastern countries have no jobs, no futures... but plenty of Islam. Egypt was once a great civilization only to be brought to its knees with the dawn of Islam.
WAPO panelists and "Experts" please stop blaming the West or the USA for failures of the Middle East.
Posted by: Arif2 | February 7, 2011 9:15 AM
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If Syria is repressive , then where should you put double standards US?
Posted by: Thaqalain | February 6, 2011 10:57 PM
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Some Muslim pontificates thus:
“This (Egyptian) revolution is a model for the young people in the US who know that their government,media,social and financial system are corrupt mostly run by outside power and its local lobby.”
In this country we have checks and balances that control corruption. Many people in government leave because their salaries there are a fraction of what they might earn in the private domain. In the Muslim culture, on the other hand, a public post is the quickest path to riches. Their culture is oligarchic where the ruler is where wealth and power is realized. This is born by their history starting with their prophet. He insisted on having fifth of all what his followers pillage and further seized for his own personal use all the agricultural lands of the Jewish tribes in Arabia. Amr ibn el Aas, the general who invaded Egypt for the Arabs became one of the wealthiest people of all times. When the President of Tunis ships tons of gold to one of his many accounts abroad he is being in character. When Mubarak’s accounts and property abroad is estimated to be 70 billion dollars while 40% of his people live on less than $2 pr day he is too being true to his oligarchic culture.
Posted by: abrahamhab1 | February 6, 2011 10:34 AM
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The Egyptian young people have raised up to free their country from a despot.Egypt is the first country in world history with a wonderful ancient civilization. They showed the world today that they are more civilized in their revolution than any other revolution in history.If America or Europe try to abort this revolution, I hope they will not succeed. This revolution is a model for the young people in the US who know that their government,media,social and financial system are corrupt mostly run by outside power and its local lobby.If they do not know they should read and it is easy to find the result using their minds.I hope the best for the young people in Egypt and America
Posted by: mansour112 | February 6, 2011 6:24 AM
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Behold O' ROCK O' SABRAite/iSRAELite NATION!
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Hear O' Kafir-Nations, Help Contain Nazi-ISLAMi!
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DEATH to THEOCRACY in Mid-East & Elsewhere!
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D-E-A-T-H TO "AL TAQIYAH" & AYATOLLAH UMMAHs!
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LEAVE THE SABRAites & Friends Alone O’ Jealousy!
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O'Blind "SATANIC-VERSUS" Lovers of ISLAMi Umah!
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LET OUR “A-B-R-A-H-A-M” Religion Go, O' Hijackers!
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D-E-A-T-H To WAHHABi'S & AYATOLLAH'S Monarchy!
O' Jealous-TURKEY Jerks, HAMAS HEZBOLLAH & CO.!
Posted by: wiki-truth | February 5, 2011 6:25 AM
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This Article is written by mentality of Blame USA First and it misses Core Issue and doesnt touch the Mother of All Problems.
-No Democracy in Egypt,Blame USA First
-No Democracy in Pakistan,Blame USA First,
-No Democracy in Iran,Blame USA First.Still,still 60 year-old Mossadegh Tale.
Very little question,very little.If Mossadegh was not overthrown,would there be Democracy in Iran ? Do you really believe ?
Dear Panelist,
What is Democracy ? If you dont mind,would you please descibe Democracy ? or no offend,please,no offend,but,do you know what Democracy is ?
Pakistan 160 million GDP only $165 Bln(less than USA or China Company Market Cap) Is Democracy possible in this picture ?
Who will install Democracy in Egypt ? Herd of Looters,Muslim/Taleban Brothers or those who clean their feet with desert sand ?
-Do Egyptian Nation(not people.Too much word of People is being used by Panelists and Posters.Too much Word of People is a Communist Terminology) know what Democracy is ?
-Do Pakistan and Iran Nations know what Democracy is ?
Shall you not blame those Nations ?
Democracy is a Contemporary Value,Honor,Administration Form of High Quality Men.
1)Democracy means to bo Human,not Half Creature.Democracy is Correctness.Democracy means not to speak Lie.Democracy can not be based on Lie.Order of Desert is Lie and cheats Peoples.
2)Democracy is Labor and Education.Democracy can not rely on Idleness.You can not make Democracy with 160 million men-$165 Bln GDP
3)Democracy is Civilization.Election is an important component of Democracy,but,only Election=Democracy is Death Wrong.PEOPLE CAN NOT WANT EVERYTHING.Democracy can not be rest on Desert Rules.People Demand should fit Contemporary Values.
4)Democracy is Dress and Half Glass of Wine.Veiled Democracy and Democracy of Soda which ban Fine Arts,Sport,Music are not compitable with Civilization.Democracy is Rationality and Intelligence,not Devolution.One,who doesnt dress up like Human,can not install Democracy.
5)Democracy means to love Jewish People and to accept that Promised Land belong to Jewish People.They had plagiarized Civilization from Sumerians(Turkic People,Beginners of Civilization) but,they are Civilization Carriers from BC 2000 to Present Day and they have right to live in their Promised Land in peace and should be protected like Bald Ibis.
6)Democracy means to protect and defend Civilization.Democracy means to war for Civilization versus Terror.Democracy can not based on Lesbien Pervertness,Homosexuality and Degeneration(I dont advocate Leviticus Mentality)
7)Democracy means to hate.Yes.You shall hate.You shall hate from Desert Rules.Hate from Cult of Hate is not Hate.One who doesnt hate Bedouin Lie can not establish Democracy.
Conclusion:
Wrong and illogical Motto:Blame USA First.
Right and Correct Motto:Blame Culture of Submission which is the Beginning Point of All Troubes First
Blame Nations who insist to follow Desert Rules first
Last Word:Democracy means to get rid of Lie
Posted by: halozcel2 | February 5, 2011 5:19 AM
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TARIQ RAMADAN INTERVIEW (LESS THAN ONE MINUTE) ON THE SITUATION IN EGYPT:
Posted by: Farnaz2Mansouri2 | February 4, 2011 8:19 PM
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A people have to have a minimum of enlightenment to practice democracy as it is meant to be practiced. Case in point the Palestinians. They fell for the platitudes of Hamas and voted for them. They took that one time vote as a delegation from Allah for them to enslave the Palestinians forever. No one seems able to shake them away. These Islamists do not believe in democracy. Peruse their history since the time of their prophet. They believe in tyranny, and these dictatorships we see today in Muslim countries are not here by chance. Islamists are willing to try democracy as a means to gain power and then it would be back to the worst type of dictatorship similar to what you see in Gaza, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Posted by: abrahamhab1 | February 4, 2011 5:24 PM
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The following message sent to all Egyptians would be a great start in solving the religion issues:
Mohammed was an illiterate, womanizing, lust and greed-driven, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, who also had embellishing/hallucinating/plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.
This agenda continues as shown by the ma-ssacre in Mumbai, the assassinations of Bhutto and Theo Van Gogh, the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/ mosque bombers, the Islamic bombers of the trains in the UK and Spain, the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani “koranics”, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, the Ft. Hood follower of the koran, and the Filipino “koranics”.
And who funds this muck and stench of terror? The warmongering, Islamic, Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.
Current crises:
The Sunni-Shiite blood feud and the warmongering, womanizing (11 wives), hallucinating founder.