02/04/11: The Moment of Truth in Egypt- Support Democracy for Egypt!

The Moment of Truth in Egypt!
Support Democracy for Egypt
Feb. 4.- Detroit News- By: Imam Elahi

Egypt, a nation of great civilization, is marching to end three decades of deception, abuse and intimidation, and replace this Pharaohic regime with a government based on democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.

The call of the crowd in Liberation Square in Cairo is completely loud and clear: “O Mubarak Erhal, Erhal Kefaya”, it’s enough, step down now!

When cutting off internet, cell-phone services and public transportation couldn’t stop the Millions from marching, Mubarak appointed Omar Soliman, the Chief of the Intelligence Service, as vice president, and he claimed that he would stay in power until September to establish order and security while he is the source of disorder, tension and blood bath.

Few hours after those empty promises, the secret police and paid gangs attacked the peaceful protesters by hitting people in the square with whips, knives, bats and threw Molotov cocktails at the crowd without the army intervention!

After 30 years as president and at the age of 82, Mubarak is insisting on staying in power even if the price is a massacre of the crowds’ who are sick and tired of his repressive reign.

Obviously the moment of truth for Mubarak and other dictators in the Middle East is coming soon. His fate won’t be better than, Nicolae Ceausescu, Saddam Hussein, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia.

But for Americans, who cherish liberty, and still remember Patrick Henry’s words: “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”, it’s easy to understand the anti-Mubarak crowds.

If we like to have a government that is of the people, by the people and for the people, we should wish the same thing for other nations as well. We don’t have a president for 30 years, and other people shouldn’t either!

We don’t live in a country whose 40 percent of people work for $2 a day, but Egyptians do!

For Mubarak to target civilians is not a surprise. Our scriptures tell us about the Pharaoic tactics. The Quran Chapter 28 verse 4 states: “Indeed, Pharaoh turned into a tyrant on earth and made its people into factions, He persecuted a helpless group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was indeed wicked”

This is why condemnation of crimes of Egyptian regime is an interfaith expression. Rabbi Michael Lerner expressed his support for pre-democracy movement saying, ” We hope that Egyptians will hear the news that they have strong support from many in the Jewish world. We want the overthrow of Mubarak and trials for those who perpetrated torture and

injustice.”

But obviously this is not the position of most Israeli officials who consider Mubarak as a close old friend. Israeli foreign ministry instructed its ambassadors to key countries, to “stress the importance of Egypt’s stability,” according to the Haaretz Newspaper, which is another word supporting Mubarak regime.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, who like other tyrants in the Middle East is terrified by this populace movement, also welcomed the dictator of Tunisia and pledged his support to Mubarak.

The international community must take a stand and ask Mubarak to leave and help Egypt transition into a true democracy. Otherwise, extremists could fill the vacuum and if that happened, we should blame no one other than ourselves.

We have a choice to stand with oppression, dishonesty and corruption or with freedom, human rights and justice. Defending the people of Egypt is defending America’s integrity and interests.

It was an encouraging statement by our president Obama when he asked Mubarak to begin a peaceful transfer of power now and to refrain from any violence against peaceful protesters.

But it takes more than verbal condemnation, the administration should use all private and public influences to answer the call of the people for change in Egypt.

Tell Mubarak that 30 years is enough. Tell him the solution is not Omar Soliman but your submission to the will of people.

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi heads the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights. E-mail comments to letters@detnews.com

Also send your comments to the IHW at: Info@Islamichouseofwisdom.com