True, a chapter is gone. A black phase seems to have passed, at least for now. Currently, we have a newly-elected president and a new chapter in our contemporary history has begun. But is the future filled with pitfalls, or is it a future marking a new era of progress? Who knows? Only time will tell.
Apparently, there are some positive signs taking place, like the return of foreign investment, political semi-stability and measured expectations for the time ahead. The president says that 100 days are enough to deal with major strategic issues affecting the daily life of people.
His followers hope for a prosperous future while opponents are watching and waiting, readying themselves to pounce. The outside world is also watching with its own agenda, at times in direct conflict the president’s aspirations to reform the country.
Last, and not least, the Muslim Brotherhood has its own agenda based on absolute rule and total dominance. For them, there is no exception to the rule and no compromise on its objective.
Going back to history and reading the chapters of the development of one of the most organised religious-based groups, the Brotherhood, observers can note how well-integrated the organisation can be at infusing itself into public life.
We have seen this before. The Brotherhood has proved it has a distinct blueprint to integrating itself into society. It operates charity and clinical organisations that seek to respond to basic human needs. It mobilises uneducated populations by using Islam.
President Mohamed Mursi is no exception. For him, there is a heavy bill to be paid. The man on the street voted for a president who represents his look as well as his mind and heart. He is in the common man and common woman’s’ point of view ready and able to deliver miracles.
For people like devoted to the ideals and staunch beliefs entrenched in the Brotherhood, Egypt is only one district within the large Islamic peninsula, the Ummah. President Mursi is caught between the ideals of staunch Islamists and Islamic reformers. From one side, the bill should be paid in favour of various supporters, and on the other side, the large opposition, abiding by legitimacy, denying his illusive ascent to power and taking it only for an ipso facto subject to change.
The harsh reality coupled with the impossibility of submitting the Egypptian social fabric to radical and dramatic changes “a la Salafits” makes this hero’s dream hard to achieve.
While the Brotherhood has the ability to twist around and maneuver, flexibly reaching their objectives, Salafis are rigid, and stubborn enough to never alter visions and adopt objectives other than their own. The Salafists dream of power, use aggression, and prefer violence than submit to the “other.” Their agenda is based on Islamic principles, devoid of the wants and needs of the ‘street.’
Unlike the apparent peace and harmony, conflicts are waiting somewhere in the midst of this conundrum.The cake should be divided. Yet, the Brotherhood will never share their piece, but will they do it now, after their ultimate ascension to power? Absolutely not, it is a fact, preserved in history. They have always proved the same, time and time again. A clash is inevitable.
Time will reveal the other face of their religion and politics marriage. Should we expect failure? Not necessarily. If the model succeeds, it should be for our benefit. If it were to fail, an inevitable confrontation would ensue.
Rumours are flying all around in the air and, again, only time will tell. Our agendas are not the same and will never be. The layman is searching out a good living. The opposition is looking for its power back. These two conflicting ideas will never match one another.
President Morsi should prove his strategic thinking, strong management, absolute freedom, and extraordinary skill to manage such a controversy-riddled situation in order to become truly one-of-a-kind.
If the man succeeds pulling us from this crisis, I will be the first one to make up my mind and, proudly, vote for him again.
Inji Mounib is a Mass Communication Professor at the American University in Cairo
