In several Egyptian newspapers, many columnists scrutinise the transparency of President Morsy’s decision making. Many condemn his passivity towards several incidents, mentioning the recent incident of Dahshour’s sectarian strife.
The initiative of the anti-Muslim Brotherhood revolution planned 24 and 25 August has also been explored in some op-eds, where columnists analyse the possibility or erupting another revolution especially after a poor performance by Muslim Brotherhood in parliament, in government and in the presidency.
The second revolution
Mohamed Salmawi
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
In his column, Mohamed Salmawi dissects of liberal parliamentarian Mohamed Abu Hamed’s calls for an anti-Muslim Brotherhood revolution on 24 and 25 August. Internet websites and social media tools have been preoccupied with Abu Hamed’s move for an uprising against the rising tide of the once-banned group which has proven alike in many respects to the toppled National Democratic Party (NDP). In Salmawi’s viewpoint, Egyptians have disappointed with the Muslim Brotherhood’s poor performance inside the legally disbanded parliament, and with the president and the government. Therefore, it might be expected that the so-called second revolution would gain momentum from all disappointed segments in society.
The initiative coincides with attacks on the Muslim Brother’s Al-Nahda party in Tunisia where crowds have set the headquarters of the party on fire. The Tunisian President Monceif Al-Marzouky has warned of the probable eruption of a second revolution against the authoritarianism of Islamists in the country. Recalling that the Egyptian revolution sparked nearly three weeks after that of the Tunisian uprising, Salmawi ends his article wondering if history may repeat itself and the same scene will reoccur with another Egyptian revolution following Tunisian discontent with their own Islamist government.
Emad Al-Din Hussein
It is the economy
Al-Shorouk newspaper
When President Morsy was elected partly because of the appeal of his renaissance presidential program, typical Egyptians had not fully appreciated the implications of its various components. Emad Al-Din Hussein argues that superficial achievements will not count for ordinary citizens whose utmost aim is to secure a job and reasonable living conditions. He affirms that people will allow Morsy and his government the chance to fulfill their promises, but will start to protest if daily problems remain unresolved. When a youthful group of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) are seen collecting the waste from streets, residents will feel more pleased than listening to the cornerstones of Morsy’s program.
The famous slogan of “Islam is the solution’ might sound attractive to some Egyptians, but can never be of importance to those who cannot afford daily meals or a permanent residence. They will just keep asking themselves why they ever voted for people who claim they are religious, but never meet the citizens’ demands. Hussein argues that if the Muslim Brothers genuinely admire the Turkish experience then they should imitate President Tayyip Erdogan who was more concerned with solving the issues of water treatment plans than focusing on interpreting Islamic Sharia. Finally, the writer calls upon Morsy and Hesham Qandil to pay attention to the economy which is what really matters to the Egyptian people.
Amr Hamzawy
Dahshour…Again
Al-Watan newspaper
Recalling the latest sectarian incident Dahshour, Amr Hamzawy cites his previous column in which he urged President Morsy to take proactive steps in lieu of his passivity towards the inflammatory situation. The writer mentions some of the comments left in response to his article, where many deny that the conflict has any sectarian elements and others point fingers at Christians being the root cause for the assault. Hamzawy denounces the concept of throwing collective accusations to an entire societal segment. The writer expressed his astonishment at comments which called for the proper implementation of law on the perpetuators, claiming that Christians are the wrongdoers.
Hamzawy was also surprised to read comments which paint anyone accusing Morsy of passivity as being in opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood. There is real confusion between civilian and political concepts, as some ignore the significance of a steadfast presidential reaction towards the incident. President Morsy’s role should have been to embrace and revisit the long history of friction between Muslims and Christians in Egypt. Calling on his readers who disliked his attack on Morsy’s unresponsive attitude, Hamzawy stresses the importance of reappraising values of justice and equality.
Moataz Billah Abdel Fattah
I address the officials
Al-Watan newspaper
Political analyst Moataz Abdel Fattah continues to give advice to the newly appointed officials, especially ministers in the recently developed government. He begins his column stating that any new official has to ask himself a set of simple questions to be able to plan his road ahead. Abdel Fattah mentions some of the vital questions which need to be thought upon by every new minister. First, the official has to describe and assess the current status of his office and define gains and losses. An official should also envision what level of excellence he aims for in his ministry, this entails scrutinising what areas require financial, administrative or cultural change.
The kernel of this point is exploring all the challenges that could obstruct the transition of his institution. The writer suggests that outlining the problems would probably enable a new minister to gradually eradicate them. Moreover, a successful official should always quiz his expertise while managing all aspects of work in his office. What help should be asked from interior or exterior institutions that can eventually push his ministry to achieve its mission and target? Finally, Abdel Fattah reminds any new minister of the importance of training younger generations that can carry the office’s responsibility on its shoulder.
Ahmed Mansour
The speech wanted by the Egyptian people
Al-Watan newspaper
Citing his interview with the Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, Ahmed Mansour praises the premier’s clarity, while requesting of his people the patience and support to allow him to make a change. The writer compares the Moroccan leader’s statement to President Morsy’s performance in public speeches since he took office more than a month ago. Mansour also criticises Morsy’s sugar-coated promises during his first 100 days, stating that periods of presidential campaigning have differed vastly from the reality of the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule.
In his viewpoint, Mansour states that the Egyptian people await a public speech from Morsy similar to that of Benkirane. Egyptians need to listen to transparent phrases that explain all of what lies behind the scenes. Wrapping up his column, Mansour cites the advice of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to President Morsy, when he urged him to speak frankly with his people and work on finalising the constitution and holding municipal elections. Without a constitution, new governors or municipalities, Erdogan doubts that Morsy will be able to push Egypt forward especially in his first three years. Mansour then calls on to Morsy to act with as much transparency as possible with his people, so that even the opposition will respect his frankness.
