CAIRO: In light of the debate over constitutional amendments that are expected to herald a new era of political expression in the country, a political researcher stressed that the desired change will not take place without the participation of all Egyptians irrespective of class or profession.
Mukhtar Shueib, journalist and political analyst Al Aharm, said that currently Egypt and the rest of the Arab region must succumb to the wind of change, but that this change should stem from the will of civil society, not be imposed from outside.
Speaking at Al Sawy Cultural Center Wednesday to a gathering of young people, intellectuals and a wide range of civil servants, Shueib underlined that the manner in which we are bound to adopt our view with regard to the coming change is pivotal for the future of our nation.
Explained Shueib: “If we analyze the cases of two Egyptian leaders – Mohamed Ali Al Kabir and the late Arab nationalist Gamal Abdel Nasser – we will realize that despite their efforts, ambition and contributions, both have failed.
“This was for the simple reason that they left out the very important element of involving people in decisive matters like decision-making and collective action. Their initiatives were elitist. The ordinary man has always been the missing link.
For Shueib the initiative of Nasser staggered on the economic and the nationalist platforms. “This is why we have failed to create Arab unity. This is why we are readopting the market economy, he noted.
Shueib pointed out that while we have to work on widening the margin of freedom of thought and expression to help the people steer the nation towards the desired transformation, we also have to find common ground between the conflicting ideologies that call for change at the moment.
He elaborated: ” Some of these include the liberal, the nationalist, the leftist, the Islamic and others, all of which are regrettably working in isolation from each other and more often waste their energy addressing festering enmities and deep-rooted differences that more often mar more than make.
“The key for these parties and ideologies is to know how to start a dialogue and reach an agreement in a bid to achieve the nation’s goals in setting up the launch-pad for change, he said.
Shueib, who supported his argument with quotes from his book “Search For Egypt, A Nation Awaiting Change , released in late 2005, said that even after the elitists and the common people come to terms with regarding the necessity of change they will remain in a dilemma about where to begin.
“Do we have to start with democratic, economic, social or cultural reform? inquired Shueib.
“Suggested reforms came from the West in the shape of projects like a new Middle East and the Mediterranean forums, he said. “But besides the economic nature of these plans, their sole aim remains the monopolization of Arab markets by the old colonial powers.
He added: “Yet in spite of the fact that we started to adopt this outlook, the US opted for military power and invaded Iraq and Afghanistan.
For the political researcher, the Pharaonic dimension will isolate Egypt, whereas the Islamic outlook is bound to clash with all others. Arab unity is practically inapplicable because each Arab country has its own views.
This is a very critical phase in the nation’s history; one where it is imperative to decide on the ideology that will guide the country.
“But all is doomed if the people don’t have their say, emphasized Shueib.
