Egyptian opinion writers have explored a variety of topics that relate to President Morsy’s surprising moves, starting from his first trip to Saudi, to his latest in Iran. Many columnists continue to dissect Egypt’s internal platform with regards to the growing fears of the Coptic community in the country. Others criticise the acceptance of the Muslim Brotherhood of the IMF loan, considering their sudden change of mind as a manipulation around politics.
Talal Salman
Arab observations on the Egyptian presidency’s surprises
Al-Shorouk newspaper
An intensive dose of harsh criticism on President Morsy’s actions since he assumed presidency is the focus of Salman’s column. The writer condemns Morsy’s sudden decisions on both the internal and external spheres. He recalls his unexpected move to sack the top-notch officials of the once-ruling military council and the unjustifiable decision to appoint Hesham Qandil’s mostly-Islamic government. Observing the Ikhwanisation trend increasingly growing across the country’s margins, Salman denounces how the Egyptian Ministry of Media is now under the tight-fisted clench of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Dissecting Morsy’s steps towards Egypt’s foreign relations, the writer condemns the President’s first trip to Saudi Arabia and his unexplained attendance of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran. China’s trip, despite its probable fruitful results, is not counted as a positive move as long as the US interference prolongs in Egypt’s politics.
The writer believes that Morsy has focused on praising himself more than aiming at improving the country’s position within the Arab world. Salman finally condemns what he describes as daily disputes between the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s most prominent artists and intellectuals. He notes that such conflicts are nothing but a reflection to a massive gap of knowledge and appreciation of art and culture in the country.
Dorreya Sharaf Al-Din
Egypt is our country and we are not leaving
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
The Muslim Brotherhood’s rule over Egypt has prompted many Christians to consider immigration and flee from the potential ultra-conservative life of Islamists. Sharaf Al-Din recalls her meeting with the late Pope Shenouda when he refuted proposals that the Egyptian Coptic community would take Assiyut as a capital.
The writer quotes him as saying that the idea will tarnish the entire Egyptian identity and push many Copts to relate themselves to the Upper Egyptian governorate only. Rumors are currently spreading over the Christian community that the Muslim Brotherhood and the guidance bureau aim at brushing off Copts in the country.
False convictions that Islamists plan to have Cairo as the Islamist capital instead of Jerusalem straighten out the panic among the minority. On the contrary, the writer believes that what actually occurs inside the closed doors of the Christian community is a strong wave of rejection to all calls that encourage Copts to leave the country. “Egypt is our country and we are not leaving”- is a slogan that Egypt’s Christians keep clinging to despite their growing fears of the increasing tide of Political Islam.
Although perpetuators of Maspero incidents have not yet been punished, leading to an increasing wave of anxiety among the community, Sharaf Al-Din ends her column stressing that Egypt will safeguard its Christian community.
Emad Al-Din Hussein
There are many benefits of the IMF loan
Al-Shorouk newspaper
The acceptance of the Muslim Brotherhood of the notion behind the IMF loan strikes Hussein astonished. In his column, the writer ironically states the extent to which Islamists used to previously describe loans as one of the main malpractices in Islam. Now after they have seemingly enjoyed power, Islamists keep highlighting the importance of bank loans and justifying the respective interests as innocent administrative fees.
He chides many Muslim Brotherhood members who have denounced ideas of loans during Kamal Al-Ganzoury’s government and keep praising Morsy and Qandil for taking a step towards the IMF loan. Hussein finds it funny to see the Islamists accusing Mubarak and his regime with regards to their relation to the US where as the current situation reflects how cosy the relations with the previously-called ‘huge satan’ is becoming.
There should be bold lines between politics and religion, and economy and religion as well, in Hussein’s viewpoints. Therefore, the writer does not suggest that analysts would argue with Morsy whether the IMF loan is Islamically prohibited or not. The writer cynically states that the Muslim Brotherhood’s dominance of power has benefited them and Egyptians as a whole.
All of a sudden, the Israel peace treaty has become a justifiable and logical agreement that the country has to maintain. Finally, Hussein believes that the Islamic current will have to abide by the basic rules of politics, although in many cases scenarios might not go harmoniously with the Islamic beliefs.
Amr Hamzawy
On the concept of objective state bodies and institutions
Al-Watan newspaper
The concept of democracy is not only limited to fair and transparent elections, argues Hamzawy. The notion is tightly related to a balanced interpretation of laws. Granting equal opportunities for ordinary citizens within the framework of all state bodies and institutions. Another vital point- when speaking about democracy- rests on the conviction that the genuine concept behind democracy aims at creating politicians who unanimously work for the utmost benefit of the entire society.
The writer then ties the proper implementation of democracy to the urge to shove away the growing presence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. The danger of the Islamist group is becoming more and more evident, especially after the recent appointment of Muslim Brotherhood figures or friends to lead governorates, large newspapers and most of the ministries.
The writer then explores the conception of public service impartiality laws active in Canada and Germany. Prime ministers in both European countries are entitled to select assistants and deputies from their own political parties. As for the remaining positions in the country, vacancies are usually filled after elections. Referring to this European system, Hamzawy reaffirms that democracy goes beyond ballot boxes. He ironically notes that democracy is not finite to the country and its biased laws. It is the objectivity in politics that matter at the end.
