The current state of political polarisation might drag Egypt to an even more dangerous stage after the upcoming parliamentary elections. Writers in several newspapers have debated the importance of reaching consensus ahead of the elections. On another note, some other commentators have listed the reasons for President Mohamed Morsi’s failing management.
What does the Muslim Brotherhood want from Egypt?
Mohamed Abul Ghar
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
Abul Ghar starts his column by giving a brief historical background about the origins of the Muslim Brotherhood as a group. He argues that since their establishment in 1928, the group has always preferred to remain hidden and function via the orders of the Supreme Guide. The writer condemns the Brotherhood’s double standards.
He states that they would send their militias to defend Palestinians and fight with them, but their preachers continue to teach citizens the basic rules of Islam and its tolerance. They would burn the shops of the Jews and engage in violence, yet at the same time they claim to represent the tranquility of Islam.
The writer asks what the group really wants from Egypt. He believes that after reaching power, the group would prefer to continue acting in both hidden and transparent methods. The texture of the Muslim Brotherhood does not allow for even the minimum of freedom of expression, in Abul Ghar’s viewpoint.
No intellectuals, successful politicians, or wise thinkers have emerged from the group. The writer asks how such a group could produce a generation of shining figures. In the era of the Brothers, Abul Ghar anticipates that Egypt will regress even further.
Why does the first elected Egyptian president fail?
Hassan Nafaa
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
Recalling his earlier opinion pieces, Nafaa explains why Morsi has failed in running the country. In one of his first columns published after Morsi’s victory, the writer advised him to remain independent from the Muslim Brotherhood. Morsi’s victory in the first presidential elections after the revolution stemmed from the feeling of many Egyptians that they miss the luxury of truly choosing their president.
All Egyptians wanted a new leader who would feel their pain and communicate with them in a transparent way. Morsi, unfortunately, has not been such a leader. In another commentary, Nafaa advised the President to be transparent with his people and to hold his officials accountable for all incidents occurring in the country.
After the clashes in front of presidential palace and the increasing numbers of deaths and injuries, the Minister of Interior was not held accountable. Morsi has failed to gain the trust of his people and thus many Egyptians are disappointed in his regime. Clinging on to hope, Nafaa says he would expect Morsi to communicate with Egyptians more clearly and work harder to solve their daily problems. Morsi needs to be independent and transparent, Nafaa says.
Consensus first then elections
Emad Al-Din Hussein
Al-Shorouk newspaper
Hussein praises the recent initiative of the the Salafi Al-Nour Party to escape the current political crisis. He recalls the statements of the party’s secretary general Galal Mora, who stated that they seek to achieve political stability through which all political parties will accept the results of the parliamentary elections.
Dissecting Mora’s statements, Hussein argues that the current phase requires that all political groups reach a consensus; he warns of a further crisis if parliamentary elections are held amid the present state of political polarisation.
Democracy is not a mathematical equation that can be solved via certain steps, Hussein states. It necessitates accord between conflicting political groups. The writer believes that achieving consensus is obligatory today.
The Muslim Brotherhood will risk not only its own future if it does not work to achieve this, but will also drag Egypt into a state of chaos. The writer calls upon the Islamist group to start coordinating with their rivals ahead of the parliamentary elections, or the next stage will be extremely dangerous to everybody.
