As the Egyptian public has continued nationwide uprisings for freedom, jobs, and a better standard of life, too many freedom supporting people found it “awkward” to support the Egyptian people’s struggle for freedom. On January 29, Reuters reported that “Egypt protests leave West in awkward position.”
The only thing “awkward” about this is the very idea that free people would find it “awkward” to support people anywhere around the world protesting for freedom. That speaks volumes, and demands that we reflect on where we stand as people responsible for equality and liberty.
Free people must reject dictators – without question, without caveat, without reservation. But in too many parts of the world, too many free people are willing to view that dictatorship is not such a bad thing.
The root of many of these arguments are the existence in Egypt of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood political group, which promotes a political Islamist, pro-Violent Extemism view. The fear of some of these who are reticent to back the Egyptian public in their uprising for freedom is that it will somehow empower the Muslim Brotherhood political leaders (who reportedly have had minimal role in the uprising), or that backing the Egyptian public will undermine counterterrorism agreements or treaties on Israel.
I feel sorry for those people who misunderstand the point of freedom. Freedom is not about how selfish and self-centered we can be. Freedom is not about how secure we can be or how our foreign policy interests can be best served. Freedom is about giving everyone a chance and voice in their own destiny.
On Saturday night, January 29, I watched in shock as Egyptian Christian broadcaster Michael Youssef spoke during CNN’s global broadcast about how the Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak was really not that bad (compared to Nasser), how the Egyptian people’s standard of living had somehow “improved” under Mubarak. He also stated how the protesters were really lucky that Mubarak was letting them speak out in public as they are doing (after the oppressive Egyptian police had fled). The CNN broadcast studio is in Atlanta, and Michael Youssef lives in Atlanta; I am sure that was a major factor in having him on CNN on Saturday night. But I will tell you I have not seen his views as being representative of the Egyptian Christian Copts around the world. I have shared the struggle with Egyptian Christian Copts who have suffered mightily under the Egyptian dictator Mubarak. I have joined Egyptian Copts at protests at the White House when Mubarak has visited in every type of weather. I have prayed with Egyptian Copts in Washington DC for release of their people from oppression and abuse in Egypt. I will tell you one thing – most of Egyptian Copt diaspora does not think life has “improved” under the dictator Mubarak, no matter what Michael Youssef tells CNN. On Michael Youssef’s website, much of it is dedicated to his opposition to Islam, “Muslim Zealots,” and “Islam vs. Christianity.” In his other public statements, Michael Youssef has sought to object to all of Islam. On CNN on January 29, he dismissed the Egyptian protesters by telling the world that “democracy is a Western idea.” If Michael Youssef believes this, then what type of democratic rights have we been fighting for Christian Copts in Egypt?
Salon reported on another figure, SIOA leader Pamela Geller, who was praising the “good news” that the Egyptian police force for rounding up and arresting protesters from the Muslim Brotherhood, and who writes that “Mubarak has been a US ally for decades.” Pamela Geller has been the primary activist behind the continuing protests against the Park Place Islamic Center in New York City. A similar argument was made by Israel National News who reported in an article “US Wastes Chance to Support Mubarak” that “The U.S.seems to have partially abandoned its long-time Arab ally, with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton telling the Mubarak government it must implement democratic reforms and allow peaceful protests.” Since when do Americans cheer when any protesters are arrested by an oppressive regime? Since when did free people decide that “democratic reforms” and “peaceful protests” are a BAD thing?
These ugly fractures behind claims of supporting freedom versus actual support for freedom demonstrates a hypocrisy that must not go unchallenged.
A significant element in this hypocrisy is how some have hijacked the defiance against political Islamist extremists as a challenge against all of Islam and all Muslims. While there is not space to address this very important and complex subject justice in this posting, those who have chosen to attack all of Islam and all of its diverse followers as a monolithic entity has been a key mistake and misstep in political debate on this topic. Moreover, objecting to the Islamist extreme views and ideologies is no more anti-Islam than objecting to Dominionist Christian extreme political views and ideologies would be anti-Christian. Many of those objecting to Islamist views are Muslims. Many of those, like myself, who object to Dominionist Christian views are Christians. Many human beings can stand solidly behind both our religion and human freedom for all.
As free people, we can respect pluralism for diverse religions and beliefs, while challenging those who would use religious views as a rationalization to justify denying human rights to others based on their different religion, race, nationality, gender, or other identity. That was the initial intent behind most of those who challenged the political Islamist views. However, the SIOA and other anti-Islam organizations and their leaders have sought to reframe that human rights debate into a debate that is anti-Islam and anti-Muslim.
Therefore, from the anti-Islam groups’ perspective, any activity that could conceivably allow a political Islamist group to gain power must be wrong, even if millions of other non-Islamists gain freedom. This Mutually Assured Destruction type of thinking is the root behind those who are most wary of the Egyptian protests today.
With freedom, we are also free to disagree and protest against groups whose views we object to. In my own case, that has included my own protests and my many articles challenging the views of the Muslim Brotherhood and their political Islamist views that I believe are anti-democratic. Unlike Pamela Geller, my defense of democracy and freedom does not call for cheers of “good news” when Egyptian protesters are rounded up by the oppressive Egyptian police force. I can object to and disagree with the Muslim Brotherhood, while believing in human freedom, human dignity, and democracy.
To those who have worried about a Muslim Brotherhood takeover in Egypt as a result of the current protests, well-known anti-Violent Extremist Dr. Walid Phares has also stated on Facebook:
“I caution against reaching any final conclusions in any direction yet because it is evolving, and there are several forces pushing their agendas. And yes of course you have the Islamists (MB and others) rushing, Iran applauding, but you have youth which has never been so explosive as before. And of course you have an incredibly ‘lost’ US policy which is adding to the equation. What we see is going to last, and final outcomes are not yet around the corner. More in my book and in pieces coming soon…(bottom line: do not let past historical experiences take over your analysis. No doubt about it, the Islamists are all over the map, but the context had changed. We’re gonna see something new, complex, and long…).”
Dr. Phares and I, in our own different ways, different opinions, and different directions have challenged Islamists’ views repeatedly. There are certainly things on which we will disagree, but anyone who looks into the history of either of us will see clearly that neither I nor Dr. Phares have been appeasers of Violent Extremists or Islamists. We see threats, but more importantly we can also see the need for engagement, encouragement, hope, and mutual respect for people who genuinely seek freedom and democracy.
Dr. Phares has stated on al Arabiya TV: “We need to engage the real leadership of the young demonstrators. We need to identify them and have them represented in the new process. But civil society should form its own leadership beyond the existing movements and parties.”
It is important for all of us who love freedom to realize that there can be NO deals with dictators.
The price to pay of losing our credibility on freedom, democracy, and human rights will always be too high. People, especially young people, around the world are watching to see if we can have the conscience that we claim and if we really do support defense of democracy that we urge others to risk their lives to pursue.
For those who have also been concerned about Islamist views and the Muslim Brotherhood, this is also your opportunity to demonstrate the courage of your convictions on human freedom for ALL people. It is certainly possible that Muslim Brotherhood extremists may grab power in Egypt, but let’s not forget that there are millions of other Egyptians who simply seek a better life and freedom in their nation. If freedom supporting people in America and around the world can’t be there to support the Egyptian people, then who are we to then be surprised if the Muslim Brotherhood gains power?
We must not let fear define our position on the truths that we hold self-evident of universal human rights for all people. If we want others to aspire to a standard of human freedom, human dignity, and human rights, we must first set an example of this for the world ourselves and stand united with those struggling for freedom everywhere.
Be Responsible for Equality And Liberty – for All.
