04/06/2012

Egypt – what was the basis for hope?

One week before the polling for presidential election in Egypt last month, the 30 lakh [non-resident] Egyptians living in various other countries cast their votes. The results of this polling were also announced before the main polling, according to which Ikhwan candidate, Dr. Muhammad Morsi got over 36 per cent votes and former leader of Ikhwan Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh (Independent) got about 24 per cent votes. Other candidates Ahmed Shafiq, Amru Musa and Hamdain Sabahi lagged much behind. On the basis of these results, those souls who have been longing for having the experience of Islamic way of life in any part of the earth were hopeful that the main polling would yield the desired result and Dr. Mori would win 50 per cent in the very first round and there would be no need of any run-off. This hope from the non-resident voting was strong because a few months ago Ikhwan al-Muslimin had reaped a sweeping victory, and the second runner was also an Islamic party, Al-Noor. There was no trace of the faithfuls of Hosni Mubarak, the lovers of Gamal Abdel Nasser and [other] Islam-bashers. During the presidential poll of May 23-24 the international media, despite its best efforts, was not able to hide the fact that Dr. Morsi was leading the contest and if someone was trailing him from a long distance it was Aboul Fotouh.

The message of Tahrir Square
And the media was compelled to present this fact because this was the spirit of public protests against Hosni Mubarak last year. Arrangements of Adhan and Salat in congregation at Tahrir Square and participation of hijab-clad women [in the protests] were sending a message to the world that they would give a mandate in support of a government on Islamic principles if they got a chance to form the government. But when the results of presidential election were out, the picture was quite different. While the enthusiastic lovers of Islam the world over felt a bit disappointed, a wave of pleasure and satisfaction ran through the anti-Islam circles as the anti-Islam candidate Ahmed Shafiq was brought almost to the level of Dr. Morsi. The pleasure of anti-Islam circles found expression in the reports and editorial columns in Indian and international media. This situation can be gauged with just one sentence in the editorial of The Hindu of May 28: “They could well see him [Ahmed Shafiq] as Egypt's best defence against the Islam[ism].…” – But while these results and the international reactions thereon are surprising for simpleton Muslims, they are not surprising and unexpected at all for those who are acquainted with the history of anti-Islam forces, their methods and strategies.

But despite these strategies
It was feared right from the beginning that these forces, the leader of which is America, would not remain sitting with ease; they would exploit every method to stop the change because for them this is the question of life and death. They know quite well that if a system is established on Islamic principles in any part of the world and it is allowed to function then what would be its results and consequences on the world. Therefore two strategies were applied in Egypt. Soon after the parliamentary elections a powerful campaign was launched to character-assassinate the Ikhwan. Propaganda was unleashed that Egypt would fall prey to disintegration if such inexperienced people come to power. This strategy was clear and visible. Another invisible strategy was to get lakhs of fake votes cast in favour of Ahmed Shafiq, army personnel were compelled to do so. – But despite all this, palpitation of Islam-bashers is getting faster. The information and analyses up till the afternoon of May 31 tell that the atmosphere is turning fast in favour of Dr. Morsi. There is only one question before the Egyptians whether they want to keep the country, as earlier, under the control of pro-American army generals, Israeli supporters and those indifferent to Islam or a system based on independence, democracy and justice. The developments have to say that the results of the second round election on June 16 and 17 would go in favour of the other part of the question. 
04//06/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

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