Tuesday, July 09, 2013

I was sorry to hear about the violence and death. It would be wrong to destroy the progress being made by one time extremists.

Supporters of Morsy pray next to the headquarters of the Republican Guards in Cairo on Saturday, July 6, during the funeral of seven people killed during clashes.
There are 60 independent judicial investigations regarding the clash between members of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian military.

One of the strengths of the democratic movement in Egypt is the strength of the people expressed in peaceful demonstrations along with the Egyptian military being the backbone of the nation to move it forward. 

While the religious extremists have very violent histories in the region it is important to realize some maybe citizens of Egypt. While so many extremist organizations in the region are considered to be affiliated, that is not the case. There are citizens of Egypt with tragic pasts affiliated with extremism, but, if they are not allowed to become a part of the democracy they will be pushed to the periphery and once again be trapped in their own dilemmas. That is not the method of democracy.

Democracy has to carry the mantle of all the citizens. The democracy has to carry the mantle of the majority, but, must also pay attention to the minority as well. It is the willingness to carry the burdens of the minority that creates a productive, inclusive and peaceful nation. The Egyptian military has to consider the methods of the past of the extremists and provide a peaceful path forward in a democracy to uphold the dignity of all it's citizens. That path has to be sensitive to the potential for excluding their voices and in doing so creating victims of the new democracy. A new democracy cannot produce victims so much as engaged citizens.

If there was a profound mistake by former President Morsi it was allowing the victory to be unilateral. While he stated he was the President of all the people his administration did not reflect that. Winning an election is not about overpowering other diversities within a society, it is about leading a nation with unity and respect. 

Egypt has a proud heritage of forging peace in the region. That cannot be sacrificed to extremist demands regardless of whom holds office in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood has to go forward with political solutions to be included in the representative government of Egypt. They have to be part of the nation and not forever the angry. Former President Morsi tried to bring about that reality, however unsuccessful. The Egyptian military cannot marginalize the Muslim Brotherhood, but, assure them a part of the nation's priorities along side of peace and prosperity.

I believe the current leadership, including the new Prime Minister, is a wonderful development for Egypt. They have to reach out to all the people as well and bring about elections that will provide a productive Parliament as well as a newly elected President capable of stabilizing the nation to return an economy and begin again a peaceful nation.