I've had Al-Jazeera Arabic on all day on my laptop, blaring loudly from the speakers and probably frightening my neighbors. But today is a big day. Today, the Egyptian people finally grasp the freedoms that so many of their brothers and sisters around the world hold. Today, Egypt holds multi-candidate, mostly free and fair elections for the presidency. They represent the next step in moving past the millenia of dictators, kings and pharaohs ruling over the country. And all I can say is: Long live Egypt, تحيا مصر.
But as I sit here, listening to political analysts debating the results of the elections (not due to be released until at the earliest tomorrow night), I am also struck by the tremendous response of Egyptians to the elections. Cameras throughout Egypt report high turnout, except perhaps surprisingly in Suez. The amount of women voting in mixed and women-only polling stations is astounding and amazing for the country. To read tweets from Egyptians saying (paraphrased, I can't find this tweet), "I asked a woman how long she had been waiting in line. She replied, '30 years.'" I am moved. I cannot imagine these circumstances and I only wish I could be there to see it.
I had initially promised coverage of Amr Moussa and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh yesterday, but due to some commitments that tired me out considerably, I could only get up a post about Mohammed Morsi. A little on Moussa and Aboul Fotouh: Moussa is an enigma, as I've said before. Some call him felool, some say he was independent of the old regime. I don't really know, but I do believe his connections to the Mubarak regime and its policies are mostly overblown. He has apparently campaigned strongly in Upper Egypt, and this could prove decisive in the elections.
Moussa is a candidate I struggled with, as I knew he had been a part of the Mubarak regime and I know much of Egypt wants to totally move past it. I agree, and if I were Egyptian, I don't think I could bring myself to vote for Moussa.
If I were Egyptian, and today unlike any other I wish I could be, I would cast my vote for Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. Why? Many reasons. I am grateful to the blogging of Zeinobia (follow her on Twitter) at Egyptian Chronicles for detailed coverage of the campaigns.
I first read about Aboul Fotouh on Egyptian Chronicles, and was impressed, in part by his unabashed support for religious freedom, even for Bahai in Egypt. Then, I became even more impressed. I am Catholic, and Aboul Fotouh spoke at length at a Jesuit Center in Egypt. This is unheard of. Remember, Aboul Fotouh is a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood. He has openly declared apostasy should not be punishable by death. This, more than anything, was a big deal for me in supporting him.
I am in a somewhat odd position, as I ordinarily would shy away from supporting an Islamist. I do not trust Mohammed Morsi, who comes from an entirely different camp within the Brotherhood. I was extremely pleased when Hazem Abu Ismail was disqualified from the race, as a Salafist candidate with strong popularity would have been a disaster for Egyptian-American relations. Yet I could never support someone like Ahmed Shafiq, or, to a lesser extent, Amr Moussa. That left basically Hamdeen Sabahi...but someone who wants to destroy the cornerstone of remaining stability in the Middle East, the Camp David Accords, is not someone I could support as an American.
Aboul Fotouh is by no means a perfect candidate. I would prefer someone more secular. But his ability to bring together all of Egypt is remarkable. The Arabist's podcast today discussed a young Muslim Brotherhood supporter who was undecided between Aboul Fotouh and Morsi, but gave Aboul Fotouh a fair chance and a listen. The Salafist support for Aboul Fotouh, in contrast to many liberals, actually assures me that he will represent all of Egypt as a president. Salafists are a part of Egyptian society, and observers ought to recognize this, reach out and include them. Groups moderate with political responsibilities. His advisers are male and female, socialist and liberal, an impressive mix.
I am moved by this man's campaign, and I hope he moves into the top two run-off in June. Look for more analysis Thursday on Egypt's election and a discussion of the results on Friday.
تحيا مصر
But as I sit here, listening to political analysts debating the results of the elections (not due to be released until at the earliest tomorrow night), I am also struck by the tremendous response of Egyptians to the elections. Cameras throughout Egypt report high turnout, except perhaps surprisingly in Suez. The amount of women voting in mixed and women-only polling stations is astounding and amazing for the country. To read tweets from Egyptians saying (paraphrased, I can't find this tweet), "I asked a woman how long she had been waiting in line. She replied, '30 years.'" I am moved. I cannot imagine these circumstances and I only wish I could be there to see it.
I had initially promised coverage of Amr Moussa and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh yesterday, but due to some commitments that tired me out considerably, I could only get up a post about Mohammed Morsi. A little on Moussa and Aboul Fotouh: Moussa is an enigma, as I've said before. Some call him felool, some say he was independent of the old regime. I don't really know, but I do believe his connections to the Mubarak regime and its policies are mostly overblown. He has apparently campaigned strongly in Upper Egypt, and this could prove decisive in the elections.
Moussa is a candidate I struggled with, as I knew he had been a part of the Mubarak regime and I know much of Egypt wants to totally move past it. I agree, and if I were Egyptian, I don't think I could bring myself to vote for Moussa.
If I were Egyptian, and today unlike any other I wish I could be, I would cast my vote for Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. Why? Many reasons. I am grateful to the blogging of Zeinobia (follow her on Twitter) at Egyptian Chronicles for detailed coverage of the campaigns.
I first read about Aboul Fotouh on Egyptian Chronicles, and was impressed, in part by his unabashed support for religious freedom, even for Bahai in Egypt. Then, I became even more impressed. I am Catholic, and Aboul Fotouh spoke at length at a Jesuit Center in Egypt. This is unheard of. Remember, Aboul Fotouh is a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood. He has openly declared apostasy should not be punishable by death. This, more than anything, was a big deal for me in supporting him.
I am in a somewhat odd position, as I ordinarily would shy away from supporting an Islamist. I do not trust Mohammed Morsi, who comes from an entirely different camp within the Brotherhood. I was extremely pleased when Hazem Abu Ismail was disqualified from the race, as a Salafist candidate with strong popularity would have been a disaster for Egyptian-American relations. Yet I could never support someone like Ahmed Shafiq, or, to a lesser extent, Amr Moussa. That left basically Hamdeen Sabahi...but someone who wants to destroy the cornerstone of remaining stability in the Middle East, the Camp David Accords, is not someone I could support as an American.
Aboul Fotouh is by no means a perfect candidate. I would prefer someone more secular. But his ability to bring together all of Egypt is remarkable. The Arabist's podcast today discussed a young Muslim Brotherhood supporter who was undecided between Aboul Fotouh and Morsi, but gave Aboul Fotouh a fair chance and a listen. The Salafist support for Aboul Fotouh, in contrast to many liberals, actually assures me that he will represent all of Egypt as a president. Salafists are a part of Egyptian society, and observers ought to recognize this, reach out and include them. Groups moderate with political responsibilities. His advisers are male and female, socialist and liberal, an impressive mix.
I am moved by this man's campaign, and I hope he moves into the top two run-off in June. Look for more analysis Thursday on Egypt's election and a discussion of the results on Friday.
تحيا مصر
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