I found this letter by Ramez Atallah, General Director of the The Bible Society of Egypt helpful and informative about the demonstrations in Egypt. May our prayers continue for all those involved... Dear friends, Thanks for your concern. You undoubtedly see the images of what is happening in Egypt on TV and worry about us and pray for us! The real picture: What you do not know is that the real picture from the inside is radically different from what you imagine. The pictures you see in this newsletter are of happy people - including Rebecca and myself - participating in the demonstrations demanding the resignation of our President. Unlike previous demonstrations in which I participated at this very location in front of the Presidential Palace (when there was barbed wire, riot police and tear gas), these demonstrations have been, for the most part, unusually peaceful. The crowds around us were in a festive mood, parents, children, old people, all chanting for the fall of the Government and enthusiastically waving flags and banners. As Rebecca and I walked through the crowds we did not feel unsafe in spite of the incredibly crowded conditions and the complete lack of any police or army presence. On the contrary, we all felt very proud to be Egyptians and to be among so many wonderful compatriots from Christians to conservative, Muslim, veiled women! The concern, enthusiasm, passion and love for our country which we all shared was exhilarating and made us all the more loyal to our great nation. The more than 17 million demonstrators all over the country (the largest turnout in Egypt’s history and maybe a world record) have been remarkably peaceful and safe. You can see the unbelievable extent of some of the demonstrations in this link taken from a helicopter overlooking Cairo on June 30th: youtube/watch?v=vxhcDzoCe9g Homemade solution: It was when Egyptians realized that they could not depend on foreign powers to resolve their crisis, that a small group of young people took matters in their own hands and started this grass roots movement designed to force the President to resign. The fact that this is truly a movement by and for the people gives more reason for Egyptians to participate proudly in the protests. Regaining the spirit of the January 2011 Revolution: During the January 2011 “revolution”, the exhilaration of the crowds was mainly because they felt united together as Egyptians regardless of their social, economic, political or religious situation or views. When the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist parties won the majority in the new parliament and had one of their own elected as President, they quickly turned it into an autocratic one-party rule and hijacked the revolution with its “Egypt for all” emphasis. Their attempt to impose political Islam on Egypt is one of the major causes of the present very widespread revolt. Rejoice with us: So instead of worrying for us, rejoice with us for the remarkable events happening in our country. Pray that the unprecedented unity expressed between all Egyptians who reject the forceful imposition of political Islam will result in a new Egypt where people with different persuasions can live alongside one another in harmony. This is the Egypt I remember from my youth and the Egypt most Egyptians yearn for. Pray for the wounded and families of those killed: Yes there have been some very sad incidents of violence and the militant Muslims are threatening to retaliate against this incredible, national show of solidarity against them. Dozens have been killed and hundreds wounded and that’s what you see on your TV screens. While this is very sad and regrettable, the casualties are minimal compared to the millions out on the streets every night. Looking forward to a brighter future: As I write on the morning of Wednesday July 3rd, we have no idea what will happen next. The Army has given the President till this evening to meet the demands of “the people”. In a late-night speech yesterday, Morsi stubbornly rejected that ultimatum and threatened that he and his people were willing to give their lives for their cause. In spite of these threats, the deep division in society caused by the Islamists, the desperate economic plight of the nation, and the very complex political situation, we know WHO holds the future and are confident that the present crisis will be resolved according to His plan for Egypt. Thank you for your partnership and continued prayers for us during these momentous days. Ramez Atallah, General Director, The Bible Society of Egypt
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:21:20 +0000
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