Mubarak Steps Down, Egypt Steps into Uncertain Times

Mubarak Steps Down, Egypt Steps into Uncertain Times

by Heidi Unruh Last Friday, Egyptians saw fruit from 18 days of largely nonviolent protests: President Hosni Mubarak relinquished power after 30 years of autocratic rule.

Demonstrations turned into mass celebration, despite the many uncertainties to come. Ruling power is now in the hands of the military, a trusted institution in Egypt and a long-time beneficiary of much US aid.

Some worry, however, that Mubarak resigned not on a wave of freedom but in a military coup. Others fear the instability will fuel a conservative Islamic resurgence, via the Muslim Brotherhood— a formerly banned party now allowed into political negotiations.

As President Obama commented, “This is not the end of Egypt’s transition. It is the beginning.” Egyptians now must navigate a lengthy, complex process of lifting the stateof-emergency laws, restoring constitutional authority, and laying the foundation for free and fair elections.

Ironically, Egypt’s embrace of ideals dear to Americans might end up costing America an ally. Supporting freedom and democracy necessarily means giving up control of the outcomes, though the US has more at stake in this new Middle East government than ever—including our friendship with Israel. But it is clear that the era of safeguarding US freedom at home by supporting oppressive regimes elsewhere is over.

****** For another perspective on the turmoil in Egypt, we share this note from Rev. PaulGordon Chandler, the priest of an international Episcopal church in Cairo. Chandler is the author of several books and many magazine articles, including two for PRISM Magazine. After his family was evacuated from Egypt, he sent this update on February 10, the day before Mubarak’s resignation. It appears here with his permission.

Dear friends, thanks so much for all your emails and prayers. We cherish each one of them. These are not easy times and we are putting our trust in God. We also trust everything can return to “normal” soon. It was very hard being asked to leave temporarily, but we understand the wisdom as the situation was increasingly unsafe for Westerners. We are closely monitoring the situation on the ground through friends and Egyptian colleagues there…

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While it seems that our neighborhood is increasingly becoming more “normal,” we also realize that the root issues of the demonstrations haven’t yet been addressed, with the protests being larger in number than ever yesterday. As a friend of ours, who is in a senior role with the UN in Egypt, wrote to us today: “My thought at this point is that the situation is so complex, dynamic and combustible that a wide range of possible and impossible to predict outcomes are on the horizon. History is being made. We are largely witnesses with little influence over events, I am afraid. God bless the people of Egypt.” …There have been some stories coming out of Cairo of foreigners being detained by security forces, who have even come to their apartments in the night or took them in for interrogation at the civilian road blocks. This has surprised and intimidated some, as it is so different than things were previously.

We are now in the Chicago area at [my in-laws’] place. … We are relishing the quiet as we were exhausted from days and nights of machine-gun fire. As a family, we had a rough few days there in Maadi, Cairo, with numerous visits by armed looters coming around to our building. Hence we find it hard to sleep at night as it seems too quiet, as we had almost become accustomed to the machine-gun fire.

We are all praying for Egypt and are most encouraged with the positive signs, such as the wonderful Coptic Church service that Muslims helped facilitate on Tahrir Square two days ago. What an amazing image broadcast to the world! At the same time, we pray for those detained still, and hear the increasing numbers of stories coming to the surface of those who were killed during these last two weeks—far more than originally reported it seems.

Two days before our evacuation, our brief visit to Tahrir Square was breathtaking in many ways; people in harmony, selfless support for each other, Muslims and Christians….a very moving experience. An Egyptian Christian friend of ours who previously had hardly a good word to say about any Muslim is in a state of real doubt about his previous convictions as he and his neighbors have discovered what they have in common through the necessity of defending their Egyptian way of life.

I can’t help thinking that the sad postponement of our major interfaith “Caravan Festival of the Arts” week, which was scheduled for this time period, has been replaced with the same intended outcome but on a vast scale. No matter what changes come about from the protests in the square, there has been a parallel revolution in the minds of people about their value to each other...all made in God’s image, regardless of creed.

Thanks for your encouragement and for continuing to hold us and our many friends in Egypt in your prayers, as we all pray together for a peaceful resolution.

(See this article from the Episcopal Church about the Chandlers’ temporary departure from Egypt) After the president’s resignation, Gordon wrote this:

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Dear friends, the miraculous still happens today! Amazing—the Egyptian people have shown the world the way—peacefully. Gandhi and Tolstoy and their nonviolence approach still lead the way. We all need Egyptian flags to wave!

Our church community hopes to be able to reunite in Cairo soon...coming from all over the world! Please lift a glass and toast to the Prince of Peace and God’s goodness, for prayers have been answered.

A special moment and what a privilege to have a relationship with Egypt! Mabrouk (“Congratulations” in Arabic) to Egypt!

*** Update from Rev. Canon Paul-Gordon Chandler, Episcopal priest in Cairo who was evacuated from Egypt but recently allowed to return (see last week's ePistle): Our friends in Cairo feel empowered, and the culture of fear that they have lived under within an authoritarian government has disappeared. There is a sense of profound hope in the streets and a common feeling of good will towards each other. Of course the journey to true representative democracy is a long journey. Additionally, there is much that needs to be rebuilt and restored. One of the most moving and symbolic images has been the spontaneous immense "clean up" operation taking place in which Christians and Muslims of every segment of society are participating…all working together to clean up and rebuild the cities of Egypt.

There are also concerns being expressed by some (most often they are Westerners) regarding the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its possible increasing influence in shaping the “new Egypt”. It is important to remember that the Muslim Brotherhood is not militant as some have tried to portray them, but rather a group that not only renounced violence many years ago (hence it has been denounced by Al Qaeda), but that has advocated publicly for the rights of Egypt’s Christian minority. At the same time, as Egypt is considered one of the most religious countries in the world, of which the dominant religion is Islam, everyone’s prayer at this time is that as the country is reshaped there will hopefully end up being much more freedom of religious expression through a more democratic governing structure.

We need more than ever to be involved in an all-out effort to help our Egyptian brothers and sisters, regardless of their religion, by showering upon them our good will, trust, appreciation, love, solidarity and practical assistance. And this includes doing everything we can to break down the walls that create further alienation between Christians and Muslims. Additionally, I would like to ask for your prayers for the Egyptian Christians, that they will courageously participate in the coalitions that are being formed between the faith communities that are seeking new ways to re-shape the nation.

As the majority of Egyptian Muslims and Christians begin to walk the long hard road ahead of working peacefully toward a balanced democracy which respects human rights

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for all, there has never been a time when each of our roles has been more important.

This is beautifully reflected in the present motto of the country, "Let's Build Egypt Together".

- Paul-Gordon Chandler

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