Terror in Port Said: Ranging From Fear
To Confusion, Anger To Suspicion
06 Feb 2012By Mshari al-Zaydi
A year on from the outbreak of the Egyptian
"revolution", and a bitter harvest has been reaped in
Port Said stadium.
Egypt is currently facing a difficult situation and
critical situation. Feelings there are ranging from
fear to confusion, anger to suspicion.
There is a state of fear arising from the astoundingly
lax security situation: bank robberies in broad
daylight, road blocks, and cars being stolen with
passengers still inside, after guns or knives are
waived in the faces of those sitting behind the wheel,
before the stolen cars are then returned for money to
their rightful owners. This is not to mention the
increasing incidents of burglaries and pick-pocketing,
and the rise of gang leaders like "el-Hambouli" and "Farafero"
among others.
There is confusion when it comes to explaining these
incidents, political differences and ongoing
escalation. Is the reason behind all this purely
internal, like the Egyptian revolutionaries argue,
believing that their revolution has been hijacked and
circumvented via a deal between the Islamists and the
military? Or could we attribute the state of
instability to the former regime's "remnants" and
interest groups that are currently losing out, and
want to spoil Egypt's political course? Or could it be
that the revolutionaries camped in Egypt's main
squares are simply agents and pawns mobilized by
external powers such as America, Israel, or some other
evil force?
Anger stems from the inability of the state, military
and security apparatuses to enforce order, take the
reins of power, and stabilize the street. There is
also anger towards the media that is profiting from
the blood of the people and their fears, by infusing
the situation with further rancor, incitement and
rumors, presenting everyone with the opportunity to
add fuel to the already blazing fire.
There are also strong feelings of suspicion regarding
the future, the feasibility of the revolution in
general, and the credibility of all that is being said
about hidden deals, explanations trying to reveal the
truth about what is going on, and all those who stand
behind this sorry state Egypt has reached, a year on
from its uprising. Initially, everyone, with very few
exceptions, extolled the virtues of this revolution
inside Egypt and abroad. Some are still singing its
praises despite the latest Port Said stadium massacre.
In the heart of this darkness, some, especially those
living abroad, coldly reiterate that this is natural,
and all revolutions must go down this route to
ultimately reach stability. They argue that democracy
needs time in order to develop and mature.
However, this argument is more like fortune-telling,
or even akin to gambling, on the destinies of entire
societies and countries. For example, Somalia and
Afghanistan have been stuck in the swamp of anarchy
for over two decades now, and there seems to be little
light at the end of the tunnel.
The argument that democracy is capable of developing
itself, and that the people will gradually mature into
an entity capable of dealing with it as time passes,
is neither persuasive nor compelling. It is suffice to
observe what is happening in some of the old Arab
democracies and the nature of the ongoing debates
within them, with Kuwait and Jordan serving as two
prime examples.
A Saudi journalist and expert on Islamic
movements and Islamic fundamentalism as well as Saudi
affairs. Mshari is Asharq Al-Awsat's opinion page
Editor, where he also contributes a weekly column. Has
worked for the local Saudi press occupying several
posts at Al -Madina newspaper amongst others. He has
been a guest on numerous news and current affairs
programs as an expert on Islamic extremism
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EsinIslam.Com
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