It’s indeed upsetting Egypeter! Sectarianism is like cancer in our country, while the govt keeps on playing the “national unity” BS. Poor woman! Does anyone have more info on the issue? I never followed her blog before, or knew anything about it b4 today unfortunately.
I too have just recently heard about her. The first time I heard about her was when she was leaving Cairo for a Human Rights conference in the states. She was on the plane ready to take off when SSI goons came aboard and detained her.
I heard about her through blogs. Here’s a blog entry about her.
As an Egyptian living in the states I sometimes feel so so distant from other Egyptians living in Egypt. I feel like there is very little ,if anything, in common b/w me and other Egyptians. Because of my experiences and life here in the states I feel like I think very differently than most Egyptians.
Every now and then though I bump into Egyptians/Arabs that restore my faith, albeit only a little bit, in Egypt. You are one of them Hossam.
I dream, hope and pray that this evil terrible sectarianism that is spreading through Egypt will stop. I want a return to the days when there was no freakin’ difference b/w Copts and Muslims!!! WE ARE ALL EGYPTIANS FOR GOD’S SAKE!!!!! I want a return to the good ‘ol days when people weren’t obsessed with the “other’s” belief. I want a return to when Christians and Muslims shared in the celebration of the other’s feasts/holidays. I want a return to the days when Egyptian Muslim’s would stand up and defend their fellow Egyptian Christians from fundementalism. I want a return of good relations b/w ALL Egyptians so BADLY that I cannot explain it.
Sorry for the rant. I had to vent. Take care of yourself Hossam. Peace
I’m very touched by your kind words Egypeter, and I share your dream and hopes for a sectarian-free Egypt soon. I can assure you there are many like us who also share this vision, but unfortunately their voices are not heard that much online, TV, or anywhere for a long list of reasons. Egypt should be for Egyptians, from whatever background they come from, religious, ethnic, provincial, or whatever. I would even go farther to say Egypt is for anyone who is willing to come here and live among us, or lives abroad but tries to do something that helps this country get on its feet. I always tell Issandr, Paul, and the rest of the old Cairo Times khawagas posse that I consider them more Egyptian–because how much they care about this country–than some “Egyptian” SS officer who tortures dissidents, or some corrupt govt official. Sectarianism is not about “attitudes” or PC language. It’s enshrined in the state’s institutions, and that’s from where we should start.
Thanks Hossam. That means a lot to me 🙂 You speak very well my friend! I’ve never lived a day in Egypt (visit a lot) but I think about her everyday!! I can’t help but wonder how great Egypt COULD be if it was only given a chance.
God bless you my fellow Egyptian brother!!!! No doubt you and the other khawagas are more Egyptian than many of the idiots running our country. NO DOUBT. Anyway, keep up the good fight friend!
Egypeter, out of curiousity, do you also want to be reconciled with the Brotherhood, who constitute a sizeable proportion of the Egyptian people, or do you want to see them all locked up and the key thrown away?
I know this is counter to what you think. I’m pretty sure we’re on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to the Ikhwan but I will tell you what I think.
I am TOTALLY TOTALLY against the Ikhwan. I’m sorry. I could not and would not ever support them. As an EGYPTIAN (not Copt) I want Egypt to be a SECULAR and CIVIL society. I dream of an Egyptian government for ALL Egyptians with total and complete separation of Religion and State.
I’m also well aware that Egyptians have been very religious people for, um, let’s see…5000 years! And that’s great. Let the people believe as much as they wish. But when it comes to the government it NEEDS to be secular, it’s the only way.
I’ve gone over the Ikhwan’s English website with a fine-toothed comb so I think I have a pretty good idea of their policies. They stick some things in there that sound pretty good but then they also stick some things in there that scare the shit out of me. I also find a lot of contradictions. Plus, when I looked at the NDP’s policies before the last election they sounded awesome. How many of those campaign promises were fullfiled? Lol.
Like on their website they say a Copt would be allowed to be the Head of State. But then Akef comes out and says that a Malaysian Muslim has more authority to govern Egypt than an EGYPTIAN Christian!!!! He actually said that and it’s on record. Comments like that make me sick to the stomach. What kind of horrible logic is that? It’s as if Akef kicked me right in the nuts.
So Cosmic, to answer your question, it would be impossible to reconcile me with the Ikhwan. Do I want them all thrown in prisons and have the key thrown away…no, not the decent moderate ones but some of those extreme ones scare the living shit out of me.
Quite upsetting. I guess if my family was directly threatened I’d stop too.
Thanks for posting the link Hossam!
It’s indeed upsetting Egypeter! Sectarianism is like cancer in our country, while the govt keeps on playing the “national unity” BS.
Poor woman! Does anyone have more info on the issue? I never followed her blog before, or knew anything about it b4 today unfortunately.
Hi Hossam.
I too have just recently heard about her. The first time I heard about her was when she was leaving Cairo for a Human Rights conference in the states. She was on the plane ready to take off when SSI goons came aboard and detained her.
I heard about her through blogs. Here’s a blog entry about her.
http://saraghorab.wordpress.com/2006/06/25/hala-masreya/
As an Egyptian living in the states I sometimes feel so so distant from other Egyptians living in Egypt. I feel like there is very little ,if anything, in common b/w me and other Egyptians. Because of my experiences and life here in the states I feel like I think very differently than most Egyptians.
Every now and then though I bump into Egyptians/Arabs that restore my faith, albeit only a little bit, in Egypt. You are one of them Hossam.
I dream, hope and pray that this evil terrible sectarianism that is spreading through Egypt will stop. I want a return to the days when there was no freakin’ difference b/w Copts and Muslims!!! WE ARE ALL EGYPTIANS FOR GOD’S SAKE!!!!! I want a return to the good ‘ol days when people weren’t obsessed with the “other’s” belief. I want a return to when Christians and Muslims shared in the celebration of the other’s feasts/holidays. I want a return to the days when Egyptian Muslim’s would stand up and defend their fellow Egyptian Christians from fundementalism. I want a return of good relations b/w ALL Egyptians so BADLY that I cannot explain it.
Sorry for the rant. I had to vent. Take care of yourself Hossam. Peace
I’m very touched by your kind words Egypeter, and I share your dream and hopes for a sectarian-free Egypt soon.
I can assure you there are many like us who also share this vision, but unfortunately their voices are not heard that much online, TV, or anywhere for a long list of reasons.
Egypt should be for Egyptians, from whatever background they come from, religious, ethnic, provincial, or whatever. I would even go farther to say Egypt is for anyone who is willing to come here and live among us, or lives abroad but tries to do something that helps this country get on its feet. I always tell Issandr, Paul, and the rest of the old Cairo Times khawagas posse that I consider them more Egyptian–because how much they care about this country–than some “Egyptian” SS officer who tortures dissidents, or some corrupt govt official.
Sectarianism is not about “attitudes” or PC language. It’s enshrined in the state’s institutions, and that’s from where we should start.
Thanks Hossam. That means a lot to me 🙂 You speak very well my friend! I’ve never lived a day in Egypt (visit a lot) but I think about her everyday!! I can’t help but wonder how great Egypt COULD be if it was only given a chance.
God bless you my fellow Egyptian brother!!!! No doubt you and the other khawagas are more Egyptian than many of the idiots running our country. NO DOUBT. Anyway, keep up the good fight friend!
Egypeter, out of curiousity, do you also want to be reconciled with the Brotherhood, who constitute a sizeable proportion of the Egyptian people, or do you want to see them all locked up and the key thrown away?
[…] The arabist […]
Cosmic –
I know this is counter to what you think. I’m pretty sure we’re on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to the Ikhwan but I will tell you what I think.
I am TOTALLY TOTALLY against the Ikhwan. I’m sorry. I could not and would not ever support them. As an EGYPTIAN (not Copt) I want Egypt to be a SECULAR and CIVIL society. I dream of an Egyptian government for ALL Egyptians with total and complete separation of Religion and State.
I’m also well aware that Egyptians have been very religious people for, um, let’s see…5000 years! And that’s great. Let the people believe as much as they wish. But when it comes to the government it NEEDS to be secular, it’s the only way.
I’ve gone over the Ikhwan’s English website with a fine-toothed comb so I think I have a pretty good idea of their policies. They stick some things in there that sound pretty good but then they also stick some things in there that scare the shit out of me. I also find a lot of contradictions. Plus, when I looked at the NDP’s policies before the last election they sounded awesome. How many of those campaign promises were fullfiled? Lol.
Like on their website they say a Copt would be allowed to be the Head of State. But then Akef comes out and says that a Malaysian Muslim has more authority to govern Egypt than an EGYPTIAN Christian!!!! He actually said that and it’s on record. Comments like that make me sick to the stomach. What kind of horrible logic is that? It’s as if Akef kicked me right in the nuts.
So Cosmic, to answer your question, it would be impossible to reconcile me with the Ikhwan. Do I want them all thrown in prisons and have the key thrown away…no, not the decent moderate ones but some of those extreme ones scare the living shit out of me.
Salaam
You sound liek in the great 60’ties
Peace love and understanding egytians hippi go’ to Dahab give flowers to everyone I love you all GREAT EGYPT
VIVA EGYPT
LOL