Does the West watch the ‘street revolution’ in Egypt with worry or with relief on their faces? Do they cheer that a leader of a country which they have supported (not only the USA alone) over the years clinging on to his last days of power? Have the leaders of government’s started analysing the outcome of the collapse of Hosni Mubarak’s regime in Egypt?
If not, there is this news: The ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ which was banned by the Egyptian government is on their way to reorganise. To gain more power in the post Mubarak government who were banned by him as ’Islamic extremists’.
They announced last week that they will mobilise people to take part in the street protests on Friday. Head of Middle East Programme at Chatham House in London Claire Spencer said about the ‘Muslim Brotherhood’, “They can organise at grassroots level and can send messages through mosques which, if the internet and mobile phone blockage continues, could become more important.”
Originally formed as anti-colonist fervour had around 2 million members in the 1940s which since the 1980’s, the groups aim was to be in the mainstream of politics and has portrayed itself as more moderate but still very critical of Israel.
This movement which has spread across the Arab world and has influenced Islamic movement wants to have an election without the ruling National Democratic Party in Egypt once they have succeeded in their aim of overthrowing the Mubarak led government.
David Cameron said, “What we support is evolution, reform, not revolution.” Is that what we see across Arab countries called ‘reform or evolution’ not a street revolution or street protest?
I am trying to be optimist to believe all these young people protesting against unemployment, against high food prices, oppression and against corruption. But I hope their cause won’t be hijacked for different political ends and mostly my concern is all these will be used soon to attack secularism which kept all these Arab countries from Tunisia to Egypt on the path to modernity and a form of democratic reform.
Perhaps all the western countries should be worrying what follows in the Middle East after all these street protests. What is for sure that whatever it is that follows these street protests it will have long term impact on the West and its interests across the Arab world and beyond.
Copyright Semra Eren Nijhar – All rights reserved
Semra Eren-Nijhar 