The time is now for the international community to assist Egypt, in order to help those seeking to build a democratic nation, including Islamists, writes Mohamed Gohar* The main chant of the Egyptian revolution still rings in my ears: Selmeya, Selmeya (Peaceful, Peaceful). Young men and women took to the streets across the country and led Egypt's revolution facing police gunfire and tanks with this chant and a conviction in peaceful resistance. The most important element of the revolution, which conquered violence and aggression and made the entire world bow in respect to Egypt's youth, was this peaceful resistance. The choice was ours, we could have chosen to face violence with violence, but we didn't -- we chose peace instead. And the result was evident when over 18 million Egyptians went to cast their votes in Egypt's first free ballot on amending the constitution. Despite conflicts of opinions, Egyptians responded by casting their votes peacefully and respecting the outcome, in true democratic fashion. For the first time in decades, Egyptians have freedom of choice and expression and they chose peaceful positive change. However, in recent weeks, people who don't believe in democracy have been trying to change the course of peaceful change. These people use scare tactics and exploit popular sentiment to achieve political objectives that only serve the old corrupt regime. As a result, myths about the future of Egypt are being propagated in international media, like "Egypt will be ruled by Islamists" and "Egypt will renege on its responsibilities under international treaties". These myths completely miss the point. Egypt has always been a beacon for reform and enlightenment and now is the time for Egypt to reclaim this role. Political parties and individuals inspired by Islam are not a threat. Muslims in Egypt are doctors, engineers, teachers and practitioners who dream of living in a democratic society. Anyone who is respectful of democracy and diversity has a place in the new Egypt. There is an opportunity now to save Islam from those who hijacked it, like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. There is a window for Islam to be an inspiration for the founding of a civil, democratic and pluralistic state. I want to assure people all over the world that Egyptians reject extremism and violence. I know this because we fought terrorism on our own soil for years and the only reason we won was because all Egyptians stood together against it. Instead of worrying about Islam, the international community should pay more attention to Egypt and the Arab world's real needs and challenges: economic and social development, political participation, shaping democratic governments, building new free media infrastructures, gender and women's issues, international partnerships and cultural coexistence. These goals can only be met with international support and cooperation. The time is now, the chance is here, and the opportunity is within reach. People are still taking to the streets and are ready to listen to and interact with whoever will achieve their demands for real change. We should not allow the scaremongers and false prophets to take centre stage. If we are successful, we will all win, even Islam will win, the kind of victory Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey have achieved. * The writer is a media expert and director of Video Cairo. By Gamal Essam El-Din
