CAIRO – Devoted Egyptian citizens must have been filled with sorrow and despair, when they witnessed the conclusion of the latest million-person demonstration on Friday. The organisers, who had called the latest mass demonstration 'Correcting the Passage of the Revolution' must now be thinking differently. Over the past weeks, Facebook was brimming with provocative statements that hinted at Friday's tragic developments. For example, September 9 was chosen as the date for this latest million-person demonstration-coinciding with the National Fellah (Farmer) Day. The annual Fellah Day harks back to a showdown in Cairo's Abdeen Square on September 9, 1881 between nationalist leader Ahmed Orabi and traitor Khedive Tawfik. Unleashing his sword, Orabi made his immortal statement: “God has created us as free people, not as slaves. I swear to God that from now on we will not be inherited any longer”. My Facebook page was covered in threats and defiant shouts against the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). I wondered whether the SCAF was engaged in a war. Bloggers used abusive language and expressions, which should substantiate the suspicion that they had a broad base of support. These people overstepped the mark with their rhetorical and intimidating statements and threats. It was apparent that something cynical was in the making. Everybody, including me, struggled desperately to fend off worries that a carefully planned crime would be committed on September 9. The revolutionary youths defending their integrity and innocence should see and understand that they were used by the plotters; they should have chosen better and wiser actions to realise their revolutionary goals. I think that apart from a small sector in society, the majority of Egyptians oppose the new electoral law, which is full of landmines and loopholes. Therefore, the Government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has a great responsibility. The buck stops with the Cabinet; it should listen attentively to the voices in favour of amendments to the electoral law. A lukewarm response would only ignite more fires and lead to a catastrophe. The nagging question is – why was such a law released prior to holding a national debate and giving the various political groups the chance to voice their opinion? While we are confident that the Government is seeking the nation's collective interest-in connection with the release of new laws, it is of paramount importance that new laws in post-revolution Egypt should enjoy public support and approval. The transitional period, Egypt is experiencing, should be governed by democratic mechanisms. It is the infuriating release of new laws, such as the electoral law, which prompted demonstrators to convene in big numbers to make their voice heard and to put pressure on the Government. These mass demonstrations give cynics and propagandists the opportunity to undermine the country and its prospects. US President Barack Obama used the deplorable event to reinforce his administration's double-standard attitude. He kept silent, when Israeli forces stormed the Egyptian border in Sinai and killed five of our soldiers. It is outrageous that he rushed to issue a statement only moments, after the Israeli embassy in Giza came under attack. The organisers of last Friday's mass demonstration must realise that they have taken us a big step backward. The January 25 revolution impressed the entire world community and Egypt does not deserve such counterproductive acts. Ordinary citizens and politicians need a break to take stock of the situation, otherwise Egypt could fall tragically apart. [email protected]
