UNLIKE the professional politicians, it has become crystal clear that the ordinary Egyptians are enthusiastic about saving the nation, because they are the only ones who fully understand the dangers facing their country. It is lamentable to see the politicians divided among themselves because they are concerned about their own interests, which they want to pursue at Egypt's expense, no matter what the consequences may be. The present crisis is like a time bomb ready to explode at any moment in our faces, while the politicians are indifferent to the looming danger. The political forces, regardless of their affiliations, have unfortunately agreed not to agree on finding a realistic solution to the problem, though they know that there is a way out of the dark tunnel Egypt is entering. They must make concessions to one another, especially regarding the draft constitution and second constitutional declaration, announced by President Mohamed Morsi on Saturday to amend his November 21 declaration. While voting on the new constitution is just three days away, the political forces should understand that the time is not right to keep on promoting the divisions and differences among the people by pushing for their own ideas about the constitution or trying to persuade them to shun voting, or calling for holding protests and rallies against it. These protests, whether for or against the constitutional declaration or the draft constitution itself, are taking us nowhere, because they will deepen the divisions among the people and pave the way for more clashes and violence. The truly wise, who do care about the country and really want to break the deadlock, are earnestly solicited to unite and do what must be done to get us out of this dilemma. They have the approval and the consent of all the Egyptians to move ahead with whatever plan they have in mind to save the nation, and all the people will rally behind them. In the Egyptian Muslim culture, there is the widely used phrase ‘Tawakkalut alla Allah' (I rely on You, God), uttered unconsciously when someone or a group of persons are about to take an immediate, carefully considered initiative to solve a personal or national crisis or problem. The people have been wholeheartedly telling the political powers totake whatever initiative that may be necessary to save the nation. But, if these powers have decided not to get Egypt out of this crisis and agree to maintain their divisions and disputes, whilethe people are also divided and disputing ahead of the Saturday referendum, then the country will sink like a stricken ship to the bottom of the deep blue sea. I, therefore, appeal to President Morsi to postpone the referendum until a suitable time, when all the political forces have come to an agreement on how to uproot the seeds of sedition in a nation, whose enemies at home and abroad do not want its revolution to succeed. By the way: Whenever father time straightens me out, I find that I am senseless, and, whenever I gain knowledge, I discover that I am still ignorant. (Imam Shafei) With money, man can buy women and wives, but not hearts and true feelings. [email protected]
