WHO IS MUBARAK RULING - AND FOR WHOSE SAKE?

By Dr. Amin Elshorbagy

Special to the CIC Friday Magazine

Even though the disheartening conditions in Egypt raise so many questions, one really stands out: Who is Hosni Mubarak ruling?

Since January 25, the Egyptian people have taken to the streets to deliver one clear and unequivocal message to their President of 30 years; we don't want you. Millions across the country chanted the same slogan ... get out, the airplane is waiting for you. His brutal security forces, once numbering more than one million, collapsed in three days, left their positions and stations, abandoned their weapons to be taken by thugs, and started looting instead of guarding.

The message of Mubarak's security forces to the people is also clear: if the whole country has to be destroyed to protect and keep Mubarak in power, so be it! My question remains unanswered: Who is Mubarak ruling? And who is benefiting from him and his regime? Apparently not Egypt, nor the Egyptian people.

Egyptians have lived under 30 years of corruption, poverty, injustice, and degradation in all aspects of life. They cannot get the quality of education they need, or the health services they deserve. They cannot elect the MPs they want, or have a say in domestic and foreign policies. They cannot form new political parties; they cannot even initiate social reform projects. Instead, over the years greedy business men and their thugs have been running the whole show. Why did the Egyptian people give this regime a free ride for 30 years? It’s a big mistake that they have now decided to correct.

Losses over the past few days (most likely under-estimated) have exceeded 200 dead -- including defenseless children -- thousands of young men and women injured, and a loss to the economy of more than 20 billion dollars in the stock market. And the indirect or secondary costs of this wave of civil unrest could run even higher, including environmental damage and the effects of massive uncertainty. All this because one man cannot see himself ever stepping down from power!

Indeed, who is Mubarak ruling?! Those who have followed Egyptian developments over the past few days, like me, are in no doubt that Egyptians everywhere, both inside and outside the country want to see him out of power. Egyptians have tolerated all manner of loss, pain, insecurity and unrest in order to see their lifelong dream of freedom come true. Their country is bleeding and their hearts are crying out to see a beautiful Egypt restored and to once again live in a country where they can choose their own leaders and have hope in the future.

Egyptians’ demands are clear. The so-called People's Assembly brought in by fraudulent elections should be dissolved; Mubarak must step down immediately; a national unity interim government be installed; the constitution be reformed; and then preparations must begin for free parliamentary and presidential elections, controlled by the judicial system and monitored by the international community.

Only these measures can bring calm back to Egypt and it is vital that this happens soon. The stability of Egypt means a more stable Middle East; there should be no doubt about this. As the most populous country in the Middle East, Egypt has produced leading scientists, artists, thinkers, and writers, as well as having the world’s largest collection of historical monuments, and a priceless human heritage.

In modern times Egypt has maintained the tenth largest army in the world and led the Arab world to victory in 1973 and in all other wars in the region. It was Egyptian leadership that removed obstacles on the road to peace. Its positive influence can be traced all over the Arab world; in education, health, and judicial systems. The Arab world looks up to Egypt as the benchmark of socio-political prosperity for all. In fact, its geopolitical position makes it impossible to bring any lasting reform to the region unless it starts with Egypt. 

As an Egyptian Canadian, I hope that our Canadian government takes an ethical stand in support of the Egyptian people. Our country cannot and should not support corrupt dictatorships, implicitly or explicitly. Silence, or a soft and ambiguous stand from Ottawa, will be interpreted as complaisance and endorsement for the oppressive status quo. Canada cannot afford to be complaisant.

(Dr. Amin Elshorbagy is Vice-president of Canadian Islamic Congress and is Professor of Civil & Geological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. This article was slightly edited for the Canadian Islamic Congress Friday Magazine.)