On July 8, Egyptians once again took to the streets in what many dubbed the “second revolution” to demand that gains of the January 25 revolution were not silenced. They continue to camp out in central Cairo’s Tahrir Square, calling on the interim government and the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) to implement reforms in preparation for democratic elections this fall, ending military trials of civilians and the speedy trials of former President Hosni Mubarak and his cronies.
However, over the past 10 days, we have also witnessed a return to the schisms that plagued Egyptian pro-democracy activists for years. The unity created during the 18 days that ousted Mubarak and his tyrannical regime of 31 years is breaking, if not broken, as average Egyptians become frustrated by the ongoing sit-in and tent city in central Cairo.
Despite these apparent setbacks in recent days, the country remains on the right path, even as opposing views of how that future is to be created manifest in the country. On one level, the antagonism being created has cracked the country’s unity, but at another level it could be a sign of the multi-faceted worldviews that the new Egypt so desperately needs.
A debate has raged over the tactics of the sit-in in Tahrir. Some Egyptians believe this is the only way for the demands of the revolution to come to fruition, while others, especially the middle- and lower-classes, believe those activists in Tahrir are the wealthy elite who “think they know better” what all Egyptians need.
The fact that a debate is existing in the country is a sign of progress. Certainly, the military has moved slowly, pushing back planned September elections to November. The sit-in in downtown Cairo has affected daily life in the city and some are not pleased. Initially, the activists were apprehensive of giving credence to the worries of others, but within days they were listening and developing their strategy to fit closer with the desires of their fellow Egyptians. It has yet to appease all, but when does it ever?
Egypt may be split along political, religious and economic lines just as starkly as it was 6 months ago, before the revolution, but today, there is cause for hope that consensus on the future of Egypt can be built and delivered through action that incorporates social justice and a tolerance for others’ ideas. We are seeing this already, in the willingness to listen – even when one disagrees – to counter views and counter protests than those who continue to push for reform and change.
“It is exciting to see all Egyptians getting involved,” began Shaimaa Goma’a, a 29-year-old artist, who pointed at the different cross-sections of people who had come out on July 12 to voice their opinions. “We are a people with strong views so there needs to be honest discussion about what is going on and after the few days when people thought they knew best, so it’s good to see this finally happening.”
She’s right. Egyptians have long had strong views about the direction of the country. Before the revolution, many were adamant in their anti-government views, often bordering on antagonism to those who didn’t quite see eye-to-eye. Now, the differences are not so much in the ultimate goal, but in the tactics to achieve that future.
The only means that will see Egypt continue to show the leadership and unity that made the January 25 revolution successful and inspiring to others across the globe will be in their ability to develop consensus. This does not, and should not, mean disagreements cannot be had, but that they should be embraced as part of creating a healthy, mature democratic society where all segments of society are embraced and cherished.
Too often, we have seen change met with resistance, but here in Egypt, that change is still optimistic, despite the set backs and worries over the military’s continued rule. Once again, Egyptians are showing the world that despite the differences its people have, from liberals to conservatives, they are developing consensus when in the past they have been unable to do just that.
The writer is an American journalist based in Cairo and is the Editor-in-chief of bikyamasr.com
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