The non-Islamist Egyptians, many of whom wanted elections delayed so they could better prepare, were simply overmatched. Under the non-democratic regimes, the Islamists were still able to organize in mosques and by offering social services. The secularists had mere months to play catch-up. As Raymond Ibrahim explains, Anwar Sadat allowed the Brotherhood to build its support and infiltrate the institutions of government and society. In addition, approximately one-third of Egyptians are illiterate, limiting independent thought and forcing them to rely upon imams for political guidance.
“The simple voter didn’t know anyone on the ballot, no liberal political figures were allowed to emerge and lead, under Mubarak or during the post-Mubarak transition,” said Bassem Kamel of the Social Democratic Party.
To make matters worse, the upcoming elections for the lower house of parliament are even more favorable to the Islamists, specifically the Salafists. The first round included places where secularists should have had their best shot like Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said and the Red Sea coast. A poll earlier this year found the Muslim Brotherhood with miniscule support in Cairo and Alexandria, but the Islamists still won by a landslide. The elections on December 14 and 27 will include the Salafist strongholds. The Salafists are confidently predicting that they’ll even outperform the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood is trying to cast itself as the force that will save Egypt from the Salafist puritans. It wants to ally with the liberal forces instead, but this is self-serving. It knows that the Salafists will vote with its agenda almost every time, creating an unofficial bloc in parliament. The Brotherhood’s goal is to sooth its opponents’ worries, to create a united front against the ruling military council and to share any blame it gets for stumbles in Egypt’s next phase.
The secular liberals in Egypt are therefore stuck between a rock and a hard place. It must either coalition with the Muslim Brotherhood or it will allow an Islamist super-coalition to dominate parliament. It also faces Islamists on the one hand and the ruling military council on the other.
Luckily for the West, the ruling military council does not intend to give up its power so easily. It is “vexed and concerned” about the results. It earlier vowed to prevent the rise of “another Khomeini.” We will soon see how serious the council was about that pledge.
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How can we not come out a winner in this? After all, Hillary already told the M.B. that she "Looks forward to working with them."
Maybe all their talk about destroying our miserable house from within is just talk. Maybe the Administration is right when they tell us the MUSLIM Brotherhood is "Predominantly Secular." Maybe we should just trust they will do the right thing along the borders with Gaza and not funnel weapons to Hamas (even though they share all the same goals). Hey, what's the worst that could happen? Don't forget, they say once in a while that…they really don't hate us! I bet while getting our Tax Dollars, they probably even smile. Now isn't that worth the risk to our only true ally Israel?
Beware of pinning any hope of containing Jihadism through so-called political “moderates.” In the Arab-Muslim world, the slippery term “moderate” encompasses those who are merely anti-Islamist – not necessarily pro-Western. Many Egyptians readily swallow anti-Semitic, anti-Western conspiracy theories (e.g. the Protocols of the Elders of Zion). Moreover, supporting Palestinian “resistance” (read: terrorism) against Israel is a conventional, mainstream, uncontroversial view. Egypt is one of the places where ordinary people matter-of-factly will tell you openly that America got what it deserved in the 9/11 attacks. Keep all that in mind, when you ponder what it would mean for so-called moderates to be elected into power in Egypt. In the Muslim world, the more ruthless always rule.
The WH is silent because Obama knows that if he expressed his true joy over the outcome in Egypt as he wished it, his chances in 2012 would be diminished. But we should not forget that when he was demanding that Mubarrak resign "Now, Now, Now!" he also mentioned that the new coalition "should include a religious element." Well, he is getting his wish while the world and peace get shortchanged. It is hard to win a war when you have your enemy sitting on the throne of your country.
Oh what childish B.S. …lol….but that gets you some thumbs up around here ……lol….that figures .
You are ignorant of Obama's longstanding praise of Islam. You are ignorant of the speed that he wanted Mubarak gone (and that he wanted him gone). You are ignorant of Obama's refusal to recognize Islamic terrorism — and instead preferring the phrase "man-made disaster". You are ignorant of so many things that you'd think some introspection would be warranted; but you choose to speak and remove all doubt as to your foolish nature.
Bullsheet , go peddle that on Faux News , you're a moron ,and wouldn';t recognize your enemy if he bit you on the aassss .
Obama probably is the Manchurian Candidate, and the enemy.
In case any secular/liberal Egyptians are reading this, they should know that it took more than two years for Khomeini to impose Shari'ah laws of Qissaass, enforce the Hijab and similar Islamic laws. Stoning came later and the destruction of pre islamic Persian sites, relics and culture assumed a gradual form rather than the original attempt at Bulldozing the Persepolis which was physically stopped by the people in 1979.
In Egypt, these will probably happen much faster. The seculars should know that democracy without secularism will be extremely repressive in Islamic countries where the masses identify with religion more than anything else. In such societies, the religious masses will vote for religion. Democracy should not be only about a majority vote but about human rights in general. Democracy should not be about the rights of a temporary majority to destroy minorities ( political minorities, social or religious….).
The romantic and idealistic era in Egypt is over. The Tahrir square fervor has resulted in a dark age that will last for decades ( more, if the seculars do not unite in an anti islamist front to separate religion from government).
Be patient but do not waste any more time on anything else. The sooner you realize you have NOTHING in common with Islamists of all shades and colors, the better off you will be.
Biblical prophesy tells us what is to come in Egypt. The wealthy secularists will leave and industry will collapse in Egypt. There were will constant fighting until Israel steps in.
So, you think we have a lot to fear from the Copts, eh? Bigot.
Egypt was no freind before Mubarak , nor was it a freind under Sadat . So it will be after Mubarak , as it will be after any elections , no matter who wins .The peace with Israel has always been shaky , Sadat was killed for making that peace .At the end of the day muslims will always be muslims . Indeed BEFORE the uprising against Mubarak , the military was lining up on the border for "exercises " . The only thing that has kept Egypt in check , is , and has been the billion or so the US gives her each year .The humiliation of the defeat at the hands of the Israelies has not subsided not one single iota .There NEVER was a "romanticand idealistic era " in Egypt . Perhaps only to a small degree under Farouk , but from Nasser forward , it has not changed .
True, I followed the Egyptian government rag Ah-Ahram for many years.
Saladin was a Salafist as well, famous for murdering his way to power and then erasing thousands of Moslems and Christians in both civil warring, and Jihad. Of course HollyQueered portrays him as a Gladstonian gentleman.
Salafism is vibrant not only in Egypt but all over the Sunni Arc in the Muddled Yeast of Allah's domains.
Saladin will be resurrected in spirit if not in body. Hamas will have a green light and lots of money and weapons [if Egypt does not go bankrupt, which is a big if], to wipe out the hated Jews.
Obama et al will applaud. The UN will grin. The Leftard media will blame the Jews.
…..and the homosexuals will panic-scatter like cockroaches.