Egypt Voices Ultimate Revolution
By Prof. Bhim Singh
03 February, 2011
Countercurrents.org
It appears that Arab World is passing through a transitional switch over to new world of democratic order a scientific need of the 21st century. The Arab World with its extending from Iran in Asia to Western Sahara in Africa has undergone tides and turbulences for more than 2000 years. What is being witnessed today, thanks to the modern info technology, could not be witnessed by the world when the Arab civilizations in Babylonia, Al-Sham, Egypt and other areas were razed and destroyed. Asian part of the Arab world is inhabited by ancient settlers known as Semitic race. It included Arab Jews, Arab Christians and Muslims as well. Moses was born in Egypt when Pharaohs ruled ruthlessly. The Nile finds its mentioning in the historic battle that Moses led against the authoritarian rulers. The Romans extended their rule in Palestine covering the present territories in Syria and Jordan. Jesus, born to a Jewish mother, believed by Christians to be a son of God became Prophet after His crucifixion 2000 years ago. It was His crucifixion at the age of 32 by Roman emperor in the heart of Jerusalem City that gave birth to Christianity. Some 500 years later Hazrat Mohammad was born in Mecca, present capital of Saudi Arabia, was chosen as Prophet by Allah. He came with holy ‘Quran’ carrying written ordains of Allah defining the role and discipline of the rulers and their relationship with their subjects in accordance with principals of Islamic jurisprudence. Suppression of democracy or authoritarian systems were prohibited. Freedom (Hurriyat), Socialism (Ishtrakia) and Democracy (Al-Jhamuriya) have essence of Islamic rule. A great battle of Karbala was fought some 100 kms. from Baghdad on the banks of the river where grandson of Prophet Mohammad met his martyrdom some 1450 years ago. The reason for this battle was a strong dissent against dynasty and authoritarian rule of Zajid of Al-Sham. Zajid was nominated as Khalifa by His father, Hazrat Mavia, himself Khalifa of Al-Sham (Syria) without consulting or seeking approval of the elder men. That shows foundation of Islam was based on democratic norms. Can the present Kingdoms, Sultanates, Sheikhdoms or autocratic regimes in the Muslim World stand the test of the Islamic jurisprudence?
The Arab World, known as League of Arab States spreads from the borders of Iran and the Gulf touching the Indian Ocean upto the last corner of North-West Africa in Mauritania in the heart of Western Sahara comprises 23 states. This author had an opportunity to travel all over the Arab World during his travels on motorcycle around the world from 1967-1972. This author travelled extensively in the Middle-East and North Africa right from Khartoum to Cairo and Cairo to Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. In my book, ‘Around the World on Motorcycle on Peace Mission’ I have noted the outdated and undemocratic systems in the Arab World. Most of the Arab countries are still governed by the Sheikhs, Kings and Sultans without an inch of democracy or rule of law. Several authoritarian rulers, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Tunisia are some of the countries in the Arab World where Kings were eased out, mostly by Army, yet people have remained denied of their participation in the governance. Monarchy rule in Morocco and Jordan is relatively liberal yet the subjects in no way share the benefits of democracy which is an acceptable principle in present day system of governance.
Undoubtedly, some of the Arab countries in the Middle-East and North Africa suffered under the oppressive rule of the Persians, Turks and Western countries from time to time. The Second World War brought some change in the faces of rulers in the Arab countries when Turkey and Italy had to vacate occupation of Arab countries namely, Syria, Jordan, Saudia, Palestine, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya etc. The British played fraud and deceived the Arabs in the name of Balfour Agreement ensuring freedom for Palestine if Arab countries supported Britain in the war against Germany. Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia came under the mandate of France whereas Palestine, Jordan including Saudia were taken over by United Kingdom under their mandate. No effort was made by the Western powers to introduce democratic systems which were operating in the Western World. The imperialist countries tried to strengthen the Kings and Sultans to ensure that the land and their resources may conveniently be utilized through the faithful rulers.
Col. Abdul Gamal Naser took over the rein of power from King Farooq of Egypt in 1952. With his international and global vision and understanding he joined hands with Nehru of India and Tito of Yugoslavia to launch a third bloc as was called by some critics namely, Non-aligned Movement. President Naser also tried to create a kind of cooperation among the Arab countries in spite of open condemnation by some Arab Kingdoms calling Naser a communist. I was listening to Naser Speech in the University of Cairo on 30th March, 1968 when President Naser hit back saying that, “Yes I believe in Islamic socialism but not communism”. He was speaking after Israeli aggression. With the sudden undeclared Israeli aggression in 1967 against the bordering countries, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, the Israeli Army with full-backing of Anglo-American Bloc took control of entire Palestine including Gaza Strip and Sinai Desert on the northern side of Suez Canal. Israel also occupied Gholan Heights of Syria. Not a single Arab leader came out in support of Egypt, Syria or Jordan against Israel. Palestine lost its existence. The Kings, Sultans, Sheikhs and other mighty leaders dared not challenge Israel. This was the reason that Western powers did not allow democracy to enter Arab land. Saddam Hussein stood isolated when he dared the US might and Bush, New World Order. One of the greatest civilizations of the world, Iraq was plundered by the Anglo-American armies in total defiance of the UN Charter and UN basic principle to uphold international peace and security.
When Iraq was attacked in 2003 the Kings, the Sultans, the Sheikhs and the self-imposed authoritarian rulers remained mute audience. The great Palestinian leader and President of Palestine was literally forced to die because Israel did not intend to implement the Agreement of Oslo. The Arab systems failed to discharge their duties for they were concerned to save their crowns and power than working for the Arab cause. The Arab people are awake today and their cries cannot be suppressed any longer. Israel has been playing a tool to protect ‘land’ and ‘oil’ interest of the Anglo-America Bloc. The Anglo-American Bloc successfully roped in Stalin of USSR to divide Palestine by creating a Jewish State of Israel. Stalin thought, the Jewish elite may introduce a new era of establishing a ‘socialist order’ in the Arab World. Anglo-American Bloc had their eyes on the earth, wealth and strategic waters in the Middle-East. They wanted to continue their control on the Arabian oil and Suez Canal. President Naser had already earned the wrath of Anglo-French axis by nationalizing Suez Canal from French Company in 1956 thus buying a permanent hostility of the Anglo-French governments. Entire Egypt rose like a tempest on his death. Mr. Saddat took over the presidency who was assassinated by his own soldier in 1991. He was succeeded by the present President Mr. Hosni Mubarak.
The Egyptians are proud of their cultural heritage and one of the most ancient civilizations of the world. The Egyptians are educated elite and the winds of freedom and democracies around the world have been gushing into the windows of every home in Egypt and other Arab countries. The message of democratic functioning around the world and particularly the Indian democracy has made a deep dent into the minds of the people where democracies are denied and rule of law is dried out of the ink of their systems. This is the situation where one can safely predict the advent of a kind of revolution, Ultimate Revolution. The change which is bound to come, the change which is inevitable and a change that would need no guns or bullets for the reason that people stand united. Their movements and aspirations cannot be hidden or shelved by any mean or methodology as it used to happen say 50 years back. The policemen and the army soldiers do not belong to stone-age nor they are the imperialist plant. They are also sons of the soil like those and among those who have taken to the streets in Egypt.
There is no doubt that the people, may it be Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan or Egypt are looking for freedom where they can live with dignity and equity. They have been watching the winds of change in the East and the West. They want respectable participation in the governance of their respective countries. This has been spirit of Islam as well. I as one, who has been studying the socio-political conditions prevailing in the Arab world, would like to suggest that the Arab countries (I am not touching the other areas in Africa and elsewhere for the moment) which are governed by the Kings need immediate handling of the situation. The Kings may it be Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia may introduce democracy closure to the model of Indian democracy. They may choose to continue as constitutional heads as is the case in Britain or in Japan. The parliamentary system may prove good for the people as well as the Kings. This can be acceptable to the people today. Tomorrow shall be late. Similarly, in other countries which have been governed through authoritarian or undemocratic systems like Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen or other Sheikhdoms need an immediate attention of those who are echelons of power. Participation of the people in the governance is essential phenomenon which may be addressed by introducing universal franchise so that people may choose their representatives of their choice, may it be their Presidents or Members.
Egypt needs immediate attention. Since the key to the windows of peace lies in the hands of President Hosni Mubarak. He is mature, sensible and may read the writings on the walls that stand in front of Abul-hole. Abul-hole represents combination of wisdom and strength which Hosni Mubarak may have to exercise. The Egyptian President may take the assistance of some experts on democracy in India or elsewhere and should go for introducing a democratic constitution where the Parliament shall be elected by popular franchise. He may nominate his Vice President as ‘Caretaker President’ till the election of new President through popular vote. The new Egyptian Constitution may choose a Presidential system where the President shall be elected by universal franchise under the supervision of a constitutional Election Commission. No person should be allowed to sit in Presidency for more than two terms. The term of President should not exceed five years. The President as well as the Members of the Parliament should be elected directly by the people. This is the only way a well-wisher of the Arab world and Egypt can suggest for a peaceful, orderly and respectful transition of power to the people. This is the beginning of Ultimate Revolution which one can witness on the walls of Tehriq Square in Cairo today. Tomorrow we may witness it in the entire Arab world. All authoritarian and undemocratic systems shall have to go today or tomorrow.
(The author is Barrister-at-Law, a post graduate of London University and expert of the Arab affairs. Travelled around the world on motorcycle on peace mission for five years and presently Chairman, J&K National Panthers Party& Member, National Integration Council. He has been a known associate of PLO leader Yasir Arafat and President Saddam Hussein)
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