Maybe it's because it's such a big nation or perhaps because its the mothership of modern Islamism, but Egypt is front and center for me these days and I can't help thinking and praying for her well being.
Here are a couple of things I'm seeing as I try and keep up with developments:
As predicted the new governments in the region are shaping up to be more Islamic than before (see post 16 June 2011) . However, rather than freaking out at the rise of Islam I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. The Muslim Brotherhood seems to be walking a far more pragmatic line than some may have anticipated. They have "vowed not to impose veils or ban bikinis and alcohol, knowing that Egypt needs tourists and that the secular Egyptians of Tahrir Square will revolt if women are forced to wear headscarves." (Ed Husain - The Arab Street, 16 Dec 2011). There is agreement among the Freedom & Justice Party (MB political wing) that Egypt cannot prosper without Western help and guidance. This is a long way from al-Qaeda and the supporters of violent jihad.
Furthermore, the move away from violent politics and towards pragmatic democracy is being encouraged by leaders like Turkey's Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, in an appeal to Egypt to "maintain secularism because a secular government would be best able to (maintain) religious freedoms for the majority and minorities." So while Turkey may have its own issues with religious freedom, this is still good advice.
The group we should be concerned about is the Salafis of al-Nour party. Nour is "light" in Arabic and boy do these guys need the light! They are the joyless hardliners everyone else (including other Muslims) worry about. Where there is Salafism there is violent jihad.
Obviously I don't know where this election process will end up. With the polling at the moment the future of Egypt is not so much Secular or Muslim, but what sort of Muslim. And, I don't honestly know which is better or worse for the church: a moderate Islamist government or a corrupt secular dictatorship...? What do you think? Please add your comment below.
But let's not lump all Muslims together, and give credit where it's due. If anyone is going to lead an Islamist government it is probably the Muslim Brotherhood. Let's pray that they and all Egypt have a happy New Year, and that religious freedom actually increases (it IS possible).
But let's not lump all Muslims together, and give credit where it's due. If anyone is going to lead an Islamist government it is probably the Muslim Brotherhood. Let's pray that they and all Egypt have a happy New Year, and that religious freedom actually increases (it IS possible).
The Crosscultural Catalyst
