Question regarding Egypt and secularism

Luciana · November 12, 2016, 12:19:37 AM

So I was bored and did some wiki reading again, and remembered the whole thing with Morsi (the Muslim Brotherhood president). The main reason he got ousted was because he tried to suspend the constitution and give himself unlimited powers. Naturally, people got pissed, and the military gave him 48 hours to fix things or he be ousted. Naturally, as we all know, he was ousted.

Now I've thrown parallels to Morsi with Erdogan from Turkey. Both seem to have tried to do dictator like things (one succeeded), as well as promote more and more religion in the government (Egypt is far less secular, I know). Unsurprisingly, relations have worsened after he was ousted. But I digress.

It seems the new president, el_Sisi (who is far from perfect, I know) has really tried to push secularism in Egypt, going as far as calling for moderation on Islam, and removing religious text from textbooks, since they apparently glorified violence. He even went as far as wishing Christians a Merry Christmas, unheard of for an Egyptian leader.

So basically my question is, do you think Egypt is taking the same path Turkey did when the Republic first formed, where secularism is going to be taking a more prominent role? And secondly, do you approve of such things, and think that, despite a coup, Egypt could be a valuable ally to the United States?

I felt we could use a different discussion other than the election results.

challengerX · November 12, 2016, 05:06:23 AM

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gats · November 12, 2016, 05:27:55 AM

Sisi is no Ataturk lol not even close, he is just another strongman trying to gain personally from his country meanwhile slums and favelas in Cairo continue to grow. Even with his consolidation of power, Morsi was nowhere near as powerful as the military, and as a result couldn't get things done. Military coup supporters regularly play both sides of this and talk about Islamisation and increased autocracy of the state under Morsi and then when asked for any evidence they argue "it's because he hasn't had the powers to do so yet" which is contradicts him being a dictator.

The Muslim Brotherhood, The leftists, and the Copts who took part in the revolution failed to really sit down together and work their shit out which just made it easier for the military establishment to come in and take power again. Constant Morsi-bashing on the media , spreading false rumors to scare the Copts (who can blame them really for being scared?) , setting up attacks on Ultras, the courts being extremely corrupt and refusing to change, electricity cuts.

They basically played in people's fears and multiplied them. And it worked. The military drove a wedge between Egyptians , making the people who had different opinions but practically the same intentions , hate and turn on each other while they swoop in for power. The golf countries including Saudi Arabia shamelessly paid more than 10 billion to the military. It was literally saying "here's your payment, you must stop democracy".

Egypt's military controls a similar share of the economy as Iran and Pakistan's military do in their respective countries. "Liberal" Egyptians who still idolise the military are in denial about it but objective sources show this is the case. Anyone thinking the Egyptian military has the best interests of Egyptians is living a fantasy. Even during their most horrific episodes of oppression post-revolution the military's public support never dropped below 88%. Egypt is a child and the military is its father - that's the relationship of post-colonial Egypt. Democratic change won't happen until Egyptians commit patricide until then Egypt is just another shill for US geopolitical strategy taking billions in military aid each year. They need to take some tips from Iran

Turkey · November 12, 2016, 11:33:29 AM

I can't see Egypt being a valuable ally any time soon.