The Egyptian response to the savage attack on Iraq was divided along clear lines. I felt that the regime's reaction was an expression of rationality: it began with anxiety, when the attacks began and the extent of the operation was not yet clear; then, when the vicious nature of the strikes became clear, the government expressed its categorical opposition and demanded that a solution be found within the Security Council. When the attack showed no signs of abating, despite the beginning of Ramadan, Egypt called urgently for the immediate cessation of the attack.
The popular response, on the other hand -- the demonstrations and sit-ins held at syndicates, schools and universities -- was the expression of emotion, without which the government's rationalism would not have been credible. The two reactions revealed this great people's mettle, especially when schoolchildren took to the streets to protest the attack on the Iraqi people. They proved that what has been said of the younger generations is not true: they do have a sense of belonging, contrary to popular belief, and the depth of their sentiments was revealed in a moment of crisis.
This reminded me of the 1919 Revolution: there were rational minds at work, but what they achieved was thanks to those who were not afraid to express raw emotion. Both these facets are necessary in times of threat to nationalism: emotions are a source of strength when they are backed by reason, while reason remains theoretical until it comes to rest on the strength of popular sentiment. This fills me with hope for Egypt's future.
The Egyptian response to the savage attack on Iraq was divided along clear lines. I felt that the regime's reaction was an expression of rationality: it began with anxiety, when the attacks began and the extent of the operation was not yet clear; then, when the vicious nature of the strikes became clear, the government expressed its categorical opposition and demanded that a solution be found within the Security Council. When the attack showed no signs of abating, despite the beginning of Ramadan, Egypt called urgently for the immediate cessation of the attack.