11 - 17 October 2001
Issue No.555
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 11 - 17 October 2001 Issue No.555 |
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A war against whom?
Egyptians reacted with concern, and sometimes anger, to the attack against Afghanistan. Rana Allam checks out the street
As US and British forces launch air and sea strikes against Afghanistan, many Egyptians gathered around television sets trying to make sense of the series of events which led up to the offensive.
Students protest against the US attacks outside Cairo University on Tuesday
University students, mostly members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, staged protest demonstrations on campus, with some burning US and Israeli flags.
At Al-Azhar University, students prayed on Monday for the victims of the attack and later staged protests chanting, "There is no God but God, and Bush is the enemy of God."
At Alexandria and Zagazig universities, students urged the government to "open the door for jihad." Cairo University students raised banners denouncing the strikes and called upon the government to take "serious action." Calls for boycotting US and British products were met with shouts of approval.
Students met in groups, discussing the past, present and future of Muslims and Arabs. "This is how it's been for decades," one Ain Shams University student said. "Muslims are hit by one power or other, most times the US, and the [Muslim] governments are supportive. It's time for the public to act." Others warned of future attacks. "What if they target Egypt? Will we take action then?" asked another.
Many Egyptians sat in coffee shops, their eyes glued to pictures of the war being waged. "I don't understand on what basis are they hitting Afghanistan?" asked Mohamed Salem, an accountant. "There is absolutely no evidence proving Bin Laden's involvement [in the 11 September attacks in the United States]. Even his statement [to Al-Jazeera television station] was not an explicit confession," he added. Several customers accused the US of using the 11 September attacks as an excuse to launch attacks against Muslims. "They simply hate us [Muslims]," said the café owner. "There is nothing new in the American attitude," one patron said. "They are getting used to killing the innocent, especially Muslims."
In the lounge of a five-star hotel, a few businessmen stood in disbelief as they watched the events unfolding on TV. "The greatest power in the world assembled other powerful allies to hit a bunch of hungry, impoverished people who do not even have an army," one said. They talked about what could be done, including the possibility of an economic boycott. "Since the West has been targeting Muslims for decades and the governments of Arab and Islamic countries are not taking serious action, then this must come from the peoples of these countries," says Ahmed Bahaeddin, a sales manager.
Political figures took conflicting positions. Nasserist Party leader Diaeddin Dawood strongly disagreed with the Egyptian government's position supporting the US war against terrorism. "This is a war against Islam which will be followed by a war against the Arabs. We have to take proper political action," Dawood said.
Member of parliament Hamdin El- Sabahi called for boycotting US and British products and demanded that the government unequivocally "condemn the killing of civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism."
But Labour Party leader Ibrahim Shoukri said the Egyptian position was "logical and practical." Shoukri said the US definitely had conclusive evidence that Osama Bin Laden was behind the 11 September attacks and, therefore, "it has every right to take action against terrorists." The leftist Tagammu Party's Abdallah Abul-Futouh believed the goal of the US was to "broaden its influence and power in Asia." He added that the party denounced terrorism in all its forms but also condemned war, especially "a war with no basis."
As a precaution, activity was reduced to a minimum at the American embassy and security was tightened around it and many other foreign institutions, including the Israeli embassy.
Whether or not they agreed with the bombing of Afghanistan, Egyptians are apparently troubled by the war and worried about the future. "We're next," said housewife Hoda El-Safti. "The day will come when it [the US] will want to attack us, too. We have to take action now."
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