Citizenry first

The nation must pull together to avoid the prospect of sectarian strife that could only lead to disaster, writes Ibrahim Nafie

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Despite the sad events that unfolded in Alexandria last week, there are signs that ordinary people and civil society groups have acted swiftly, even before the government has, to defuse sectarian tensions in Egypt. Muslims and Copts cooperated in Alexandria to break the vicious circle of sectarianism and place nationalist considerations above sectarian ones. In the Egyptian media, many writers took a long and hard look at recent events and warned the nation of the dangers ahead. Civil society groups organised several protests and several writers urged the public to hoist Egyptian flags instead of sectarian symbols.

We have begun to assess the situation, an effort that may keep us busy for some time to come. We have to keep the momentum, for we need to get results. We need to discuss things bluntly. And we need to find a drastic solution, one that comes with a timetable. A consensus has developed to the effect that the roots of fanaticism and religious extremism in our society are to be traced to the education system and various media practices. The role of moderate preachers has been hijacked by a minority of extremists operating on both sides of the sectarian divide. This is something that has to be examined in depth, for we need radical solutions, ones to be provided by the public and implemented by the government.

Once the solutions are formulated, then we may ask the government to issue necessary laws and have them enforced. Part of the problem is the responsibility of the government. That part calls for immediate measures. Other parts of the problem call for collective work, by all political and civil forces, intellectuals included, so as to make sure that we all are in agreement.

Egypt belongs to all Egyptians. There is no international ideal that is loftier than our national concerns. Our sense of belonging to this country must supersede all other ideals and concepts. Let this be clear to all. We need to talk and find the right solutions. And we need to do so in a national framework. We cannot cement cohesion in this country through slogans alone. We need to work together and find radical solutions for sectarian tensions.

I asked Arabs Against Discrimination (AAD) to hold closed working sessions to discuss ways of bolstering national unity. I had done so even before the Alexandria events occurred, for I had the feeling that something was amiss and in need of correction. The AAD met on 5 April, with representatives of various political and civil society groups in attendance, and decided to form a subsidiary unit: the Citizenry Monitor. The latter would record all forms of violations to Egyptian citizenry in any area and irrespective of any other considerations. The AAD, I believe, is of a stature and repute that makes it qualified for this new mission.

The AAD will hold a second meeting to discuss the matter next Wednesday. It has already written a first draft of the Citizenry Document, a paper that distinguishes between human rights in general and citizenry rights in particular. The AAD has identified several breaches of citizenry rights that must not be perpetrated against anyone regardless of his or her colour, ethnicity, religion or sect. This is an ambitious task, but it would help us formulate a common national view that may end all types of discrimination against all Egyptians on economic, social, geographical, religious or sectarian grounds.

The Citizenry Monitor would provide a comprehensive framework for gauging the progress being made. It is a scientific initiative that shuns rhetoric and encourages collective work. We at the AAD have worked hard and long to uncover racism in Israeli media. Now we feel the need to address citizenry issues in Egypt with the same level of dedication.