Readers' corner
Dancing no longer
Sir-- The Egyptian Arab Spring is being hijacked by hardline Islamists. The dream of a democratic and secular nation dies if the Muslim Brotherhood gains presidential power in Egypt. The group no longer tap-dances around questions of implementing Islamic Sharia law. The mask has come off and the true face of the party is being revealed. Where are the young educated people of Egypt? How can they agree to this?
Steven Rogers
Washington
USA
No place for extremists
Sir-- We saw this coming. The Muslim Brotherhood tactic of deception to further their goals is no secret. Acting like an innocent fairy until the time is right or until pushed has always been their way. It's nice to see they have lost support drastically. After all, the people who ousted Mubarak were mostly seeking democracy. Then the MB stole their revolution and showed their true nature. No religious extremists should be in control of any government, anywhere in the world but especially in the Middle East.
Brook Olmstead
Washington
USA
Living with decisions
Sir-- It looks like the Brotherhood is in a good position to take over Egypt. In the end we will see an anti-West and especially an anti-American elected. When the Egyptians started protesting they wanted democracy but now they're going to get Sharia law instead. Good luck with that; you're going to need it. You're about to vote for it so don't complain. You got what you asked for and now you've got to live with it.
Pam Vesota
California
USA
Egypt can
Sir-- If any Arab nation can actually become democratic and make democracy work for themselves as a people, I would think it is Egypt. Egyptians are better educated, and have a more developed sense of themselves as a nation and a people. Their history boasts of a time of high culture and accomplishment. But it is perhaps too much to hope that they can achieve a true separation of mosque and state.
Sylvia Brody
New York
USA
Nation reborn
Sir-- After being victimised by a dictatorship Egypt needs to develop an entirely freedom-based consciousness replacing fear and oppression. If this election takes place honestly the whole social conscience will change and a New Old Egypt will be reborn.
Mariam El-Badri
Cairo
Egypt
Democracy, then dictatorship
Sir-- Islamists in Third World countries use Western-style democracy to get to power so that they can run the place using a dictatorship. And if an Islamist candidate doesn't win, then it's voter fraud. But suppose he wins and he knows the votes were rigged? What will he do then?
Emily Harris
Pennsylvania
USA
Lack of charisma
Sir-- None of the candidates has the charisma of Nasser, Sadat or even Mubarak who had none. Apparently, whoever wins will have the military beside him for guidance.
Jerry Troyano
California
USA
Split votes
Sir-- The problem of secular moderate Egyptians is that they are splitting the vote among three candidates which will lead to a definite win for the Islamists.
Hanan Salem
Cairo
Egypt
Printer-friendly
