Before former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
stepped down from the presidency, it was acceptable to
say that the regime had destroyed meaningful party
activity, and weakened significant trends in the
country. This in turn strengthened the appeal of the
Muslim Brotherhood, despite the fact it was a banned
group. Of course, today this is no longer an
acceptable excuse, and now the Egyptians must work
hard to ensure the establishment of a civil state in
Egypt.
Before Mubarak stepped down, some of my Egyptian
friends told me that the regime, for over 30 years,
had isolated the opposition, but today matters are
different, and now is a great opportunity for Egypt to
reorganize its affairs by setting up political parties
and rebuilding them properly, taking advantage of the
explosive energy emanating from a broad spectrum of
the Egyptian people, who are undergoing a flourishing
phase, having gained the international respect of
governments and their people. But the most important
thing is that all this is completed in a manner that
moves away from narrow interests and personal desires
for leadership, or a desire to dominate the scene.
Today, it is generally assumed that a new party
will emerge in Egypt, comprising of all the youth
movements that were behind the January 25th
Revolution. Of course, there are differences between
these movements, but what's more important is healing
under the outline agreed on by everyone – a civil
state, the devolution of power, respect for the
constitution, ensuring the freedoms of individuals,
the media, and so on. As for the differences, or other
disparities, such are normal in all democratic
activity, but the general outline is always there to
galvanize party members. This is what happens in all
parties in democratic countries, they agree on a broad
outline, but there are still internal differences. No
change can occur in any form without members being
galvanized under the umbrella of a party, or parties
to the fullest extent, in order not to waste efforts,
or votes.
What Egypt needs today from everyone is a sense of
responsibility, and for young people and others to be
upgraded to the level of statesmen. The President
stepping down is not the real achievement, but rather
it is to build a leading Egypt, internally strong, and
playing a vital external role. This will not be
achieved by adhering to narrow interests, but through
the prevailing rationality and logic of a collective
state for all citizens. Whatever the attitudes or
beliefs of citizens, the Egyptian state is for
everyone, and not for one party or one ideology.
Therefore today we hope that Egypt's youth are
accommodated, along with other parties who need to
fully re-evaluate their positions, whether at the
level of leadership, cadres, or even their approach.
Egypt is in a process of transformation which is both
historic and potentially dangerous. It needs a broad
horizon that consists of more than a desire for
revenge or retaliation, or one party dominating the
scene at the expense of all Egyptians.
Combating corruption is an urgent duty, and Egypt
must re-evaluate to achieve a lot of its potential, at
all levels. There must be no space allowed for
vengeance, but instead a concentration on state
building, monitored by everyone, whether in Egypt or
abroad. For the many who are eager to see Egypt as a
strong and leading force, unfortunately there are just
as many who see this as an opportunity to bring
instability to Egypt. We hope that the Egyptians are
aware of this, and this is what we appeal and hope
for.