If Copts constitute 10% of Egyptians and the ones who signed the petition constitute more than 50% of Egyptians who are eligible to vote, it follows: how can this allegation be true? Houses of Copts are being marked for future attacks by religious zealots, Copts are subject to more barbaric attacks from Muslim fanatics in Egypt and the threats against them are increasing by the day. Is this fair?
How about if Muslims in Europe, Australia, Canada, America and other Western Democracies are treated inferior to Copts living in those countries, would that be just? I say no. The famed economist Samuel Harrington predicted that Islam would clash with other civilizations, in his book titled “The Clash of Civilizations”. The eternal optimist that I am resisted believing his thesis until Muhammad Morsi assumed power in Egypt.
I always believed that the end never justifies the means. In the words of Immanuel Kant, the 18th century great philosopher “any act has to be inherently moral (categorical imperative)”. Let me ask you: is demonizing another human being the right thing to do, because his/her religious belief is different? Let every one of us ponder this question.
I am a devout Copt. My father and mother were Copts, but I have friends belonging to different faiths and I never asked them about their religious beliefs.
Let me ask our brothers and sisters in Egypt: which religion is better qualified to purify the air that we breathe, make the water that we drink safer, render the traffic in the big cities less crowded, provide modern education to the future generations, ensures the supremacy as well as the fairness and independence of the courts, delivers the best Constitution for Egypt, values the honesty and freedom of the media, builds the necessary Civic Institutions and make them powerful enough to exercise the checks and balances on the decision makers, deliver mature parties that protect the exercise of true Democracy, decrease the illiteracy rate among citizens, enact distributive justice in public health care, make all appointments and promotions based only on merit, dispense justice and equality to all citizens, eliminate the scourges of corruption, inefficiency and bureaucracy and promotes peace and harmony among all Egyptians?
If there is one religion better than the others in accomplishing these objectives that Egypt badly needs please let me know.
I always believed, and still do, that religion has no place in politics. Providing stability, security and certainty about the future are the prerequisites for a flourishing tourism and in attracting foreign investments. A persistent religious feud will be a great impediment to this much needed progress.
Let us remember that various countries blossomed only when justice and equality was rigorously dispensed to all citizens.
The question must never be which is better autocracy or theocracy? The first is very bad because it extends the fruits of growth to some deserving businessmen but mainly to the cronies, and the second is disastrous at every level; it stifles the mind, prevents progress and smothers those yearning to freedom.
As messy as it is sometimes, there no substitute for true democracy and freedom of expression. Observing the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” must be the foundation of any system worthy of respect. Having said that, given the present circumstances, that more than 40% of Egyptians are illiterate and considering what Egypt has gone through, I am ready to accept that “The Principles of Islam will direct legislation,” provided that such a statement is followed by “SUCH PRINCIPLES DO NOT CONTRADICT WITH THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS WHICH WILL BE AFFORDED TO ALL CITIZENS” and provided that religious leaders will be responsible for the religious obligations of their followers.
Further changes are left to legal scholars. I am a doctor and I know when to accept what is good enough in place of what is ideal. That should not be construed that I am willing to compromise my principles, but in these difficult times one has to weigh the risks of not accepting such a compromise against its possible benefits. We all wish stability, tranquility and modernity in Egypt.
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Lotfy Basta MD, FRCP, FRCPE, FACP, FACC, FCCP, FAHA