I tried to tell you. I told you a year ago and longer ago than that — that the “Arab Spring” would not be a flowering of Western-style democracy and pluralism, but the rise to power of the Muslim Brotherhood and other pro-Sharia Islamic supremacists. And here we are. “Islamists win 80% of Egypt’s upper […]
NPR notices “growing tensions” between Muslims and Christians in Egypt
It is good to see NPR running a story like this, but here again is the use of the discussion of “tensions,” which suggests a situation of mutual hostilities. By contrast, all of the incidents the report chronicles are of Muslims attacking Christians. “In Egypt, Christian-Muslim Tension Is On The Rise,” by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson […]
Shocker: Islamic parties in Tunisia and Egypt signal bigger role for Sharia
We tried to tell you: “first signs show they want more religion than previously admitted.” “Tunisia, Egypt Islamists signal bigger religion role,” from Reuters, February 22: After months of reassuring secularist critics, Islamist politicians in Tunisia and Egypt have begun to lay down markers about how Muslim their states should be — and first signs […]
Egyptian presidential candidate: Egypt will go to war with U.S., Germany and Israel within three months
Good thing the U.S. supported the end of the Mubarak regime and the wonderful “Arab Spring” in Egypt. It looks as if we’re already reaping the dividends. “Egyptian Presidential Candidate Tawfiq Okasha Predicts that Egyptian Army Will Open Fire on ‘Its Enemies’ — the US, Germany, and Israel — Within Three Months; States That If […]
Egypt: Senior judge says fellow judges are eager to apply Sharia
We tried to tell you. The success of a democracy in protecting human rights and civil liberties depends on the values that inform its participants. “Senior judge’s comments about Sharia law stir debate,” from Al Masry Al Youm, February 20: The statements of Ahmed al-Zend, the head of the Egyptian Judges” Club, in which he […]
Egypt: Mother of Sadat’s killer “proud of him”
She explains, “Sadat sold out the country to the Jews and violated the honor of the Islamic nation.” And somehow Egypt wound up bigger for it: they got the Sinai back, thus getting the “do-over” they wanted in compensation for the embarrassment of the military defeat. And they got ample leverage in the two-part package […]
Egypt: Salafists intend to prosecute Baha’is for “treason”
Baha’is’ very existence may soon be illegal in Egypt, under Islamic law. By contrast, the country that has allowed Baha’is to worship freely and maintain their headquarters in peace and security is none other than Israel. If the jihadists ever get their way regarding Israel, that will not continue. “Egypt’s Baha”is face more attacks from […]
Muslim Brotherhood spokesman: “Concerning the Islamic caliphate, this is our dream, and we hope to achieve it”
The key word is gradualism. Right now, playing at democracy serves as the means to the end that is the path of least resistance. “MB Spokesman Describes Caliphate ‘Dream’,” from the Investigative Project on Terrorism, February 17: Having swept into majorities in Egypt’s parliament, a Muslim Brotherhood spokesman is making it clear the group has […]
Egypt: 20,000 Muslims attempt to torch church, kill pastor
The Tiny Minority of Extremists has a consistent pattern of turning out less tiny than advertised. As we are increasingly seeing in Egypt and Tunisia, they do not even need absolute power to wreak havoc on human rights and civil society. It is also worth remembering that the repair or building of churches is forbidden […]
Egypt: Senior scholar at al-Azhar “misunderstands” Islam, says Jews are “a source of evil and harm in all human societies”
Funny how this sort of thing keeps happening. “Senior Al-Azhar Scholar: The Jews Are ‘A Source of Evil and Harm in All Human Societies’,” from MEMRI, February 14: In the first article, published October 20, 2011, [Isma’il ‘Ali] Muhammad describes the “Jewish character”: “A prominent [fact] is that the Jewish personality, wherever it is found, […]