The previous newsletter reflected the widespread fear for militias. The newsletter was primarily based on an interview by Jayson Casper with an Egyptian journalist in Assiut, who has evidence of militia activity in Assiut.
This newsletter needs correction. The number of people involved in militias is probably small in number, but they nevertheless can create great havoc.
It is wrong to highlight Islamist militias only. Dr. Christiane Paulus wrote us that various kinds of militia linked to various political interests exist. This includes militia associated to the Feloul (name of the people associated to the old regime). Paulus is convinced that some Islamists are training to defend themselves against the violence of the baltagiya (people paid to fight, usually armed with sticks or more), certainly because the police, largely related to the old regime, are doing little to nothing to address violence in the streets.
Prof. Wolfram Reiss did not like the generalization in the use of the term “Islamists,” which he finds a pejorative term including a negative prejudice.
AWR researchers, Eline Kasanwidjojo and Quinta Smit comment that the term “Islamist” is used in a generalized way that increases “fear, misunderstanding and intolerance instead of encouraging dialogue and bridge building.”
The previous newsletter also resulted in a discussion about the legitimacy of President Morsi. Moheb Zaki writes, “when an elected president blatantly defaults on his oath of office and violates the Constitution which he swore to uphold, then creates his own constitutional decree (Nov. 21, 2012) that permits him to rule by decrees beyond the reach of any judicial review, then that president loses all legitimacy.” Mohab Zaki wants Tamarod to force the president to call for early presidential elections.
Dr. George Messiha disagrees with Moheb Zaki in trying to force President Morsi to step down since he is the first freely elected president. It is better, Messiha believes, to build a strong opposition and to prepare for the coming parliamentary elections.
Developments show ongoing polemics. Egyptians are suffering. National unity is needed, but parties are far from reaching that at this moment.
I am grateful for the many responses on the previous newsletter. It shows that this newsletter certainly could have been written with much more nuance. It also shows that Arab-West Report is read and consulted by many, which is good. We should continue to work towards bridge building and that certainly needs nuanced reporting.
Drs. Cornelis Hulsman
