Muslim rage: Morsi’s moment – The Economist
Egypt’s leader should define the Muslim mainstream and speak out against the extremists, The Economist says.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Muslim-rage-Mor...
The violence directed at American and European embassies has had two effects The Economist remarks. One is to make westners wonder why they should continue to have anything further to do with a region that harbours such hatred for them.
Secondly The Economists says it castes a dismal light on the leadership of the most populous Arab nation, Egypt. It says that President Mohamed Morsi endorsed the demonstrations against the video 'The Innocence of Muslims' but seemed less eager to criticise the violence against the US Embassy or even offer his condolences for the death of the US ambassador and his colleagues in Libya.
The article points out that Mr Morsi is due to attend the UN General Assembly on 26 Spetember and he may well meet President Obama. It suggests that Morsi needs to redress the negative impression he has created for the sake of Muslims,Christians and the image of the Muslim Brotherhood which, it says has long had a culture of victimhood.
The video bears no relation to the beliefs of Western governments, especially America who have gone out of their way to condemn the video and also the anti islamic cartoons in the French satirical magazine in Paris, Charlie Hebdo. This is not the view of Islam of the majority of Westerners and their governments which respect Islam. Mr Morsi the article says has lived in America and understands this and also that freedom of speech also prevents governments from supressing publication of points of view on religion.
The Economist calls on Mr Morsi to condemn the violence and attacks against embassies as Libya and Tunisia have done. Whilst this might caused problems with the Salafists in Egypt it would help in America not in terms of financial support but inhelping to define the Muslim Brotherhood as a moderate islamic party which is pluralistic and democratic.
The Brotherhood has long fed on a narrative of victimhood. There are many reasons for the Muslim world to resent Western attituds but now that Mr Morsi is president it is less easy for him to play the vicitm. He needs to govern for all and that by showing that political Islam can be tolerant and inclusive he will distinguish the Muslim Brotherhood from Salafist extremists and the mob justice they promote.The extremists can rant and riot; but he must now stand for the rule of law that should underpin democratic politics.
Secondly The Economists says it castes a dismal light on the leadership of the most populous Arab nation, Egypt. It says that President Mohamed Morsi endorsed the demonstrations against the video 'The Innocence of Muslims' but seemed less eager to criticise the violence against the US Embassy or even offer his condolences for the death of the US ambassador and his colleagues in Libya.
The article points out that Mr Morsi is due to attend the UN General Assembly on 26 Spetember and he may well meet President Obama. It suggests that Morsi needs to redress the negative impression he has created for the sake of Muslims,Christians and the image of the Muslim Brotherhood which, it says has long had a culture of victimhood.
The video bears no relation to the beliefs of Western governments, especially America who have gone out of their way to condemn the video and also the anti islamic cartoons in the French satirical magazine in Paris, Charlie Hebdo. This is not the view of Islam of the majority of Westerners and their governments which respect Islam. Mr Morsi the article says has lived in America and understands this and also that freedom of speech also prevents governments from supressing publication of points of view on religion.
The Economist calls on Mr Morsi to condemn the violence and attacks against embassies as Libya and Tunisia have done. Whilst this might caused problems with the Salafists in Egypt it would help in America not in terms of financial support but inhelping to define the Muslim Brotherhood as a moderate islamic party which is pluralistic and democratic.
The Brotherhood has long fed on a narrative of victimhood. There are many reasons for the Muslim world to resent Western attituds but now that Mr Morsi is president it is less easy for him to play the vicitm. He needs to govern for all and that by showing that political Islam can be tolerant and inclusive he will distinguish the Muslim Brotherhood from Salafist extremists and the mob justice they promote.The extremists can rant and riot; but he must now stand for the rule of law that should underpin democratic politics.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Muslim-rage-Mor...