We Are // Egypt.

There is no doubt that Egypt is a great country and the pride of North Africa. Whilst the past ten years have been tumultuous, there are many ways in which we are in a much better place as a country than we were. We should have hope and optimism. But there is still so much that needs to be done to make Egypt great for all Egyptians. There are still blatant injustices that need to be addressed and corrected. There is still much to be done to stop the tiny minority of evil and depraved extremists that want to inflict harm on Egyptians because of religious identity.

We have to stand against broken thinking.

We must now take our stand against hatred.

We know that repression and violence as a means of religious dominance or political control is futile and shameful. There is no honour in this way. It is bad religion. It is crooked politics.

We are // looking to a brighter future in which we’ve grasped hold of old truths and principles which show the way to live harmoniously with those who hold differing beliefs.

We don’t need to agree with each other. We can disagree profoundly. We can argue and persuade. But we can respect each other and behaved as civilised people.

We know that we are // them and they are us. We all have a right to live peacefully in accordance with our beliefs. This is dignity. This brings stability.

This brings peace.

This is the future we are // demanding.

We Are // United. We Are // Egypt.

To Restore Our Honour

The Egyptian Government must:

Outlaw the use of reconciliation councils to resolve incidents of mob violence. Reconciliation is good but not when it is forced upon victims. We all know that these councils are abused as a way for perpetrators to evade justice for their crimes. There won’t be peace for all Egyptians, or reconciliation for all Egyptians, until there is justice for all Egyptians.

Remove religion from our official identity documents. Our religion doesn’t need to be on there. It serves only to divide when we need to unite and it causes more trouble than it’s worth.

Repeal decrees banning Baha’is and other minority religious groups. They aren’t a threat to us and it’s an insult to our religion to legislate as if they are.

Repeal Article 98(f) of the Criminal Code. Egypt has some great laws that contribute to making us a great country, like Articles 40 and 46. It’s contradictory, outdated and unnecessary to have blasphemy laws like Article 98(f) on our statute books.

Allow religious freedom and other human rights groups to operate in Egypt without unnecessary restrictions, censorship or harassment. They want what we all want: a prosperous and great Egypt for all Egyptians. Work with them and not against them and you will be surprised what can be achieved. Not least greater dignity for Egypt, and respect from the wider world.

We Are // United. We Are // Egypt.