“Give me liberty or give me death!” So said Patrick Henry at the Virgina House of Burgess on March 23, 1775. Though an American uttered this statement, Egyptians are now embodying the same ideal. But there is reason to take pause. Though Egyptians have gained their independence, there are some responsibilities associated with this new found freedom.
As a proud Ahmadi Muslim American, I was appalled to see Muslims attacking an Alexandrian church a few weeks ago. Now that there is a need for a new government, Egyptians need to ensure religious freedom prevails. While Muslims might be the majority in Egypt, non-Muslims must have the same rights. Freedom should not give way to tyranny.
Saad Ahmed, Gilbert
Dale Whiting posted at 3:01 pm on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
Ahmen Brother Ahmed.
Studying the situation further than I ever had before, I discovered that Sharia Law has been applied differencly in Jordan. Those courts where religious law might apply are broken off from the rest of the court system. One set of courts apply Sharia concepts to Muslim litigants. Another set of courts apply "Christian" concepts to those adherents. This is sort of like the Old English practice of having Church Courts of Equity seperated from Courts of Law under the King.
Where the King in Jordan is popular, where his primary un-popularity comes from having married a Palestinian not a Jordanian, but where he readily dismisses parliament to form a new cabinet after new elections, I do not see Jordan having problems with this new wave of democratic revolution. There are no signs of mistreating its citizens in Jordan like there were in Egypt.
But let me know more about you, Saad. Just what is meant by calling oneself a "Ahmadi Muslim American?"
Allah ak Bar.
EmperorSmith posted at 3:40 pm on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
Sorry Dale had to look that one up, does it strike fear in me no. I have been through much to fear.
That sad I would also like a perspective on the middle east now besides what is in the 24/7.
I think we need to just stand back and not interfere.
Accuracy posted at 11:21 am on Sun, Feb 20, 2011.
Saad Ahmed wrote: “As a proud Ahmadi Muslim American, I was appalled to see Muslims attacking an Alexandrian church a few weeks ago.”
-----------------------------------------
At the New Year's Eve car bomb explosion outside the Coptic Al-Qiddisine church in Alexandria, Egypt, twenty-one people were killed in the attack against Egypt's Christian community.
Interior Minister Habib El-Adly accused the Gaza-based Islamic Army of Palestine for masterminding the New Year's Eve bombing attack of the church in Alexandria, located at the historic port city on the Nile delta.
El-Adly also said that one of the primary suspects behind the New Year's attack was identified as one Ahmed Lotfy Ibrahim, who is said to have confessed his connection with the Islamic Army of Palestine after being apprehended abroad and extradited to Egypt.
Hosni Mubarak reluctantly stepped down as President of Egypt and the Egyptian army is in control. For now, the generals promise a timely return to civilian leadership and open elections.
Christians, the minority that remain there in Alexandria, are hoping that Egypt's transition will be a chance for them to reassert themselves.