The Dark Shadow of Egypt's New Constitution

Egypt has passed its new constitution, with 56% of the popular vote.  However, many of those who took the streets risking life and limb to effect the removal of Mubarak from his dictatorship are feeling disenfranchised.  There is a great fear among the secular, Christian and liberal population that the new constitution paves the way for an Islamist state which tramples on civil liberties.

An editorial in the Bangkok post writes:

"It remains to be seen if Mr Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood will steer the country sharply in an anti-secular direction as is feared by the opposition, and frankly, by much of the world. The prospect of another fundamentalist regime in the volatile neighbourhood is not a pleasant one. It seems likely that Mr Morsi is much too astute to willingly back his country into the same kind of isolationist corner that Iran is in. Mr Morsi has promised that Egypt will abide by its peace treaty with Israel, and there are high hopes in Washington and other capitals that Egypt will keep to a fairly moderate path. That may not be possible, however, if hard-core religionists are allowed to take over the reins of government.

The founding fathers in America got it right when they sought to set up a system that keeps religion out of government as much as possible, and pretty much every democracy since has followed that lead. The biggest losers if Egypt continues on its anti-secular path will be the Egyptian people, whatever their religion. As indicated by the recent protests and the voting on the referendum, 40% or more of the population are adamantly opposed to an Islamist-led government, and fully 10% are Christian. If efforts aren't made now to ensure that Egyptian society is open and inclusive, the country may be in for a long rocky ride."

 We can only watch and wait, and hope that the new regime rejects the oppressive policies of the old one and works to be a responsible international partner for peace.

Source:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/327538/democracy-buried-in-anti-secular-slide

Going Down the Mountain with Sam

Ein Gedi, freshwater spring of legend, sanctuary of David. In the scorching desert, the Negev. In the mountains above Yam HaMelach, the Dead Sea, the burning sea of salt.

Sam, falling down while climbing out of a gorge carved in a high, rocky outcropping, its steep chutes formed by the rains of a geologic epoch.

Us, lifting our brother up through the narrow way.

Him, on hands and knees, right foot broken in two places, pulling himself up a cliff foot by foot.

Our hands, a protective net–above, behind, below.

Him, hopping along a narrow track, loose with crumbling rock and gravel, far above the floor of the wadi, both hands gripping the wall, gripping our hands, finding a way forward.

We carried him down on our backs, our packs shed, our water gone.

An access road. A jeep arrives. The park service.

We drive to the site of an ancient synagogue, ruins from the time of the talmud. Our friends are waiting, there is water, benches, the road back to Yerushalayim.

Time resumes. The sun hangs low in the sky. Pardes gathers for mincha.