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