Egypt's Revolution 2.0?

Cry for Egypt!

Just in case you didn’t notice in the news … Egypt is in turmoil once again.  Revolution 2.0?  Our most up to date reports are on srflora@twitter.com—so if we are tweeting, we are living.  As with previous turmoil, it is taking place in different areas form where we live.  The most recent riots are in Heliopolis to the east of downtown Cairo and Tahrir Square.  Karan’s passport expires at the end of February, so we began trying to go downtown to the US Embassy in mid November.  After a few appointment cancellations due to protests and tear gas around the embassy, we finally made a successful trip this past Monday (December 3).  We walked by the tents in Tahrir Square and all was quiet (eerily so) … the quiet before the storm.

Presidential palace demonstrators

This current protest and clashes between opposing forces of Egyptian society is reminiscent of Revolution 1.0 in February 2011.  Many are terrified and outraged at the recent presidential decrees, yet many more are weary of all the uncertainty, rising crime, and economic chaos that is dragging on, so are less sympathetic to the continuing protests.  This current government is supported by a large number of well-organized (and evidently quite reactive) elements willing to confront the protestors they perceive are de-stabilizing the Muslim Brotherhood government.  The police yesterday stood by while at least 6 people were killed and over 450 injured (so far).  Let’s be clear: these casualties are from Egyptian citizen on Egyptian citizen.

Protests amid tear gas

            Much speculation surrounds the intentions of the current president.  Are these presidential decrees a coup and power grab, a return to yet another form of autocracy?  Or has the president become weary of all the charges that he has done nothing to improve the country, so he has moving to remove the blocks to his efforts to reform the country and put the country back on its feet?  These blocks (in his mind) would seem to be a judiciary filled with Mubarak cronies, a constitution committee tied up in bickering, and the lack of a full Parliament to enact legislation.  Fears abound that soon strict Sharia law will be enacted to include religious persecution, reducing personal liberty, immoral imprisonments over small religious issues, and ravaging the tourist industry through a ban on alcohol, segregated beaches, and an imposed dress code.  There is clearly a more surly attitude on the streets right now.

Coptic Church in Cairo

            So what’s a body to do?  Some ask their expat loved ones if it’s time to come home (we received one such call).  You can only answer that for your own family.  One’s choice to stay or return is between you and God, and it’s better not to judge another’s choices in that decision.  I can only say that we remain convinced of our calling to be here in Egypt—no matter how difficult it is right now.  We don’t feel threatened, but we do get weary.  We nostalgically remember the sense of security and predictability of our first few years here (under the Mubarak dictatorship!).

            But if the truth be told, we also felt a great deal of frustration and despair over the American political dialogue of this recent election season.  We are not referring to the outcome of the presidential election, but to the polarized (and too often hateful) responses of one group of American toward another.  It is uncomfortably similar in tone to what we hear in the news here of Muslims vs. liberals (maybe sans the stones and firebombs in the US version—so far).  God has not left the building in Egypt or in the US!  We may not like recent developments, but make no mistake who is in charge:

¹Why are the nations so angry?  Why do they waste their time with futile plans?  ²The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.  ³“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”  ⁴But the one who rules in heaven laughs.  The Lord scoffs at them. (Psalm 2 NLT)  

Are we responding in ways that honor God and reflect the love and respect Jesus urged?  Are you now praying for your leaders (including those from the “other” political party) as often and as diligently as you posted (and forwarded) on Facebook or Twitter or email your slams against the opposition?  I’m just asking …