Baha'i News: Egyptian Baha'is seize opportunity to discuss their nation's future

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Egyptian Baha'is seize opportunity to discuss their nation's future


CAIRO, Egypt, 10 April 2011 (BWNS) – In a contribution to the sweeping changes 
now under way in their society, Egyptian Baha'is are calling for a far-reaching 
consultative process about their country's future.

In an unprecedented open letter, the Baha'is of Egypt say the nation must look 
beyond expedient solutions and existing models in other societies, and seek 
instead "a new, truly progressive approach." 

Making an "enlightened choice" could influence the course of human development 
in the entire region, and even impact the world, the letter says. 

Such an approach would include engaging all concerned people – especially the 
young – in a national conversation, by which they would become protagonists of 
their own development. Emphasis is also placed on identifying and applying 
fundamental guiding principles, and avoiding the temptation of moving too 
quickly to deals and decisions about the distribution of power.

Since its release earlier this month, the letter has been distributed to 
prominent figures in Egyptian public life – including religious leaders, 
politicians, legal practitioners, human rights activists, writers and artists. 
It has also been circulated to the press and media, and is being widely 
disseminated via websites and "blogs."  

Online publication of the letter is already generating positive responses.

One reader has described it as a "very deep, humanitarian, civil, and 
progressive statement."

"The letter I've just read is like a very good guidebook for many years to 
come," another commented. 

"Let us take every single step in building up our new Egypt with lots of care, 
patience, consultation, trust..." wrote yet another.


A process of consultation

In the letter, the Baha'is of Egypt suggest that the challenge before their 
country is to initiate a process of consultation about the principles that are 
to inform the reshaping of society. 

Egyptians will avoid the risk of falling into the pattern of any existing 
models – which see no advantage in empowering people – to the extent that all 
can be enabled to participate in the consultative processes.

"The ongoing and wide-scale involvement of the population in such a 
consultative process will go a long way towards persuading the citizenry that 
policy-makers have the creation of a just society at heart. Given the 
opportunity to participate in such a process, we will be confirmed in our newly 
awakened consciousness that we have ownership of our own future and come to 
realize the collective power we already possess to transform ourselves," the 
letter says.


Essential principles

The letter also suggests that Egyptians carefully consider a series of 
principles, essential to inform the reshaping of their society.  

"Too often, change brought about by popular protest eventually results in 
disappointment...That is why it is vital that we endeavor to achieve broad 
consensus on the operating principles that are to shape a new model for our 
society," write the Baha'is of Egypt.

 "This is a painstaking task. To fashion from divergent conceptions a coherent 
set of principles with the creative power to unify our population will be no 
small accomplishment."

Such principles include: the equality of men and women; universal education – 
offering the best means to safeguard the freedom that the people have won; and 
the fostering of a new spirit that combines respect for scientific enquiry and 
the values of religion as the best path to material progress.

A "mature society demonstrates one feature above all others: a recognition of 
the oneness of humanity," the letter states. "How fortunate, then, that the 
most abiding memory of recent months is not of religious divisions or ethnic 
conflict, but of differences being put aside in favour of a common cause."


A "national conversation"

Beginning the "national conversation" called for by the letter, online readers 
have been sharing their comments on websites. Here is a sample of some of the 
remarks: 

"Forging a new path along the lines outlined in this powerful letter...would 
not only benefit all the people of Egypt but also inspire all countries of the 
world. We pray that Allah will guide the decision makers to weigh carefully 
such principles proposed so thoughtfully by the Baha'is."

"The choice we have is to embrace [these principles] and make the transition 
relatively painless, or resist them and make it infinitely more difficult."

"I am very hopeful that the political leaders and leaders of thought in Egypt 
would take this mighty prescription into account. They do not have much choice, 
when it comes to social order, harmony, and respect of the rights of 
minorities..." 

"This amazing statement...is both lofty and practical. Would that all Egyptians 
were required to read and discuss it at length before making any decisions 
about the future of their glorious country." 


Critical juncture

The open letter is the first opportunity that Egyptian Baha'is – who have faced 
repression for more than 50 years – have had to communicate directly with their 
countrymen.  

"This chance is one for which we have longed," the Baha'is write, rejoicing 
that "at such a critical juncture in our nation's history, we are able to make 
a humble contribution to the conversation which has now begun about its future 
and to share some perspectives, drawn from our experience and that of Baha'is 
throughout the world, as to the prerequisites for walking the path towards 
lasting material and spiritual prosperity."

A presidential decree, issued in 1960 and subsequently enforced by subsequent 
governments, dissolved Baha'i administrative institutions and banned organized 
activities. Arrests, investigations, police surveillance, house searches and 
the destruction of Baha'i literature followed.  Moreover, as Baha'is could not 
legally marry, they had no recourse before the courts regarding family 
allowances, pensions, inheritance, divorce, alimony and child custody. 

In recent years, Egyptian Baha'is suffered discrimination under national laws 
that required government documents to list an individual's religion – and which 
also limited that listing to one of three official religions. After a prolonged 
campaign in which numerous human rights campaigners and people of goodwill 
supported the Baha'i community, the courts ultimately ruled in their favour, a 
decision that was widely seen as an important victory for freedom of thought 
and conscience.

Despite these and other examples of oppression, Egyptian Baha'is maintained 
their positive outlook and – as a fundamental tenet of their faith – have 
continued to commit their energy to the betterment of their society. 

"I hope that all the efforts combine together for a better Egypt for all of us 
and not for the interest of one group of people at the expense of others," an 
online reader of the open letter remarked.



To read the article online and access links to the open letter, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/817

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