Egyptian Americans Hopeful for Emerging Democracy in Homeland

17 February 2011

Egyptian Americans, proud of the victory of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt, are looking to the future of their homeland with a mix of optimism and hope, with a dash of realism.

As protesters marched for democracy in Cairo, Kais Menoufy, head of Delegata Corporation and founder of the Building Bridges exchange initiative, took action by starting Building Egypt: An Egyptian-American Workgroup.

“We want to get the [Egyptian] policymakers and even the elected officials to start to know how to manage government and how to create bills,” Menoufy said. Menoufy is reaching out to the California State Senate and the McGeorge School of Law to discuss how Egyptians and Americans can make this happen.

“We are so excited about what is happening in Egypt, and we are looking forward to dialogue,” Menoufy said. “My personal belief is that a free Egypt will bring a stronger ally and a stronger partner to peace in the Middle East and provide stability for the whole region.”

Ahmed Fathi, a regional coordinator for the Alliance of Egyptian Americans, said he received congratulatory phone calls from Americans all around the country when Hosni Mubarak resigned after three decades as president.

“My phone just kept ringing and ringing,” Fathi said, adding that he even received calls from Europe. As celebrations in Egypt, America and around the world wind down, Fathi said the work of building a new democracy needs to begin.

“We can’t lose our focus; although we are all ecstatic and jubilant at the moment, we have to open the political process so we can enable the pro-democracy candidates to emerge,” Fathi said. “The people have demanded the removal of the regime, the removal of a military-style dictatorship that has ruled Egypt since the military coup in 1952, and move it into an open, free and democratic society.”

Fathi, who has worked on projects in Egypt on civil society development, said the American government should support Egyptian pro-democracy and civil society organizations. Egyptian Americans — many of whom are leaders in science, technology and business — want to get involved.

“We can support them with technical know-how, help to bring their voices to the world, maybe do fundraising,” Fathi said.

Maram Abdelhamid, a political consultant based near Washington, said that Egyptian Americans can support Egyptian democracy as a clearer picture emerges.

“I do not believe we have a role now, until the democracy governance work comes in,” Abdelhamid said. “Because we hold both cultures, we can go in and we can help out.”

Abdelhamid, who has experience with political campaigns, said all voices need to be heard in Egypt as it transitions to democracy.

“I think that there needs to be a discussion with every one of the stakeholders,” Abdelhamid said. “I think the political parties that are new and old, the intellectuals and the people who hold the history and knowledge of Egypt, they need to be part of the process.”

Tarek Elhabashy, a barber in northern Virginia, said Egypt’s future is bright because of the national unity that was displayed in Cairo’s Tahrir Square during the protests.

“I saw Muslims and Christians praying together during the protests. When the Muslims prayed, Christians stood around them to protect them and when the Christians prayed, the Muslims stood around them to protect them,” Elhabashy said. “That means the Egyptian people at their core are not discriminatory and want to live with each other peacefully.”

Elhabashy, who aspires to open a barber shop back in his native land, said that Egyptians will work together to build a stronger country.

“I hope that Egypt transforms into a democratic country that respects everyone,” Elhabashy said. “It was so hard for them to achieve change because of the police and the violence … even after that happened, the people expressed themselves in a peaceful way.”

Magdy Ahmed, a parking attendant in northern Virginia, said that Egypt should re-examine its constitution now that the regime has fallen.

“I would like to see in Egypt things applied like we have here in the American Constitution, such as freedom of expression and equality between all people,” Ahmed said.