On January 14 and 15, 2014, the Egyptian people came out to cast their votes on Egypt 's new constitution, which is the first step of the road map. 19.9 million Egyptians voted yes (98.1 % ). This was an unprecedented results in an unprecedented elections. Many people saw senior citizens as well as people with special needs coming to vote “yes” for this pretty much consensual constitution.
After the Arab spring, Egypt was hit by some kind of “political bomb” that caused the existence of 82 political parties and 431 movements, fronts, and unions. These many political views were discussed by thousands of people who, unfortunately, care for their party more than their country. Therefore, many people lost their sense of belonging to their country. With much talk, people worked less, cared less about their country, and clashed more. Dozens of private televisions and talk shows distracted the people from working for their country. Only businessmen made the best use of such too much talking.
Dear Egyptian readers, let me congratulate you on your participation in the referendum and the victory of "yes" supporters. This constitution that many people excreted great effort to draft and pass it. It is a real consensus constitution sponsored by no fascist or terrorist group. Moreover, it came after many fruitful debates and discussions to benefit the whole homeland and not a single group. However, this "yes" is very different from other yeses we're used to as it reflects the real will of the Egyptian people, since this voting process was not forged.
Last week I asked you Egyptians to vote for me TODAY I owe you all a BIG THANK YOU for voting for me! You 98% did it and saved Egypt! Today Sunday 19th January 2014 is Epiphany Day in the Coptic Orthodox Church so Best wishes to ALL Egyptians and may Gods protection prevail! Psalm 91 (Read every day for protection) Whoever goes to the Lord for safety whoever remains under the protection of Almighty can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust”.
After the referendum, the question we should ask now is what’s next? I mean what is the next step we should follow? The result of the referendum was modest in my opinion. About 36% of the people that has the right to vote participated.
During the presidential election in 2012, many of my friends who claim wisdom and good ability to read the political events decided to attack Ahemd Shafik in their comments on Facebook and Twitter. They said that he is part of the former regime and his success means the restoration of the military rule. Such comments led many people to vote for Mohamed Morsy hoping he would be better, as he and his group had suffered a lot under Mubarak’s regime.
The Egyptian people are facing great challenge and confrontation with the forces of darkness; I mean the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters including the United States of America and some European countries. Turkey decided to misuse the situation in Egypt to restore the Islamic caliphate, while Qatar and Hamas decided to use Egypt and make the best out of the chaos in Egypt.
The Egyptians are participating today and tomorrow in referendum on Egypt’s new constitution. Despite my dislike to some of its articles, I believe this one is a major starting point for democracy, social justice and the rule of law. This constitution fights discrimination among Egyptian citizens on the basis of religion, color, sex, or race. Furthermore, it confirms the Egyptian identity and national sovereignty and protects our armed forces against the plots of the Muslim Brotherhood.
With a great sense of nationalism, the interim President Adli Mansour commissioned Ahmad Maslamani, his Media Advisor who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood, to pay a visit to Aswan in order to congratulate Sir Magdi Yacoub, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, on receiving the the UK's highest honor, Order of Merit. This unique medal that was given only to 24 people all over the world.
Voting time I should not be here but somewhere voting however due to a lot of reasons I could not be there I feel embarrassed for that like a solder running away from the battel this is why I ask you Egyptians all true Egyptians to VOTE FOR ME! I’m not asking you to say YES or NO I trust your instincts and that you will choose what is the best for this country we all love and God Blessed Egypt! I know voting can not be passed to any person is a very personal thing but what I mean with VOTE FOR ME is to be out there voting, if you do not have a strong excuse prevents you from voting if you feel lazy or it is useless to vote or whatever other reason then I want you all to VOTE FOR ME meaning get up and go out there VOTE for the best of this country that suffered so long been subject of so many conspiracies and still standing tall fighting back terrorist!
Lately, I can assurdley say that all people want the Defence Minister Al Sisi to be the next president. All political powers also push him to run for the presidential elections as the only way to solve Egypt’s problem.
TV talk shows keep publishing recorded phone calls of political activists who participated in the revolution of January 25, and later traded on it and betrayed it. Therefore, it was normal for many people to lose confidence in the revolution and start asking: Was it a real revolution or just a big conspiracy? It was clear that there were some invisible dirty hands, which wanted to take advantage of the youth of the revolution and use them, just like the terrorist group of the Muslim Brotherhood did.
On the occasion of Eastern Christmas, we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ who came to earth and incarnated for our salvation. From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate H.H. Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, as well as all the clergy, praying to God that they may stop fighting and start working in peace and spreading love everywhere. This is the commandment of our Lord that they teach us about, but rarely practice.
New day has come and my very first 2014 article is due, I was intending like last week keep it short and brief to wish you all a Merry Christmas on January 7th as per the Coptic Callender that took in consideration all bi-sectile years dropped or over seen in the Gregorian Callender. So once again to all Copts of the Word Merry Christmas.
I read a lot of campaigns everyday that call for supporting the constitution from all demographics in society. As it is right for people to support the constitution, it is also right for people to vote against it. If we prevented people from expressing their opinion frankly, it means we may fall back into the fascist regime.
In a similar attack to bombing the Saints Church in Alexandria on New Year's Eve 2011, Mansoura Security Directorate was bombed causing 17 people to lose their lives and about 200 were wounded. In the Saints Church, 25 were killed, including children, and more than 70 were wounded. Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood spread rumors that this Minister was responsible for destroying his ministry, breaking into prisons and setting 95 police stations on fire! Yet, he could find out the terrorists and announced their names in a press conference. Furthermore, people felt safe under his leadership.
Just like every year, the congregation of the Saints Church in Alexandria went to attend the church at the last day of 2010 in order to receive the new year while praying inside the house of God hoping for a good year. As they were praying minutes after midnight, a massive explosion was heard that shook the building and shattered pieces of glass on their heads. People started to scream, and the bloods were everywhere. Suddenly, the priest said calmly: “Don’t feel afraid”. I believe this was the shortest and greatest sermon delivered by him ever. This is the most important message they needed to hear at that moment.
I do not support reconciliation with a terrorist group like the Muslim Brotherhood, especially as it proved it is willing to destroy the homeland for some personal benefits. Furthermore, I am not Jesus Christ to say: "whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Four years have passed since Eng. Adly Abadir, founder of Copts United organization has departed. Yet, the Copts should be united in mourning for him as we lost such great man and leader. This honest man was great supporter for the Coptic issue and a real humanitarian as well. He was not only a human rights activist, but devoted his time and money to help the Coptic issues and rights through many ways including Copts United website.
Sunday 29th December 2013 the very last Sunday of year 2013, tomorrow Monday the very last one of year 2013 as well and my last article of the year and I know it’s celebration times so I’ll keep it as short as possible wishing you all friends, companions and enemies all your dreams come true in the new coming year 2014! I know many of us if not all look at the year’s worst events and judge it as bad year. We got the bad habit to look at the 1/2 way full cup or glass from the top we see it always empty overlooking its full bottom!
In a few days we will be in the new year and in the Eastern Orthodox Christmas. In this new year we should keep our hope for a better life. Throughout all the difficulties that faced Egyptians all over the world, Jesus gave us hope with His birth. He gave us hope not only for a better life, but also for the eternal life.
Others
Pope Tawadros visited St Anthony Monastery in the Red Sea. He ordained 3 monks as priests, also he consecrated St Mary and St Anthony new church in St Anthony Monastery.