Shenouda Hearts Mubarak
Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church has definitely chosen sides:
Does he actually think Mubarak is likely to last, or is he really convinced that the Mubarak regime is good for the Copts?
"Pope Shenouda III, head of the Coptic Church, expressed support for Mr. Mubarak in an interview with Egyptian state television Monday. 'We have called the president and told him we are all with you and the people are with you,' he said, according to a transcript of the interview on the state television's website."
Does he actually think Mubarak is likely to last, or is he really convinced that the Mubarak regime is good for the Copts?
Labels: Egypt
posted by Brian Ulrich at
8:07 PM
6 Comments:
Maybe Pope Shenouda's thinking about Iraq and the virtual destruction of the Christian community there. And unfortunately it's true that Christians were much better off under Saddam and his dictatorial predecessors than they are now. Or it could be that he's one of Mubarak's mates and is helping him out in his time of need. Either way going public like this looks like a bet that he thinks Mubarak's going to tough it out - despite virtually everyone else saying that Mubarak's doomed.
Btw, what happened to that poster on here a few weeks ago complaining about March Lynch and Brian Whitaker seeing almost every event in the Arab world through the prism of 1989? Some people, eh?
I think that commenter went the same way as the blogger who was expecting a ruthless crackdown at any moment.
One difference in Iraq, though, is that the army disintegrated, creating the security vacuum. That won't be happening in Egypt.
Yeah, given today's events it looks like you're right that won't be happening in Egypt now.
When it comes to Mubarak's ability to survive the pressure to get on a plane it seems Pope Shenouda’s got a better idea than the dozens of Egypt experts I've seen interviewed in the press and on TV. According to these guys Mubarak should be house hunting in Jeddah right now.
Here's my suggestion to improve the media's coverage: next time can the BBC, Al-Jazeera or whoever interview Pope Shenouda about Egyptian politics because he's one of the few people who seem to have a vague idea about what an earth's going on there.
Btw, you think that Pope Shenouda’s main concern would be a security vacuum? It’s no deeper than that? Are you sure?
I think he's also inclined to stay with the devil he knows. He knows he can work with the NDP, and what the rules are. What comes after is unknown, and many of the alternatives are worse from a Coptic perspective.
Thumbs up to Brian Ulrich; absolutely spot on analysis of the situation.
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