ElBaradei isn’t perfect, but he’s still the best figure in Egyptian politics. He’s not the savior, but he’s the fittest to lead Egyptians in their battle for change. He’s not a skilled orator whose eloquent speeches dazzle the people, but his carefully-crafted statements speak to people’s minds and awaken their senses, and this is exactly what a nation like ours needs.
ElBaradei isn’t above criticism. His opinions aren’t incontestable, and his propositions are not sacred.
ElBaradei has never described himself as the heaven-sent savior or the unbeatable legend, and his motto has always been to work with the people.
Still, several groups have flocked around ElBaradei; some driven by base motives to damage ElBaradei’s credibility; others by ignorance, and yet others by a desire to assuage their own fears that ElBaradei may not, after all, be the best one to lead change.
As part of the plan to undermine ElBaradei’s credibility, it has been said that ElBaradei calls for the amendment of Article 2 of the constitution–which states that Islam is the official religion of the state and the main source of legislation–even though the statement he would like people to sign urges the amendment of three articles, of which Article 2 isn’t one.
ElBaradei has called for amending Article 76 which has been tailored to facilitate presidential succession, Article 77 which doesn’t set a limit to successive presidential terms, and Article 88 which excludes the judiciary from supervising elections.
When asked about Article 2, ElBaradei said that the public should decide whether to amend the constitution, and no single entity should confer on itself the right to amend it.
“The problem is that the regime insists on this article, while, in effect, it discriminates against the Muslim Brotherhood, for instance. The regime doesn’t favor suggestions and efforts to renew legal Islamic jurisprudence which will help with the implementation of that article currently used by the state to claim it’s defending Islam…the civil state we’re calling for doesn’t imply we abandon religion. In fact such a state will be most capable of upholding it. I heard so many scholars saying that the state according to Islam is a civil one,” continued ElBaradei.
Another hot issue is the 50 percent quota allocated to farmers and workers in the People’s Assembly. It has been said ElBaradei wants to have that quota abolished.
Here’s what he actually said: “I personally hope this quota reaches 70 percent or more. But I would like the people to make that choice freely and not have a predetermined quota imposed on them. Besides, this quota exists on paper only, for the real farmers and workers don’t benefit from this percentage… we may find a former brigadier general representing the workers, and land owners in the seats of farmers…and they eventually approve legislation that harms the interests of the poor farmers.”
Then ElBaradei was accused of belittling the accomplishments of Nasser. If ElBaradei had declared that the current culture of political passivity has been produced by 60 years of oppression and tyranny, this doesn’t mean that he denies Nasser’s achievements.
What saddens Egyptians is the fact that the accomplishments of the 1952 revolution have been shattered, especially over the past 30 years, with only its authoritarian legacy remaining.
People at the time had chosen to favor social justice when 70 percent of political systems around the world were oppressive. However, this is no longer acceptable after almost all countries of the world– except the Arab world–have tasted freedom.
Attacks on ElBaradei include spreading rumors about his personal life, his small family, and his behavior and positions while he was director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The regime could also employ ElBaradei’s competitors–or some of those now close to him but not yet persuaded of his ideas–to undermine his credibility.
ElBaradei should be aware that the road to change isn’t easy, and that he is dealing with a regime accustomed to beating its opponents.
The only means for ElBaradei to nip those plans at the bud is to interact with people, be more open with them and believe in their ability to shape the future.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
