Update on the German University Case
Today's edition of an independent Egyptian newspaper named al-Nabaa al-Watany reported on the most recent developments regarding the case of Basem Wagdy who was fired from the German University in Cairo because he is a Baha'i.The article is entitled "German Parliament Interferes to Return a Baha'i Physics Teacher to His Position in the German University in Cairo."
Interestingly, the article is subtitled "Even though the curtain had fallen on the Baha'i case internally as a result of the ruling of the Supreme Administrative Court which denied their right to register themselves as Baha'is on IDs, it is clear however that the case did not end according to the external [foreign] standards."
It reports that members of the German Parliament and university professors succeeded in convincing Chancellor Angela Merkel to exert pressure on President Mubarak, during her State visit to Egypt early last week, to guarantee the rights of the Baha'is and find a solution to their dilemma. It also relates that according to its sources university professors, who have acted after receiving information on the case, began a campaign that ultimately grabbed the attention of Member of the Parliament Lale Akgün who brought it to the attention of the Parliament.
Except for a few inaccuracies here and there (likely due interpretation and reporting errors), the article essentially repeats the information posted previously here.
The newspaper also promises more news in the upcoming days on the visit to Egypt of a high level German delegation to discuss the case.
Hopefully, if this information is accurate, Basem Wagdy might finally return to his position at GUC--a small step towards granting the Baha'is in Egypt their full civil rights.
P.S. By the way, the Supreme Administrative Court neither "ended the Baha'i case," nor "the curtain had fallen" as repeatedly stated in Egypt's media. The court was only able to demonstrate its inability to fulfill its responsibilities towards justice...the Baha'i civil rights case is nowhere near over!
Lets pray that God use this means to address the plight of Bahais.
ReplyDeleteyes there is a Parallel event
ReplyDeleterecall back in the 1950's and 1960's in the United States when Decendants of former slaves were marching for their civil rights in the former confederate states I.E Alabama Georgia Mississippi et cetra... the local Governments Complained about "meddling Northern Yankees" into the business on how the local folk handle" our N******"
I suggest that the NSA and UH of J take out FULL PAGE ADS in all the MAJOR NEWSPAPERES in the "free World" ASAP!!!
Anonymous-2,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately newspaper Ads don't solve such problems. There are various dignified means by which this work is done, and quite effectively if I might say so...in concurrence with this, God's plan is always at work.
I applaud Bilo's call for reaching as many people as possible to elicit their support of the Baha'is in Egypt: neighbors, friends, relatives, and co-workers.
ReplyDeleteThe more people know about the injustices heaped upon the peaceful minority of Baha'is in Egypt the less harm the perpetrators, including the prejudiced Chief Justice, can inflict upon them.
I applaud Bilo's call for channeling our energies to sharing the plight of the Baha'is in Egypt with as many people as possible.
While I realize that the Baha'is who are persecuted in the Middle East and Egypt accept their situation with radiant acquiescence, some people have said that we further endanger them by speaking out in the free world on their behalf. Do you agree, Bilo? Doesn't this arouse even greater anger and animosity against them? Of course, in the Baha'i Writings we are told to fear God and not man - I guess that answers my question. There is a wisdom to everything. "Dominion is God's, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of creation." - Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas, paragraph 11
ReplyDeleteIt is admirable and courageous that the German parliament and German professors have taken direct action in ensuring that their institutions are not associated with human rights violations, regardless of the country of affiliation, and additionally commendable - in light of the delegation meetings in Egypt - that they are advancing the cause of global justice selflessly where it does not directly affect their national interests. What a contrast to the insular and primitive motives of the large majority of Egyptian authorities. This will be the point of initiation for a government, who has up till now, deliberately disregarded and underestimated the emerging influence of global accountability. The increasing efforts by individuals and public institutions alike can only increase the momentum of what is now an inevitable advancement towards a unified and integrated world community.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous-3,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. You did indeed answer your question....
The alternative is for the world to remain silent and let atrocities be carried out in the dark as has been the case in the not so remote past...we know what that was like! The world is becoming a whole lot smaller and is like the body, each limb and organ is a component of that body and cannot be left alone to rot if it becomes diseased, otherwise the whole body is at risk of disease and decay. This is an issue of human rights which has no boundaries of one country or region. The Egyptian Baha'is have neither been silent nor been accepting their situation with resignation. They have been going through all legal means available to them in order to obtain their civil rights. Their behavior however in their resistance to these atrocities has been exemplary and dignified.