Egypt: Rights of Baha'is and Current Government's Stand
This is a news report, aired on Al-Hurra Television that examined the challenges facing the Egyptian Baha'i citizens. The recording can also be watched directly at this link.
The reporter, Tareq El-Shamy, interviewed a Baha'i family living in Cairo, a representative of the Egyptian government and a representative of a Christian church.
The program, which was televised on the 19 March 2007 broadcast, is entitled: Eye on Democracy.
The first interviewee, Dr. Labib Iskandar Hanna, spoke of some of the difficulties facing the Baha'is, such as their inability to obtain birth certificates for their newborn children, and their inability to obtain ID cards, death certificates, bank accounts or the acquisition and sale of property. He described the current situation as "civil death."
The second interviewee, Raymona El-Hamamsy, spoke of her past humiliating public dismissal from high school, even though she was named "the exemplary student," simply because she wrote her religion as Baha'i on the required document.
The last interviewee, Mr. Rifaat Fikry who is a representative of a Christian church, spoke about discrimination against Christians, women and Baha'is in Egypt.
The most revealing interview in this program--the one before last--is with the government's representative, Mr. Hany El-Nazer representing the ruling National Democratic Party [al-Hizb al-Watany al-Democraaty], and a member of the Supreme Political Council.
The brief statements made by Hany El-Nazer appear to betray the government's current strategy and "party line" regarding the Baha'i crisis. The following is a literal translation (from Arabic) of his statements:
"On the subject of the Baha'is, I would like to tell you something...we must recognize that in the Egyptian society there are Muslims and Christians and Jews. These are known divine religions, and they are respected. Then you start something and after you start it, you want to legalize it? This cannot be--so we are not starting something and then say the ID and legalizing...this talk is not permissible, and it is not useful to talk about it."
The reporter, Tareq El-Shamy, interviewed a Baha'i family living in Cairo, a representative of the Egyptian government and a representative of a Christian church.
The program, which was televised on the 19 March 2007 broadcast, is entitled: Eye on Democracy.
The first interviewee, Dr. Labib Iskandar Hanna, spoke of some of the difficulties facing the Baha'is, such as their inability to obtain birth certificates for their newborn children, and their inability to obtain ID cards, death certificates, bank accounts or the acquisition and sale of property. He described the current situation as "civil death."
The second interviewee, Raymona El-Hamamsy, spoke of her past humiliating public dismissal from high school, even though she was named "the exemplary student," simply because she wrote her religion as Baha'i on the required document.
The last interviewee, Mr. Rifaat Fikry who is a representative of a Christian church, spoke about discrimination against Christians, women and Baha'is in Egypt.
The most revealing interview in this program--the one before last--is with the government's representative, Mr. Hany El-Nazer representing the ruling National Democratic Party [al-Hizb al-Watany al-Democraaty], and a member of the Supreme Political Council.
The brief statements made by Hany El-Nazer appear to betray the government's current strategy and "party line" regarding the Baha'i crisis. The following is a literal translation (from Arabic) of his statements:
"On the subject of the Baha'is, I would like to tell you something...we must recognize that in the Egyptian society there are Muslims and Christians and Jews. These are known divine religions, and they are respected. Then you start something and after you start it, you want to legalize it? This cannot be--so we are not starting something and then say the ID and legalizing...this talk is not permissible, and it is not useful to talk about it."
Mr. Hany El-Nazer should realize a number of points:
ReplyDelete1) He mentions that a group inventing something claiming it to be a religion is not acceptable.
In the early stages of Christianity, that religion was viewed by Jews and Romans as an invention! Likewise, in the early stages of Islam, that religion was viewed by Arabs including Christians and Jews an an invention!
2) Regardless of Mr. El-Nazer's personal views, the Baha'i Faith is mentioned in every world encyclopedia as an independent religion!
3) World religions include more than the three mentioned by Mr. El-Nazer. And the rest of the world would be offended if every religion other than those three is considered an invention.
4) The Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, in reference to idle worshipers "Lahom dinahom wa leya din" or "they have their religion and I have mine". At least Baha'is believe in God, even if Mr. El-Nazer may not agree.
3) The issue before the Egyptian authorities is not whether the Baha'i Faith is a "true" or "divine" religion, since God is the only judge! The issue is to provide the Baha'is their civil and human rights irrespective of their Faith.
4) The Baha'is are not asking for recognition of their Faith. They are only asking to be provided with the necessary mandatory documents of citizenship. They will accept omitting the "religion" space altogether from official documents, leaving it blank, crossing it out, put a dash or 5 dashes, putting "other" or "not recognized" or the more truthful representation "Baha'i".
5) Mr. Hany El-Nazer should address the question before him which is how will the government address the provision of all civil rights to its minorities including the Baha'is, rather than the prejudicial question of whether the Baha'i Faith is divine in origin and whether he or the government can be the judge of such a theological question.
6) Different Islamic societies have addressed this issue in a more reasonable fashion that protects and respects others whose faith is not Jewish, Christian, or Jewish.
In contract to Mr. El-Nazer, the Coptic speaker and the Baha'i speakers are addressing the issues that should be the primary concern of this government, protecting its citizens rather than inciting the public against its minorities.
To perpetrate injustice in the name of religion is not becoming of any government, be it secular or religious!
And let us face it, the Nazis and Fascists have tried this before with another group of people but where are they now? What will history say about people who perpetrate systemic discrimination to eradicate a small religious minority?
You can judge a nation's greatness by the way it treats its minorities.
ReplyDeleteSimply look at the contrast between the British government's treatment of Baha'is and that of the Egyptian government. Some nations continue to advance while others continue to regress. Diversity and inclusiveness, and not insular and exclusive ideology, is what contributes to illumination, scientific advances and prosperity. There are many examples of such around the world. They are too obvious to name here!
Why is the President so silent throughout these past several months on the matter?
ReplyDeleteA very good question, and he is the only one to answer it. He also needs to maneuver through complex and diverse waves and currents...not a simple matter!
ReplyDeleteDo Bahais have to pay tax and health insurance in Egypt ?
ReplyDeleteExcellent question! Baha'is pay taxes in Egypt just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteThe health system in Egypt is a bit different. There is the public system provided for by tax revenues and available to all for free (except Baha'is of course). There is employment health insurance system covered by the public/government employer, but Baha'is without ID cards cannot be now employed in the public sector, thus cannot participate in this insurance program. And there is a private system which is essentially an expensive cash business.
The statements made by the Egyptian authorities are not individual or personal opinions, although that may also be the case, but are founded on strict directives dictated by the president. The president is not silent, uninformed, or indifferent, he is the source by which all and every decision and action is accomplished. To anyone familiar with Egypt and its system of governance, it is established fact that it is a long-standing dictatorship. Those who are sympathetic, knowledgeable, and enlightened are silenced under threat of severe punishment.
ReplyDeleteAfter 26 years under the influence of such an oppressive system, the collective mindset of the nation is that of fear, powerlessness, apathy, and the reactionary consequences of extremism, corruption and intolerance of all forms. What are universally understood to be kindness and trustworthiness are considered naiveté and immaturity, what defines democracy, equality, freedom of speech, and any other honorable quality is an unspoken language long forgotten. For what other reason have so many basic and unquestionable rights been vehemently denied, despite numerous admonitions from a global audience that can only observe in astonished disbelief?
To what foundation is owed the characteristic strength and unflinching faith of a community of Baha'is in the face of such a powerful and merciless oppressor? Why not, as many would say, resign and take the convenient path of marking document applications with one of the so called three divine religions, justifying such an action as a practical resolution taken under difficult circumstances, and that "belief is in the heart"? Why have not the youth, who are at a vulnerable and highly influential phase of development, abandoned such a heavy burden, and yet chose to maintain honesty, righteousness, and resolve? And of the widow who cannot collect her pension, or the parents who hold no birth certificates for their children?
Who would justice favor as being the more noble, the more human, and the most valuable to a progressive society?
r.a. said:
ReplyDelete"Why not, as many would say, resign and take the convenient path of marking document applications with one of the so called three divine religions, justifying such an action as a practical resolution taken under difficult circumstances, and that "belief is in the heart"? Why have not the youth, who are at a vulnerable and highly influential phase of development, abandoned such a heavy burden, and yet chose to maintain honesty, righteousness, and resolve? And of the widow who cannot collect her pension, or the parents who hold no birth certificates for their children?"
It is their unwavering faith in God that dictates their reactions. Just like the early Christians who were fed to the lions because they refused to deny their faith. And like a teenager in Iran named Mona who assisted her executioner to place the noose around her neck because she would not recant her Baha’i Faith.
Why is it so difficult for these government officials to just let US have our identity cards????
ReplyDeleteAre they afraid that their great "god" will throw a huge meteor out of the sky and wipe out Cairo??
How can they be so infantile and PIG HEADED???...Every time they open their mouths they EMBARASS THEMSELVES
Come guys this is 2007 For God's sake!!!!! LIVE AND LET LIVE!!!
Anonymous-2,
ReplyDeleteEven though your comment shows a great deal of frustration--which is understandable--the language used can be perceived as disrespectful to those it is meant for and can be counterproductive. I would greatly appreciate your careful consideration when making comments here.
1-ID card not needed for paying tax ?. very clever !!!!
ReplyDelete2-Can tax no. work as an ID card ?
3 How can a government take the money and not give rights ? very strange !!!
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a lawyer! ;-)
Nothing can replace an ID card in Egypt, even a tax ID.
The points you raise can and should be used in the legal arguments currently in progress.