Update on Egypt's Government

Muslim Brotherhood Fully in Power in Egypt
After the citizens of Egypt ousted military ruler Hosni Mubarek from office in the Spring of 2011 the Muslim Brotherhood has stepped into a new role in Egypt. They were legalized as a political party and the people elected the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood into office as President of Egypt. As of Sunday, August 13, 2012,President Mohammed Morsi took over total control of the Egyptian military as well as the government. It was a silent coup with Morsi retiring the defense minister and chief of staff and retaking military powers the generals grabbed from his office days before his June 30 inauguration.

Shortly after Morsi's election, the Senior Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam el-Erian assured the world that the Muslim Brotherhood plans to work with the world along with the people of Egypt and to take its place in the governing of the country. The election of Mohammed Morsi need not bring fear to the world. President Morsi planned to build unity in the government. "If we can build a wide coalition instead, this would be good," Erian says. "This is our strategy for many reasons: not to frighten others, inside or outside, and also because this is a country destroyed, destroyed by Mubarak and his family – why would the rebuilding task be only for us? It's not our task alone, it's the job of all Egyptians." He adds: "The Muslim Brothers are a special case because we are not seeking power through violent or military means like other Islamic organisations that might be violent. We are a peaceful organisation; we work according to the constitution and the law ("http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/08/egypt-muslim-brotherhood-uncovered)

According to el-Erian, "The Mubarak regime was very skillful at exaggerating the influence of the Brotherhood and painting them as a threat to Egyptian society and to the west," he added. "It was the pretext for Mubarak's rule, and it was a lie. I think that if Egypt held free and fair elections tomorrow the Brotherhood would not get a majority; it would enjoy a significant presence in parliament but the overall makeup of seats would be pluralistic. This is the time for the west to rethink its attitudes to the Muslim Brotherhood. If they don't start assessing the weight of the brotherhood accurately, they will make major miscalculations in the coming days." (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/08/egypt-muslim-brotherhood-uncovered)

I can not say I understand Egyptian politics. It is so complex. I do know that the Muslim Brotherhood is an organization that has its roots as an Islamist religious, political and social movement. The organization was outlawed in Egypt more than once after supporting Nazi Germany during WWII. Since that time they have fought for legitimacy at home and abroad. As an organization they have been community activists and represented in the government of Egypt for years.

It has taken less than two years for the Muslim Brotherhood to become the leading power throughout Egypt. It is important to understand that it is the goal of the party to institute Islamic Shariah law across the country. This will have immediate and heavy consequences for women, the Coptic Christians and other minority groups within Egypt. It also leads to many questions regarding Egypt's support or lack thereof of its neighbor Israel. Israel and Egypt have long held an uneasy alliance in the Middle East and Egypt has helped the smaller Israel by standing at its side through some dangerous times.

I, personally, am watching for the re-emergence of the antisemitism that happened during WWII. The history of the Muslim Brotherhood includes detailed support for Adolf Hitler and his way of governing including the persecution of Jews. The Muslim Brotherhood is viewed with great doubt from other countries as it has been considered a terrorist organization during its history. Christian throughout the world must not let the antisemitism that ruled during Hitler's reign gain momentum and lead to tragic results for the Jewish people or for Israel.

I believe Christians throughout the world must understand that this change in Eygptian leadership is a call to prayer. It is a call to pray for protection of the Jewish people of the world and for the non-Islamic people of Egypt. It is a call to evaluate our understanding of the Jewish state of Israel and how God's plan for his people is playing out in today's world. I think many of us are sitting on the fence in this area. We are choosing to stay oblivious because these things are happening across the ocean. Wake up people! God has us here in this time and in this season for an important reason. We need to pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We can not be stagnant Christians, interested only in our daily lives. We must turn our face to the Lord and worship Him, give Him glory and prevail upon Him that in His mercy He bring peace to earth and protect His people.