Conflicts between the army and Islamist parties and groups have left an imprint upon the modern political history of Egypt. As of the 1950s, army staged coups and at different times banned prominent Islamist parties. The bans that similar to the ones of today cause deaths. In this sense, events in Egypt amount to the continuation of the very standoff between the military and the Islamists. Gamal Abdul Nasser, Anwar Sadat, Hosni Mubarak and finally, General Sisi were military strongmen, taking center stage in the events.
Generally, as a country, Egypt was historically known in the Islamic world for its traditions of intellectuality and statehood. Struggle for democracy in Egypt is not accidental because the country boasts affluent intellectual history and renowned thinkers. Therefore, Egypt always rejected the feudal form of governance practiced in the kingdoms located in the neighborhood. However, the enduring struggle for democracy apparently upsets colonial plans of some big powers, hence, the military ousting of elected "Muslim Brotherhood". Although General Sisi claims that democracy will be upheld, bloody events occur in Egypt. Use of force against those converged on Rabia Al-Adawiya, a square named after Sufi female, was nothing but an order from the colonial powers that endorsed the new regime.
Events in Egypt once again exposed the plans of the big powers, aspiring to rule the Islamic countries with the colonial mindset. Muslim kingdoms are not uncommon for the Middle East; the very kingdoms that govern the Muslims based on the authoritarian rule. Accordingly, they believe that should democracy, human rights, freedom, equality and justice triumph in Egypt in the wake of turbulent developments emanating from the "Arab Spring'', their nations may also wish to follow Egypt’s example. Thus, kingdoms are supporting the military coup in Egypt in order to preserve their thrones. It is an embodiment of colonial policy conducted by the greatest powers that rule the world. They need those monarchs and the kingdoms with feudal rule. It is not by chance that they endorse General Sisi and his associates.
Yet another conquest
In this context, Saudi Arabia spearheads the support rendered to General Sisi. It must be mentioned that government of Mursi at the time failed to be embraced, with the exception of Turkey and Qatar. Mursi saw support from neither the West nor the Islamic countries. Surely, hidden agenda underpinned the double standards here. In the meantime, Egypt was pledged 16 billion USD of assistance in the immediate aftermath of the coup. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf nations were the first to reach out. Therefore, criticism of the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headquartered in Saudi Arabia, of turning a blind eye on the massacre in Egypt is understandable. The arising question attests to some serious motives: "Do funds earmarked for General Sisi and idleness of the OIC emanate from the same source?''
Upon returning from his visit to France, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal commented on a statement by the Western countries regarding a cut in aid to Egypt by saying that: "Arab and Muslim nations are rich… and we will not hesitate to help Egypt''. Another notable development was the resignation of Egypt’s Vice-President Mohamed ElBaradei, appointed after the coup, announced a day after the massacre, albeit ElBaradei was among those who strived for Mursi’s deposing.
Military coup and the massacres in Egypt are executed premeditatedly. The objective is to thwart establishment of democratic principles in the most influential of the Muslim countries with a notable past. Therefore, those who utilize this scenario support, not the government that came to power in the wake of legitimate elections but a puppet regime that emerged in the aftermath of a military coup. Ultimately, events and massacres in Egypt are underpinned by the old-fashioned orientalist aspirations of those who pursue colonialist policies.
Dr. Rashad Ilyasov