When it comes to politics or foreign relations I have come to really respect the opinion of my
son. He is one smart cookie. Perhaps it is his love for all people that makes him not only curious about their beliefs, but respectful and tolerant of them as individuals too. In the same way one would crave something like chocolate, he craves continual education and knowledge. The Middle East has always been a favorite subject of his; in fact he almost loved learning about Greek and
Egyptian Gods, as a small boy, as much as he loved He-Man or X-Men. As you can imagine he has always held strong opinions about what goes on in Israel, and now Egypt, politically. Although he is “died in the wool” Mormon, he is a strong supporter of Islam and studies the Muslim religion for his own enlightenment. ( BTW He is also a big fan of the Jewish teachings. He is the one who turned me on to one of my favorite commentators on Judaism,
Ari Goldwag.)
My son is not afraid to go head to head with anybody about his thoughts regarding the Israeli conflict with the indigenous people who were misplaced by the Zionist movement in Israel. Most of the time I would just listen to him rant about how many people are just so ignorant when it comes to this situation and think, “he is young, he will learn.” Thank goodness he is strong willed and very persuasive because although I am his parental unit, he has taught me many things.
As you can imagine he is completely ecstatic and joins in celebration with the Egyptian people about the current situation in Egypt requiring Mubarak to step down from his oppressive position of political dominance.
He is not alone in his ideas about Mubarak, and his disdain for the support the United States gave to him as a leader. Matthew Whoolery, a professor at BYU-Idaho who teaches courses on the Middle East and who resided in Egypt himself, expressed his opinions on the events as they unfolded. He explained (in a similar way my son did to me),
in a recent interview, that “the impression that Americans often have is that if we allow Egypt to go democratic, then the country is automatically going to become an Islamic state opposed to the United States. But he says those assumptions are incorrect.” He made the following statement:
"Frankly, the reason behind why we say that is that it has supported what we've been doing. We say democracy, but we support Mubarak, a military dictator."
Whoolery made a video of his children in support of the Egyptian revolution, one of whom was born in Egypt, which went viral. I posted it below:
But… now that we are in the midst of celebration over this wonderful opportunity for the Egyptian people at large, perhaps we should look at some other concerns that might be brewing under the surface. Although Egyptian activist
Wael Ghonim praised Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook for the role social media played in the “grass roots” spontaneous revolt that occurred, I have to wonder if there may have been others with ulterior motives involved as well.
May I first say that I am not particularly well versed in Islamic doctrine, but I do know that a true Muslim is a peace loving person, who regards a Christian as a fellow peace lover. I believe that they regard Christians as “people of the book” in a positive way, much the same we, as LDS people, would regard them as part of the children of Abraham benefitting from the blessings of the
Abrahamic Covenant. That said, in all religious factions there are the extremists who disregard the spiritual promptings and take the law unto themselves. This might be one of the concerns that must be faced as Egypt now struggles to “find themselves” as far as leadership is concerned.
I found an interesting Blogpost on the
History of the Muslim Brotherhood, just one of those said extremist groups that I was referring to, and the part they might also play in the events of Egypt, either in helping promote Mubaraks removal from office, or in the future, now that the position of leadership is tentative. One can’t help but wonder what tragic events might await an unsuspecting nation.
Perhaps the answered can be found from someone who has warned us many years ago. Perhaps the words of Isaiah can be of comfort and warning at the same time. In Isaiah, chapter 19, which is contained in the Old Testament, Egypt is discussed in detail. Now, because Isaiah may be a little hard to understand, I want to direct you to another great Blogpost which explains simply some of the prophecies contained in this chapter.
It is here. Please go and read it so that you can be prepared for the future events that may take place in this struggling nation.
I believe that Egypt has not seen the last of its days of wicked leaders, and trials, and refinement. I do also know, because of the prophecies of Isaiah, that this great people will ultimately be given the blessings of peace. Those blessings will come in the form of
Temple Blessings.
I am excited to be able to live in a day where I can watch the prophecies of Isaiah unfold before my very eyes, for as Nephi stated in the Book of Mormon speaking of the words of Isaiah:
2 Nephi : 8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.
What are your ideas on the subject? I would love to know.
