- EditorialMB NewsMB Opinions
- December 30, 2011
- 9 minutes read
Ikhwanweb: Tony Blair’s MB Comments Out of Touch and Misguided
Mr. Blair’s skepticism of the Muslim Brotherhood’s commitment to genuine democracy by stating that “not clear that the type of democracy they [Muslim Brotherhood] would create would be a genuine democracy” and therefore calling on Western governments to openly support what he described as “liberal democratic” element, puts into question Mr. Blair’s ability to understand the nature of the Arab Spring, and a proof he is still living in the dark era of when governments like his chose to support autocratic liberal regimes that violated the same principles of democracy Mr. Blair is lecturing us about.
The Arab Spring is a popular revolt by the masses against dictatorship, injustice, corruption, oppression and a quest for freedom and democracy. The people revolted to bring down same regimes that Western governments have installed and sanctioned for decades against the will of their own people, only to protect their interests in the region.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s belief in democracy, freedom and equality is genuine and cannot be denied by politicians who lost touch with reality, or those who are driven by their own personal bias towards certain religions and cultures. Our records in conducting free elections and respecting the choice of the people are clear. Our success in elections is not only because we are better organized, but simply because we truly represent the majority of the people, who vote for us and our agenda of reform, development and prosperity.
The Muslim Brotherhood has proven to be more politically mature than any given political party or entity, including liberals, seculars, socialists, or leftists. We believe in political pluralism and have formed alliances with political trends that although don’t necessarily have same vision, but share with us the concern for country’s best interests and wellbeing.
We have decided not to field a candidate for presidency, and declared our intention to form coalition government even if we win parliament majority, so that all Egyptians are represented and involved in power sharing.
We have shown commitment to free elections, rotation of power, and rule of law. We have fielded female candidates for parliament more than any other liberal party, and we have nominated several Copts on our lists, in order to ensure that all segments of society participate in political process and play constructive role in rebuilding our country.
We have defended civil liberties, equality and natural human rights of citizens, including: personal freedoms; the right to free speech; free assembly; the right to chose own representative; and freedom of religion.
We have shown faith in elections more than any liberal parties, campaigned vigorously, organized rallies, encouraged people to vote, conceded when we lost and reconciled when we won.
If this is not genuine democracy in action and best understanding of how it works, perhaps Mr. Blair can construct a different definition for the world to know.
The Arab Spring has proven without a doubt that we understand democracy better than our liberal counterparts do. While some of our so called “liberal” contenders tried to circumvent the will of the people and find ways to alter their free choice through unconstitutional and undemocratic inventions, it was the Muslim Brotherhood that defended these democratic principles till they prevailed.
Sadly, Mr. Blair and alike haven’t learned any lessons from the Arab Spring, and are still calling for the same failed disastrous policies of defying the will of the people and supporting unpopular trends only to protect their own interests and thus create more dictatorships, breed hatred, violence and terrorism.
Mr. Blair false claims reflects his mere anxiety of the Muslim Brotherhood’s victory in recent elections, even if was free and democratic, which makes us cast doubts on his own commitment to "genuine democracy". Evidently he’s either out of touch with new reality in the Middle East, or unaware of its historical facts, and in either case renders him unfit to make the right judgment.
Hazem Malky, Editor
Ikhwanweb, the Muslim Brotherhood Official English Website
Sondos Asem contributed to this article