http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/analysis/2014/01/15/Egypt-s-referendum-between-a-sweeping-yes-and-a-feeble-no-.html
A few days ago, a documentary entitled “Please Remember: January 14-15,” in reference to the date of the upcoming referendum on the new constitution, drafted after the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood rule, was released. The 12- minute long film features interviews with dozens of Egyptians from all over the country with all of them saying they will vote yes in the referendum, with the exception of one who will vote no and two who still need to read the amendments. The documentary was received with enthusiastic support by some and with extreme indignation by others.
For supporters of the new constitution, the film offered an authentic portrayal of Egyptians’ willingness to participate in what they see as a positive step towards democracy. In an article entitled “Sandra Nashaat… That a Girl,” journalist Ahmed Afifi heaps praise on the director, the young woman whose name is mentioned in the title, for her ability to reflect what Egyptians really want and to make all viewers want the same thing.
“She made us feel that we would not be true Egyptians if we do not vote ‘yes’ and do so zealously,” he wrote. “She made us say ‘yes’ even before referendum day. She extracted it from us without pressure and without propaganda. She made us feel the pleasure of ticking ‘yes’ in advance.”
Accurate expose or pure propaganda?
Critics of the film had a totally opposite view, for they viewed it as state-sponsored propaganda that intentionally avoided presenting both sides of the argument. Director Kamla Abu Zikri refused to call the work a documentary.
“It is cheerful and pleasant like a nice clip or a fascinating ad, but it cannot be called a documentary,” she wrote. “This is sheer propaganda and lacks the depth with which documentaries are characterized.”
Activist Wael Abbas simply tweeted, “To fans of Sandra Nashaat, do you remember Leni Riefenstahl?” he asked, referring to the famous German director who was an integral part of the Nazi propaganda machine.
Nashaat refused to categorize her documentary as propaganda and insisted that she did not pick the people she interviewed and that Egyptians across the country will vote for the constitution.
“I found overwhelming approval of the constitution,” she said in an interview. “I was not trying to mobilize the people. I was simply reflecting public opinion as it is and as you could see only one person supported Mursi’s legitimacy compared to hundreds who want stability and who see the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.”
The majority of civilian powers, which played an important role in mobilizing the June 30 protests that toppled the Muslim Brotherhood and many of whose leaders were members of the committee that drafted the new constitution, declared their support for a yes vote.
Political leaders: constitution imperfect, but step in the right direction
Mohammad Abul Ghar, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and member of the drafting committee concurred that the constitution “is not the ideal outcome of the Jan. 25 Revolution,” yet added that it is “remarkable in terms of the rights and freedoms it grants to Egyptians.”
In a conference the party organized under the slogan “Supporting the Constitution,” Abul Ghar enumerated the advantages of the new constitution like freedom of faith, freedom of the press, gender equality, and the limitation of the president’s powers. The implementation of such articles, he noted, requires a powerful parliament that works on drafting the necessary legislations.
“That is why legislators have to represent the people because only then will the people be able to benefit from this constitution,” he concluded. Member parties of the National Salvation Front, the main opposition bloc against Muslim Brotherhood rule, similarly supported the new constitution.
Former presidential candidate and head of the Egyptian Popular Current Hamdeen Sabahi considers a yes vote “a renewal of confidence in the roadmap charted in the aftermath of the June 30 protests with the approval of the Egyptian people.”
Endorsing the constitution, he added, is a continuation of the path started on Jan. 25, 2011: “Those who will vote yes will be endorsing the text of the constitution as well as the revolutions of Jan. 25 and June 30, hence adding constitutional legitimacy to revolutionary legitimacy.”
Sabahi expected the freedoms and rights stated in the constitution to earn it a sweeping yes vote among the Egyptian population.
The Rebel movement, which started the signature collection campaign to topple Mursi, also declared its support for the constitution. “It is not a flawless constitution, but it is definitely better than 1971 and 2012,” the movement said in a statement in reference to the constitutions that were in force during the times of Mubarak and Mursi, respectively. The movement expressed its objection to an article that allows the trial of civilians before military courts, yet praised other articles it saw as a success.
“There are very good articles on social justice, rights and freedoms, and people with disabilities,” the statement added. “This constitution gives all segments of the Egyptian society their rights.”
Civilian powers were joined by the ultra-conservative al-Nour Party, which took part in the roadmap that followed Mursi’s ouster.
Despite disagreements with civilian committee members over articles involving Islamic law, party chairman Yunes Makhioun called for a yes vote adding that “Egypt is going through a critical time, the time of to be or not to be,” he said in a statement. In response to reservations about crossing out an article that offered a strict interpretation of Islamic law, from a Sunni point of view, Makhioun argued that the constitution is not expected to be perfect. “This is a work of human beings after all, so it has to have negative and positive sides,” he explained. “Plus each party had to display some flexibility so that we can move on.”
Sheikh Yasser Borhami, a prominent leader of the Salafi movement in Egypt and member of al-Nour Party, warned that three disasters will take place if the constitution is not approved. “One is the collapse of the state, the economy, and security; two is the division of the army; and three is foreign intervention,” he said in a conference held in support of the constitution in Alexandria.
Government, religious officials weigh in
Approval of the constitution took a more official shape as interim president Adli Mansour openly praised the new draft through urging the people to vote in order “to fulfill our revolution the way we wanted it with a constitution that marks the first step to a civil, democratic state.”
One day before, Minister of Defense and Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi did the same when he linked the new constitution to the Jan. 25 and June 30 revolutions and urged Egyptians to make a change similar to the one they made on those two days through taking part in the referendum. He also praised the constitution saying, “it achieved real balance, harmony, and justice.”
The constitution also acquired religious leverage as senior Muslim and Christian clerics took part in the campaign supporting the constitution.
Former Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa stressed that approving the constitution “will show the entire world the difference between Egyptians and those who seek to shed Egyptian blood” while Coptic Pope Tawadros II argued that the passing of the constitution “is bound to bring Egypt a lot of blessings.”
‘Strong Egypt Party’ vocalizes strong opposition
Not all factions that took part in the June 30 protests against the Muslim Brotherhood approve the constitution, though. The Strong Egypt Party, founded by former Muslim Brotherhood member and former presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh announced the group’s boycott of the referendum after declaring earlier that it would vote no. In a statement it issued less than 24 hours before the first day of the referendum, the party voiced its objection to what followed the ouster of Mursi by the military.
“We object to the bloodshed, the detentions, and the violations and the way they deepened divisions and destabilized security,” said the statement. “And we object to the return of Mubarak’s repressive regime.”
The statement added that the referendum is being held in “an atmosphere that violates the most basic internationally acknowledged democratic rules,” in reference to the arrest of several of party members as they were campaigning against the constitution.
The April 6 movement announced its boycott of the referendum, yet proclaimed its intention to monitor it in order “to issue reports that expose violation and evaluate the referendum process as a whole,” according to the movement’s statement. The decision comes in defiance of the Higher Elections Committee which banned members of the movement from monitoring the poll.
The movement, however, called upon Egyptians to vote no to the constitution, citing its objection to 20 articles in the new draft. “The constitution gives the president and the military a lot of powers and allows the trial of civilians before military courts,” said Khaled al-Masry, member of the April 6 politburo.
The pro-Muslim Brotherhood National Alliance in Support of Legitimacy urged Egyptians to boycott the referendum and stage protests against “a new massacre to complete the usurpation of the homeland,” as the group said in a statement. “Do not listen to the leaders of the coup, for blood is dripping from their mouths,” the statement added.
Follow
This is the perfect web site for anyone who hopes
to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue
with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put
a brand new spin on a topic that has been written
about for ages. Great stuff, just wonderful!
After looking over a number of the blog articles on your web page,
I truly like your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my
bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please
visit my website too and tell me your opinion.
I got this website from my friend who shared with me concerning
this web site and now this time I am browsing this web page and reading very informative posts here.
You can certainly see your skills within the article you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how
they believe. Always follow your heart.
I want to to thank you for this very good read!!
I absolutely loved every little bit of it. I’ve got you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post…
Highly energetic blog, I loved that a lot. Will there be a
part 2?
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long
comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb
blog!
Hello There. I found your blog the usage of msn. That is a really smartly written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
Its not my first time to pay a quick visit this web page, i am visiting this website dailly
and get nice information from here all the time.
Very nice write-up. I absolutely love this website. Stick with it!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely neatly written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your publish is simply nice and
i can suppose you are a professional on this subject.
Well along with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with imminent post.
Thanks 1,000,000 and please continue the enjoyable
work.
You really make it appear sso easy along with your presentation however I in finding
this topic to be really somethinbg that I believe I’d by noo meanns understand.
It kind of feels too complicated and extremely huge for me.
I am taking a look forward on your subsequent put up, I will atttempt to
get thee cing of it!
Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after reading through some of the
post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back
frequently!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Actually no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other people that they will help, so here it happens.
Hi to every one, the contents present at this site are actually awesome
for people experience, well, keep up the good work fellows.
Very rapidly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s nice articles
This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep
a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved
to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find
It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to
give something back and help others like you aided me.
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web
the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people
consider worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out
the whole thing without having side-effects ,
people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend
your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this
your broadcast offered shiny transparent idea
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about loi duflot.
Regards
This is my first time pay a visit at here and i
am in fact impressed to read everthing at single place.
Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this
technological globe the whole thing is available on web?
What’s up Dear, are you really visiting this web site regularly, if so
then you will absolutely get nice experience.
It’s nearly impossible to find knowledgeable people in this particular topic, however, you
sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Its like you learn my mind! You appear to understand
a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the
guide in it or something. I feel that you could do with a
few % to pressure the message home a bit, but other than that, that
is fantastic blog. A great read. I will definitely
be back.
Hellߋ, I enjoy reading alll of your post. I wаnted to
write a lttle commnent to suрport you.
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful
& it helped me out a lot. I hope to present one thing back and aid others such as you helped me.
Hi there to all, becаuse I aam really keen of reading
this websіte’s post to be updated on a гegular
basіs. It cоnsists of pleasantt information.
Hello, everything is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s really excellent, keep up writing.
Eѵery weekend i used tօ ρay a quick visit tbis web page,
because i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this web page
conatiοns trulу fastidious funny informаtion too.
Awesοmе blog you havve here but I was cureiouѕ if you knew of aany forums that cover
thе same topics discussed here? I’d really lovе tto be a part of group wheгe I can get comments from
other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
If you hafe any recommendations, plеase let me know.
Many thanks!
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s
the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Ɗoes your site have a ϲontact page? I’m having ρгoblems locаting
itt but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got sօme recommendations
for your blog youu might be interested in hearing.
Either wаy, greɑt website aand I look forward to seeing it improve over
time.
I like it whenever people get together and share views.
Great blog, continue the good work!
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to look it over.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be
tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and excellent design.
Such a nice post. Congratulations and all of the
finest to you and Melanie we’ll see you “on the other side.”
For newest news you have to visit internet and on world-wide-web
I found this web site as a most excellent web page for hottest
updates.
Nice response in return of this question with genuine arguments and telling all
on the topic of that.
I discovered your web-site by using Ask and I am just really impressed with how perfectly accomplished this site is.
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My blog discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly
benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to
send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
Terrific blog by the way!
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website.
I am hoping to view the same high-grade content from you later on as
well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own website now ;
)
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I
could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest
twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and
was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward
to your new updates.
Everything wrote was very reasonable. However, what about this?
suppose you added a little information? I ain’t saying your content
isn’t solid., however what if you added a post title to maybe get people’s attention? I mean Egypt’s referendum
between a sweeping ‘yes’ and a feeble ‘no’
I like it when folks get together and share opinions.
Great website, continue the good work!
Remarkable! Its really remarkable paragraph, I have
got much clear idea about from this piece of writing.
Highly descriptive article, I loved that a lot. Will there
be a part 2?
You could definitely see your expertise within the article
you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are
not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue together with your web site
in internet explorer, may check this? IE still is the marketplace chief and a huge section of other folks will omit your wonderful
writing due to this problem.
I just couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard
information a person supply in your visitors? Is gonna be again continuously
to check out new posts
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to
my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some
time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy
reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Finding the time and actual
effort to create a very good article… but what can I
say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything
done.
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work
due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to
protect against hackers?
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes that make the biggest
changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would
really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers
I donཿt even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I do not know who you are but definitely you are going
to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Admiring the hard work you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material.
Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds
to my Google account.