A barrage of Egyptians and non-Egyptians has appeared on Capitol Hill and at the White House to speak on behalf of Egyptians. Who gives them the right and the opportunity to do just that, and should we care?
Many a time, since 2012, Muslim Brotherhood members visited the White House and Capitol Hill. It is generally acknowledged that President Obama and Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, were totally behind the Muslim Brotherhood, often hosting Muslim Brotherhood members, but why are the MB members seen, until today, flaunting the Rabaa sign as they stand before the American flag or praying in various American offices? Are these visits solicited or unsolicited visits?
Many a group affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood have wanted their views to reach American lawmakers. The United States Council of Muslim Organization (USCMO) is one of many organizations that aim to advance the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood. They organize the Muslim Advocacy Day, when Islamists from across the United States lobby for their agendas.
During this lobbying event, the Egyptian Americans for Freedom and Justice, EAFAJ, whose Facebook site denounces Egypt’s regime and calls for “justice for Egyptians” lobbies US lawmakers not to support the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
Many attendees are identified as members of the MB. One such attendee was Ayat Oraby, an avid Muslim Brotherhood supporter. She happens to be the one who condemned the military for “killing Muslims on behalf of the Zionist enemy.”
And recently, Egyptian actors Khaled Abol Naga and Amr Waked were amongst a panel of other renegades lobbying the US Congress lawmakers to take action against Egypt.
The “Egypt Advocacy Day” was promoted as a “Two-Day Advocacy on Capital (sic) Hill.” They aimed “to advocate against the proposed constitutional amendments that severely undermine judiciary independence and invite military intervention to unseat elected presidents.” The site confirms, “Registration and room and board will be covered. Scholarships available on a per-need basis for travel,” leaving me wondering who pays for such expenses.
In one session, Waked vowed to continue his activism for a free and democratic Egypt. "This is not going to go down, not on our watch. We have to deliver this message to them very clearly: we do not fear you; you are going down." Obviously, such discourse is why Egyptians, angered and furiated, reacted the way they did against the actor. I am also sure that Waked's opinion will never be the cause of Egypt’s downfall. If anything, it merely creates antagonism against him.
Abol Naga urged “activists to never forget the power of the popular uprisings that rocked the Arab World in 2011, toppling several leaders across the Middle East and North Africa,” and, my two cents, destroyed many countries except Egypt.
Generally speaking, these renegades don’t get access to US lawmaker listeners; at most they meet their staffers, and many of the photos circulated by the MB members are sheer propaganda in the hopes of leaving the impression that they are indeed accessing congressmen.
Besides, according to Soapbox Consulting, a firm that gets lobbyists in the door of a lawmaker, it isn’t an easy matter to access congressmen. “The firm may get you a meeting with a staffer but rarely with a congressman.” Still, it would be interesting to know who subsidizes such events or hires a consulting firm to get them access to a congressman.
It is not only renegade Egyptians who flagrantly speak to US officials about Egypt, but others are also allowed if not invited to do the same. In 2017, Michele Dunne of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace testified in front of Congress where she encouraged members of Congress to reconsider their approach and stop sending US Aid to Egypt.
Michele Dunne is an avid speaker against Egypt, its leader, its military, and its judicial system. Egypt does face a serious threat from terrorism she said, "But the unprecedented human rights abuse and political repression practiced by the government since 2013 is fanning the flames rather than putting them out."
Michelle Dunne’s testimony is official and is taken quite seriously by US lawmakers. It would be enlightening for congressmen to listen to the other side of the coin, someone who appreciates what is happening in Egypt. Here is a response to one of Michele Dunne's outcries, "An open letter to Michele Dunne."
For a change, and definitely a change for the better, why aren’t those who represent the majority of Egyptians getting similar invitations to speak to US lawmakers? Why isn’t Congress listening to the other side, those who see the gains that have taken place and Egypt’s stance against terrorism?
If it’s Egyptians that live abroad, I see thousands, maybe even millions, who would do a better job of explaining where Egypt is going and how far it has gone. I’d call on Professor Farouk El Baz. Professor El Baz serves on the Board of Trustee of the Alexandria Library (Bibliotheca Alexandrina), the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, the Egyptian Center for Economic Studies, the Egyptian-American Affairs Council. I see him as a fair and just speaker on Egyptian affairs.
Maybe Mohamed El-Erian, the chief economist who remains in close ties with Egypt, would be a perfect representative of Egypt. At the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC), El-Erian said that he saw “huge opportunities” for Egypt.
If it’s the words of non-Egyptians, then let’s call on Christine Lagarde, managing director of the IMF. According to Lagarde:
I would be the first to say that these Egyptians and non-Egyptians would focus on economic improvements, stability, and security, but who would deny that the chaos renegade Egyptians call for would have destroyed the hard work fulfilled?
As far as the adversaries are concerned, I wouldn’t give these adventurous but futile endeavours much thought. Still, I would have better representation by worthwhile visitors whose testimony would override the negativity exuded from their efforts.
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