The Arab Autumn

Ten months after the Arab Spring began, it has failed. Miserably.

It’s easy to get drunk with revolution. All the chaos, no need to go to work or school, escaping day-to-day routine for something “bigger”… I mean come on, wouldn’t you rather be toppling dictators than paying your bills and stuff? Perhaps, except for the mortal danger part where you might be shot in the face or your head run over with a 20-ton tank…

However, I was skeptical since day 1 and even when Tunis, Egypt and most recently Libya got rid of their strongmen, my tweets were mainly urging the people not to squander what they achieved and to work hard to create a secular, democratic nation on the rubble of the dictatorships they grew up in. Much to my dismay, and the dismay of many I’m sure, the Arabs in revolt have failed miserably.

Tunis

They’re the guys that started the domino effect we witnessed the past year. They’re the guys that supported the Libyans in their struggle, they’re the ones that put the precedent for how things would go down in these blossoming would-be democracies. Unfortunately, religion’s grasp has taken hold in oppressed Tunisians mind and yesterday’s poll results put the Islamist movements and parties ahead of the more liberal secularists.

In other words, instead of a nation built on equality, modernity and reason, Tunis’ laws are going to be derived from a religious book written centuries ago. I mean no offense here, and I’m sure to many that is enough validation, but it is not fair for those who do not share the same views.

Your choice to follow Sharia Law is admirable and it is your complete right to adhere to it, so long as it doesn’t violate other peoples’ rights, safety and of course happiness. That is why instead of one Holy Book, why not use the plethora of literature the whole of humanity has generated over the past millenium and a half? That way, there is at least a choice for people. If I were a Tunisian, and I had to adhere to Islamic law, I would not be happy. Not because of my own views on religion, but because I’m being forced to follow something whose only argument is that “God said so” an argument that is invalid, or at least not enough in the 21st century.

Here, my wrath is not aimed at the Islamic movements. On the contrary, their efforts have blossomed and they have won the elections. My disappointed is instead aimed at the liberals and seculars, who seem to have wasted away their chances with petty in-fighting and the inability to properly unite their front. I am absolutely certain that the youths that chased Ben Ali out of Tunisia, would prefer more freedom and at least a choice. The dilution of the supporters of modernity, freedom and liberalism in Tunisia, has cost them their revolution and today, I am deeply disappointed in Tunisia and Tunisians.

Egypt

Firstly, what the fuck was that trial?! A flea market is more organized than that rabble of a crowd and gang of a prosecution! And why the hell was Mubarak allowed to go all Lady Gaga on us and show up on a hospital bed in a cage? Spare us the mockery and keep him in his room…

As for the army, well, who puts the fate of a democracy in the hands of the military? Yup, that’s right, NO ONE. The civilian and military concepts of governing are practically polar opposites, and asking one to develop and train the other is like asking an employee to train a retard so that retard can become his boss eventually… That employee will do anything to stop the retard from becoming his boss, like it or not.

Also, the pulverizing of Egyptian Copts with tanks and armored vehicles was testament enough to the fact that Egypt has failed. Why? Because under Mubarak, Copts were persecuted more than their non-Coptic compatriots. Today, the Copts have it worse, proving that the tolerant, pluralistic, free and democratic Egypt we were waiting for, is not upon us, and doesn’t look like it’s gonna be anytime soon.

Now, you might argue that it’s foreign powers or a small group of extremists or whatever other conspiracy theory based on no real evidence. But, I tell you it’s not about burning a church or squashing the skulls of protestors… It’s about the reactions of non-Coptic Egyptians, and from where I stand, the condemnation was mild at best and that proves that the will for a respectable, secular and democratic nation, was an illusion that needed far too much work.

Libya

Here is where it cost most I believe. Thousands killed, dozens of cities razed to the ground and what was left of a shaky and corrupt economy completely demolished. Yesterday’s NTC chief’s speech though, was like a blow to my gut. The last hope I had for the Arabs, was gone. “Libya’s laws will be derived from Sharia Law.” If I were a soldier on that front line for months, and I heard that, I’d be like “this was SO not worth it.”

I might come off here as anti-Islamic, but trust me, I’m just as opposed to a Christian-Law governed country. I’m all for religiosity and stuff if that’s what you need to be happy and ethical, but for the people who don’t need it, don’t force it upon them. When I speak of Sharia Law, what’s comes to mind is the KSA and Iran, two examples of definitely undemocratic and oppressive regimes, maybe even Pakistan. I doubt any Sahria-Law governed states exist and can be considered truly free and democratic. You want to speak ideally? Ideally Islamic law is the best? Well, we live in the real world and idealism doesn’t work, it’s pragmatism you’re looking for when it comes to real life.

Conclusion

I’m sad, but I hope I’m wrong about this and the peoples of these countries rise up and demand the rights and freedom they have earned with blood and sweat and tears…