Charlie Hebdo: Responses from Cairo

By Khaled Hassan   It was hard for me to make the decision to write this article, as someone who is very passionate and just beginning a career in foreign policy. The format went through a few different permutations. I thought maybe an analysis of the situation would be appropriate for someone in my field, but I think we can all agree that there has been enough analysis in recent weeks. I decided that it was time for someone to open up and speak their mind, from the heart. I write not as an Egyptian or a Muslim but as a fellow human being. Like the rest of you, I watched the terror attack in Paris with horror. A few years ago I would never have believed such acts of terror would become routine, even in my own home city of Cairo. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. We regularly witness such acts taking place in Egypt, some of which have occurred so close to my home that you can feel the residual on you after. It might last for a few minutes or days, or even a few months. Yet it always ends with bodies, broken hearts and families who mourn their loved ones. Of course, it also succeeds in creating the atmosphere of fear these groups thrive on. I cannot claim that I know how it feels to lose a loved one to the war on terror, because I simply haven't. But, I surely know what it feels like to lose a loved one and I can only imagine the bitterness you feel when someone is taken from you because another person has decided that it’s god’s will. Think about this: there will be no more Christmases, no more birthdays, no more spending time with that person. They will be gone because of the choices of others. It doesn’t matter to whom you pray. It doesn’t mater if you go to a mosque on Fridays or a church on Sundays or a synagogue on Saturdays; we are the same. We are all God’s creations and if it was his will not to have you in this world he wouldn’t have created you. If God wanted us to all adhere to one religion he wouldn’t have given us Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. If he wanted us all to have the same color skin, speak the same languages, and be part of one culture he would have done that, too. The beauty in this world and the people in it is exemplified by the diversity on display. By refusing to open up to the world you continue to live in a shell. I was shocked but not surprised by the attacks in France. I have seen it happening for some time now and I feel that it will continue for some time. This is one of those times where I think we all wish we were wrong. I have asked myself a million times, why is this happening? The only consistent thing I can think of is that many people and countries have appointed themselves delegates of God; to protect his will. On the other side we have something very similar, delegates of democracy and liberty. To them I say, who appointed you?! What gives someone the right to bomb a country you claim to support and offer them democracy as a consolation prize? What gives you the right to yell “Allahu Akbar” while taking someone’s life? Who appointed any of us to be the guardians of God’s will or the guardians of democracy? I honestly believe that this is the talk of mad men and their actions — on both sides — and it will bring nothing but pain and suffering. I believe that it is ironically sad to see Muslims killing other Muslims in the name of God. Maybe this is a message to all of us. Ahmed Merabet, the Muslim police officer killed during the attack on Charlie Hebdo, was simply doing his job and died trying to help others while trying to keep the city of Paris safe and secure. Ahmed Merabet tried to bring peace and security to a world in chaos. He died countering the views of radicals who personify the general public’s perception of an entire religion. Is it right to ask if Islam is a good or bad religion? Or should we maybe accept that there are good Muslims and bad ones, just like everything else in life? There is one way for us to get out of this dark tunnel and that is to think of the greater good of mankind. Freedom of speech is not the end, but rather it is the means to an end. It is a journey to a destination; the well-being of all mankind. I can never justify the despicable actions of a terrorist because I believe that there is never a reason to take another person’s life. But I want to ask another question: is it really worth it to insult a group of people with a drawing simply because you can? I am sure that there are so many other things that we can make fun of. In the end if you decide to draw the Prophet Mohamed or Jesus or any other holy symbol in an offensive manner, you shouldn't have to die. There are people out there willing to put their beliefs aside for the greater good, just like Ahmed. On January 27 the Center for Arab-West Understanding— in cooperation with the Cairo Foreign Press Association and the Global Forum for Media and Development—hosted the press conference “Charlie Hebdo: Responses from Cairo” at the InterContinental Cairo Semiramis Hotel. The terror attacks in Paris have highlighted the contentious debate regarding the sometimes-controversial nature of free speech and the importance of mutual cultural understanding. The event was structured around five diverse and distinctive reactions to the events in Paris. Speakers included: H.E. Mohamed Orabi, former Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Dr. Anas Abu Shadi, Professor of comparative fiqh at the Azhar University; Cornelius Hulsman, Deputy Chair of the Center for Arab-West Understanding; Volkhard Windfuhr, General-Secretary of the Cairo Foreign Press Association; Mona El-Saghir, General Secretary of the Global Forum for Media and Development. My wish is that we can all be a bit more caring and unite against this terror, and maybe, just maybe we might not end up a bunch of losers. Je suis Charlie, Je suis Ahmed.   Read more AWR reports on their website, follow them on Twitter @ArabWestReport or follow the AWR Facebook page