Most of the voters went to the poles on the second and third days of voting. However, young people were reluctant to vote because they were worried that the rule of Al Sisi will be similar to that of former President Hosni Mubarak who was also from a military background.
I personally think that President Al Sisi is the right choice at this time because Egypt needs a president who can reestablish the security of the country. Without security, tourism and the economic situation will not improve. The new president has to work hard in order to meet the many challenges that are facing Egypt, including the financial situation and the concerns of those who think that Egypt will be ruled in a military-like way.
Please pray for Egypt and the new President so that we cross over this difficult time into more stability.
Bishop Mouneer Anis and his diocese have been in our prayers for many months. We are very glad and thankful to read that the situation in Egypt may be heading towards more stability. Let us hope.
While I understand the desire for stability – especially given what Egypt has experienced over the past three years – it seems as if we’re right back where we started in 2011. There is no recognition of the significant bloc of voters now disenfranchised and no attempt to encourage a “Christian Democrat” wing of the Muslim Brotherhood to emerge (the Brotherhood is once again simply banned).
Furthermore (and this should be a concern to those desiring greater pluralism in the Arab world), there is no interest in curtailing the military’s state-within-a-state or in affirming the basic civil rights even of secular Egyptians. One can’t help wondering what will happen what President Sisi will do when the protesters return to Tahrir Square. I rather doubt he will be as restrained as was his predecessor.
And by his “predecessor,” I meant Hosni Mubarak not Mohammed Morsi.