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DIGLA, Egypt -- Several hundred voters lined up Saturday in the hot mid morning sun to cast their votes at Victoria College in the upper middle class district of Digla, a leafy oasis on the outskirts of crowded Cairo and home to many in Egypt’s expatriate American community.
If presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq, guardian of stability and secularism to supporters and proxy of the hated old regime to critics, would do well, one would expect it to be here.
After all, he is running against Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi who has pledged to impose religious law.
But the reality was very different.
"If you have a snake, you have to cut off the head and tail, or the serpent will revive. Shafiq would give the snake a new head,” said retired army officer, Mahmoud Sabri, as he leaned on his cane.
Charlene Gubash / NBC News
Mahmoud Sabri shows the dye on his finger used to make sure voters cast ballots only once.
“I think these people (the Muslim Brotherhood) had been imprisoned for eight years. They are still struggling against the dictatorship and against every bad thing we have suffered since the revolution of 1952,” added Sabri.
Engineer Mohamed Hassan, who lived in the U.S. for 10 years and got his PhD from the University of Illinois, said, “I am voting for Dr. Morsi ... (he) will continue what we started one and a half years ago. The revolution was started to change the regime and Morsi will continue to build a real democracy. We do not want a military backed system. We need freedom, and different parties and so on.”
Was he worried they would impose an Islamic state?
“They are peaceful people ... and have been pushing for democracy for thirty years.”
Pharmacist Ayman Mohamed also shared his opinion.
“I want Morsi,” said Mohamed. “Shafiq represents the old system and corruption and the revolution hoped to remove Shafiq. If there is no corruption, I think Morsi will win.”
“I am very worried about the country,” added Hisham Watani, a young music composer. “I am worried about Shafiq winning so I voted for Dr. Morsi. All of (former President Hosni) Mubarak’s men will destroy us and destroy Egypt.”
Haitham, an engineer who gave only his first name because he works with an international company, asked: “Why did we do a revolution? If Shafiq will come, the revolution is dead. We need change. My choice depends on Morsi. He can change the system.”
“I am not happy with either but I have to choose one,” said Mohamed Abbass, project engineer with a petrochemical company. “Shafiq is against the revolution so I chose Morsi. I hope Morsi will make big changes,” added Abbass.
Some Shafiq voters were also unenthusiastic but more concerned about stability than change.
"God help us!," said Ali Mostafa, one of the first to arrive to vote. "I had to choose a candidate to feel like I did something. I chose Shafiq."
“I prefer Shafiq who will bring back security and stability,” said businessman Mohamed Mohsen.
Haitham, a computer engineer who also refused to provide his last name because of his company affiliation, said he had more confidence in Shafiq’s ability to lead.
“I voted Shafiq because of his previous experience as a leader and manager. Experience plays a bigger role in time dependent decisions.”
Surgeon Maher Salib voted Shafiq for the same reason. “I believe he can control this country.”
A senior citizen, aided by a young woman, refused to provide his name but said that while it was a tough decision, he voted for Shafiq. “He will return stability and security,” he said. “I feel relaxed. At last I have voted.”
Haitham, the computer engineer, voiced concern about the day results are announced. "What will happen after the election is what worries everyone. We expect unrest no matter who wins."
Many worry the ruling military council will stage a coup if the Muslim Brotherhood candidate prevails. Others fear Islamists will take to the streets if Shafiq wins, in the belief that power was snatched from their hands by fraud. Stay tuned.
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Leave a Comment:
They don't realize thesystemis rigged. The Court will nullifytheelection if the Bortherhood wins,just as the recentlydissolved the newly elected Prialment four days ago. Mubrack's people will not hand poer willingly. That doesn't happen in the Arab world.
The reat revolutio is yet to be fought.
Seems like the poor are voting for MB, probably because they are more Islamic but they'll be sorry once they start tightening the noose of their religion. As for the military guy, maybe he has learned the lesson and will now do better. Who knows? Look what the people here elected. Obama should go be a leader over there.
Maybe Obama can lead Egypt in January 2013. They might need a community organizer.
I think these people are going to go from the frying pan into the fire. When the hard line Muslims take over the people will wish they had Mubarak back in power. Women will have it even worse than it is now. Islam you know.
Yeo. I noticed a lot of the women weren't wearing veils. That won't last long if the MB wins.
I pray that Islam wins and the corruption ends. Islam is what Egypt needs. If Americans don't like it, too bad.
I support the Muslim Brotherhood. They are virtuous people. I couldnt care less what ignorant Americans think of them. They know nothing.
Virtous unless you don't live the way they want you to. Then they will kill you.
It is the destiny of Islam to prevail in the Muslim world Its in all the prophecies of Islam. Any real Muslim knows the time for transition is now!
eoj...
With that in mind, maybe it's time to call all your people back from all countries they reside in and help you acheive this illusion of yours..?? You won't be missed... and maybe you'll have enough educated muslims that have been educated and trained outside of your world to make it happen for you?? -what do you say to this GREAT IDEA????
The transition may not be what you think.
eoj
You're a pathetic fool like the rest of your brothers.
Your child molester mohasbeen stole your religion from judeaism and christianity.
One of the first true examples of mind control. I hope you all rot in hell.
...as heard throughout several Trailer Parks in rural Mississippi;
- "Hey Wilma, looks like them A-rabs gunna gits a new Pharaoh"
- "Scooter, how can thems folks vote when they are'nt even Amaricans?"
- "Why they gunna vote. Egypt aints got no Porno or Beer...."
How's that " Arab Spring coming Along " ? What's coming to Egypt is a Civil War . The United States Government basically Supported a take over of Muslim Countries by Terrorists Groups. This is going end Badly for All involved.
Of course. If you haven't noticed Obama backs the rebels in all the countries ruled by dictators or kings so the radical Islamists can get a foothold. It is his duty as a Muslim to advance Islam. He will come down on the rebels side in Syria if he stays in office. Maybe he will even do it before Nov. The radicals know this so they do most of the killing and blame it on the government. They've done that in every country. The only reason he doesn't help the Iranian people with their revolt is because it is already ruled by Islam.
bevvar: the sad thing is that you probably actually believe what you are posting.
How did obama "back" the "rebels" in egypt? why does he support the king in saudi arabia? What should he have done different in the middle east?
Its easy to complain about obama, lets see what you think he should have done...invaded egypt to keep mubarek in power, for example? And tunesia? Do we draft everyone in the US to invade the entire middle east to keep all the dictators in power? Does the US officially support dictators whenever possible ("land of the free"?).
Why did bush invade and despose the secular ruler of iraq?
so many questions, so few answers...
I thought Egypt was going to be the best new free model of the middle east?? .. instead, more of the same with a little more muslim fanaticism thrown in for good measure. It looks like more and more the Turkish example will be the best you can ever hope for in the area of the new arab spring and it's consequences... At least they are friends you can trust and count on !!
We can't trust or count on any Muslim country. We are seeing that now. look at how Libya is turning against us after we helped them throw Gadhafi out. look at iraq, Afghanistan, they all hate us after we poured Billions into their country. I say Peace on all of them.
Obama did his share to help Libya's rebels. We left the millions of dollars of weapons. We gave a drone to Iran. They outed the doctor in Pakistan and the double agent in Yemen. After any military success, Obama has to throw his Muslim brothers a crumb to keep them happy. You watch.
we "GAVE" a drone to iran? really? how did we "give" it to them? got a link to this "gift"? lol.
muslim brothers? omg you're one of those crazies who think obama is a kenyan born muslim. lol.
These people really have no good choice, they are scr-ewed no matter who they pick.
I see a new revolution in the months or weeks to come.
Both party members that are fighting for control over this nation don't give a rough f---k about democracy or the people who yelled for it.
It will fail eventually.
They need another kind of leadership in the race, and to lighten up a bit on there religious views, or all hell is going to start over again.
Later.
From the beginning I thought things were rigged just for the Military to replace the Mubarak family with another Military tyrrant. Obama and the rest of the world leaders knew it too. What a wreck. These people have NO choice. Islam won't give freedom by a long shot but neither will that ugly Military Government. There is still a Revolution to be fought but it will be like Syria. Who wants that? (Sounds like whats happening in America to me.) We need another Great Occupy rebirth.
Wait until you see the size of the poisonous snake you will get if you elect Mursi. Ask iranians they know something about it, they have been through this.
And again I ask, why is there no independant candidates? why are they either with the military or with the muslim brotherhood? People can't win either way. I still think Shafiq is a better choice tho, when having to chose between 2 evils.
The Independents were probably killed or threatened.
They actually have the guts to claim a side and state it and not hide behind "independent."
Islam is an antiquated religion that has no place in the modern world and therefore must change or die out completely. What the middle east is experiencing is the last dying gasp of a religion that will not and cannot survive in its present state.
how so? islam is expanding, worldwide. Hard statistics on relgions worldwide aren't easy to prove, but there is no doubt it is growing.
angel...
Too many dumb people in the area and too many with their tail between their legs... I doubt this will ever happen in our lifetime or the forseeable future....!!!!
Angel,
Islam is one of the fastest growing religions. It has over 1.6 billion followers. Those who they can't convert, they wage jihad against them. It is not a dying religion, grasping at straws, it is growing, trying to unite the world, one way or another. Be scared. Be very scared.
Why should we democratize all this people who do not want to? why shouldn't we let them live their life as they want? Why should we teach them about caring to each other when they just don't care about life of a child, of a woman, of a human being. Look at Iraq what's happening right now. Nothing change, they still kill each other and they will not stop. They love Islam, let Islam kill them and let our soldiers go home. We can defend ourselves in America, we don't need anybody for that.
I was afraid that this report would draw in American political experts with a
huge range of knowledge such as "History Channel" and the evening
news provides. There might even be one or two that have actually read a history
book and maybe someone besides me who posts their own name as it appears in
Facebook.
I have traveled to Egypt, have friends in Egypt and have traveled (not widely) to
cities in Egypt. It is beautiful, crowded in Cairo with terrible drivers and
traffic, but that is what Egyptians want. What most of them do NOT want is an American's uneducated advice about how to run their country. We backed Mubarek until he was forced out of office and many wrung their hands about that. I was amazed during the revolution to hear an Egyptian say, "Give me Liberty or give me
Death!" Many of them had the courage to fight for their ideals and some
gave their lives for that.
Most of the Americans that I see posting here know nothing about the Middle East,
Egypt, The UNITED STATES or any other subject. They hide behind nicknames that
allow them to insult others, post stupid messages and taunt anyone who argues
with them.
Here is the Muslim Brotherhood Motto:
"Allah is our Objective, Muhammad is our Prophet, the Qur'an is our Law, Jihad is our way, and dying in the name of Allah is our highest Aspiration!"
Need one say more!
Don, that sounds more like a rant than an opinion. Yes, many people with nothing better to do stalk msnbc to find articles to comment on, but that's there choice. Its annoying, even comical at times, but please leave them be.
The non-Muslims such as the Coptic Christians and traditional Christians or Jewish people or Hindu and others faiths or nonbelievers will definitely not want the intolerant Muslim Brotherhood. At least the Mubarak pro military government allowed for some religious freedoms but I can not see the Muslim Brotherhood doing so. What happens is a bit by bit thing. If the Muslim Brotherhood wins in the election the military will most likely not allow it and their could be a military coup or even a civil war. Likewise if the Military does allows the Muslim Brotherhood to prevail and take over leadership radical elements within the Muslim brotherhood will turn that country even more backward than they are already within a short time. Look at what happened in Iran after the fall of the Shah. Turkey is the closest thing to a democracy in the middle east and its secular government is being overwhelmed by Islamists who are attempting to take a bigger part in the government. Democracy is not familiar or common to non western non European countries often seems like anarchy to the people and some strongman or strong group like the Muslim Brotherhood will tend to grab all the power and other parties or ethnic groups will be limited or even denied their rights to participate in the government at best or persecuted and ostracized or even killed by the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.
I was right with you until I got here.....
"Turkey is the closest thing to a democracy in the middle east"
What about Israel? Israel is the only true middle eastern democracy.
Israel is just as western as we are and a democracy. Israel was formed by exiled European Jews and Former soviet Jews who are non-Muslim and therefore they are pro democracy due to their culture upbringing. Islam is so into intolerant of other people that it can not coexist with a secular government at all. The only government's that seem to exist in Muslim countries are either Military, Kingdom, or Dictatorship.
WELCOME TO THE NEW IRAN, LOL.
Be afraid, be very afraid
What kind of animals hide behind females and children?
Bill, Possibly the same kind that hide behind fake names and post nonsense on an article about Egypt when they have never been there and know NOTHING about the country?
Don Liston...
Spoken by a self proclamed expert and a self discribed advocate of the Muslim Brotherhood... Read up on your history and get rid of that tunnel vision attitude buddy...!!!!!
Who gives a chit. Israel will have to deal with the outcome, not us, since our Pres really doesn't have a clue.
Right now, Israel is so worried about what the international community thinks about her, she won't do a thing with out the US's permission. So much for right to self defense.
Notice this article did not name the Muslim Brotherghood's #1 fan? Mustafa Barack Hussein Obama!
On the other hand, look at Americas two choices. A known Socialist and Nihilist; with strong Muslim and Communist Sympathies vs. a guy that just can't connect with people.
Poor people...Thinking that voting for the Muslim Brotherhood will bring them democracy.... The MB will create an Islamic state parallel with the Taliban's Afghanistan. Get ready for Sharia law, Egypt.
News flash
Now this pathetic band of fools in our white house have declared "gay pride " month in the military...how fitting for a nation in collapse.
The gerbil looking sect of defense, pinata, embarrasses the country with this non-sense.
How about declaring "Jerry Sandusky " month, or "Rodney King" month so we can celebrate the animals that rioted.
Goodbye America, we'll miss ya.