Monday, February 21, 2011

The Events in The Middle East...What Does It All Mean

Most of us have watched the events unfold over the last seven or eight weeks in the Middle East, beginning with the demonstrations in Egypt which focused most Americans in on the events and then leading to seven different countries and the protests there for “democracy”. It seems the beginning was in Tunisia, then moved to, briefly, Kuwait, Jordan, then to Egypt, Yemen, Algeria, Libya, The United Arab Emirates and now even small demonstrations are being seen in Iran.

Many of us that have done work in various phases of interfaith efforts and other venues of bridge building between peoples have seen two sides to this coin. The hopeful side that wants real democracy and the other side that wants Sharia law installed in a government that perforce becomes a theocracy, which could mean another Iran.

Of course there will be differences all through the mix as well. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is repeatedly sited as a moderating force, but they were NOT the ones who started the demonstrations in Egypt and are relative late comers to the show. But because they have an organised structure it may be easy for them to rise to the top of negotiations and setting up whatever government is to follow.

Supposedly they call themselves moderates, and have at least spoken that way. But, the other branches of the Brotherhood, in other countries, are not moderate and have elemants of Hamas and Hizbollah and others that are downright terrorist organizations. That naturally concerns people everywhere. Especially in the western world. And of course Israel.

In Egypt there have been very heartening examples of the people giving succor and support one to another regardless of religion or politics and that is a great hope lifter. In many instances they have shouted, ” Christian or Muslim, we are EGYPTIANS FIRST! This brings great hope that the people’s will to enter the twenty first century alongside the western secular governments that assure freedom of what ever someone believes, and that it can be practiced in safety and security. I myself believe that is the hope of most people no matter where they live or in what country they reside.

With freedom comes responsibility to one another, as few realise who have never had true freedom before, but it is a hard learned lesson that has been brought to the people as an example in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hard won indeed as so many want to hold power over those who are different and subjugate them anew.

It is my fondest wish that we will see the honest brokering with the people and their militaries and current and future leaders for shared power and responsibility in the countries as they shake off the bonds of Monarchies and dictatorships that have endured for, in some cases, 1400 years!

Let us all pray for these people and the countries they live in that they can find peace, liberty, and true equality in these perilous times.

Rev. Bruce Holzrichter Sr. Pastor, Tree of The Mustard Seed Ministries and Co-founder..The People of Abraham, Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Be Well Friends

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