Teach Peace Moment: Support freedom in Egypt

On February 11, 2011 Mubarak resigned resulting in joyous celebration around the world. Unfortunately, the military dictatorship in Egypt that has been the primary enemy of freedom in Egypt for over 60 years is still in charge of the country. Freedom in Egypt requires an end to military rule.

At Teach Peace, we pray that the non-violent resistance continues safeguarding all that has been gained and does result in democracy.

The military use of violence on February 13, 2011 against the Egyptian people illustrates the victory is far from complete (see http://www.presstv.ir/detail/164997.html).

Please watch Waseem Wagdi as he summarizes our thoughts about the need for justice in Egypt. The video message is brief lasting only 3 minutes and 34 seconds.

US and Israeli leadership support the Pharoah (part 2, see further below for part 1)

Moses would not be happy, nor would George Washington, Sultan Malik al-Kamil, or St. Francis of Assisi.

Moses delivered his fellow Hebrews from bondage. The people of Israel know best what it means to live under the hammer of an Egyptian dictator. Israel's active support of Egypt's dictator, carefully documented in the "Sources" section below, would likely bring Moses to tears. Fortunately, peacemaker Rabbi Michael Lerner explains many Jewish people support the Egyptian people.¹

George Washington and the other founders of the United States would no doubt be saddened to see a non-violent revolution for freedom suppressed with involvement from a foreign power. President Obama is seeking to deceive the American people with public calls for Mubarak to leave while simultaneously making available the tools for Mubarak to remain in power (e.g., releasing US Mobile Force Reserve military equipment, gas canisters, bullets, and a load of US made advanced crowd control weapons delivered on Monday). The truth is Obama does not care about freedom but is working hard to install the next Mubarak to do the bidding for a new world order. For peacemakers who remember Obama's promises to end the Iraq War, stop the CIA from torturing people, or even something smaller like shut down Guantanamo, he lost his credibility long ago.

Sultan Malik al-Kamil was the leader of much of the Muslim world and all of Egypt during the Fifth Crusade. Sultan al-Kamil's documented acts of kindness throughout his life place him in the history books as one of the most amazing people to have walked the earth. St. Francis of Assisi, in a true story that often people still do not know about, traveled to Egypt to end the Fifth Crusade.² He crossed the battle lines in what was an almost certain suicide mission on a mission of peace. St. Francis was brought to Sultan al-Kamil and something miraculous happened. The men developed a deep respect and love for each other. The Sultan offered peace and for the rest of his life St. Francis taught to love, respect and serve Muslims as you would your own family. Sadly, for over three decades Mubarak's dictatorship has been the opposite of treating the Egyptian people as he would his own family.

Please contact your representatives now and pray for the people in Egypt.³ Help us teach peace by sharing this email to join the side of Moses, George Washington, Sultan Malik al-Kamil, and St. Francis.

We may see freedom in Egypt or sadly the advanced weapons of the US, Israel and Mubarak's secret police prevail.

Peace be with you, Dave Dionisi

Footnotes for part 2

¹Jewish prayers for Egypt's uprising --1 Feb 11 by Rabbi Michael Lerner.

² The Saint and the Sultan by Paul Moses (published by Doubleday in 2009) -- St. Francis'message to love your enemies did not fly well with the Pope who was preaching Muslims needed to be slaughtered. To suppress St. Francis's teachings in conflict, in 1266 the Catholic Church ordered all early works except for the 1261 Bonaventure's The Major Legend of St. Francis destroyed. The Major Legend of St. Francis was carefully crafted to both delete historical events and add fictional events to create the authorized version (fortunately some works prior to 1266 survived this destruction order and today help us see what St. Francis taught). 

St. Francis had the keys to ending the Crusade with al-Kamil's offer to give the Pope Jerusalem. Unfortunately, Cardinal Pelagius, the religious leader of the Fifth Crusade, was hell-bent on killing Muslims. Had St. Francis's love your enemy teaching continued to become mainstream, it would not have been possible for a Catholic to bear arms (as he required for all laypeople who joined his Third Order). Teach Peace and St. Francis both teach peace with words when the person is open to the words and when not, teach peace with acts of kindness.

This history of St. Francis and Sultan al-Kamil continues to threaten "the princes of this world."

³Contact President Barak Obama by going to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact and find your representative at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt.

Sources

Secret police blamed as peace protesters are gunned down in the siege of Cairo --3 Feb 2011 More than 1,500 injured in overnight clashes between democracy protesters and Mubarak supporters --Rocks and concrete blocks hurled at pro-democracy demonstration. At least three anti-government protesters in Egypt were shot dead after gunfire rained down on Cairo's Tahrir Square in violent overnight clashes. Protest organizer Mustafa el-Naggar said he saw the bodies of three dead protesters being carried towards an ambulance. More than 1,500 people were injured in the latest violence, which came before dawn, as protesters remained in the street through the night following a day of clashes between 'supporters' of President Hosni Mubarak and dissidents.

Israel places US made resources at Suleiman's disposal 'to protect the Egyptian regime' --2 Feb 2011 Well-placed Israeli sources have disclosed that Israel has offered to place "all its capabilities" at the disposal of General Omar Suleiman, the recently appointed Vice President of Egypt, for the "protection of the regime in Egypt". This offer includes the implementation of "various operations to end the popular revolution". ...Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently suggested the possibility of Israeli intelligence personnel undertaking various specialist operations to bring an end to the demonstrations.

US trying to dampen Egypt uprising' --02 Feb 2011 The Iranian foreign ministry has condemned the US attempts aimed at stifling the popular uprising underway in Egypt, warning of outrage in the Muslim world. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast criticized on Wednesday "the efforts of the rulers of the United States to prevent the tremendous movement of Egypt's magnanimous nation," the ministry said in a statement. He also addressed Washington's recent dispatch of its former ambassador to Egypt, Frank Wisner, to Cairo, blaming the move as part of a US scheme aimed at "devising deviatory plots."

Deputy Omar Suleiman known for his brutality and CIA links --02 Feb 2011 The man named by President Hosni Mubarak as his first ever deputy, spy chief Omar Suleiman, reportedly orchestrated the brutal interrogation [torture] of terror suspects abducted by the CIA in its secret "extraordinary rendition" program. For US intelligence officials, Mr Suleiman was "the CIA's point man in Egypt for rendition - the covert program in which the CIA snatched terror suspects from around the world and returned them to Egypt and elsewhere for interrogation, often under brutal circumstances", according to Jane Mayer in a profile for The New Yorker.

Pro-Mubarak demonstrators attack journalists --2 Feb 2011 Demonstrators who appear to support Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are targeting journalists for attacks on the streets of Cairo. A Belgian reporter on Wednesday was arrested, beaten and accused of being a spy by men supporting the Mubarak regime in the central Cairo neighborhood of Choubra, according to one news media watchdog group. An Egyptian reporter was found severely beaten several hours after a group of men seized him in Tahrir Square, according to his news organization. Journalists from the BBC, ABC News and CNN were also attacked.

Egypt protesters defy overnight curfew --2 Feb 2011 Egyptian forces plan to curb anti-government protests in the capital by trying to enforce a ban on popular movements in Cairo's main square. The army seeks to impose an overnight curfew on Tahrir Square, the Egyptian opposition Muslim Brotherhood said on its website on Wednesday. The square is currently the scene of overwhelming demonstrations against the regime of three-decade-long President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak.

Machine guns fired into Cairo's Tahrir Square --600 reported injured, one killed in clashes; Pro-Mubarak rioters hurl Molotov Cocktails, rocks at opposition from surrounding buildings; protesters target Egyptian Museum. 02 Feb 2011 Machine gunfire was heard on Wednesday night, shortly after Egyptian state television ordered all demonstrators to evacuate Cairo's Tahrir (Liberation) Square. Al Jazeera reported that anti-government protesters remained in the square, chanting "Leave! Leave!" at Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as ambulances were stationed in the area.

Mubarak Fails to Quell Protests With Departure Pledge --'Your last day will be Friday.' 01 Feb 2011 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he will step down after elections for a new leader, a concession rejected by opposition leaders and protesters who refuse to wait months for an end to his regime. Mubarak said he'll stay on to ensure "stability" and push through political and economic changes before his departure. The Cairo crowd began chanting anti-Mubarak slogans even before the president's state television broadcast was finished. "Your last day will be Friday," some shouted, referring to the day when further demonstrations are planned.

Mubarak promises to stand down at next election after 'million-strong' march demands his resignation --1 Feb 2011President Mubarak confirms he is to stand down at election --Military holding good to pledge not to fire on peaceful protesters --18,000 passengers stranded at Cairo Airport in dash to escape --Foreign Office to send charter planes tomorrow to pick up British tourists --Google provides a Twitter lifeline after last internet provider shuts down. President Hosni Mubarak will step down at the next election, he said tonight, following a rally by an estimated million people against his political regime. The 82-year-old former general announced on television that he would not seek re-election in a ballot set to take place in September. However, he said he would stay in office until then to respond to demands for reform, in a speech which was greeted by cheers from protesters massed in Cairo's main square.

New Egyptian VP Ran Mubarak's Security Team, Oversaw Torture --1 Feb 2011 Omar Suleiman Offered to Chop Off Man's Arm for CIA, Says Author. The intelligence chief tapped by Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak as his vice president and potential successor aided the U.S. with its rendition program, intelligence experts told ABC News, and oversaw the torture of an Al Qaeda suspect whose 'information' helped justify the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Ron Suskind, author of the book The One Percent Doctrine, called Suleiman the "hit man" for the Mubarak regime. He told ABC News that when the CIA asked Suleiman for a DNA sample from a relative of Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Suleiman offered the man's whole arm instead.

Israeli planes carrying crowd dispersal weapons arrived in Egypt: Rights group --31 Jan 2011 The International Network for Rights and Development has claimed that Israeli logistical support has been sent to Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to help his regime confront demonstrations. According to reports by the non-governmental organisation, three Israeli planes landed at Cairo's Mina International Airport on Saturday carrying hazardous equipment for use in dispersing and suppressing large crowds. In the statement circulated by the International Network, it was disclosed that Egyptian security forces received the complete cargoes on three Israeli planes which were, it is claimed, carrying an abundant supply of internationally proscribed gas to disperse unwanted crowds.

Looters included undercover Egyptian police, hospitals tell Human Rights Watch --01 Feb 2011 Human Rights Watch confirmed several cases of undercover police loyal to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's regime committing acts of violence and looting in an attempt to stoke fear of instability as demonstrations grew stronger Tuesday against the autocratic leader. Peter Bouckaert, the emergency director at Human Rights Watch, said hospitals confirmed that they received several wounded looters shot by the army carrying police identification cards. They also found several cases of looters and vandals in Cairo and Alexandria with police identification card.

Israel allows Egypt troops in Sinai for first time since 1979 peace treaty --31 Jan 2011 Due to street protests threatening Mubarak's regime, Israel agrees to let about 800 Egyptian soldiers into Sharm el-Sheikh area in Sinai.

Egypt army backs protesters: We won't use force against you --31 Jan 2011 Egyptian army spokesman appears on state TV saying that the army understands legitimacy of protesters' demands; protesters call for 'million man march' marking one week since start of uprising.

Israel provides weapons for Egypt --31 Jan 2011 Israel has provided the Egyptian government with weapons amid the country's popular uprising demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, reports say.

Mubarak gives shoot to kill order --30 Jan 2011 The army has been ordered to shoot when it sees fit. Military helicopters and jet fighters fly over major locations as the numbers of protesters multiply there.

US, Israel and Turkey evacuate citizens from Egypt --30 Jan 2011 Some leaders expressed hope for reform, but King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia saw ­foreign 'meddling' in Egypt's upheaval.

Egypt protests: War planes fly low over Cairo --30 Jan 2011 Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei has joined thousands of protesters in Cairo defying a curfew to demand President Mubarak stand down as war planes seek to intimidate Egyptians.

'Police open fire as protesters re-gather in Cairo' --Eyewitnesses claim that security forces shot at protesters in Egyptian capital angry at President Mubarak's refusal to step down; Mubarak sacks gov't, defends police crackdown on protesters. 29 Jan 2011 Hundreds of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo on Saturday morning, renewing protests calling on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to resign. Police opened fire on a number of the protesters according to eyewitness reports, al-Jazeera reported.

Fear Extreme Islamists in the Arab World? Blame Washington --29 Jan 2011 For decades beginning during the Cold War, US policy in the Islamic world has been aimed at suppressing secular reformist.

Tunisia: Exiled Muslim leader arrives home after 22 years to throngs of supporters --Could Rachid Ghannouchi be Tunisia's Khomeini? The exiled sheik returned to his homeland on Sunday after the country's Western-back secular autocrat was ousted by a national popular uprising that inspired Egyptians to oppose Hosni Mubarak (see Tunisia announces a new government at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12209621).

Mubarak Orders Ministers to Resign but Backs Armed Response to Egypt Protests --29 Jan 2011 President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt appeared on television early Saturday morning and ordered his government to resign, but backed his security forces' attempts to contain the surging unrest around the country that has shaken his three-decade-long authoritarian rule. He did not offer to step down himself and spent much of his speech explaining the need for stability, saying that while he was "on the side of freedom," his job was to protect the nation from chaos.

Egypt protesters defy curfew as tanks roll into Cairo --28 Jan 2011 At least 25 killed on day of violent protest --Mubarak stays but dismisses government --Demonstrators defy nationwide curfew. Tanks moved on to the streets of Cairo and Alexandria as protesters in Egypt defied a nationwide curfew ordered by President Hosni Mubarak in an effort to quell the fourth and most violent day of demonstrations against his 30-year rule. In a late-night TV address, Mubarak refused to relinquish power, but dismissed his government, promising a new administration to tackle unemployment and promote democracy. But his call for stability appeared to cut little ice with many protesters, who surged on to the streets as soon as he finished speaking, defying a curfew.

Shot in the head: The moment Egyptian police gunned down an unarmed protester for throwing a rock --28 Jan 2011 State TV announces 6pm to 7am curfew in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez --Mubarak asks army to help police deal with protests --Protester in Suez killed in clashes, say witnesses --Total blackout on internet access and text messaging services disrupted --Tear gas and water cannon used against protesters. A protester tumbles to the ground as he is gunned down by police revealing the brutal reaction of the Egyptian regime as it tries to contain the unrest that is spreading across the country. Mohamed Atef, 22, died instantly from a shot to the head as he demonstrated in the town of Sheikh Zoweid in northern Sinai... The shooting came as police fought protesters in Suez and Ismailia, two cities straddling the Suez Canal that separates Sinai from the rest of Egypt. Today thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in Cairo, who fired rubber bullets into the crowds and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

Military deployed in Cairo, ElBaradei put under house arrest --28 Jan 2011 Chaos has enveloped Egypt as the military has been deployed in major cities and curfews imposed. Buildings have been set ablaze including a police station and the ruling party's headquarters, while a clampdown on the media has been stepped up. Security forces shut down al-Jazeera's Cairo office while a CNN camera crew was attacked and their camera taken by security forces. Protestors have surrounded the government TV and radio compound which is being closely guarded by the military.

Mubarak will step down: Brotherhood --28 Jan 2011 The Muslim Brotherhood has said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will be stepping down. At 11:51 p.m. Cairo time on Friday night, the Muslim Brotherhood's website Ikhwanweb.com posted the sentence: "Semi-confirmed: The dictator will step down, his family fled the country secretly." However, a few hours later the word "Semi-confirmed" was changed to "Unconfirmed."

BBC journalist arrested and beaten by Egyptian police --28 Jan 2011 A BBC journalist has been beaten during riots in the Egyptian capital. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters demanding an end to President Mubarak's 30-year rule took to the streets after Friday prayers. BBC Arabic reporter, Assad Sawey, told Lyse Doucet that his arrest by the police had been "brutal".

'It is not longer a Twitter or social revolt, it is an actual revolt.' --Richard Engel, NBC News, commenting on the people's uprising in Egypt. By Lori Price 28 Jan 2011 NBC News: The tear gas used against the protesters in Egypt was 'Made in USA.' Of course. There's no industry in the US, except for war and weapons of war. 'There is frustration with American involvement in Egyptian politics.' (MSNBC)

Egypt's Mubarak imposes curfew after day of protests rocks regime --28 Jan 2011 The headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party were ablaze in Cairo on Friday night, shortly after a curfew came into force, live footage carried by Al Jazeera television showed. State television confirmed the building was set on fire. NDP branch offices in several other cities around the country were also set on fire or attacked during the day, witnesses said.

13 killed in Suez in 4 days --28 Jan 2011 At least 13 people have been killed and 75 injured in anti-government demonstrations in the Egyptian city of Suez over the past four days. On Friday, thousands of Egyptian protesters stormed the main police station in the port city of Suez, overwhelming security forces and raising an even bigger challenge to the embattled regime of President Hosni Mubarak. The protesters freed prisoners from the city jail [Awesome!], destroyed armored police vehicles, then sacked the building and looted its contents.

Israeli min. urges Egypt to use force --28 Jan 2011 An Israeli minister says Egyptian government forces will have to exercise force to rein in public protests as the African country is teetering on the brink of a Tunisia-style revolution. Inspired by the recent popular revolution in Tunisia, Egyptians have staged similar anti-government protests since Tuesday, calling on President Hosni Mubarak to relinquish power after three decades in office. Meanwhile, an Israeli cabinet minister who spoke on condition of anonymity to Israeli media stated on Thursday that the Egyptian president backed by a strong militarily prowess will eventually subdue the crisis, The Washington Post reported.

All Web sites in Egypt brought down as Internet goes offline --28 Jan 2011 Almost all Internet Service Providers in Egypt are down, the cause unknown, but suspected to be on the orders of the government. Unprecedented protests which have gripped the country are believed to have been largely co-ordinated on the Internet primarily through social messaging networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Both networks suffered widespread disruptions Thursday but by Friday were almost totally inaccessible.

El Baradie joins anti-government protest in Egypt --28 Jan 2011 Former chief of UN nuclear watchdog agency and Egypt's reformist leader Mohamed El Baradie arrived in Cairo to join the ongoing protests against the country's 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak. The anti-government activists have planned a massive rally in the capital Friday. The protesters want the government to end its 30-year state of emergency and pass a law preventing a president from serving more than two terms, and want the Interior Minister Habib al-Adly to resign.

Support Freedom in Egypt (part 1)

President Obama is providing Egypt's dictator with weapons and troops to suppress freedom in Egypt.¹ US soldiers are already deployed to Egypt and provide support to Egypt's military.²  You can help by letting President Obama know you support the Egyptian people.³

Mubarak routinely suppresses humanitarian aid

In 2009, Teach Peace volunteers witnessed the corruption and crimes of Hosni Mubarak and his government. We arrived in Egypt to bring food and medicine to help children in Gaza. Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak used intimidation, torture, and murder to suppress the international aid effort. Fortunately, our peacemaking effort prevailed and we delivered medical supplies. Unfortunately, the siege of Gaza that started in June 2007 is still enforced frustrating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The four pictures below, from the summer of 2009, show one of thousands of homes in Gaza destroyed and peacemakers responding with emergency aid consisting of medicine and wheelchairs.

Footnotes for part 1

Many of the above summaries are from the Citizens for Legitimate Government (CLG). To access more Teach Peace Moments, click here.