Reflections on Reform

My comments on reform in Egypt (or any other country coming out of a revolution)
Like arrows, accusations and blames are darting to and fro between different factions and ideologies.
Individuals are suffering from either physical or mental harm or both in other instances.
Public property has been and still is being damaged.
Adding fuel to the fire has become the order of the day.
Guess who is the culprit? Yes, you guessed right, it is your country and yourself.
If you truly care, then it is time for you to rise to the occasion and help build your nation.
What has been physically destroyed can be rebuilt quickly; broken feelings on the other hand, take a long time to rebuild.
The longer the flying darts are allowed to continue, the harder it is to rebuild and heal the wounds.
Democracy does not mean that you can exercise libel and slander freely. In a true democracy criticism is encouraged, whereas defamation, libel and slander are treated as offences or crimes. As the English proverb states: “Loose lips sink ships”. An equivalent Arabic proverb states: “Your tongue is like a horse (or your protector), if you protect it, it protects you, if you abuse it, it abuses you [OR if you betray it, it betrays you].
لسانك حصانك إن صنته صانك و إن هنته هانك
Or
لسانك حصانك.. ان صنته صانك ..وان خنته خانك
Enough time has passed since the revolution of January 25. I use the word “passed” instead of “wasted” as the use of the latter may be perceived as another dart aimed at a certain group of people. This is an example of using caution in using my tongue and still relaying the same message.
I pray for true reform and peace in Egypt and the rest of the world.
Hani Badawi,
November 20, 2011