Egyptian Reform Process

To my dear Friends and Family in Egypt:

It is important to approach the next phase of Egypt's presidential selection process with interest and care.

It is important to review the agendas proposed by the different candidates and their political/professional/social stance and achievements.

It is, however, more important to cast your votes with the notion that the next president will NOT be allowed to remain in office for more than 2 terms, and that what really matters is the dire need for reform for an effective socioeconomic/sociopolitical system and its institutions.

Most important, remember that, whereas criticism of the individual candidates is a natural and healthy reaction, your individual and constructive contribution to the reform process is the only path for a better future.

Hani Badawi

March 18, 2012

Further reflections on life

Our reflection of the past, present and to a lesser degree our future, becomes more acute as we get older (at least for me!).  In time, memories become somewhat blurry, very much like an "out of focus" image in the view-finder of a camera.  However, the analogy almost stops here!  

Whereas bringing the image into focus in a camera is a simple physical process of either adjusting the lens position or moving closer or farther from the object of interest, bringing memories into focus is a very complicated matter. 

Without delving much into the complexity of the human brain (of which I only have a little knowledge), there are a few things in life that help us sharpen our memories.  To name a few: Photos and videos from the past, old letters, diaries (if kept), chats with old friends, revisiting places of the past. These aids may (or will) help in sharpening our memories of events, but, what about old feelings and how they inter-mesh with our present and possibly future feelings? 

This leads us to a yet more complex field of view for which sharpening our memories would necessitate the help of a psychiatrist or psychologist.

My message from the foregoing comments is: One's life can be complicated by the events we encounter in our journey of existence. Whereas events cannot be reversed, feelings can, to some degree, be manipulated to either make one's life easier or more difficult. 

A "flash" of the camera analogy comes back to me one more time: In the camera world a lens shutter adjusts the exposure level of an image.  In the human world, peace with others is determined by the level of peace with oneself!

Hani Badawi
March 19, 2012

Coin or Cube?

Are the 2 extreme slogans in Egypt, namely: 
كرهناكى يا ثوره and يسقط حكم العسكر 
two sides of the same coin? Or are they twos sides of a cube? Should people toss a coin or throw a die for determining where things need to be heading for the welfare of the masses and the nation?

The meters in the nation's proverbial dashboard are indicating numerous alerts, and yet the proponents of the above 2 extreme factions are selectively looking at what they prefer to follow. Would you be safe driving a car where you only pay attention to one meter on the dashboard and ignoring the rest?

Coin or cube? A nation's future should not be subjected to a gambling/probability approach.

Hani Badawi
February 4, 2012

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

Prayer of the day

Prayer of the day from China:

I pray that the atrocities and bloodshed in Afghanistan will cease soon.

I pray that the Durban Climate Change conference will effect some positive resolutions for a cleaner planet (I say that from the heavily polluted city of Beijing!).

I pray that the turmoil and 9 months of strife and bloodshed in Syria will be halted to allow the citizens of that country to live an honorable life worthy of their long history.

I pray that the global economic meltdown will be reversed soon to avert the otherwise more dire consequences.

I pray that the politicians of the world will learn soon that political science (which is not truly an exact science) needs to be reformed.

I pray that uniforms worn to differentiate people's belief are not over-emphasized and that religious leanings are not driven by a herd mentality.

I pray that nations will make a better effort to work closer together to eliminate famine, illiteracy and crime.

I pray that the next generations wherever they may reside in this world will enjoy a better life.

Hani Badawi,

December 6, 2011

Egyptian Revolution: The Unfinished Symphony! Part 2

Six months ago I wrote a note about "The Egyptian Revolution: The Unfinished Symphony". At the time of writing it I did not imagine that uninvited "wannabe" maestros were going to crash the rehearsals and wave their batons in threatening motions at the players (the noble Egyptian youth).

Alas, these uninvited maestros are leading to a cacophony that needs to be repaired before the next movement of the symphony is completed.

The symphony will be completed when the perpetrators realize that there is no standing or sitting room for them!

Hani Badawi

December 17, 2011

Beijing Subway Experience!

I am composing this message as I am rocking back and forth on board of a crowded subway train in Beijing.

As I happen to be heading towards a suburb that is 40 minutes away from the city center, I also happen to appear to be the only foreigner on board!

In every direction I look, I see passengers thumbing notes on their cell phones, and I couldn't help thinking to myself, how long has it been since humans started using their thumbs with such dexterity?

I look around again, and this time I can't help thinking: Are they writing a similar message about this foreigner who is merrily thumbing along a note on his phone!

Hani Badawi

December 17, 2011