MAS Statement on the Current Crisis in Egypt

The current uprising in Egypt has taken on the character of a massive popular democratic revolution, with broad support from virtually every sector of Egyptian society.  After decades of dictatorship, political repression, and economic hardship, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, and many other towns and cities to demand the removal from power of the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, and to seek the institution of true democracy in the most populous Arab nation in the world.  

We believe that it is time for President Mubarak to heed the demands of the masses of Egyptian people and leave office.

This uprising, coming in the aftermath of a popular uprising in Tunisia, is evidence of the broad call for true political freedom and reform that is sweeping through the Arab world. This massive discontent is not limited to any one part of Egyptian society. Students and youth, religious organizations, organized labor groups, intellectuals and academics, working people, women's organizations, journalists, and the masses of poor Egyptians are united in their demand for a fundamental change in government.  We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the civil unrest that accompanies these mass demonstrations. We believe that the Egyptian people will work together to end the violence and bring peaceful accord to a nation that has suffered from years of political repression and economic hardship.  

Further, we call on the diverse opposition forces to collaborate and consult on the best way for religious and secular activists to construct a new, truly democratic government in Egypt that will address the social and economic problems of society while assuring the respect of human and civil rights for all people of the country.

As Americans, we urge the United States to support democracy in Egypt, to immediately suspend military assistance to the Mubarak government, and to recognize the legitimacy of the struggle for people power in Egypt, and throughout the Arab world.  

This support for real democratic reform will benefit American interests in the long run, the people of Egypt, and the entire world.  

Moreover, we believe that true democracy in Egypt will be beneficial to the overall struggle for peace and social justice in the world, and that it will help thwart the spread of extremism and terrorism, anti-American violence, and armed attacks on civilians.  When democracy and human rights are allowed to flourish, the threat of internal and illegitimate violence will diminish.


As American Muslims, we stand behind the rights of all people to "Liberty and Justice", and call on our government to do the same.