Kareem Amer’s latest letter from prison
Kareem Amer, an Egyptian blogger and former Al-Azhar student, who was sentenced to four years in prison merely for questioning religious and political authorities on a personal blog, has written his 6th letter from prison (read all previous letters here.)
Translated below is Kareem’s latest letter from prison, which he sent to our mutual friend Shahinaz who occasionally writes to and visits him. The original letter in Arabic was first published a few weeks ago on our Free Kareem site.
Kareem specified that he wants this letter to be read by as many people as possible, so please republish this wherever appropriate. The Egyptian authorities may have succeeded at putting him behind bars, but they can never silence him.
I write, while the completion of a “whole” year in prison approaches, with my cuffed freedom and restricted movements. The tough experience pushed me to realize the bitterness of injustice that indescribable feeling which has no resemblance, particularly if applied on a victim that committed no guilt. I did nothing but merely practicing my legitimate right to speech, guaranteed by all civil and humanitarian rules despite the tyrants who do not approve it.
Apparently, a quite long time has passed since the day of unjustly sentencing me to four years in prison. Until recently, I was not able to comment on the event because I had no access to media and I was deprived from exchanging mails or talking. I spent more than two months in the cells dedicated to those sentenced to death and serving punitive penalties. The prison officials claimed that there was no other proper place for me. They prevented me from having pens. Whenever I wanted to write a letter, I had no choice but to dictate it!
Now, things have changed greatly. At least, I can write and exchange mails, not with complete freedom though. My letters unlike the letters of other prisoners are subject to censorship. However, the prison officials deny that any of the letters coming to me is confiscated. They confirm that they send them to me after reading the content regardless of content. Therefore, I found it a good opportunity to talk after a long period of forced silence and staying away from those who “invested” my crisis – according to my Tunisian friend, Emad Habib – because they do not deserve my slightest attention.
I still clearly remember that day. I prepared myself, psychologically, to the final session of announcing the judgement. I did not care for the expected sentence, then. I was preoccupied with history and the anniversary that coincided that day. History repeats itself all the time; yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all alike. My final judgement session was held on February 22nd the day that I can never forget.
On the same day forty six years ago – particularly in February 22nd, 1943 – a military court in Germany headed by a “racist” judge sentenced three University of Munich students to death. They are the brothers Sofia and Hans Scholl and their friend Christoph Probst. They were punished because they dared to confront the fascist regime in a non-violent way. They established a resistance movement against the ruling regime. They called it “White Rose Movement.” Their peaceful activism, for which they were executed, was limited to confronting the ruling fascist regime by simple tools like drawing on street walls at night, writing and distributing street bulletins, with the purpose to expose the inhuman crimes against ethnic and religious minorities in Germany. They used to distribute their bulletins inside the campus; computers and blogging was not known for them.
Sixty-four years later, a “tyrant” judge in an Egyptian court, motivated by Al-Azhar University, sentenced me to four years in prison because I practiced my right to free speech online. Al-Azhar University released me recently by expelling me out and I am still paying for this freedom.
I am not trying to compare myself to those brave heroes; I just wanted to focus on the historical coincidence. The blogger friend, Shahinaz mentioned in one of her letters that “tyrants and dictators looks alike in every place and time” However, I was preoccupied by the situation of university in both cases. At that time, University of Munich took the initiative to expel the three students out and handled them to the Gestapo. At this time, Al-Azhar University took the initiative of expelling me out, then informed the prosecutor with my activities… No comment!
Every day in the morning, I find an urge need inside my mind to think of my current situation, as if I am discovering it for the first time. I ask myself many questions with hope to find appropriate answers to justify my current situation. I am detained with dangerous criminals who resemble danger against individuals and properties. I tried to find convincing answers for my questions. At a certain moment, I decided to abandon logical thinking. I decided to look for a good interpretation based on the prevailing inherited concepts of inhuman characteristics and which are mostly related to our miserable facts.
I found out that the accusations levelled against me, regardless of its legal paraphrasing, can be divided into two sections:
A total section related to using my right to free expression in an unfree climate and daring to exceed social, political, and religious limits and redlines.
A detailed section, which can be summarized in the following points:
First: my absolute rejection of violence, particularly that hidden under religious covers and justified by Quran texts, which lost their value by time.
Second: using my mind to analyze the unseen and unbelievable facts derived from religious superstitious heritage.
Third: my rejection to be classified according to any affiliations imposed forcefully on me because I decided not adopt something which does not express what I feel.
Fourth: I believe naively that I live in a democratic free atmosphere and that I enjoy my basic civil rights, including my absolute right to free expression in addition to the aforementioned points. I did not realize the bitter fact that I live under the rule of repressive regime chasing those who have different opinions.
Fifth: Bending myself to frankness and transparency in expressing my views. For example, I am not disguised behind a false name and had been able to do so. It was evident during the investigations conducted by Disciplinary Council of Al-Azhar University and the Public Prosecutor. I think this is the real reason behind everything that happened to me so far.
I think these are the true accusations leveled against me. Things will not change as long as our country does not change. These days, we cannot neglect the tyrant judgment against columnist and poet, Ahmed Abdel Muti Hijazi who was charged with defamation against a mohatasib. He simply talked about religious fundamentalism in one of his articles published in Rosalyousif newspaper, few years ago. He compared between political Islamists and inquisition courts in the Middle Age and Israeli religious extremists who insist that their country is a religious one.
Al-Azhar University is currently planning for a new conspiracy against freedom of thought and expression against Ph.D. Dr. Mahmoud Al-Khayal. He mentioned a TV show that he wants to translate an American book titled “End of Faith” into Arabic. Now, the supporters of retardation are preparing to chase him with the charge of disdaining Islam like what happened with me.
I announce from her that my accusation is not a shame for me. I have it like a crown on my head and necklace on my chest. Every one must know that I did not force myself to respect any tyrant law that hinders freedoms. I am against any act to limit the right of freedom of expression of any person. Laws were created to regulate the relationships between individuals inside the same society. They are not meant to limit their freedoms and violate their basic rights. It is not logic to say that: “… there are limitations on the right to freedom of expression …” according to those who work against freedom. These limitations, according to them, include justifying suppression and intellectual circumcision supported by shallow-minded fundamentalists who cannot go abreast with the modern age.
Let everyone, including the tyrant judges who sentenced me and those who misused my crisis to get me, know that prison will not work out with me. I do believe in myself, respect my right to free thought and expression, and use their minds all the time. My thoughts which deprived them of night sleep, will not change until I get convinced of other thoughts. Terrifying and intimidating me, expelling me out of university and putting me in prison will not change my mind. Also, inciting people to kill me and claiming hisba cases against me and any other barbarian methods will not panic me. Only stupid, weak, and inflexible people use these methods to justify their violent actions by breaking the pencils of writers and silencing their voices. They cannot achieve what they want.
I do not know how to address Al-Azhar University that led me to jail, the tyrant judges who sentenced me to prison, and the leaders of the repressive regime who are preventing us from breathing. The best message I want to deliver to them is quoted from the young Sofia Scholl who were in my age at the time of her execution. She said to the judge who sentenced her to death: “One day, you will be at my place!” This happened.
To the enemies of freedom, tyrants, and authoritarians, heads of religious institutions, officials of the governing regime and their supporters, I say:
“The garbage of history will be stuffed with you soon. The coming generations will not have mercy with you. They will do as I am doing now. They will curse you. Please, make sure that no one will shed a tear for your sake, because you do not deserve it. Tomorrow is ours. It does not matter how tyrant you are in your attempts to silence us and confiscate our views. You should be aware for our revival because your days are counting down. Your dark night approached its end. Our dawn will come up very soon. Tomorrow is ours.”
Abdel Kareem Nabil Soliman
Unfamiliar with the details of Kareem’s case? Read about it on our FAQ page and see what you can do to help.
Remember that there will be a worldwide rally for Kareem to take place on Friday, the 9th of November. Please find a city near you to get involved or organize a rally of your own.
“You can cage the singer but not the song.” - Harry Belafonte, in International Herald Tribune, 3 October 1988
How does such an unjust government stay in power? The United States gives Egypt BILLIONS in military aid every year. That’s one way…
gary
The US government is not interested in ensuring our human rights. We have to find better ways to influence the Egyptian government to free Kareem and the many others in similar situations.
Esra, I agree completely. I’m only pointing out that the US government is PART of this problem (human rights violations), whether you chose to address it directly or not. I understand that Egypt even has it’s own spy satellite now, called EgyptSat 1. It’s hard for grassroot movements to fight against spy satellites.
gary
We did address them directly, nothing happened. The US government is very aware of Kareem’s situation and of the increasing human rights violations in Egypt. They still send massive support towards the Egyptian authorities. The U.S only gets involved if its own interests are served, otherwise they couldn’t care less.
I agree completely. And I want everybody to know and be constantly reminded, which is why I bring it up. So we have no argument. If only there was a better way of waking up my fellow citizens about how their tax money is being spent. I know…how about a commercial to be played during an episode of “America’s Next Top Model”? It could show Kareem sitting in his cell wearing the fashion of prison garbs.
gary
The worldwide rallies with the support of media outlets can definitely help create a PR crisis for Egypt’s worldwide reputation and credibility.
Yes, but whatever is done needs to create a crisis for US worldwide reputation and credibility as well, given the complicity. And the problem with worldwide rallies is that they’re all too common and completely ignored by 99.999% of the US voters. That’s why I’m throwing out ideas for breaking through. Given that so many people like Kareen are STILL sitting in jail cells after the rallies have come and gone, maybe it’s time for a more creative approach. Before today, I had never heard of Kareem. Assuming his case is legit (and I completely trust you on this), I would personally donate $50 towards any effort that I felt would make a difference. I may be crazy with the commercial idea, but I don’t see rallies has having worked either. In this country there was a very effective campaign waged against smoking through TV commercials (technically public service announcements). That’s what make me think of it.
gary
It’s not our problem what people do and don’t ignore. Our job is to organize events and publicize them through media outreach, whoever is interested simply shows up and gives their support.
You are wrong.
Our last worldwide rallies was practically on every paper from Europe to the USA to a few in Egypt. It was also televised in several TV stations, especially in the Czech Republic. The worldwide rallies was the best PR strategy for our campaign, and it’s essentially what got leaders and thousands of people talking. We did 2 sets, and each time more people in more cities get involved, more people begin reading about it, more people blog about it, more people stay tuned while the campaign remains active and alive especially with its organization of rallies and other methods of spreading the word. And it gives the media a great story to carry out.
For a campaign that is so understaffed, I really do think we did our best and for the most part succeeded at it in terms of PR.
Take a look at the Free Kareem site, and all those media appearances (which is not our single-handed effort but the campaign did play a big role in mobilizing them)… so if people have not heard about Kareem by now, they really ought to read the papers more. Even FoxNews covered him, CBS, ABC Network, I mean come on, what else are we expected to do, write Free Kareem with the stars at night? People should wake up and smell the roses, thousands of people are blogging about Kareem and currently have the site linked permanently on their sidebars. In February there were over 10,000 blog reactions worldwide and millions of hits to the website. The worldwide rallies included over 15 cities - videos, pictures, TV coverage, seriously… if people are not aware of this case they are the ones to blame, Kareem’s story is all over the place.
When it comes to campaigning, there is no such thing as a useless method because we can’t afford not try everything. We continue to try every method to spread the word and increase awareness, from rallies to op-eds to TV to radio. You do your best and you hope for the best, and if people have a problem with that, they should stop distracting us from doing this hard work and start something of their own. That’s basically what we tell our critics.
Kareem’s case deserves to be slaved over. It’s sad that we’re still understaffed at the campaign but despite that we’re doing our best, and instead of criticizing us for what we’re doing VOLUNTARILY people should get involved if they truly care. Unfortunately, not many do. Even if they are aware, many people simply shrug it off without giving a shit.
Esra, I don’t pretend to speak for anyone but myself. And I certainly don’t know anything about your worldwide rallies, other than I have never heard of them. I’m just an average American citizen, other than that I probably pays more attention to issues like this than most (certainly anyone I know personally which is of course is not scientific). As I said before, it’s not my intention to denegrade your work. I’m just brainstorming aloud.
Now that’s not fair. I just have a different approach than you, specifically my United Democratic Nations idea. I’m trying to think beyond one person or incident. I don’t accuse you of doing “NOTHING”.
gary
Sorry, that was an overreaction, I edited the comment so please see the revised version.
I am just kind of tired of the thousands and thousands of the insults and lazy criticism that we have received in the past year. After so many of them it gets unbearable. “Why rallies? That’s a cheap way of spreading awareness!” or “You think a website will free him? You guys are stupid!” or “You are stealing donation money! Where is this money going!” (we are sending the money to Kareem on a monthly basis by the way; but people were generally unaware of this so we started publicizing it.) Donators know exactly where their money is going, the readers don’t, and the readers were the ones who attacked us so we decided to publicize our financial strategy as well.
Anyways, and this is not just to you Gary but to everyone else who doesn’t act but loves to criticize those who do: if we’re doing it wrong - here’s a thought. Do something about it. We cannot possibly be expected to rule the world with this campaign if we are less than 10 people doing what we do and giving it our best damned shot. One year later and the campaign is still going strong, not many people can say that.
Kareem’s letters are very powerful, for someone writing in prison. You should consider publicizing them internationally.
I heard that a Scottish school had a Free Kareem day, is this true? I don’t remember where I read it. Probably here.
No, they had an Amnesty International Freedom Challenge, in which Kareem’s case was involved. And they weren’t Scottish
You are referring to this story.
I remember reading about Kareem when his case and his subsequent incarceration occurred. It is here at MEY that I get the opportunity to learn more about the man and his plight. The kind of determination and steadfastness Kareem holds is rare in this world. I can just imagine that once his four year sentence is over, the nightmare won’t be. That is why I find value in knowing Kareem and his story because if it happens once, it’ll happen again and with more frequency.
As for America not doing enough for human rights issues, America is not to blame for everything. It is not America’s place to come to the aid as a solution-provider everytime injustice is served. Frankly, a lot of people don’t like it when America puts her nose in someone elses affairs. That’s been a vocal point made clear for some time now. America, just like everybody else, it ranks things in order of importance (not implying Kareem is not important; he is definitley important becuase what is happening to him can happen to you and to me). Right now, peace in the ME with some progress on the Palestinian/Israeli issue is on the front burner of America and many other ME nations. America does know that some of its partners in this movement are dirty, and America has never claimed to be a saint, but there should be some credit given for pushing towards the letter and the spirit of peace. Many of you may think that I am contradicting myself with the situation in Iraq, which Bush brought on the American people (and we hate him for it) because many of us are tired of walking around having to make excuses for him while other people put our names on the toilet booth wall, and we know fully well that we will have to clean up the mess made by his administration. I can be pissed off and mad about it or I can accept it for what it is and hold my head up high and work with people on the things I can do something about right now and show others that America isn’t full of arrogant trailerpark retards and that we, in conjunction with other people, can help get things on track for better times.
Wow… Where did this all come from? Just like you are, I am an advocate for positive change and for solutions that do not mean fighting fire with fire (I’ve done enough of that and wish no more of it). I feel empathy for Kareem and others out there who are in his same predicament yet nobody knows about them. I am also an individual entitled to say what I feel, as well as to stand up for my country regardless of the things it hasn’t done. How would it look if I did nothing in that capacity? Just like I am not allowed to vote in the country of ny home right now, neither are you allowed to vote in the USA. BUT, by arming myself with truth and with knowledge of what is really going on, I can vote in America and try my best to get stuff turned around. If you feel slapped by me, I apologize for that, but I think you would rather have members who will speak truthfully.
Dawoud,
One correction…
While I didn’t personally vote for Bush, you can’t just say that Bush brought all this on. As a nation where people vote, the responsibility ultimately falls on the voters. That’s the system, like it or not (personally I like it).
gary
Gary, as two Americans, I’m not gonna debate on this issue. You are choosing a prsonal sentiment of mine, and I am entitled to think that way if I want, so it is not a correction.
Yes, we, whether you voted for him (Bush) or not, chose him as our leader. Did we vote to enter into Iraq? No, we did not. We are never given that choice directly. All we can hope is that our representatives in Congress are able to speak for us on our behalf.
As for voting, I do like our system, but I don’t like the current administration, and as a result, I won’t be making anymore votes without ample information. That is something every citizen should be doing before making a vote (arming themselves with information from many sources).
Let’s stick to the topic at hand. If you want to debate my personal sentiments, let’s choose another medium, but not here.
Dawoud,
President Bush was reelected, even after the Iraq war started. So regardless of our own opinions on the subject, it’s undeniable that the American voters must share responsibility for Iraq. To imply otherwise misrepresents the situation. As to sticking to the topic at hand, ignorant or uninformed voters sending tax money to support governments that abuse human rights IS on topic.
gary
Ok! Now that put it in this light, yes, we do share the burden of responsibility, but the day-to-day, we do not have a say. Can you agree on this? Also, when was the last time you were given the choice on how your tax money was spent? I don’t recall a time when I voted on how the fiscal budget was to be divided up and who was getting what. You get my point? We always find out after the fact or when it is mentioned. All we can hope when we vote is that the candidate who gets the vote to be president does the right thing.
If you wanna be the champion of this dialogue between you and I, OK you win. That was simple.Let’s get back on topic.
If America wasn’t supporting Egypt with billions of dollars each year, no one would care about America nor would anyone target it for help. But it does financially support Egypt, and it’s hypocritical for their administration to attack Iraq in the name of “freedom” when in fact it does not care for freedom at all.
It is very important that I emphasize this:
We are not blaming America for what happened to Kareem - we are suggesting that they stop supporting dictatorships if they really wish to support our human rights in this region.
That’s why it’s Esra’s blog…she always says it best!
gary
Two things:
1. Gary this question is for you… Is your view popular amongst Americans? Are they generally aware of where their tax money is going?
2. I just read all of Kareem’s letters from prison, the ones in Arabic only, I really admire his courage for continuing his fight. It can’t be easy but he’s doing it despite all the risks involved. I wonder if he will remain this active 3 years from now?
Think about it, if the USA stopped funding Egypt, what do you think would happen? Who is it biting at the heels of the current regime in Egypt. There’s more than one face to this picture, and they are all interlocked. You won’t be able to take one out without having to face all of them simultaneously. Hypocrites? The list goes on and on. It just so happens that America’s face is the biggest. As I said earlier, nobody’s hands are clean here in this region and elsewhere in this world. I am telling you from previous experience. If you want to champion this cause, you must look at each government here and their track record and their alternatives and ask- Is it better to know the devil you are faced with right now or to replace it with a devil you know nothing about? These relationships that America has fostered with nations throughout the ME didn’t happen over night. How do you think the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt came into being at Camp David during Jimmy Carter’s tenure as president? Anwar Sadat’s regime was given concessions, as were the Israelis. Was it a bought peace? Yes. There aren’t many that come for free. I am just throwing some food for thought at you all. If you want to be warriors for human rights, you have to know everything there is to know. I’m just playing the role of devil’s advocate right now. Do I like what is happening? Not even in the slightest.
It’s out of the question, I don’t think anyone here is naive enough to believe that the USA wants peace in the Middle East. It’s not getting involved with our governments for peace, nor is it paying dictatorships to spread the ideas of freedom and human rights. It’s all about money, political security, natural resources and private gains. It isn’t and has never been about us, the people. We’re just chess pieces for the masters at play.
Why else did so many activists already give up? The leaders won’t listen, the people are too scared to talk and the risks are too huge to face. It’s sad and it’s dangerous, but at the end of the day someone’s gotta do it. No one says we’re trying to be heroes, but apathy is a disease and is in dire need of a cure within the Middle East. Everyone has to act, and if enough people do, positive change will really be achieved.
Salama ,
My answer to your question (1) is: No and No. The ignorance and apathy on foreign policy issues is as vast as our Grand Canyon. And it spreads “from sea to shiny sea”. Americans tend to be much more knowledgable about sports and Hollywood gossip. At least this is my unscientific experience. And mind you, I live in one of the more progressive parts of the nations (San Francisco bay area).
——————————————————–
Dawoud,
Again Esra’s reply said it best. My own comment is this…
I’m fully aware of the consequences. I still want my own country to do the right thing, regardless of what other countries do. If that means losing business and political influence, so be it. In the long run doing the right thing, championing human rights, will gain us influence. And respect. Wow…we’re a long way from that, aren’t we…
gary
Gary, at least you can agree with what I did not spell out. What do you think I want? I want the same as you. It’s not just your country, but mine as well. The one man who I admire who has kept on doing what he tried to do while in office is Jimmy Carter. Hell, even at age 83, he’s still plugging away at bringing awareness and attention to things we need to be doing as a nation (Katrina; Darfur) as a private citizen, albeit a famous private citizen and on his own dime. As far as changing our image, yes, we are a long way off.
Esra’a, don’t get warped. If my comment rattled you, it shouldn’t. You asked me to bring something to the table and share my insights with the group, and I did. If you feel I am apathetic, then tell me so. I don’t mince words to curry favor or to stay in a postive light. Nothing was ever achieved by having a bunch of “yes” people who all agreed on the same things. Americans by and large do want peace in the Middle East, but I am sure that my statements of such are falling on deaf ears. Your feelings of America being self-serving and apathetic, it’s hard to separate the government from the people.
I think I’ve said enough on my point of view. As for Kareem, I will work with people for his release, even if it amounts to nothing.
I believe that’s “shining sea,” gary.
Let’s hope Kareem writes again soon, so we can have another great discussion about the US!
For those who hadn’t heard of the White Rose until now, their wikipedia entry is quite good and completely accurate, so far as I can tell.
Gary is just pointing out how illiterate we are. Lol! I’ve seen one with regards to the Star Spangled Banner “bums flying in the air”.
Yeah, I hope Kareem writes again so that we can discuss how we can effectively get him out. The White Rose… I didn’t know anything about until I read about it here. That was some bravery for you!
MyTwoCents, thanks for the correction! Apparently my spelling isn’t so shiny…
gary
You can be sure that the Egyptian media outlets monitor this blog and I am sure they are reading this thread. Is there anything we can say to them? Should we?
Omid, here’s what I would say to them:
Egypt will eventually be a country which completely embraces human rights - it’s only a matter of time. History will judge harshly anyone who stood in the way.
(My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Egypt - an amazing place! I only hope I can someday show my children Egypt. Here’s a pic from our trip: http://www.cliffhouseproject.com/pyramid.jpg)
gary
I think that’s the paradox of US foreign policy. I do believe America cares. It does. However it ultimately cares about its own interests more than anything else. It’s contradictory but I’m not surprised.
I don’t see the relevance of this to my comment, or actually this entire thread in general. I didn’t even imply that you were apathetic, but I would rather talk about Kareem right now than clarify what I think is already clear enough.
Not a single person in this thread with the exception of Murad actually referred to Kareem’s letter, which is what this thread is all about.
Did anyone here even bother reading it?
Yes, I did read it, and my questions are what are we doing right now to secure his release and as a follow-on, what are we doing once he does get out to ensure his safety? We, as in the collective body of people who give a damn about his plight. As for me, I have written to people I know who can make a difference, and that’s not just limited to politicians.
As for the relevance of what I wrote, it wasn’t me who mentioned the USA and who is supporting Egypt. Look further up this thread. You can’t throw something out there and expect nobody to comment. We all can’t just filter out what we want to hear from the other comments.
Anyway, ma’asalama.
I linked our campaign for a reason, for those who want to read about what we are doing to secure his release the site has extensive information on how and what people can do in order to help.
It is factual information. The USA does support Egypt, the USA does supposedly support “freedom,” all the while supporting a dictatorship that puts the lives of innocent civilians in serious risk. However, and as the of the title entry suggests, this is about Kareem Amer’s letter. Not the USA. One little comment should not hijack an entire thread.
Secondly, no one is filtering what they “don’t want to hear.” I just simply want to stick to the topic I specifically raised, and no one seems to respect that right now.
Esra’a, then the USA should have never been mentioned at all in this thread. Gary started it with the first response and you both traded comments regarding it and it became what it is.
Also, I am talking about the filtering that occurs within each of us. Not this forum.
Anyway, I am not fighting you.
There is no reason why it shouldn’t be mentioned in this thread at least in passing.
It significantly supports Egypt, which is ruled by a dictatorship. It is thus playing a role in these crimes. It is not actively voicing concern or support for the increasing human rights violations happening there. All we are saying is that for the sake of decency, this is what it should do if it truly cares about human rights and political stability in the region. Unfortunately, it does not. This is what our exchange was about, no one was blaming what is happening in Egypt on the USA which is what you implied, and what I already addressed in another comment within this thread.
If we’re through talking about how we’re not talking about the USA, does anyone know if Kareem considered fleeing the country? After the first time he must have known this would happen.
His words (and more importantly, his actions) show a person of great courage: did he choose to remain and be jailed to illustrate his point about the lack of free speech?
Kareem does not want to leave his country, apparently he was asked and he refused to a) take back his words and delete his blog for the sake of his safety and b) to leave the country and go in exile.
And yeah, he may be considered suicidal for doing that. But it takes a lot of guts to do this knowing the risks, and doing it so openly that he puts his pictures, phone number, full name and address for the world to see, including the Egyptian authorities which obviously came with a big price.
This is not the first time he gets arrested and he knew it was going to happen again, that’s probably why he wrote as frequently as he did. To know his story in more detail read Mohamed Fadel’s document about him, where Kareem is interviewed. Anything and everything you need to know about Kareem is both in this document and on the campaign’s website. Familial details can be found in Fadel’s article (15 pages long, by the way.) It will help you explain why Kareem wrote about Islam and the political system in the manner that he did.
In any case, Kareem’s experience is an example of how REAL freedom seekers fight. This is why you all should campaign for his freedom. He’s not your average blogger and activist.
I’ve been thinking about Kareem ever since this article was posted. I try to put myself in the shoes of the Egyptian officials responsible for this. They are probably coming to the realization that this battle is lost, that they will be forced to free Kareem as his value in jail is ultimately not worth the price they will increasingly pay for the adverse publicity (speculation on my part). So if they ultimately see this as a mistake, they must then ask themselves what they SHOULD have done. We could hope that they would wish they had just ignored him. But it’s also possible that they will revert to the tactics of many dictatorships of simply making people disappear. It’s a very common practice…they simply deny any involvement and allow time to erase all memories. So perhaps this begs the question: if a single battle is won, have we really furthered the greater cause?
I may have angered some of you for even asking such a question, but consider this first:
“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”
– Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”
I would say the same principle applies to social struggles. Analysis should not be neglected.
gary
Gary:
I may have misunderstood: are you asking, is it good to win a battle, if the enemy’s defeat will cause him to escalate his tactics? Yes, it is. You must expect the enemy to become more brutal as he becomes more desperate. However restrained his tactics may be now, the more successful you are in pushing him towards defeat the more viciously he will fight back.
The only way to avoid enduring the very worst your enemy can throw at you is to lose before that time.
MyTwoCents,
I agree with you as long as this outcome is not unexpected AND the strategy includes winning the war, not just the battles. That may in fact be the case, but as someone not very familiar with all this, I just can’t tell. Is that the case?
gary