Local family with ties to Egypt says fears that extremists have fueled unrest are unfounded

Forum on Egypt at Concordia — A campus forum held Tuesday at Concordia College in Moorhead focused on the dynamics behind ongoing demonstrations in Egypt protesting the regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Photo by Dave Olson / The Forum

By David Olson

February 08, 2011 at 11:07 PM

The ongoing protests in Egypt have nothing to do with religious extremism and everything to do with widespread desire for freedom and democracy, according to an area family with ties to the Middle East country.

"It's not about Islam, it's about human rights and dignity," said Mona Ibrahim, an associate professor of psychology and director of international affairs at Concordia College in Moorhead.

Speaking at a campus forum Tuesday, Ibrahim said one spark fueling the demonstrations was the murder of a 28-year-old man who was beaten to death by Egyptian police.

The man's only crime, she said, was capturing video of police divvying up drug money.

Ibrahim said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak wants the world to think toppling his government will put extremists in power, but she said Egyptians will not let that happen.

"The word on the street is, 'We'll never be another Iran,' " said Ibrahim, who spoke at the forum along with her husband, Ahmed Kamel, and their daughter, Ayah Kamel, a Concordia senior.

Ahmed Kamel, an associate professor of computer science at Concordia, said it recently came to light that a church bombing in Egypt, originally blamed on extremists, was really the work of security forces trying to foster fears of instability as a way to maintain United States support for the Mubarak government.

The regime's repression of would-be political rivals will make forming a transitional government difficult, but not impossible, he said.

Citing an example of how things work in Egypt, Kamel said he has an uncle who once ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Egyptian Parliament.

For making a bid for office, Kamel said his uncle was convicted of attempting to overthrow the government and given seven years in prison.

"They simply want to control everything," Ahmed Kamel said.

Ayah Kamel said she is proud of the courage displayed by demonstrators, but worries determination and passion will not be enough to undo a political system rife with corruption.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555

By David Olson

I'm a reporter and a photographer and sometimes I create videos to go with my stories.

I graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead and in my time with The Forum I have covered a number of beats, from cops and courts to business and education.

I've also written about UFOs, ghosts, dinosaur bones and the planet Pluto.

You may reach me by phone at 701-241-5555, or by email at dolson@forumcomm.com