WATANI International
14 November 2010
Al-Wataniya hiya al-Hal (Patriotism is the Answer); Anwar Abdel-Malik; Maktabat al-Usra (The Family Library); Cairo 2009
Al-Wataniya hiya al-Hal (Patriotism is the Answer), by Anwar Abdel-Malik is a recent publication from the Family Library’s social science series. The Family Library project is part of the bigger “Reading For All” programme launched by Mrs Suzanne Mubarak in the 1980s to offer books to readers at subsidised, eminently affordable prices. This 600-page book aims to awaken public awareness so as to marshall all Egyptians into forming a unified national front. To reach this goal, the author digs into the depths of the Egyptian personality throughout the ages, from the days of ancient Egypt and until today.
Abdel-Malik believes that the answer to the current Egyptian woes lies in promoting a cultural revolution that would wipe out what he describes as the “nightmare” of prevalent apathy and indifference, and pave the road for the cultural renaissance our society is in dire need of.
Learning from history
The author sketches his outlook for a future where Egyptian nationals will join hands to build a modern State amid an ever-changing world. In shaping his vision he refers to both positive and negative incidents in Egypt’s history. He examines conspiracy theories which throw the blame for Egypt’s woes on Zionist, capitalist, or even communist shoulders.
Abdel-Malik explains that the most ancient centralised State was born in Egypt and held fast for more than 70 centuries, which has led Egyptian researchers and intellectuals to wonder incessantly whether their heritage was a blessing or a blow.
The author considers the State control over the Nile water, the building of barrages and the division of ample food among all Egyptians; as well as the desire for large families with many children and the love of luxury, factors that combine to give Egypt its distinct and unique flavour.
He highlights the Egyptian community’s strengths and weaknesses over the various eras, taking into consideration the stances and ambitions of foreign powers vis-à-vis Egypt. Giving numerous examples he remarks that, typically, every era in Egypt ended with the ruling dynasty deteriorating into corrupt decadence, leading to general discontent and rebellion, and making it easy for some new power to seize authority over Egypt. This, the author explains, was the starting point of every new era.
History inevitably leads to the future. Abdel-Malik suggests recording the accomplishments of previous eras to form what he describes as a ‘national build-up’.
Decision makers
Abdel-Malik believes that the full spectrum of Egyptian political and intellectual forces should be included in the decision making process required to run the country. We cannot, under any conditions, expect to make headway in a climate that marginalises vibrant forces of the community and distances them from deciding on the destiny of their nation.
On the financial and economic fronts, the book suggests developing Egyptian economic policy into a multi-sector economy that focuses on productivity and the supremacy of national capital, thus moving away from dependence on foreign capital. This would necessitate efficient communication between scientific and strategic research, as well as between innovation and industry, and should, according to the author, enforce social equality.
A country’s productivity, Abdel-Malik explains, is assessed through measuring its national strength and assets. This strength is the product of the combined economic, political, scientific and cultural power. We can only reach this national product through empowering all Egyptians to exercise emphatic roles in their community.
Modern knowledge
In an attempt to rally public opinion towards embracing positive initiative, more than a third of the book looks into the roles of a number of the public figures who have left an imprint on Egypt’s renaissance. Foremost among these is Mohamed Ali Pasha who ruled Egypt from 1805 till 1848 and earned the title ‘founder of modern Egypt’; Salama Moussa who ranks among Egypt’s prominent 20th century enlightenment figures; and Galal Amin, initiator of the idea of ‘Egypt through Egyptian eyes’.
Abdel-Malik stresses that Egyptian independent culture, thought and knowledge in no way contradicts benefiting from modern Western progress and values.
The book ends with a few verses of a poem written by the Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi (1868 – 1932), the ‘Prince of Arab poets’, which were recited jointly by Muslims and Copts during the heyday of Egypt’s nationalist movement following WWI and well into the 1920s. . Among them is the verse:
“[Egypt], This is your land,
Your children rush to you,
From far and near,
The Crescent and the Cross
They come to the rescue.”