Problems on hold

I am still receiving complaints from Copts who failed to run in the municipal elections on the ruling National Democratic Party’s lists. I am keen to publish as many complaints as possible to prove that we are before a phenomenon rather than a few individual cases. Although many Copts in various governorates sought to play an active role in political life, their pursuit was met by indifference, even reluctance on the part of the NDP. The situation poses a serious question over Coptic allegiance to the NDP where it is obvious they will never be allowed any leading role.
Realities of Egyptian political life indicate that the shortest way to a role in politics is through the NDP given the party’s long hegemony over State institutions. This applies to newcomers on the political scene as well as to power-hungry candidates whose ambitions can best be attained through the NDP. Those with sufficient experience and hopes of active participation, however, will find their ambitions thwarted within the NDP; their best chance lies with other parties. It pains me to see Coptic persistence in seeking refuge in the NDP regardless of the humiliation they suffer within the party. Instead of seeking a way out of the vicious circle, they lament the injustice they suffer. Here are a few indicative instances:
Mansour Mahrous Aziz from the village of Nawawra in Assuit, Upper Egypt joined the NDP ten years ago. “I am an active member,” he wrote, “and played a significant role in campaigning for the party in parliamentary elections. I applied to represent my village in the recent municipal elections, the sole Copt among 24 applicants. Although I had the support of Copts and Muslims alike, the final list of NDP candidates did not include my name. How can one take seriously the rhetoric on Coptic representation? And where are the citizenship rights we were told would guarantee us representation better than any quota system?”
From Qena, Upper Egypt, Amir al-Sarraf sent the following message: ‘The divergence between the NDP’s announced policy and practices on the ground was very obvious in the recent municipal elections. Coptic representation was so weak on the party’s candidate lists; many lists included no Copts whatsover. When the elections were held on 8 April, Coptic turnout was extremely low due to severe disappointment”.
Shafiq Nassim and Kamal Aziz from the town of Daraw in Aswan wrote that, until 2002, Copts were represented in Daraw’s local councils. Since then, however, they have been totally excluded, thanks to the head of Aswan local council, who was also the NDP head man in Aswan. But in light of the recent shuffle in NDP leadership in Aswan and the consequent promises of better Coptic representation, we applied for nomination on the NDP candidate list, the only two Copts among 46 NDP applicants. The final list included 44 candidates; we were the only two excluded. We protested but in vain. Given the prevalent feeling of marginalisation, most Coptic voters boycotted the elections. Although it has become acceptable to specify a quota for women in legislative and municipal councils, talk of a similar quota for Copts remains an ultra- sensitive issue.”
I call upon Copts not to fall prey to desperation. Instead of retreating into seclusion, join other parties where you are welcome. There is no problem with divorce from the NDP. But divorce from the Egyptian street is catastrophic.

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