Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Post-revolutionary Arabs | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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We have completely misread the post-revolutionary era in our Arab world.

A revolution aims to replace one regime with another, not topple the state. A regime is one thing, and a state is something else.

Every revolutionary action is based on [popular] movement, and all such movements have a beginning, whilst everything with a beginning has an end, with the exception of God Almighty.

Therefore every beginning has an end, and each revolution has a starting point and a finale, namely a moment of silence and stability. After this silence and stability, in light of the new regime, there is construction, development and expansion under a state of laws.

The crisis that we are experiencing is the escalation of the Arab revolutionary experience, namely the phenomenon of ceaseless revolution. This is a revolution that does not end; a state of revolution that continues forever.

Mankind was not created to revolt forever, and there can be no society that achieves successes in terms of development and reform in all – if any – fields during a period of ceaseless revolution, protest and uprising. This is something that hinders all movement in society and uproots everything, both the good and the bad!

History has taught us that true development comes during times of security, stability, the rule of law, social justice and scientific management, not to mention the presence of an open society, transparency and free media.

History has also taught us that a permanent state of chaos, endless protests and open suspicions against the decision-makers and those around them, results in a state of nihilism and absurdity. This results in a state of social decline, not to mention social depression, as well as the near economic bankruptcy of the state.

Tunisia is still suffering from the consequences of the revolution and the chaos of the takfirist powers that want to rule the street via the force of terrorism. Whilst Yemen is still unable to achieve a state of discipline within the military institute, and this is the most dangerous form of chaos, as it is within the military institute.

As for Egypt, it is preparing itself for protests – scheduled for 24 August – calling for the toppling of this regime which came to power via free and fair elections. Regardless of whether we are for or against the Muslim Brotherhood, its candidate won the presidential elections and represents a legitimate power.

Modern history has taught us that whoever comes to power via free and fair elections should not be toppled by demonstrations, but also by free elections.

As for Libya, it continues to pay the price of the bloody armed tribal, ethnic and regional conflict despite the departure of the Gaddafi regime. The guns continue to fire, whilst there are still cases of tribal and regional revenge which may never end.

The issue, unfortunately, will be precisely the same for Syria in the post-Assad era. For on the day after the departure of this regime, we will see the beginning of the power struggle and the division of the spoils between more than 12 revolutionary factions, each claiming success for the revolution!

If the revolution was a noble operation, it is even nobler to transform this – via genuine reformative action – into a regime that respects the state, and which protects its prestige and legitimacy in terms of its holy commitment to the law and constitution.