Dr. Karima Korayem, Professor of AlAzhar University, Cairo, on "The Challenges Egypt is Facing During This Time of Change"

To give a big picture of how the revolt has been making an impact, she broke it down to the following socio-economic-political needs the country is grappling with:

• Security
• Economic vision
• Establish democracy

Factors for lack of security: mistrust of police, and their lack of control/authority; police stations were attacked by public; police don't intervene in crime.

Economic challenge centers on unemployment. Security and economics are interrelated. Economic situation creates "criminals" people transgressing the law in order to survive, in order to feed their family. Need to unify economic vision, propose scenarios for economic development, policy to cover financial and monetary needs, to support the financial sector. Businesses needs loans, foreign investors need to feel safe to work in Egypt. In the past investors could be sued for paying lower price. Meetings between ministers and businesses, they need money, labor.

To form a sustainable democracy the needs above must be fulfilled, in addition to the following: the people need to be raised with democracy, they need to have political literacy. The country also needs strong parties and ability to transfer power.

Some of Minister Gouda's related comments:

Don't look at the Egyptian case in isolation. Pivotal country through out history. If revolution succeeds Saudi Arabia will feel it, which why they asked for Mubarak's release.

Egypt is being transformed from a state of subjects to a state of citizens. There are 85 million Egyptians who need to undergo this transformation. So far the change has been peaceful, industry still intact, agriculture still intact, tourism intact though below capacity. In comparison with other revolutions, they are doing well. For example, there has been no absolute decline in GDP in Egypt so far. The GDP fell 30% during first year after revolutiin in Poland. 

Sponsors: Mershon Center for International Security Studies, Department of Economics, Middle East Studies Center, The Women's Place, Department of History, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Moritz College of Law, International Studies Program, and Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Revolution in Egypt, Minister Addresses Political and Economic Dimensions

Yesterday at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, Gouda Abdel-Khalek, Minister of Supply and Domestic Trade, Egypt, spoke on "The Political Economy of Egypt and the Arab Spring: International Support Packages"

He addressed the tripartate slogan of Tahrir: "Bread, Freedom, and Social Justice!" from a political/economic analytical perspective. He also identified the causal factors of the revolution as inequality and poverty. In particular unemployment: as high as 20% very high among youth, above 30%.

Thus, logical that young Egyptians spearheaded the movement. Inequality between old generation and young generation. High poverty rates is the number one factor. Not caused by corruption. Below mean level of corruption worldwide.

What kind of economic system is it?
Pendulum between free market and regulated. Question of what controls will be put in place for social justice remains. Progressive taxation has not been implemented, which would be a step toward it. Equality in terms of opportunities between the social strata. The Mubarak regime gave lip service to liberalizing the economy, but actually implemented a system of cronyism. The minister supports the integration of a regulated free market economy.

A recording of this very substantive lecture and the Q&A session afterward will be available online at: http://mershoncenter.osu.edu/events/11-12events/Jan12/egyptandthearabspringjan12.htm

Sponsors:
Mershon Center for International Security Studies, Department of Economics, Middle East Studies Center, The Women's Place, Department of History, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Moritz College of Law, International Studies Program, and Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Islam and Rationality Conference

The Islam and Rationality: The Impact of al-Ghazali Conference was a smashing success! We are grateful to Professor Georges Tamer for convening such a high-calibur opportunity for scholarly exchange.  Allen Tuazon, graduate student in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures also deserves a huge thanks for being instrumental in pulling it all together.  See paper abstracts here: http://www.islamandrationality.org/about/2011/10/23/conference-abstracts-program-poster.html

MESC was honored to be a co-sponsor, along with:

• Department of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures
• Mershon Center for International Security Studies
• Arts & Humanities
• Office of International Affairs
• Melton Center for Jewish Studies - Thomas A. and Diann G. Mann Distinguished Symposium
• Humanities Institute
• Center for the Study of Religion
• Department of History
• Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
• Department of Philosophy
• Center for Ethics and Human Values

BBC Kabul Bureau Chief, Dawood Azami

Azami discussed the power of the media and communication technologies in swaying the hearts and minds of Afghans. 

The Taliban have an edge on this front. . .

For further information about Dawood and today's talk:
oia.osu.edu/news-releases/2141-BBC-Kabul-chief-speaks-about-afghan-war.html

Turkey Trip for Scholars and Educators, 2011

We recently took a group of scholars and educators to Turkey, to meet with fellow scholars and educators in schools and universities, and members of the current government, and to experience the history and culture of Turkey through historic site/museum visits and meals with Turkish families. To see photos from the trip, visit: https://picasaweb.google.com/102822450394872771629/TurkeyTripForScholarsAndEducators2011?feat=directlink 

Poll on Democracy in Education

There have been numerous polls regarding democracy in the Middle East and in the Muslim community world-wide.  One aspect of democracy is education preparation for citizenship, which is one that every country must address.
For that reason we ask this question:
More on the subject of polls regarding democratic aspirations in the Middle East and Muslim community world-wide: http://wp.me/p1lo2o-o

Roger Owen on February 23, 2011 on "Presidents for Life in the Arab World"

Professor Owen gave additional meaning to the current developments regarding protest and regime change in the Arab world by giving historical background and cultural information such as the following image from a recent protest in Jordan:

Owen pointed out the ability amongst countries of the Arab world to share linguistically across political borders, and the way that meaning could often be gained in translation, rather than lost. His translation and description of the sign above:

"O my dear, where are you [when we need you]?”

In the slogan under the round flat bread, "my dear" (azizi) refers both to the bread and to Mohamed Bou-Azizi. He died after setting himself on fire in protest against conditions in Tunisia, sparking demonstrations that toppled President Ben-Ali.