We received another solidarity message from Shady Samir, author of Egyptian Bahai blog. We welcome your messages and promise to attempt passing them to Monem inside prison. Keep amplifying Monem’s voice, and make him hear your voices too.

In Solidarity with Monem, a total stranger
Shady Samir

“I am a Brother“… What do these words mean?

For an Egyptian following the Bahai Faith, they could mean the following:

“I do not accept your rights as an Egyptian citizen”

“I demand clensing the country from your likes”

“I force you to change your faith on official papers”

“I am a Brother”. So announces AbdolMonem in his blog’s title. How should I feel about that? I had the experience of dealing with a number of Muslim Brotherhood MPs in a number of seminars and conferences. When the problems of Bahais in Egypt are discussed, they would give diplomatic answers on the rights of all Egyptians, and how the regime in Egypt is the reason… The
list of those statements, tailored to the occassions, go on. Even though I know that those are the very same MPs who caused so much unrest in the parliament to uproot the Bahai Faith.

I read a comment by Monem in his blog: “I stress that freedom of opinion is indivisible. Freedom for all Egyptians”, and I believe his every word. There is a great difference between political statements and human positions. Monem tackles freedom of opinion from a human prespective. He believes that the freedom of opinion and belief should not be investigated, held accountable, or taken to court. More important is his absolute belief in it. To him, freedom of opinion is not selective.

I differ greatly with Monem’s political alignment, but I agree and find unity with him in this: He is an Egyptian youngman seeking the freedom and well-being of this country. I agree with him in believing that individuals and individual good action can affect the whole world. I hope that he agrees with me in my demand to lift any authoritative hand over ideas, opinions, and beliefs. We should all be Egyptians regardless of our different ideas and opinions. We should work without competing or conflicting with each other or any authority.

I stand in solidarity with Monem the human being against taking away his freedom for expressing his opinion. I know there will be a day when Monem will be free again, when he will work again for the freedom of all Egyptians, just like those who know him say he does, and just like I, not knowing him, trust he does.

Shady Samir is the author of the blog Egyptian Bahai

Translated from Arabic by Amr Gharbeia