“My country is dear even it opressed me and my people are honourable even if they were unjust to me”.
On this day (17 June), these were last words of President Mohamed Morsi in Egyptian Kangaroo court, before he collapsed and pronounced as martyr, few hours later. The story of President Morsi doesn’t start with him being elected as first democratically elected President of Egypt but in tumultuous aftermath of Arab Spring (2011).
To encompass all segments of Egyptian society, Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan Al Muslimeen) decided to establish its political wing, Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), to contest parliamentary elections after Resignation of Hosni Mubarik. Brotherhood relieved few of its high ranking officials to spearhead election campaign, among them Dr. Morsi, who was elected as first President of FJP. Political atmosphere of Egypt was electric, people jubilant, everyone enthusiastic and political parties eager to participate in free and fair elections for the first time. Pre-poll projections were indicating FJP (Brotherhood) led Parliament.
Elections were held under peaceful environment and when results were announced, FJP (Brotherhood) had won both rounds of Parliamentary elections (2011) under leadership of Dr. Morsi, and effectively dominated the legislature with thumping 45% majority. At first, Muslim Brotherhood decided not to contest the Presidential elections in those post-revolution uncertain times. But political candidates who announced to run was either part or Protégé of old regime. Nevertheless, Brotherhood announced Khairat El-Shatar as presidential candidate with Dr. Morsi as his running mate. Kheirat El-Shattar was disqualified on legal technicalities by court and Dr. Morsi was forwarded as Presidential candidate by Brotherhood. With less than two months to election, Dr. Morsi plunged into elections (2012) under “Renaissance Project” and started to visit the whole country. That’s when Arab Spring revolution was spreading throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In Egypt President Mohamed Morsi vowed to constitute post-revolution constitution in compliance with Islam and support Palestinians against usurper Israel.
Dr. Morsi won the first round of elections with nearly 25% votes and qualified to face off with old regime Prime minsiter Ahmed Shafiq. Egyptian society was polarised as ever but when results were announced, Dr. Morsi was elected as first democratically elected President of Egypt with 51.7% of vote share and with nearly 800,000 lead.
President Morsi's rise to presidency disturbed the balance of Power in Middle East and North Africa. Islamists affiliated with Brotherhood came to power in Tunisia, Morocco and Libyan Election (2012) put Brotherhood affiliated ‘Justice and Construction Party’ at the forefront in Libya.
Israel attacked Gaza in Nov 2012. Contrary to earlier policy,—and what is again today— Pres. Morsi vehemently supported Hamas, opened Rifah bordered, administered injureds in Egyptian hospital and in solidarity with Gazans, sent his PM Hisham Qandil into Gaza at the height of Israeli aggression. 7 days later, Israel was forced to a ceasefire on Hamas terms. Like minded, Erdogan and Morsi moved closer to strengthen each other. This, if contined for 5 years, would’ve resulted in marked decrease in hegemony of Saudi Arabia and Israel in the region. President Morsi’s mistake was too many to be forgiven by US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE. These countries fuelled anti Morsi protest; Morsi & his supporters tried to revert the inevitable, camped in Rabaa square and Nasr city. Morsi appealed to citizens to strengthen the legitimacy of President. Army chief Abdul Fatah Al Sissi gave ultimatum on 30th June on the 1st anniversary of Presidency, and three days later, on a fateful day 3rd July 2013, Pres. Morsi was arrested and Sissi announced a military coup d’etat. This was bankrolled by Saudi Arabia and UAE which gave nearly 13 Billion dollars to new military junta.
A reign of terror was ushered in aftermath of military take over. On July 8th, 2013 Pro-Morsi protestors were killed outside Republican Guard Headquarters where President Morsi was reportedly kept. Army opened fire on people who were praying. 100+ people got martyred and more than 1000 were injured. This massacre is known as "The Republican Guard Massacre" in the history of Egypt. On 14th August 2013, the worst massacre in modern day was committed against peaceful protestors in Rabaa al Adawiya Square in Cairo—also known as "Rabaa Massacre" — in which over 1000 peaceful protesters ( 5000+ across Egypt) were massacred and dead-bodies were burnt during Massacre.
Ammar Badie, Son of Muslim Brotherhood Chief Mohd. Badie, and Asmaa Beltagy, daughter of MB senior official Mohamed Beltagy were killed in cold blood. Afterwards, in following months nearly 60,000 pro-Morsi protesters were detained and thrown in prisons in sub-human conditions.
Morsi was presented before court in preeceding month. A bogus trial was initiated which was described as “charade” and mockery of Justice by International human rights organisations. He was convicted of supporting Palestinian Liberation movement and Hamas, and was given death sentence. Condition in his jail cell was horrible; he was kept in ‘cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions’ and deliberately devoid of medical care for diabetes which culminated in his death in the trial court exactlty a year ago. In words of Abul Kalam Azad, “After battlefield, greatest injustices are perpetrated & committed in court of Justice. History bears witness that whenever the ruling powers took up arms against truth and justice, the courtrooms served as the most convenient & plausible weapons.”
Like his predecessor Al Banna, Syed Qutb and Mehdi Akef, he was denied a proper funeral, censorship was imposed on newspapers & he was buried in dark of night under max security presence. His funeral in Absentia was offered throughout the World by Million & Millions of mourners.
Few months later, his son Abdullah Morsi died in an alleged heart attack.
Today, Egypt is practically a police state where there is no freedom of assembly or freedom of speech; Jails are overfilled with political prisoners and you can be arrested for as minor act as criticising government on social media sites.
