ICC Note:
The pullout of Mohammed ElBaradei, one of Egypt’s top reform leaders, from the presidential race was a shocking blow to secularists, including Christians, in Egypt, Mission Network News reports.
1/17/2012 Egypt (MNN) ― Egyptians seem hopeless. That’s the message from at least one ministry leader in Egypt as one of the top reform leaders, Mohammed ElBaradei, pullout from the presidential race. His surprise move dealt another severe blow to the secularists who were behind the fall of Mubarak. This could be confirmation that the “new” Egypt is headed toward Islamic fundamentalism rather than a secular focus.
President of IN Network USA Rody Rodehaver explains why ElBaradei’s withdrawal is a concern. “ElBaradei was one of the leading candidates and a very popular figure with people who were moderates — people who wanted a good democratic government in place.”
However, Rodeheaver thinks Elbaradei saw the writing on the wall as the recent parliamentary elections saw 80% of the seats taken by individuals with ties to radical Islam.
Some Egyptians believe radicals have hijacked their country. “The young people who met on January 25 and started that revolution in that square are now feeling that it was all for nothing. And there’s a hopelessness that is beginning to grip them.”
Rodeheaver wants them to keep hoping. His prayer is that “in spite of that, the Christians will see this as a tremendous opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel and new life and freedom in Jesus Christ.”
He says there are Christian groups meeting throughout Egypt “to train young Egyptian Christians how to share their faith and how to speak to the vacuum, the hopelessness that now exists.” Rodeheaver added, “Some of those young revolutionaries are feeling as if they accomplished nothing, and perhaps January 25 would be a day they would have to start the revolution over.”
…
[Full Story]