When Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman announced the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11, could this have been another “shot heard ’round the world,” similar to the start of the American Revolution in 1775?
At press time, no one could say for sure, but the world was definitely watching and waiting, hopeful that with the end of the dictatorial leader’s nearly 30-year reign would come freedoms unknown in that part of the world.
“This could be as significant as the fall of the Berlin Wall,” said a Southern Baptist representative with Alabama ties working among Palestinians in the Middle East. “For many years, dictators have controlled the Middle East, so even if other governments don’t fall, they will change (as a result of Mubarak’s resignation).”
But change in any of the governments is not guaranteed to bring more freedom, the Southern Baptist representative said. It could lead to more oppression just as likely as it could lead to greater freedom.
“We should be in serious prayer that it will lead to freedom,” he said.
An Alabama Baptist who has lived and worked extensively in Egypt said the turmoil has never been about religion, but the results will impact religious people.
“For Christians, it is a clear indicator, that we can do what just yesterday seemed to be impossible,” he said just hours after the announcement of Mubarak’s resignation.
“This could be a tipping point for the future of Egypt,” he said, noting maybe now the three official, Egyptian government-issued Visas available for Baptist workers can be used. “Alabama Baptists should be aware that there are believers in Egypt looking to them as partners in terms of prayer support. It is the political hot button right now, but when this goes away and things stabilize, Alabama Baptists need to continue to pray for what’s happening in Egypt (and the Middle East) … and that there will be a greater awareness on the part of believers, more boldness in sharing the gospel and a sweeping revival.”
Arab Christian leader Nabil Costa agreed prayer is needed, especially for leadership that believes in religious freedom.
“I believe that God is very much at work in our region, and we need to see the changes that are happening in Egypt … and in Tunisia, from this perspective,” said Costa, executive director of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development. “I see God opening up new opportunities before us.
“The Church has an integral role to play in the community and for the good of the nation, and so we need to pray for the Church leadership and for our brothers and sisters that they may take courage to pursue the good works that God prepared in advance for them to do in Egypt,” he said, adding the same would be true for Tunisian Christians.
The Baptist representatives also asked for prayer for the people of Jordan, Yemen and the Palestinians.
“With democracy comes the freedom of thought and the possibility of considering new ideas,” the Southern Baptist representative said. “This revolution could lead to an openness for the gospel that we have not experienced before in the Middle East.”
Arab Christian leader Bader Mansour, secretary of the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel, said, “We hope the regime will be replaced with a real democracy, where the voice of the people is heard and also minorities (Christians are the biggest minority in Egypt) are protected and have freedom to worship as they wish.
“Arab countries have been living under dictatorship for too long,” he said. “It is great to see Egypt, the biggest Arab and Middle East country, make a big step towards democracy.
“As a Christian Arab, I feel proud … as Christians in Egypt took part in the great peaceful demonstrations,” he said. “I had tears in my eyes watching Dr. Ehab Kharrat, one of the leaders of the Evangelical Church in Egypt, speak to the hundreds of thousands of people (mainly Muslim) at Tahreer Square (Freedom Square). He shared from the Bible, and a group from his church sang a few Christian songs. … He also told the crowds about another young man 2,000 years ago (Jesus Christ), who went against corruption and injustice.”
The Kharrat example demonstrates Christians are actively involved in what is happening in the Middle East, Mansour said. They are contributing in positive ways even though their presence has been weakened in the last few years, he noted.
“Christians have a special role in the Middle East to be salt, and I am glad the followers of Jesus in Egypt were able to contribute and present the love of Christ to all,” he said. “I am glad that this has been a victory for Muslims and Christians working together, less than two months after the terrible massacre of Christians at Easter Eve in Alexandria where Muslim fundamentalist groups were involved.”
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