A bus passes a destroyed pickup truck with loudspeakers that was used by supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy on Friday, August 2. The supporters and security forces clashed in Sixth of October City in Giza, south of Cairo, after the government ordered their protest camps be broken up. Look at the latest violence in Egypt.
Editor's note: Bassem Youssef is the host of "The Program" and "America in Arabic." Dubbed the "Jon Stewart of the Arab world," he was named one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time magazine. He tweets at @DrBassemYoussef.
(CNN) -- Congratulations, everyone: We've finally got rid of the Muslim Brotherhood forever. What a burden off our shoulders!
Finally, we will have a Muslim Brotherhood-less Egypt. It's only a matter of days until the Muslim Brotherhood's members are rounded up in jail once again, and Egypt's normal state is restored. That normal state, where people look good without beards or veils, those "good-looking people" we see on TV. Egypt will finally be a free, liberal country. Good riddance, Islamists.
What's that? Some Muslim Brotherhood members died at the Republican Guard headquarters? And why were they there in the first place? Aren't you glad this happened to them? Why aren't you gloating? You must be a Brotherhood supporter! You must be an enemy of the military and the state and probably work as a part-time terrorist!
No. I support the demonstrations that started on June 30th and saw that former president Mohamed Morsy was unfit to be president, but that doesn't deny the fact that I believe there needs to be a thorough investigation into the events at the Republican Guard headquarters, that I'd like to know how long the Islamists' TV channels will be closed; and that I find the private media to be full of discrimination and inciting rhetoric.
No, no, critics might say: you're being soft! Keep your human rights to yourself. These people can only be dealt with violently. We have to purge the country of these people.
The above is a reflection of the state of mind of many who are on a "victory high," or so they imagine themselves to be. The fascist nature of those people is no different than that of the Islamists who think that their enemies' disappearance off this planet would be a victory for the religion of God. But those on this victory high consider themselves to be different; they justify their fascism for the "good of the country." These people with their liberal values and reverence for freedom differ very little from radical preacher Khaled Abdullah, who was infamous for his favorite quote: "May God relieve us of you and your likes (the liberals)."
I do not trust or believe the Muslim Brotherhood. We have witnessed from experience that they do not keep their word and lie time and again, as long as it serves their political agenda. They have their means of manipulating religion and justifying their actions so long as it serves their politics.
Yes, the Muslim Brotherhood has done all of this and more; and for that, Morsy deserved to be protested against by the masses, and his organization deserved the abhorrence and repulsion towards them from the people. The senior Brotherhood leaders need to undergo investigation on charges of inciting violence, as well as their shady international relations. This is the legal and political course that needs to take place.
I could write volumes on the lack of intelligence on the part of the Brotherhood and their corruption of both religion and politics, but that is another battle that requires different tools. We are losing this battle before it has even begun: those who claim to be freedom fighters and have been denouncing the fascism and discrimination of the Brotherhood are now contributing to the building of sympathy towards them. They are a disgrace to the principles of freedom they claim to stand for.
We are returning par excellence to the atmosphere of the 90s when we settled for "the security option" and the media corruption and let the chests rage with a fire of hatred and allowed extremism to deepen day after day. I do believe that shutting down the Islamist channels was an important decision during a sensitive period, but I'm now calling for their return. Let them talk as they wish; it has only served to make people hate and be repulsed by them. Do not give them the chance to play the victim. What are you afraid of? Of their discriminatory media rhetoric? Or of their public political stupidity?
My dear anti-Brotherhood liberal, allow me to remind you that just a few weeks ago you were desperately complaining about how grim the future looked, but now that you have been "relieved" of them you have become a carbon copy of their fascism and discrimination. You could respond by saying that they deserve it, that they supported the security forces and used them to overpower you, to cheat and spread rumors and widen sectarian strife. But is that really your argument? Have you made of their lowly ways a better alternative for you than abiding by the principles you have stood by for so long? They lost their moral compass a long time ago. Do you want to follow suit?
Don't you see that by inciting violence towards Palestinians and Syrians you are exactly like them, when they incite violence towards the Shi'is, the Baha'is, the Christians, and the other Muslims who opposed the Brotherhood? We have replaced the "enemies of Islam" scarecrow with the "enemies of the state" scarecrow. The ideas, approaches and appearances have disappeared, and all that remains are fascism and discrimination that unite us over hatred, rather than reconcile our prejudices.
Take the leaders of the Brotherhood to court and investigate the events at the Republican Guard headquarters. Ensure the autonomy of justice whether the victims are from your camp or the other's. Demand a clear framework within which all political parties are to operate, so that no party can ever spread such discriminatory, sectarian rhetoric again. Yes, the leaders of the Brotherhood must be tried just as the leaders of the National Democratic Party were tried in the case of provision of enough evidence and within the limits of the law.
But remember you will never be able to erase the existence of those thousands off the face of the Earth. You will not be able arrest those thousands and their families and children, and you will not be able to prevent them from winning syndicate elections. All you're currently doing is repeating their past mistakes by turning a blind eye to those thousands, but you are only burying a living truth that will come back to hit you, or the coming generations, in the face.
Kudos to those who have not allowed the "victory high" to rob them of their humanity; to those few who are currently isolated by everyone else and are not welcome in either camp unless they go with the current flow of hatred and gloating.
Humanity has now become an isolated island among wild waves of discrimination and extremism. On this island live those isolated few, their voices fading in the midst of the roaring cries for vengeance and murder. I'm not optimistic about a population increase on that island anytime soon. But maybe in the future people will migrate to it and try to get to know this thing called humanity that we've all been stripped of.
What I fear most is if a time comes when we pass by that island and cry in dismay: "Alas, nobody lives there anymore."
This is an edited version of an article that was first published in Al-Shorouk newspaper in Egypt on July 16 in Arabic and was translated by Nadine H. Hafez at Bassem Youssef's request for the website Tahrir Squared.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Bassem Youssef.
Loading weather data ...
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Morsy supporters walk past makeshift roadblocks at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo on Saturday, August 3. Security forces set up the roadblocks outside the square, allowing people to leave but not enter, as they attempt to break up camps set up during ongoing protests over Morsy's ouster.
Morsy supporters run among the smoke and fire resulting from clashes with security forces in Sixth of October City in Giza on August 2. The military ousted Morsy, Egypt's first democratically elected president, in early July after days of mass demonstrations. Dozens of Morsy backers angry at Egypt's military-backed government have died in weekend violence in the volatile nation's capital. 
Egyptian riot police block the entrance to Sixth of October City in Giza on August 2 following clashes with Morsy supporters.
Morsy supporters in red helmets march during a protest against the government in Cairo on August 2. Pro-Morsy marches began after Friday prayers, when supporters made their way back to their camp outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque.
Morsy supporters march in a demonstration against the Egyptian government in Cairo on August 2.
Supporters of Egypt's deposed President Mohammed Morsy gather for prayers at Nasr City, where protesters have installed a camp and hold daily rallies, in Cairo, on Sunday, July 28.
A boy wears a tear gas mask as supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsy pray at the camp set up by supporters in the Nasr City area of Cairo on July 28.
Doctors treat an injured supporter of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy during clashes with security forces in Cairo on Saturday, July 27.
A wounded Morsy supporter lies on the floor of a field hospital in Cairo on July 27. Thousands of Morsy supporters gathered Saturday in the Nasr City neighborhood despite dozens of deaths the night before and veiled threats from the military.
Supporters of Morsy protest outside a field hospital in Cairo where the bodies of slain Morsy supporters have been brought July 27.
The body of a Muslim Brotherhood protester, reportedly shot dead after violence erupted the night before, is moved as mourners watch inside a field hospital in Cairo on July 27.
Two men mourn Morsy supporters who were killed in overnight clashes with security forces, in Cairo, on July 27.
A medic pauses at a field hospital in Cairo on July 27 after tending to the bodies of Morsy supporters reportedly killed in fighting.
Supporters of Morsy carry an injured man to a field hospital amid clashes with security forces in Cairo on July 27.
Doctors treat a Morsy supporter injured during clashes with security forces in Cairo on July 27.
Supporters of Morsy rally in Giza, on Friday, July 26.
Supporters of the Egyptian military rally at Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday, July 26.
Morsy opponents rally in Cairo on July 26.
Morsy opponents watch a demonstration from a rooftop near Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 26.
Egyptian soldiers stand guard atop an armored vehicle on a bridge leading to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday, July 26.
A Morsy advocate builds a giant portrait of the deposed president Thursday, July 25, while other supporters hold a sit-in outside a Cairo mosque. The military has detained Morsy while an interim government takes shape.
Morsy supporters say evening prayers during a rally July 25 outside a Cairo mosque.
A man with a pistol and other Morsy opponents detain a suspected Morsy supporter who was wounded during clashes in Cairo on Monday, July 22. Supporters and opponents clashed near the city's Tahrir Square.
Men evacuate an injured opponent of Morsy during clashes with his supporters in Cairo on July 22.
A man fires a gun during clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsy in Cairo on July 22.
A riot police officer aims rubber bullets toward Morsy supporters in Cairo on July 22.
Riot police evacuate an injured anti-Morsy protester in Cairo on July 22.
A Morsy supporter, center, who was allegedly beaten by opponents of Morsy runs during clashes in Cairo on July 22.
A Morsy opponent carries his injured friend in Cairo on July 22.
Supporters of Morsy pause for Friday prayers on July 19 at Nasr City in Cairo, where protesters have installed their camp and held daily rallies.
Morsy supporters take part in a protest march near government ministry buildings on Wednesday, July 17, in Cairo.
A Morsy supporter is held back by riot police during a rally near Tahrir Square on July 17.
A supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and of Morsy covers his mouth under the 6th October Bridge in Cairo on Tuesday, July 16.
A riot police officer fires tear gas toward Morsy supporters during clashes in Cairo on Monday, July 15.
Morsy supporters run from tear gas in Cairo on July 15.
Egyptians in Cairo's Tahrir Square pray before breaking their fast on the third day of Ramadan, the sacred holy month for Muslims, on Friday, July 12.
Supporters of the deposed Morsy rally in Nasr City, Egypt, a suburb of Cairo, on Monday, July 8.
A man reacts after seeing the body of a family member at the Liltaqmeen al-Sahy Hospital in Cairo, allegedly killed during a sit-in supporting Morsy in front of the Republican Guard headquarters on July 8.
Injured men receive medical attention after clashes between supporters of Morsy and security forces in Cairo on July 8.
Opponents of Mohamed Morsy gather at Tahrir Square during a protest in Cairo on Sunday, July 7.
Supporters of Morsy pray next to the headquarters of the Republican Guards in Cairo on Saturday, July 6, during the funeral of seven people killed during clashes.
People carry coffins on July 6 of two Morsy opponents who were killed during clashes in Cairo.
A Morsy supporter joins protests near the University of Cairo in Giza on July 6.
Supporters and opponents of Morsy clash in Cairo on Friday, July 5.
A protester is attended to in Cairo's Tahrir Square during fighting between the pro- and anti-Morsy crowds on July 5.
An Egyptian military helicopter hovers over supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and deposed President Mohamed Morsy in Cairo on July 5.
Morsy supporters hold up their bloodstained hands after Egypt's armed forces opened fire on rally in front of the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo on July 5.
Morsy supporters carry a man who was shot during clashes next to the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo on July 5. State broadcaster Nile TV said a number of those backing the deposed leader were wounded as they tried to storm the headquarters, where Morsy reportedly was being held.
A wounded man is helped following the gun battle outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5.
Egyptians hold portraits of Gen. Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi reading "Come down, Sisi" as they gather in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on July 5.
Morsy supporters react to an explosion during clashes with police officers on July 5 outside Cairo University in Giza.
Egyptian Army soldiers stand guard at the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5 as an Apache attack helicopter flies overhead.
Morsy supporters pray near the University of Cairo in Giza on July 5.
A man prays on July 5 before the protest near the University of Cairo.
Protesters take cover from tear gas during clashes outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard in Cairo on July 5.
A military helicopter flies by Egypt's Presidential Palace in Cairo on July 5.
Egyptians watch fireworks in Tahrir Square on Thursday, July 4, the day after Morsy's ouster.
People dance and cheer in the streets of Cairo on July 4.
A Morsy supporter holds a poster of the deposed president during a July 4 rally in Nasr City.
A massive crowd gathers in Tahrir Square on July 4.
Egyptians cheer and wave national flags as airplanes fly above Tahrir Square on July 4, leaving a trail of smoke in the colors of the national flag.
A woman uses a mobile phone to record the July 4 celebrations in Tahrir Square.
An opposition protester chants slogans against Morsy near Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters gathered on July 4 to show support for the ousted president.
A man holds a newspaper near Mesaha Square in Cairo on July 4.
Dejected Morsy supporters attend a rally in Nasr City on July 4.
A Morsy supporter shows his bloodied shirt during a July 4 rally near the University of Cairo.
A young Egyptian boy shoots off fireworks during celebrations in Tahrir Square on July 4.
People walk by a pile of Egyptian flags for sale in Tahrir Square on July 4.
Crowds throng Tahrir Square on July 4.
Egyptian soldiers deploy near Cairo University on July 4.
People dance and cheer at Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 4.
Adly Mansour, center, stands after delivering a speech during his swearing-in ceremony as Egypt's interim president in the Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo on July 4. Mansour has served as the head of the country's Supreme Constitutional Court.
Armored vehicles with the Egyptian army sit at a checkpoint in the Cairo district of Nasr City on July 4.
A Morsy supporter reacts as a military helicopter flies over during a July 4 rally in Nasr City.
A boy with face paint the color of the Egyptian flag pauses on July 4 in Tahrir Square.
A pedestrian shakes hands with a member of the military at a roadblock in Giza.
Security personnel rest on July 4 in Tahrir Square.
A man walks to Tahrir Square on July 4.
A family sleeps on a bridge near Tahrir Square on July 4.
A member of the Egyptian military redirects traffic on July 4 at a roadblock in Giza.
Bread is sold near Tahrir Square on July 4.
An Egyptian military member guards a roadblock in Giza on July 4.
|