By early July Egyptians will (not) welcome their first democratically-elected president. This is the first time in our 5000 years of civilization we as a people elect our own leader, what a victory for the revolution. Or is it really?
While the revolution was peaceful in its opposition, powerful in its approach and persistent in its demands, it lacked something essential, an AtaMasr. AtaMasr,like Ataturk, is a nationalist that foresees Egypt as a modern, highly educated nation with a secular constitution. A constitution that is not based on any religious law, but allows from freedom, justice and equality. AtaMasr is a true visionary that knows the importance of education and a free market economy. He knows that before introducing Egypt to democracy he needs to fulfill the people's basic needs, namely: freedom, shelter, health care, safety and nutrition. He knows that by satisfying Maslow's basic needs, people will be a step closer to comprehending the gift of democracy. However, like a toddler, the nation needs to grow intellectually once basic needs are provided. AtaMasr knows that this can only be done by eradicating illiteracy, and creating a generation that is ready to lead. People with all their differences have two things in common and these are curiosity and a purpose. It is curiosity that drives some to study sciences and others to study arts. It is curiosity that drives research, innovation and prosperity. Curiosity directed by nationalistic purpose breeds patriots, inventors and visionaries. This is the kind of generation AtaMasr raises over a period of eight years. The nation by then is considered mature enough to rightly choose their president.
This Utopian image of AtaMasr is unfortunately far from real at the moment. However, from history, we know that such leaders rose in times of need and transformed nations that were crippled by religious regimes. We live in the hope of an AtaMasr, one that will grant the revolution its long-lost objectives.
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