MPAC Sends Letter To Obama Calling for Immediate Action On Egypt

February 2, 2011

The Muslim Public Affairs Council today sent a letter to President Barack Obama addressing the rapidly deteriorating situation in Egypt, with the onset of violence by pro-Mubarak forces transforming the issue into an international one. In the letter, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati urges Obama to immediately call for President Hosni Mubarak to step down and a peaceful transition of power take place to prevent the further chaos and violence. 

SEE: “MPAC Letter to President Obama about Egypt” 

The letter reads in part:

Today in the same city where your historic speech took place, there is an opportunity for our foreign policy to bring that “New Beginning” to life. 

Since Jan. 25, the streets of Cairo have been buzzing with the call for governance “for the people, by the people.” Millions of citizens have taken to the streets with nothing but their hopes and dreams in hand to call for President Hosni Mubarak to step down and allow for that process to take place for the first time in 30 years.

Until today, the Egyptian Army had assured the masses that they were in the streets to protect them and allow them their God-given rights to assemble and speak their mind. Yet since Mubarak’s speech aired yesterday, things have spiraled out of control and the basic rights of the Egyptian people have been trampled upon.

The demands of the people who asked for Mubarak to step down and create a transition process to free and fair elections have not been met. Adding insult to injury, Mubarak’s regime has continued to cut off access to the Internet, phone service and electricity to much of the country. Mubarak has unleashed a mob to create havoc and violence amongst peaceful protesters. Today, people have been killed, hundreds were injured and fear has spread through households. The famous Egyptian National Museum, which has antiquities from thousands of years of human civilization, is being ransacked by mobs without any Army interception.

It is time for us to make our values and principles clear as Egypt’s primary benefactor. A direct message to Mubarak must be sent, that you will not be allowed to get away with sending Egypt into turmoil.

We now have the chance to make good on the promise you so eloquently outlined in Cairo. It is important that our policy makers in the administration and on the hill on both sides of the aisle come out in support of the people and ask for Mubarak to step down and for a peaceful transition of power to take place immediately.

The people’s revolution in Egypt took a dark turn after Mubarak announced he would continue to serve as president until his term ends in September. Following the announcement, a nation-wide text message was sent to all cell-phone carriers telling all Egyptians to leave Tahrir Square; several hours later pro-Mubarak demonstrators and plain-clothed police descended on the square with knives, metal rods and fire bombs, which they unleashed on the peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators.

Additionally, news reports indicate that many buildings and businesses have been attacked, including the world-renowned Egyptian National Museum, which holds priceless historical artifacts and 7,000 years of human history.

It is time for all people of moral conscious to speak out against what is happening in the area and to protect the museum and the people of Egypt.

Please contact the White House and State Department at the following:

  • White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
  • White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414
  • State Department Switchboard: 202-647-4000

FOR TALKING POINTS, SEE: “ACTION ALERT: Call White House, State Department & Elected Officials to Express Concern Over Egyptian Government Crackdown on Peaceful Protests.”

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