Frequently Asked Questions About AEA

Mission

The primary mission of the Egyptian American Alliance is to promote democracy, social justice, and development in Egypt; and to empower Egyptian Americans in the USA.

1. As an Egyptian, I am ashamed to display my homeland “dirty linen”. Don’t you think that anyone of AEA members who really cares about her/his home country should go back to Egypt to criticize and reform that country from inside?

Not necessarily, dirty linen need to be exposed to sun light otherwise it will fester and infect all inside as well as outside our beloved Egypt. The Egyptian “dirty linen” is already out for everyone to see: dictatorship, corruption, poverty and loss of national independence are not easily hidden and the shame belongs to those who are trying to hide it. They are wasting precious time and efforts that could be used to clean up the mess. Some AEA members are trying to give support to our people in Egypt from abroad while other members are already there doing the same. What really counts is to be a constructive part of the cleaning process.

2. Who is AEA and who authorized AEA members to represent the people of Egypt and its grievances to the Americans?

We are a group of professional Egyptian Americans who care about Egypt and would like to play a constructive part in enabling the Egyptian people to gain their freedom of choice. We have lived in both counties. We know both the challenges and the opportunities that freedom presents. We feel obliged to pay the debts that we owe to both countries. The grievances of the Egyptians are our grievances. We do not represent all the Egyptian American; we only represent those who are concerned enough to join together to take an active role in educating American policy makers and the American public.

3. Why should AEA impose a particular set of values and an agenda on the people of Egypt?

We do not want to impose any values that the Egyptians do not desire. During the last two years the majority of the Egyptian people have manifested strong desire for political change /reform that has been met by first stonewalling on the part of the current regime in Egypt at first, then by the cosmetic changes in one Article of the Egyptian Constitution. There is almost national consensus in the country against presidential renewal and inheritance. In addition, increasing outcries in every corner of the country exist for a development program with equity to solve the staggering economic and social problems and combat corruption. Our agenda is the agenda of the Egyptian people and the only value we are promoting is their values, their needs, and their future aspirations.

4. Most AEA members left Egypt long time ago by their own choice, why are you coming back now and trying to push your nose into Egypt’s affairs? Why do not you mind your own business in America and let the Egyptians take care of themselves?

Many of us were born and raised in Egypt, so we still care about our native country. We have relatives there and they need our help. Some of us may go to live, work, or retire there. We owe a great deal to our beloved birthplace.

In addition, most of us are citizens of the United States. Just like all other good citizens, we have the right and the responsibility to engage actively in the American political process. As Egyptian Americans, we have several comparative advantages. Our insight about the current and the potential role of the US in the Middle East in general, and in Egypt in particular can add a unique dimension to the decision making process. Our intrinsic cultural sensitivity to the needs and emerging trends in the Egyptian society can also be invaluable asset to all concerned parties in the US. We believe that it is our duty as citizens, to educate ourselves and others on the conditions and needs of other people who are affected by US policies.

5. AEA claims that in order to influence the US policies towards Egypt, it will focus on educating the American government, the US Congress, and the local and national mass media about the conditions of democracy, human rights, and development in Egypt. What makes you believe that this American administration, which invaded Afghanistan and Iraq and blindly supports Israel’s aggressive policies is going to be interested or willing to support your goals including achieving true democracy, social justice, and balanced development in Egypt or any other Arab and Muslim country?

All AEA members are American citizens or legal residents of the United States of America. We all believe that it is in the interest of the American people whom we are part of to reform the conditions in Egypt and the Middle East.

Obviously, AEA has serious reservation about the current US administration policies in the Middle East in general and toward Egypt in particular. It is our duty as well-informed citizens of this country to participate in the political process of this great nation. We are part of it and we should gather enough strength to effectively voice a position that serves both the Egyptian and the American people.

It is up to us either to be cynical and do nothing or to get together and try to benefit from opportunities this great nation offers. Others have done it for their causes. Why not the 400,000 Egyptian Americans? We need unity and strength to make our voice heard. Every Egyptian American who joins us makes this possible and the long march starts with one step. In short, our strategy to achieve our declared goals is to empower the Egyptian Americans.

6. Is the Alliance of Egyptian Americans another group of the “Charlatans, New Marines, American puppets” who are similar to others we have witnessed in the past few years in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan (Ahmad Jalaby, Hamed Qarazy, Ayad Alawi, Abdel-Haleem Khaddam, etc.)?

NO, we are not. We have declared from day one that none of the AEA founders who met at Woodbridge Va. from all over US has any ambition or interest in holding a political office in Egypt or have any financial gain from participating in AEA activities. We consider ourselves as supporters, facilitators, or enablers, but not participants in Egyptian politics. As an educational, non-governmental organization, our policy and the AEA By-Laws ensure that any one who may develop such tendency will be resisted, isolated, and ultimately suspended.

“The ultimate measure of any community is not where it stands

in moments of comfort and convenience, but where it stands at

times of challenge and controversy.”

Martin Luther