Egyptian Australians share views on referendum

As Egyptians head to the polls this week, SBS talks to Egyptian Australians to hear their views on the controversial draft constitution.

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It will be Egypt's sixth constitution.

And for some of Australia's 120,000 Egyptians, it's proof the painful and bloody revolution was worth it.

“You can't imagine how happy I am today. This is a monumental day for us as Egyptians,” said Hossam Ibrahim from the Islamic Egyptian Society.

“We have been fighting for the last two years since the revolution of January 25th last year to reach such a point.”

Far from celebrating, though, young moderates see the birth of a new dictatorship, and a constitution that buries human rights.

“People went out to protest on January 25th for an Egypt that protects all Egyptian. “You know, Christian and Muslim alike,” says Monica Mikhail. "But the fact of the matter is this constitution does not do that.”

Engineer Saeed Touni is taking a pragmatic view. He wanted to build a solar panel factory in Egypt but political instability made him choose Saudi Arabia instead.

“I believe Egypt needs peace now so that is why I voted yes,” he told SBS, “because enough is enough. If you want to change something in the constitution, you can always review it later.”

Of the 4,000 Egyptians registered to vote in Sydney, half are expected to turn out. Moderates are staging a boycott and SBS didn't meet anyone voting "no" at polling booths.

The Australian chapter of Egypt's El Dostour Party is distributing a list of 20 reasons not to vote against the constitution. They say the document is intentionally misleading, and they're urging voters to read it carefully.

“You can't have a President who makes his own constitution,” says Sam Mansour from the El Dostour Party Australia.

He says Egyptians should be voting for a new President on Saturday, not a new constitution.

“Don't forget Dr Morsi was voted in with 51.7 per cent,” says Mansour. “Don't you think that 1.7 per cent has been diminished now? With all the broken promises since he came in?”

Even if the constitutional conundrum is resolved on Saturday, the country is in dire need of a new direction. Analysts are predicting Egypt could be bankrupt within six months.

Egyptians in Australia can cast their ballots in the referendum at their local consulate, until 8pm on Saturday.


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3 min read

Published

Updated

By Gary Cox

Source: SBS



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