AFRICA/EGYPT - "One navigates in the dark, it is difficult to predict the evolution of Egypt", says a missionary from Cairo

Cairo (Egypt) - "One navigates in the dark, we do not know where Egypt will go" says Fr. Luciano Verdoscia to Fides, a Comboni missionary in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, where today, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square, in response to an appeal launched by the Muslim Brotherhood. Fifteen lay political formations as well as Coptic joined in the demonstration.
Among the slogans in the square, there was ''Islam, Islam, we do not want a liberal State", " the people want the Sharia ",''Islamic nor Western or Eastern" to which are added those of political demands, as for example that to judge former President Hosni Mubarak ( a request also put forward by opponents of the lay transitional government protected by the military).
"In recent days there were clashes between the young revolutionaries and members of the Muslim Brotherhood", recalls Fr. Luciano.
"The young protagonists of the revolution in previous months (who forced the resignation of President Munbarak) would like a more democratic government", said Fr. Luciano. "These young people are from cities and are able to handle the most modern means of communication, such as social network". "On the other hand- continues Fr. Luciano-the Muslim Brotherhood have a considerable organizational capacity and especially appeal to religious identity. One must keep in mind that even a good part of the Egyptian population lives in rural areas. These people have no culture and their identity is only religious"
"The revolution was able to overthrow the authoritarian system of Mubarak, but we do not yet have a clear idea of what Egypt will become, one navigates in the dark", concludes Father Luciano. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/29/2011)