Morsi and Rabaa: Revolutionary symbols

With regards to President Mohammed Morsi, he deserves to be a symbol for all the free people of the world, not only as a democratically elected president who was overthrown, but also because of the great defiance and perseverance he has repeatedly demonstrated ever since he was kidnapped. His steadfastness in affirming his stance and legitimacy, as well as his rejection of all incentives and acts of coercion, also qualify him for this important status.

Morsi surprised those who are close to him ideologically, as well as those who are distant, with his unique resoluteness to stand alone in the face of a vast state apparatus, including its army, judiciary and all its means of oppression. Furthermore, in light of recently leaked information regarding some of his opponents’ stances during his reign, it has become clear that the coup did not come out of thin air, but rather it came after the various arms of the deep state sensed that Morsi was adamant on his policies seeking to both reform and cleanse corruption, and thus that time will not be in their favour, threatening their existence and their interests. They needed to act quickly to rectify the matter by arranging the theatrical show which brought about the coup.

We can imagine how different the situation would have been had another president been in Morsi’s place and a coup was executed against him. He would have submitted to the will of the military and the counterrevolution, succumbing to their threats, and he would have subsequently announced his resignation, perhaps in acknowledgement of the status quo or simply due to his inability to enact change. At that point, how would it be possible to resume the revolution against the military’s authority? And what would inspire the people to stand up to the injustice and aggression when even their elected president has succumbed and surrendered to the commands of the coup?

Unlike any other, Morsi’s charisma, political ideology and historic persistence have become one of the most important symbols of the revolution since he was overthrown and isolated from the rest of the world, and continues to be, despite persistently rejecting all unjust mediations and deceptive agreements. When Morsi finally appeared at his trial, he was full of vigour, denying the trial’s legitimacy and announcing that he was steadfast on the path of the revolution. In doing so, Morsi restored the strength of the revolutionaries and increased their motivations to continue. On the contrary, the concern shown by the military authority of the coup and the media was an indication of their fears of the man, the symbol he represents, the strong public support for him and the impact he can cause if the court proceedings were to be broadcasted live.

The second symbol, Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square, has become the friend of freedom lovers and the enemy of oppressors and cowards. The pursuit of its emblem in different places around the world ruled by despots is an indicator of its global significance. Why not, when it is a symbol derived from the blood that was shed when unarmed protestors faced bullets devoid of any weapon except their faith in achieving justice for their cause?

It is Rabaa that has created a legendary, timeless event never to be forgotten. Contrary to what the war criminals desired for their military state, the day they forcibly broke up peaceful protests will not be forgotten and has become even more important over time. Furthermore, the activity of the rebels has not reduced, even after they have realised the high cost of their actions; that they could be killed, imprisoned and tortured. The surprise was that the opposite of what the military wished or expected to happen occurred.

Thus, even if the revolution does not succeed in ending the coup in the near future, it is enough that its continuation exposes the cowardly criminals and raises the status of those striving for justice, earning the revolution a historical dimension and symbols that travel the world, whilst the coup leaders increasingly recluse themselves, so that no one supports them except those similar to themselves in aggression and tyranny, along with the voices of fabrication that benefit from their lies and unlimited debauchery.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.