Egypt

I expect that, like me, you've all been watching events in Egypt. So many issues are being played out. Most of the worry seems to come from demonisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, and what a free election might mean for Israel. Being a fervent democrat it seems to me that you cannot deny a nation its franchise rights and you have to find a way to live with the results that democracy throws up. Ever since Plato at least there has been a strand of opinion that sought to deny ordinary people a voice because of what they might choose to do. The whole Enlightenment tradition has faced that fear and favoured democracy anyway, with somewhat mixed results I admit, but that seems to me to be the way to go.

Be that as it may, I tend to hear a lot of the BBC World Service as I drift in and out of sleep in the small hours. The only bits I can remember from last night came from Egypt, and the one that has stayed with me was an interview with one of the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood. I can't recall his name, nor the interviewer, nor can I quote what he said exactly, and I am stronger on the first part than the second, but here goes.

First, he was rejoicing in what had happened. Words to the effect of: "We did this, the Egyptian people. There was no violence, we did it, Muslims and Copts, men and women, altogether we did it." I was impressed by the inclusiveness of what he said, and he went on "What we want now is a free democracy where everyone has their rights". I don't claim to quote that exactly, but that is the import of what he said. I was struck by such words coming from a Muslim, because I worry about Islam's inherent tendency to authoritarianism and to denigrate everyone else. But that is what he said.

Second, the reporter asked about Israel. And his answer was along the lines of: "We have so many more important things to do than worry about Israel." He paused and went on "We are peaceful people, you have nothing to fear".

Set against all the violence that the world has suffered from Islam this decade or so, I was much encouraged, and drifted off to sleep again, hoping I'd remember enough to write it down in the morning.

Is this perhaps the start of saner voices coming to the fore? I do hope so.