Renad Ghanem Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — As controversy swirls between the yeas and the nays over the proposed draft constitution in Egypt, the nation headed by President Mohammed Morsi faces an uncertain future following the outcome of the vote. Many Egyptian expatriates in the Kingdom are questioning the percentage of the ‘yes' votes, claiming that the ‘naysayers' were the dominant group. “Yet the missions announced the results as a resounding ‘yes',” said Ahmad Al-Arabi, who is a Jeddah resident. Many concurred with Al-Arabi saying that the ‘no' votes were aplenty, but the results were surprising. “ I, like many others, am not in favor of the draft constitution, but I exercised my right to make my point. In the end they will enforce the constitution any way,” he added. The constitution is the first being voted on after the Tahrir revolution that brought about sea changes in Egypt. President Morsi promised to void the controversial decree he issued last month in case the constitution is adopted. Many of those who had voted “no” said they are sure that the constitution will be passed anyway, even if the authorities have to resort to fraud. The ‘no' group believes that Morsi does not have the interest of whole Egypt, while pandering to the interests of the Islamist and Muslim Brotherhood. They contend that if the ‘yes' group wins and the constitution is adopted, they will not stop fighting for their rights and will work to achieve the aims of revolution. Al-Arabi, one of the Egyptians Saudi Gazette talked to on this issue, said, “The constitution is vague and only helps the vague interests of Muslim Brotherhood.” He added that economy is a major concern, but, “all we can do now is to wait, but I believe the situation will only worsen with the continuing deadlock and Egypt being on the edge of bankruptcy.” Marwa Mustafa, another ‘no' voter and an Egyptian citizen living in Jeddah, said it's hard to predict what will happen next in Egypt. “No promises of the revolution will be kept, we shouldn't wait anymore to accomplish revolution aims,” she said. “The constitution does not take care of our interests, and our expectations that the government will focus on development, has been dashed,” said Marwa. Marwa added, “I have lost hope in establishing democracy, freedom of expression and social justice. As Muslims we are in majority, but I'm very concerned about the minority's rights.” Muhammed Badran, an Egyptian pharmacist in Jeddah, said that nothing has come from the revolution. “At least there was stability in Mubarak's era,” he said. “I'm really concerned about freedom of press, especially with the government not taking any serious action against those who blockaded the Media City,” he said. Muhammed added that he hoped Morsi would take a decision to develop tourism and reinstate sports activity because millions working in those fields are unemployed. Abdullah Saber, an Egyptian employee in private sector, said that he believes that the constitution will help Egypt to achieve the aims of the revolution. “I believe that Morsi is doing a great job, and the constitution will provide Egyptians a better life and social justice,” said Saber. “Many voting ‘no' didn't read the constitution and only follow the ‘no' group leaders,” he said. Sherifa Alaa, an Egyptian expatriate, who voted yes, said that she's optimistic that the new constitution will lead Egypt to become one of the most democratic countries in the world.
