Egypt Erupts into Protests Once More

Egypt (MNN) ― Egypt's revolution is starting to go a little stale.

It's that thought that had thousands protesting in the public squares again Tuesday. Military rulers warned demonstrators against violence as throngs of people expanded their sit-in around government buildings.

(Photos by Bora S. Kamel)

On Monday, Egypt's Prime Minister offered a cabinet reshuffle to pacify the crowds, but they remained unsatisfied and called for the resignation of the entire Cabinet.

Dr. Rex Rogers with SAT-7 USA explains, "I think people are just frustrated at the pace of change, primarily. I mean, there have been things that have changed; things are moving in a direction that many of us would hope."

The revolt began in January and February, and along with upheaval in Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and Bahrain, marked the the blossoming of democracy in the Middle East, or "Arab Spring." Egypt's lasted 18 days, ending with the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Five months later, there seems to have been little progress in resolving the power struggles and delays of building a democracy, along with the re-writing of a new constitution. A parliamentary election by September seems like an impossible deadline.

Rogers says, "When you have young people, in particular--but others as well--who want to see something altered that's been there for many decades, then of course they get rather impatient." Many are calling for justice and are outraged because they want to see certain leaders held accountable. "They're pushing for trials; they're pushing for dismissals, some of which have happened in the last week or two."

SAT 7, a Christian satellite television Ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, has studios in Cairo. Just as they have in the past, the staff is responding to the turmoil around them through their medium. Rogers says the team stays away from taking a position on the politics, but "we continue to schedule more live programming. And we try to get Christian leaders up front on TV to talk about how to 'turn the other cheek,' if that's appropriate."

Specifically, "We do try to encourage people to continue to pray for peace, pray for resolution of conflict, and protection of all involved," says Rogers.

They're also running through the basics of what it takes to be a follower of Christ and a good citizen in hard times. Rogers explains, "We're trying to help them think about what is their responsibility as Christian citizens in the real world. They've never done this before. This is something that the church has not been allowed, so how do you do this?"

As usually happens when there is anger and disillusionment, there is also reflection. "There's always the [tendency], when you're caught up in the immediacy, to think about the eternal, to think about about whatever is happening, however severe, it will pass. It will change...and God is still there."

  

Pray for wisdom for SAT-7 staff as they continue to share the hope and peace of Christ and provide answers. As they prepare new programs, they're asking: "How do we reach people in this time period of more openness to people who are questioning their religious conviction and their political attachments, [helping them] to think about who the Lord is...who is the God of the Bible, who is Jesus Christ, and what can He do in their lives?"