GAA hosts forum on Egypt

Doria El Kerdany has been intently watching the news pour in from Egypt, trying to contact her family and check on their whereabouts.

Along with three other panelists, Kerdany spoke on the current state of Egypt and the entire Middle Eastern world at the General Alumni Association’s “Egypt in Crisis” forum on Monday.

Kerdany, a native of Cairo, said she would be in Tahrir Square — the first and largest protest site — if she were in Egypt.

“My daughter is one of the revolution people,” she said.

During her past several visits to the country, Kerdany said she noticed changes.

“The light in the eyes that is famous of Egyptian people is not there,” she said.

The Egyptian demonstrations against long-serving president Hosni Mubarak began two weeks ago, about a month after the people of neighboring Tunisia overthrew their own dictator of several years.

Nadia Yaqub, another panelist and professor of Asian studies, addressed the conflicting opinions on America’s role in shaping a new Egyptian government.

Yaqub said she thinks the two countries should work together.

“Yes, and the reason I say ‘yes’ is because we already are deeply involved,” she said.

Senior Josh Watkins found Yaqub’s remarks interesting.

“I particularly liked Nadia’s stance on ethics,” he said.

Panelist and political science professor Mark Crescenzi discussed his expectations for Egypt’s future.

“I expect Mubarak to hold on,” he said, adding that he believes Mubarak will make slow steps toward change to try to meet the demands of the protestors.

“I think that he will try out his new cabinet,” he said.

Carl Ernst, another panelist and professor of religious studies, said the future is difficult to determine.

“We all would like the ability to predict what happens next, but in revolution it is such a chaotic situation that it is impossible to know what happens next,” he said.

“That we will see political change in the next few years as a result of it.”

Yaqub said many Middle Eastern people and governments already have positive feelings toward the U.S., providing a chance for America to build public opinion and orchestrate change.

“On the ground, if you spend any time in the Arab world, people are ready to love the U.S. if they just gave them a chance,” she said. “But the U.S. doesn’t.”

Kerdany said the young people of Egypt just want the Mubarak coup — as she called the government — dissolved.

“I believe and hope that this is what will happen,” she said.

Kerdany said that after initially following the demonstrations, she wanted to drum up support locally.

With her map of the world depicting Cairo in the middle, Kerdany stood out side the Franklin Street post office, asking for support from passing pedestrians.

But she was disappointed with what she witnessed.

“The majority of the people passing by me were completely indifferent,” she said.

Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.