The war on Gaza passed through Rabaa
This year marks the 11th. anniversary of the Rabaa Al-Adawiya massacre with its horrors and painful memories amidst another bleeding wound in the heart of our Muslim nation, namely the war on the occupied land of Palestine, since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to this day. That flood (Al-Aqsa Flood) has revealed hostility to everything that belongs to the conscience of our nation.
Following the recent developments, one may easily conclude that the Rabaa Al-Adawiya massacre was only one episode in a series of conflicts extending on the land of Palestine today, amid isolation of Egypt to prevent it from performing its role and duty.
Hadn’t Rabaa massacre occurred yesterday, there would not have been a Gaza massacre today. Everyone knows that the removal of the late President Mohamed Morsi from power, his arrest along with his government members, as well as the Egyptian people’s representatives, and the crushing of their supporters in the squares of Rabaa, Nahda, and others across Egypt, was only out of fear that Egypt would speak its conscience and play its role. This is understandable, given the fact that the late President’s immortal words, “We will not leave Gaza alone”, were sufficient to deter the aggression (on Gaza in 2012).
The military coup authority’s policies have revealed the practice of a stifling blockade on the Gaza Strip, both under war conditions and over the eleven years preceding it – as they linked Egypt’s security to Israel’s, changed the Egyptian army’s doctrine, and removed the city of Rafah and displaced its people, with the aim of destroying the tunnels to the Strip and cutting the lifeline off the besieged Palestinians.
The Rabaa Al-Adawiya and Al-Nahda massacres, carried out by the army and police forces with weapons, armoured vehicles and aircraft, were among the world’s human massacres committed against peaceful demonstrators (in a single day) in recent history, as they resulted in the killing, burning, wounding and arrest of thousands of Egyptians, followed by the arrest of tens of thousands of others, only for taking to the street, demanding respect for constitutional legitimacy and the popular will.
We, along with every Egyptian, owe the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in Rabaa Al-Adawiya and Al-Nahda, as well as all other Egyptian squares, since the first martyr in the January 25 Revolution (2011), a great debt (of gratitude). Those who sacrificed (their lives) so that people could live freely on their land and with dignity in their own homeland.
Today, we remember them with reverence and respect, as they sacrificed their lives for achievement of their goal – may peace be upon them all, ﴾And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision. ﴿ (Al Imran: 105) In fulfilment of their rights, we also remember the detainees behind bars who pay the price of freedom with their own freedom and lives.
The Rabaa massacre will remain an indelible stain of shame on the foreheads of those who committed it and bore its sin, with the rights (of victims) tied to their necks, both in this world and in the hereafter.
Also, Rabaa will remain a light and fire showing the way for those who seek freedom and change; and the blood of those who sacrificed their lives will not be in vain. It suffices them that they have fulfilled their duty towards Allah, where their fate placed them, and that Allah will do much good for their nation due to their bloodshed; as Allah Almighty says: ﴾ And We have already written in the book (of Psalms) after the (previous) mention that the land (of Paradise) is inherited by My righteous servants. Indeed, in this (Quran) is notification for a worshipping people. ﴿ (Al-Anbiya: 105-106).
Allah Is the Greatest; and May Praise Be to Allah
Dr. Salah Abdel Haq
Acting Muslim Brotherhood General Guide
(Wednesday, 14 August 2024 AD / 10 Safar 1446 AH)