How Egyptians’ morals justify immoralities

[DJKeefy]

How Egyptians’ morals justify immoralities by Mohammed Nosseir

Inspired by their own logic and aided by their talent in justifying their sins, Egyptians tend to transform their disgraceful acts into morally acceptable practices. Living in a country where honour and integrity have been declining steadily over the years, has led many Egyptians, unconsciously, to acknowledge immorality as a cultural norm. Unfortunately, this kind of ignorance has led to a situation where many citizens tend to believe that they are strictly abiding by moral values, while accusing others of misbehaving. However, fact is that society as a whole is witnessing a serious decline in moral virtues.

Sadly, immoral conduct is held in high esteem by a relatively large segment of Egyptian society. Immorality helps citizens defuse their daily anger and frustration, and relieve themselves of the burden of responsibility. Furthermore, by not admitting their moral deficiencies, Egyptians completely fail to differentiate between moral and immoral practices and behaviours. As a result, the Egyptian nation today is finding it difficult to identify its mainstream moral values.

Egyptians perceive moral values as purely pragmatic issues, meant to serve personal interests. The observance or rejection of moral values is subject to each citizen’s understanding of “moral value” and their personal view on this debatable subject. Thus, for the majority of Egyptians, virtues and vices are no longer sharply defined. The misperception of moral values, combined with the application of a clear double standard, has produced a society that is living in what may be described as a “state of honourable deception”.

The Egyptian state often indirectly obliges citizens to adopt a harsh attitude that enables them to accept and live with the repressive state policies to which their fellow citizens are subjected. The state habitually attempts to promote the view that while brutal treatment of the opposition may be immoral, it aims to achieve a moral end. This has created confusion among Egyptians regarding the definition of morality. For example, the state dubs the thugs that it often hires to suppress protestors as “honourable citizens”, while any expression of sympathy for citizens repressed by the state is defined as “immoral behaviour” by the state’s affiliates.

Some argue, falsely, that the 25 January Revolution, which concluded in political instability and economic decline, also caused the increase and spread of immorality among Egyptians. In fact, triggered by many factors, immorality among Egyptians has been escalating over the past few decades. The revolution only accelerated the process, making it more noticeable. The evolution or regression of moral values is directly affected by the quality of education and by the state’s advocacy of morality. While the revolution failed to enhance our moral values, the state (for ruling purposes) regularly contributes to the spread of immorality.

Egyptians refuse to be objective about acknowledging their virtues and vices; they insist on asserting that they are abiding by moral values—which, in reality, are rapidly declining. Once people engage in immoral behaviour, they are somehow dragged into endless sorts of misconduct that they eventually come to accept as the norm, which could lead to engagement in various forms of illegal activity. Consecutive Egyptian rulers, who encouraged immoral behaviour during their eras, eventually became the victims of immoral treatment by society. However, they were probably unable to comprehend that this ill-treatment was a consequence of their own initial immoral conduct.

People who are not able to distinguish between virtues and vices won’t notice the difference between moral and immoral values. Attempting to persuade them to abide by moral values is therefore futile. Moral values shouldn’t be an issue that is subject to negotiation, justification, or compromise; citizens either believe and abide by moral values or they are basically amoral, lacking in moral sense. Having a gift for justifying our immoral behaviour certainly does not make us a moral society.

Mohammed Nosseir is a liberal politician in Egypt, and was a member of the Higher Committee, and headed the International Relations of the Democratic Front Party from 2008 to 2012.

[newcastle]

There's a lot of waffling going on in that article

I wonder what the author means by "morals"? Some examples might have helped.

In my decade or so living here I have seen some decline in what could be called the "morality of honesty".....I see an increased tendency to take advantage of the weakness of someone else's position for one's own benefit.

The "dog eat dog" mentality has, in my view, increased

Religious & sexual morality? Where would you start? Since Sadat enlisted the MB to bolster his tenure, we've seen the superficial religiosity of Egypt increase exponentially. Compare the current street/beach scenes , TV progs, dress etc. now compared with 30-40 years ago. But is it genuine? Is it a fashion gone into hyper drive?

The hijab is everywhere.....but so is the skin -tight top and bum-hugging jeans.

Sexual morals, influenced by the decadent West, the spread of the internet. driven by an undercurrent of sexual urges inhibited by economic/social barriers...has led to a sharp increase in sex-related aggression.

Since 2011 I've noticed an increased degree of acceptance to the brutality of life....and the brutality of the state apparatus....as if society hopes that this is the path towards a better future, and the current pain and discomfort is temporary.

[Dusak]

Although dishonesty is evident here in all walks of life, I haven't seen an increase, literally speaking none really needed as it comes with each and every person living here. I do not think the average Joe has room to improve their ''take.'' All options and advantages have been fully covered for donkeys years, as the saying goes. I have seen though a more outward display of what I would call sexuality on the streets with the teenagers, especially the girls over the last fourteen years or so. As newcastle says, skin tight figure hugging clothes now leaving little to the imagination, are now becoming the norm. Those of that age that still wear the more traditional dress, is, I think, down to their inability to purchase such items with perhaps, their family denied them the chance due to their own views of such things. And these 'new' fashion statements are not cheap to buy, going off what my friend has told me her nieces are paying, even on the local souq, 140Le for decent jeans, 75Le for a top, 60+Le for shoes.

I made a joke of the fact on here a few years ago that I had never seen a pair of nipples on a female shop dummy. I think our Doctor was kind enough to post a photo of one shop displaying them under a blouse. But now its unusual not to see this part of the anatomy, not only on the dummies, but even on the younger kids on the streets. [Not that I'm paying particular attention to this detail]

[crewmeal]

This may have a lot to do with poverty and certainly the lack of tourists everywhere. I talk to many locals and they all say the same thing no tourists no money. This is where many get desperate and try to rent out their bananas. This coming from the caliche and Feluca guys especially from Efu going to Aswan. It's a nightmare for a single guy like me to walk anywhere which out being hustled all the time.

Fortunately I can take all with a 'pinch of salt so to speak'

As suggested above their are many more thoughts on morality in Egypt. Just my thoughts from a tourist who visits every year.

[carrie]

When there were tourists the men where still trying to rent out their "equipment" probably with more luck then than now.