How the U.S. can act to help the people of Egypt and win the hearts and minds of the entire Muslim world
Egypt has been always considered the heart of the Arab and Muslim world. Currently the country is in a crisis that threatens to create a vacuum of power and may allow Islamic Radicals to gain a greater foothold in governing the country. Egypt will very soon find itself with food shortages as a result of the ongoing chaotic situation. Such an inevitable shortage of food will only aggravate the current situation making it even more uncontrollable.
The US has been trying for years to win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world. The attempts included president Obama addressing the Muslim world after his election in 2009, the use of US media channels such as Al-Hura Radio & Hi Magazine to reach the Muslim world, political statements, supporting the building of Ground Zero Mosque and the wearing of Islamic Hijab by Muslim women. None of these measures were at all effective in ending the negative image of the US in the Muslim world.
On the contrary, after a long period of hatred of the US during Nasser's time, the US won the hearts and minds of the Muslim world during former president Sadat's presidency by using simple yet effective tactics. One of these tactics was helping to solve the shortage of certain food items such as the shortage of chickens during the late 1970s. At that time, Egyptians used to stand in very long queues for hours just to get 1 or 2 chickens for their families. The relations between US and Egypt improved dramatically during that time as the US was seen strongly providing the people of Egypt with frozen chickens packaged in the insignia and colors of the American flag. This USAID successfully contributed to the creation of a very positive image of the US in the minds of many Egyptians as their brains linked the US and US flag images to a good thing given to them as an act of kindness. In memory studies such links are created via a mental process called the Spreading Activation Model. It was a gift given because there was a need, and it was received as an act of friendship from the people of America to the people of Egypt.
What the US needs to do in the current Egyptian crisis to truly improve its image in the Muslim world is to repeat the same mechanism by sending urgent food packages that are wrapped in the American flag to the Egyptians to help them deal with the current problem of food shortage. When the chaos and fighting leaves the front page the next chapter to fill the screen will show anger borne of hunger because there is no food. The United States can foresee this and act quickly to provide the needed foodstuffs. If this is done during the current crisis, i.e. starting NOW, the US can forestall the next problem of food shortage and food riots, be seen as a good friend who cares for Egyptians despite the riots, and significantly improve its image not only in Egypt but in many other parts of the Muslim world as well.
Egyptians typically get their monthly salaries at the end of the month, (Note: many may not be able to get these salaries this month due to the current chaotic situation) and many people just barely survive on a daily income. This situation of disruption of normal business adds to the difficulty where food channels and supplies are in short supply. This makes an American gift of ready-to-use-meals to the Egyptian people during this disaster an invaluable tool to win the hearts and minds of many people in the country. Timing is crucial as Egyptians might be fighting to get food a few short days from now. The signs of this problem are already starting. This precious and needed American aid can also impede the attempts of Islamists who may utilize the food shortage problem for their benefit. A late reaction or no reaction in helping to solve this problem will be perceived by many in the Muslim world as the United States not caring enough about the Muslim, and letting people down in crucial times of need. The benefit to be gained by doing the right thing, not for political gain but because America sees the need of the Egyptian people, will create the same positive image that prevailed during the Sadat years when America also interceded for good.
This is a unique opportunity for the US to raise its stock among Muslim nations throughout the world by doing what it has always done; come to the aid of those in need. Saving the people of Egypt from chaos and deprivation will do more to restore civility between Islam and America than all the political showmanship that has been offered so far.
By Tawfik Hamid, www.tawfikhamid.com
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