I don’t agree on many of the points Al-Aswany makes, but at least he tries and makes some very valid points while being reasonable and up to his rank as an intellectual. I like his patriotism and love for his country’s flag and people, but I repeat myself and say he and others fail to point at what the Egyptians (all or part of them) did to the Algerians; and things won’t work out so long as they don’t acknowledge it.
Then he bases his analysis on Egyptian TVs reports and we (more and more people) know now there’s little truth in them.
Third point, he is exactly like his nationals who still have a too big idea of the Egyptian role in the world. It’s like time has stopped somewhere in the sixties and they are stuck in there.
Fourth point, I must admit that I don’t like how Gulf countries behave with other Arab and Asian nationals (yes, it’s not only the Egyptians) and I would love to see their respective countries react. But the issue has many aspects to consider and it needs some realism when dealing with them.
Fifth point, he talks of Nasser’s support to the Algerian country and tells us that even our anthem’s music was composed by an Egyptian, wow! The latter point is just irrelevant here, and we need an objective analysis of how and why Nasser supported the FLN members who believed in him 🙂
Sixth point, let’s be serious, how could the Egyptian population pressure the Algerian government, and how could they expect to get an apology from the Algerian government or people?!
Patriots on Fire 
I am getting a bit sick and tired of the Algerian and Egyptian obsession about their respective flags! I mean, look at Americans, they are probably the most patriotic people on the planet and their flag is burnt almost on a daily basis, humiliated and demeaned and do they give a crap? They probably do but the difference is that they do not kill or punish the maniacs or even the non-maniacs who do it. Let’s get some sense of proportion here.
I am certain that all this posturing is simply a (lame) excuse to seem ‘patriotic’ and more importantly, to vent one’s spleen by indulging in aggression against easy targets. It is really sad. During the celebrations here in Algeria, the Algerian flag was subjected to similar mistreatment by Algerians themselves! And I am sure the same happened in Egypt. But what can you do, the Arab world thrives on hypocrisy.
As for the national anthem tune, am also sick and tired of the Egyptians going on about it. If they’re so proud of it, they’re welcome to take it back. Any Algerian child is quite capable of coming up with a similar if not better tune.
Algerianna, I am not sure the USA is the best example for this. Their flag is sacred to them and they wouldn’t let anyone burn or tear it. This is how they are. They don’t need to be pushed to show their patriotism (compare to the Algerian one flag in every house initiative last year, or a similar initiative in France in 2007). It’s just their flag is being burned so often abroad that they better don’t get all excited about it.
Which brings me to your second point, because in the USA their love for the flag and very ostentatious patriotism is reflected at some extent in their actions. This reflection cannot be found anywhere in the Arab world… illa man rahima Rabbi. That’s hypocrisy.
And I second your invitation to take the tune back.
Au contraire MnarviDZ, the USA is a very good example of what patriotism means in a post-modern age. I think it shares many things with most Arab countries, the most significant thing being perhaps the fact that it is a relatively young country which has not been around as an independent political entity for very long compared to say Europe, Russia or China.
Sometimes I do wonder if violent or passionate patriotism to the extent that it constitutes a significant part of the national and inidividual psyche is a manifestation of insecurity about one’s history, an expression of a certain inferiority complex which is combined with a desperate need to be recognized? The greatest nations on Earth, the most civilized have seldom been patriotic.
Patriotism is only useful to forster cohesion in young societes, mostly to push them towards some political goal. But I guess you could say the same about religion, tribalism etc. That is why identity politics is rife in the West today, when politics is in tatters, things like patriotism, religious tribalism and all other sorts of difference-highlighting get louder and uglier.
great blog. what motivates you here?
Hello Nazim, how are you ol’ chap? Happy Eid ul Adha to you by the way!
Thanks for the comment, have a look at the About page for more info on what this blog is about. It is sometimes going to contain material in Arabic and French (press clippings, videos etc) but all the comments will be in English and whenever necessary there will be an English summary of the matrial in question.