American Egyptian to challenge Mubarak

CHICAGO - Egypt’s President-for-life Husni Mubarak had better watch it.

Someone who better understands the fine art of public relations and the power of free speech has announced he will run against Mubarak for president this Fall.

The candidate is Aladdin Elaasar, 43, the married father of three who announced his candidacy not from the marshy wetlands of the Nile Delta, but from an hotel in one of Chicago’s suburban sprawls.

Elaasar sent his letter declaring his candidacy to the Egyptian Justice Minister and the Foreign Minister.

He lacks a budget, lives to far away from Egypt to shake the hands of many Egyptian voters, and isn’t a member of Mubarak’s ruling coalition.

But he says, he plans to win.

His first act was to write a press release, something most Arab dictators don’t know how to do. In fact, most Arabs get press the old fashioned way, by default in some conflict and always in response to a crisis they have little ability to control.

All-Egypt platform

Not Elaasar, who is a freelance journalist and member of the National Arab American Journalists Association.

He is also running on a platform that focuses exclusively in Egypt, something new for people who hold office in that country. Usually, the Egyptian and most Arab candidates (unchallenged dictators) have a one-issue platform, entitled “Down with the Zionist Entity.”

Even though Egypt has signed a peace accord with Israel, Israel-bashing still generates a core cote for Mubarak and his party loyalists.

Elaasar says the real issue is free speech and improved economic conditions in Egypt.

"I am running for president of Egypt and I expect that I will win," Elaasar insisted during an interview with TheArabStreet.com. "I have just as much chance as the independent parties (in Egypt) who field candidates in this election. They are small and have small voices. But the voice of those demanding freedom are strong and that is the constituency that I am appealing to and believe will support my candidacy. Let’s face it, I have as much of a chance of defeating President Mubarak as any of the other candidates who are running in Egypt and representing the independent parties. I think I have a stronger vision for Egypt’s future and a stronger agenda."

Seeking Bush's support

Elaasar also has one other traditional election campaign trick up his sleeve. As an American, Elaasar believes he has the inside track to win the support of U.S. President George W. Bush, whose entire approach to the Middle East has inspired Elaasar and other oppressed Arabs to believe that democracy isn’t just a pipedream.

"Bush has spoken up to encourage democracy in the Middle East, and there is no better way to bring democracy to the Middle East and to a country like Egypt which is the cornerstone of the Arab World than to force a contested election," says Elaasar, who said he is drafting a letter requesting Bush’s support.

Elaasar, 43, was born in Cairo. He is an American citizen who immigrated to the United States in 1992 and settled in Chicago. He is married and has four children. Holding an American passport, he says, will not impede him.

"I am Egyptian by birth and nationality. It’s my birthright. They cannot take that away from me. There is no question about that," he said. "The Egyptian Constitution gives the right, now, to any Egyptian to run. That’s good enough for me and I am running."

"I have sent an official letter declaring my candidacy to the Egyptian government, to the justice minister, and they are obligated to include me in the election, when the date is finally set. The problem, of course, is that President Mubarak’s party controls Egypt. They control the election. They control everything. It’s important that we hold his feet to the fire, especially when he is the one who says he supports Democratic reform in Egypt," Elaasar said.

Mubarak has won 4 times with 99.9 percent of vote

While Mubarak may brush off Elaasar as just another Egyptian expatriate ingrate who was so weak he had to flee the nation’s oppressive lifestyle for American freedom, many Americans might not be so cynical.

"I really believe that if given a real chance to vote, most Egyptians will not support President Mubarak. He has won election four times with 99.9 percent of the vote and no competition. If President Bush is serious about bringing democracy to the Middle East, and if we as Americans are serious about reforming the Arab world, then I expect to get strong support," Elaasar said. "The people of Egypt are suffering. They are starving. The government is plagued with corruption."

Elaasar is a co-founder of the National Arab American Journalism Association. He is the author of a recent book on the challenges facing Arabs and Muslims in post-Sept. 11 America, called "Silent Victims," available from Author House Press.

Elaasar can be reached at omaraladin@aol.com.

Ray Hanania is a Ynetnews columnist. He lives in Chicago