February 16, 2011
By Matthew Davies

Five days after the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and with Egypt entering a period of political transition, the Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler is returning to his home and faith community in the Maadi district of Cairo after a brief time away from the country at the Episcopal Church's request.

"We have lived through one of the most amazing events in modern Middle Eastern history, and of course the story continues to be written. And we believe we are in an exciting new phase of Egypt's destiny," Chandler, an Episcopal Church mission partner, said in a Feb. 15 e-mail update.

During 18 days of anti-government protests, Chandler and his family had initially resisted evacuation so that they could continue to serve the needs of the local Christian and Muslim community, but as the security risks for Westerners increased the U.S.-based Episcopal Church asked them to leave temporarily.

Chandler now plans to resume worship services this Friday morning at the international Episcopal church where he has served as priest since 2003.

"We are so thankful for the 10 days outside of the conflict that we were given by the Episcopal Church. It has allowed us time to be renewed and refreshed," said Chandler, who, along with his wife and son, had endured several days and nights of endless gunfire and whose apartment block had been targeted by looters on numerous occasions.

Following Mubarak's resignation, Egypt's Supreme Military Council dissolved the lower and upper houses of parliament, suspended the constitution and is working towards the rebuilding of both in time for presidential elections, which were already scheduled for September, Chandler explained.

"Speaking with our friends on the telephone in Cairo, it is clear that they feel empowered, and that the culture of fear that they have lived under within an authoritarian government has disappeared. There is a sense of profound hope in the streets and a common feeling of good will towards each other," he added, acknowledging that the journey to "true representative democracy" will be a long one.

Following almost three weeks of often-violent demonstrations in which many government properties were destroyed, thousands of prisoners escaped from detention, and security was compromised, Chandler noted that there is much that needs to be rebuilt and restored.

"This week there have been many strikes and labor demonstrations by various groups that were unfairly treated by the former system. This can well be understood as they have never before had the chance to stand up for their own rights," he said. "At the same time, for many people this creates a feeling of ongoing insecurity. Obviously it will take tremendous effort and a significant amount of time in order to return to Egypt the economic stability she experienced prior to the revolution, let alone to enhance it."

Chandler said that one of the most moving and symbolic images has been the "spontaneous immense ‘clean up' operation taking place in which Christians and Muslims of every segment of society are participating … all working together to clean up and rebuild the cities of Egypt."

A major interfaith "Caravan Festival of the Arts," which was scheduled for the first week in February at Chandler's church, will now be held sometime in the fall, he said. "The theme of the festival is ‘My Neighbor,' something that speaks with greater force than ever before," he said.

"The heroes from this whole uprising were those who stood out there with their fellow Egyptians, Muslims and Christians, side by side, and literally risked their lives for their rights and freedom," Chandler said.

"As the majority of Egyptian Muslims and Christians begin to walk the long hard road ahead of working peacefully toward a balanced democracy which respects human rights for all, there has never been a time when each of our roles has been more important. This is beautifully reflected in the present motto of the country, ‘Let's Build Egypt Together.'"

Episcopal News Service
Matthew Davies is editor and international correspondent of Episcopal News Service.