JEDDAH — Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's recent decree that elevated his decisions above legal challenge until a new parliament was elected caused has fury among his opponents who accuse him of hijacking the revolution and becoming the new Hosni Mubarak. His opponents decided to band up and rally in Tahrir Square last Tuesday, calling to scrap the decree that Egypt. Egyptians who support the protests believe that Morsi did not take decisions in the interests of the country; but that those decisions and the decree only help the president's party and interests. Egyptian expatriates believe that Morsi is ignoring the interest of Egypt and Egyptians as he had promised to be a president for all the Egyptians. They believe that Morsi gave himself sweeping powers which allowed him to sack the unpopular prosecutor general. They said that the president should be a role model for his people and respect the constitution, and if he didn't then people will be concerned about their rights, as there will not be a method to hold him accountable if he's above the law. Egyptians expatriates in the Kingdom said that they are concerned about the freedom in Egypt, because it might lead to further divisions and civil war. Saudi Gazette interviewed some of the Egyptians protesting against Morsi's latest decree. Alia Jaber, an Egyptian, living in Jeddah, said that she had voted for Morsi but now she regrets it. “I'm very sad for the last constitutions decree, how could we hold him accountable if he's above all authorities,” she said. Alia, who spent 18 days of the revolution in Tahrir Square, said: “The revolution called for social justice, there will be no social justice as long as there is a citizen above the law even if he is the president,” she said. “I can't believe that there are people who support the decree; they will unfortunately support him to be a new dictator,” she added. Ahmed Samir, an Egyptian employee who lives in Riyadh, said that Morsi's actions may jeopardize the lives of the Egyptians, as the decree was a risk that can lead to civil war. Samir was critical of the fact that in spite of rising protests, the president chose to ignore his detractors. “He only spoke out to the supporters for his decree, and he ignored the opponents who were much more than the supporters,” he said. “Now Egyptians are divided, and supporters for the decree are only from his party the Muslim Brotherhood while the rest of Egyptians are not pleased,” he said. “Egypt's interest should be his priority, and I would support him if he had respected the judiciary,” said Ahmed. Another Egyptian who supports the protests said that after the death of more than 50 children he thought that Morsi will come out with decisions to develop the railroad but he keeps ignoring the interests of the citizens. “Morsi's decree is a coup on state institutions and the rule of law,” he said. Riad added, “He promised for democracy, but where is the democracy when he has all this power?” Nagwa Abdul Tawab, an Egyptian who supports the decree, said that people who opposed it are those afraid of punishment or remnants from the old regime. “If our president decided to sell a piece of Egypt I'll support him. I support him in any decision,” said Nagwa. “I think that he is a very brave man and will make the right decisions for Egypt,” she said emphatically.
