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That is the crux of the debate across the Middle East, not just in cyberspace, but from falafel stands to mosques to the halls and, in some cases, the palaces of government. In Egypt, for example, the regime of President Hosni Mubarak has largely repressed freedom of political expression. Many Egyptians, especially the middle class, have given up on politics and become more devout. Hijabs, religious bumper stickers and text messaging of Koranic passages have become increasingly common.
"Thirty percent of the messages I get every day are insults from Islamists," said Korayem, whose group has 2,300 members. "Their lives revolve around religious texts. They're closed to everything else. My mother is very religious and she tells me, 'May God guide you to the right path.' "
Korayem's real and electronic worlds reverberate with paradox, inspiring him to ideological battle and, at times, leaving him conflicted. Perhaps more than the arcane logic of jihad websites or blogs by jailed political activists, the mainstream Facebook battle over religion will most influence the course of Islam and its relations with the West.
The other day, sitting in a cafe in the hour before dusk, Korayem had a brief moment of magnanimity: "This Internet debate may lead to common ground between secularists and religionists. There are more similarities than you'd think."
But a click to his discussion board -- Islamic or Secular Rule -- suggests that kindred spirits and common ground are a long way off:
"Secularism is refused by all means," wrote Mohamed Amer, taunting Korayem in a cyber-spat of one-upmanship. "In fact, it goes against the will of the Egyptian, the Arab and Muslim peoples who crave Islamic rule. National interests rest in the adherence to Islam and faith."
Korayem shot angrily back: "Enough, I swear to God, we get bored with what you say. It is all the same talk, the same ignorant definitions [of secularism] and the same useless arguments. I won't reply to what you are saying because I have already replied tens of times."
But his fingers keep typing.
jeffrey.fleishman
@latimes.com
Noha El-Hennawy in The Times' Cairo Bureau contributed to this report.
"Thirty percent of the messages I get every day are insults from Islamists," said Korayem, whose group has 2,300 members. "Their lives revolve around religious texts. They're closed to everything else. My mother is very religious and she tells me, 'May God guide you to the right path.' "
Korayem's real and electronic worlds reverberate with paradox, inspiring him to ideological battle and, at times, leaving him conflicted. Perhaps more than the arcane logic of jihad websites or blogs by jailed political activists, the mainstream Facebook battle over religion will most influence the course of Islam and its relations with the West.
The other day, sitting in a cafe in the hour before dusk, Korayem had a brief moment of magnanimity: "This Internet debate may lead to common ground between secularists and religionists. There are more similarities than you'd think."
But a click to his discussion board -- Islamic or Secular Rule -- suggests that kindred spirits and common ground are a long way off:
"Secularism is refused by all means," wrote Mohamed Amer, taunting Korayem in a cyber-spat of one-upmanship. "In fact, it goes against the will of the Egyptian, the Arab and Muslim peoples who crave Islamic rule. National interests rest in the adherence to Islam and faith."
Korayem shot angrily back: "Enough, I swear to God, we get bored with what you say. It is all the same talk, the same ignorant definitions [of secularism] and the same useless arguments. I won't reply to what you are saying because I have already replied tens of times."
But his fingers keep typing.
jeffrey.fleishman
@latimes.com
Noha El-Hennawy in The Times' Cairo Bureau contributed to this report.
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