To Members of the Youth Coalition for the Egyptian Revolution

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Assalamu Alaykum. I admire your bravery and stand for freedom against dictatorship. You are truly role models for all young people around the world.

You are the first generation of young people in modern Egypt wh come together, work together and bleed together to become free. Your sacrifices are transforming the political cultures of Egyptians, Arabs, Muslims and all freedom-loving peoples.

I wonder what you do during down time. Here is a suggestion that can bring more attention and admiration to your cause: Turn Tahrir Square into a forum where Egyptians build consensus on a new social contract defining the state and it relations with society. Write and discuss a new state constitution.

You may think that you lack expertise in political systems and constitutional law. Consider this: Most Americans who wrote the U.S. constitution were not in those professions either. Some of them were in their thirties. Today there are many web resources you could use. You could also invite experts in these areas from among those who demonstrate with you to draft basic parameters for the new Egyptian constitution. Use the American Constitution as an example that youcan adapt to your culture and state. It is perhaps the best constitution in the world. It is consistent with Islamic and Coptic teachings. It is short and deals with principles defining state powers and rights of citizens. The American political system is stable because American leaders believe they derive their power from the constitution, not from the persons in political position. This is why Americans call their political system "A government of laws, not a government of men." But you can consider all other human experiences that respond to the questions you face today.

I am addressing you because I love Egypt and its good-natured people who treated me well on different occasions when I came to the country to work and study. I hope that your revolution achieve the political transformation you say you seek. More important than forcing Mubarak to step down(which you rightfully demand) is to change the Egyptian state system in ways that make it responsive to the aspirations of all citizens and segments of society, including those who do not participate in your demonstrations. This will happen if you and other Egyptians deliberate and agree on the key issues defining the powers of the state and rights of people.

If all the sacrifices you have offered end up replacing the National Democratic Party with another group, then your revolution will have amounted to a regime change. The previous regime lasted for 30 years; yours may not last 3. If I understand your demonstration slogans correctly, you do not want to only change the strongmen and the group that benefits from their rule; you want to free yourselves and all Egyptians by becoming equal citizens. This way you can create a state that will last for your lifetime and beyond.

During the era of dictatorship, state, government, parliament, and military referred to a group of people submitting to the wishes of one leader. In the new Egypt you seek, the state should be the institutions with defined powers and relationships amongst themselves and vis a vis the citizens, the whole people of Egypt, whose vote must be the ultimate source of the legitimate exercise of power. This is what shura and democracy mean.

If you begin thinking and discussing state and society in such manner, you will force the leaders who negotiate solutions to take you seriously. Right now, regime leaders think you are a problem; opposition leaders believe you are a bargaining chip. You are aware of this and reacted by organizing yourselves. You have sent a message that young people count and must be heard. But you need to begin putting forward credible ideas about change. Don't limit yourself to the immediate phase of power handover. Show older Egyptians that you can also lead the public conversation about the new Egyptian state.

You have begun the work of tranforming the Egyptian state away from dictatorship. But what what political culture are your shaping? It is your actions and statements that will tell. If you want to chart Egyptian politics on the course of inclusion, then talk the talk and walk the walk.

Long Live the Shebab of the Egyptian Revolution and all Egptians--free, compassionate and just.