The fast developing situation in Egypt and the rapid ouster of President Mohamed Morsi has puzzled many and belied the expectation of those who thought that the revolution started two and a half years ago with the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.

June 30, 2013, will be remembered as the day the true revolution began. Never before in the history of Egypt have there been such mammoth protests all over the country, sending a clear message that the people have rejected the Monolithic Islamic Nation that the Muslim Brotherhood tried to impose upon them. The people have declared that there is no place for political Islam in the ancient nation.

The message was well received by the army which acted responsibly and in accord with the pulse of the masses; there was no choice but to respond and dismiss the Morsi government. As a precautionary measure, tanks were deployed in vital areas to prevent clashes between pro- and anti- Morsi demonstrators; the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood were barred from leaving the country, and will face trial for their misdeeds. The deposed President is currently confined in army custody and many been detained and taken to custody to face trial.

The one harsh year Egypt lived under the Muslim Brotherhood has made the public reject the MB ideology and their attempts to force changes and Islamize the State and education.

Army chief Abdul Fattah Alsissi, while reading out his statement after the peaceful coup, was surrounded by all secular leaders, Coptic and Al Azhar religious leaders, youth movement representatives, and many liberal leaders. All this shows that the pulse of the revolution demanded change and a better government, with representatives from all strata of society with its colors, ethnic and religious affiliations. In other words, a true Egypt of its native rich heritage and cultured people.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s short term in power has exposed them and their agenda. Their indulgence in assassination and violence was well known even prior to the 1952 revolution of Nasser. The funding from Saudi Arabia and Qatar did not help in making the radicals more dominant, but the 365 days of Morsi misrule made the people of Egypt understand their true colours and hidden plans to destroy Egypt.

Other external forces tried to deal with Egypt as a project to change regime and destroy the social fabric by indulging in sedition and encouraging extremism in the region. Washington and the West woke up late to the dangers of these forces at their own doorsteps, and many believe that this prompted the Americans and the Russians to reach to an agreement to end terrorism in the region before it is too late. This understanding may yet bring about an end to the bloodshed in Syria, or else more stable Egypt and Tunisia and Turkey are next in the line for instability.

The future of Egypt will be decided only by its own people. Though the challenges are horrendous, as the economy is in a shambles and inflation is high, the priority is to set the house in order and bring in a government that can deal with these issues in a pragmatic and transparent manner.

It is the beginning of a new chapter, and if the army is able to contain the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliated groups who may take to arms to settle scores, Egypt will be on the road to democracy. More importantly, it will regain its prestigious Pan-Arab status which has been lost for so long.

Dr Awwad is a senior Arab International correspondent