I think a blog post is long overdue for what is happening in Egypt this week. As stated, Jan 25th, 2011 was the iconic day that Egyptians mobilized to fight for their freedom. They did so using the popular social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. We have a saying in Egypt that was only recently devised in light of these events meaning: Facebook for events, Twitter for logistics and Youtube to show the world.
A Facebook event was created called Yom el 3'adab (The day of anger) in which all Egyptians will go to the streets to protest the current regime and demand a change. Before I continue with the events that have occured ever since, allow me to clarify that we do not despise Hosni Mubarak. In his 30 year rule, he has achieved a lot and our country has prospered greatly over the years. Not only did he maintain peace with Israel after his predecessor, Anwar El Sadat, was assassinated for signing such a peace treaty, he also increased exports and imports in the country as well as improved our foreign relations with the west and east.
However, Egypt's regime faces a problem that many, almost all, countries face today: corruption. Every government in the world is corrupt to some extent, some more than others. On jan 25th, we, as a nation, decided to stand up to this corruption. Thank you for everything you've done for us Hosni but we need a change.
Twitter was used to work out logistics for when and where between protesters all over the nation, from Cairo to Sohag and Dumyat. Unfortunately, the government's first reaction was to block internet access all over the nation to prevent further plans for protests. In the mean time, the military attempted to use force by deploying tear gas and spraying us with water. Prisoners escaped from the prisons amidst the chaos and the government found itself in a state of panic. It cut cell phone use, landlines, electricity and water but they didn't understand. The revolution had started. They can't stop us now.
Tahrir Sq the night of the Day of Anger:
As this happened in across the nation, us Egyptians abroad were standing in solidarity with our country. Protests sparked all over the globe including UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, USA, Canada and many more. Along with my sister and best friend, I took to twitter to transfer the news from the heart of the capital to those of us abroad. I found I could not rely on formerly dependable news channels such as CNN and BBC. These reputable channels were misrepresenting the truth and claiming that we were having an islamic revolution. Fox news was having a field day and seemed to be sending correspondents to Cairo to find people to support their already pre-made judgement on the happenings in the nation. It was as if all three were competing for the golden cup of complete and utter ignorance and misrepresentation of the truth....and the sad part? It's hard to pick a winner.
We recruited others and took to Twitter to bring people the TRUTH. We are NOT having an islamic revolution and contrary to the moron, interviewed on CNN, who believes we are planning to elect Bin Laden, we are not. The common fear seems to be that we will allow the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) to take charge and succeed Mubarak.
Our response? NO.
I understand that it is in the West's interest to keep islamophobia alive and well but I assure you the MB will NOT lead Egypt into the future. They do not have a fanbase in the nation at all and they know it judging by their explicit statement to the nation: 'We will not be presenting a presidential candidate from the Brotherhood.' And even if they do, we will not allow them.
We are and always have been a liberal country. More liberal than you may think. Many of you have been plagued with stereotypes of the middle east and my only response is the Twitter outrage about 'made in the USA' tear gas canisters being fired on people:
The president finally gave a speech at midnight (local time in Cairo) on Jan 28th. He announced he had asked the government to resign and will be instating a new one. Protesters were not impressed and continued demanding that he himself resign. He appointed Omar Soleiman, the head of our intelligence agency, as our vice president. This did not placate the protesters but they regained internet access and cell phone/landline access.
It didn't last but it was long enough for protesters to plan the 'Million Man March' on Feb 1st, 2011in which one million Egyptians planned to meet at 9:00 AM at Tahrir Square (the center of all the action) and will march on the presidential palace. As soon as the govt officials caught wind, they sought to prevent it by cutting internet once again and all railways leading to Cairo.
This march did not happen but protesters sought to increase their numbers by beckoning all Egyptians to the square. At the same time, a mirror demonstration took place at Mahatet Masr Square in Alexandria. Google and Twitter partenered up and created SpeaktoTweet to allow Egyptians to tweet from the heart of the action. They merely had to call a number, leave a voicemail and it would be automatically posted online.
Tahrir Square on Feb 1st as millions gathered:
The president made an announcement at midnight on Feb 1st that he will be stepping down but intends to complete his term until September 2011. All protesters were enraged and continued demonstrations all through the night demanding that the president step down immediately. At the same time, pro-Mubarak protesters had surfaced and were doing their best to intervene. Following the speech, they proceeded to provoke those in Tahrir Square and Mahatet Masr and the army was forced to fire warning gunshots in the air in order to prevent violence. A summary of the days events can be found in these pictures.
The protests are still ongoing today but as a nation, we are preparing for a new era. I couldn't be any prouder to be Egyptian. We have stood together in a way no nation has before. We made a silent pact to protect the streets and our history and will continue to do so. Reports of the museum and ancient relics being under attack have led the world to believe they need protection. They do not. They are representatives of our history and no one values them more than we do: we can and will protect them.
This demonstration is about standing up for our nation and our freedom. We will eliminate corruption and be led by a president that we elect and choose to represent us. We were anti and pro-mubarak protesters but today we're pro-Egypt, all united to push our nation forward and do what is best for US.
For accurate coverage from the streets of Egypt:
twitter.com/nancyelattar
twitter.com/belattar
twitter.com/ysalah
twitter.com/amiram87
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