Only In Egypt

Only In Egypt...

- people get disappointed when they call for a demonstration and only 100.000 turn up!

- people really hate you when you tell them to do something for "the stability of the country"!

- the Nile Hilton rooms overlooking Tahrir square are now more expensive than rooms overlooking the river Nile!

- the formally banned politicians are forming political parties and the previous minister of justice in under arrest!

- people succeeded in toppling their government for corruption but the Italian president is the one who shows up in court to defend himself!

- people clean up after they finish demonstrating!

- and only in Egypt, people know that at last the last Pharaoh has been thrown out for good!

What do you think?

The Nation Decides

Today, Egyptians are heading to the ballot box to vote on a referendum about the latest changes made to the constitution. An estimated 40 million people are heading to vote compared to 4 or 5 millions in previous referendums when Mubarak was in power. For the first time in almost 60 years, people don't know the outcome of their vote before hand. The corruption was so bad that everyone knew what will happen in advance. Recently and during the revolution, in one police station people found full ballot boxes from previous elections!

There was a lot of debate on whether to vote "Yes" or "No" to the constitutional changes, but regardless of the outcome, I am so happy to see people waiting to vote and for the first time in a life time, they feel that their vote matter. For the first time they feel they are an important part in shaping the future of the country. The nation is deciding what to do and showing to the world that they ARE ready for democracy. Ques of men and women, young and old, Christians and Muslims, are with one aim....to take part in a step to protect the revolution.

Long Live Egypt.

Inside the Egyptian revolution

This is Wael Ghonim, the google executive in the Middle East who created a Facebook page memorializing a victim of the regime's violence. He was detained by the police for 12 days at the start of the revolution and here in this video he shares his views about how Egypt is changing.

Wael Ghonim: Inside the Egyptian revolution Video on TED.com

A step closer to cleansing the system in Egypt

Late last night, there were some reports coming out from Alexandria, Egypt about large trucks moving confidential official papers from security HQ. Protesters quickly surrounded the building and warned the army. During this time, there was a battle between officers inside the HQ building and protesters outside, some protesters were shot using live ammunition. After a long battle, the army secured the building. This morning, the picture started to repeat itself across the country with flames spotted in various buildings across the country. Protesters in cities like Cairo, Mansora, Sohag, Tanat, Assuit and others started to surround the buildings and throughout the day today, they were able to take control - with the help of the army - to secure the buildings. Some of what they found inside were piles of shredded documents (as you can see in the photo), secret passages and cells for torture under ground and burned documents.

It seems that by the appointment of a new prime minster sent shivers down the spin of a system that was known for its corruption, torture and abuse to human rights for years.
This is a huge step in this revolution. Removing the head of state was one thing, but getting into an organisation that most analysts in Egypt describe as a country within the country is another.
This is just the tip of the iceberg and there are endless amount of documents coming out with shilling details that I am sure will keep the new appointed minster of interior and the whole new government busy for some time to persecute all those responsible.

Long Live Freedom.

The shredded documents inside one of the offices of the security HQ in Cairo

People power

Few days ago, I wrote about the growing public anger in Egypt against Mr Ahmad Shafeek, who was appointed as prime minster by Mubabark 4 days after the start of the revolution. In an another victory step for the revolution and after so much public pressure and demonstrations, Mr Shafeek handed in his resignation early yesterday. Mr Essam Sharaf was appointed as the new prime minster. He is a very respected public figure and joined a march with all his colleges from Cairo university staff in support to the revolution few weeks ago. Mr Sharaf address the public in Tahrir square today and told them: "I am here because I get my legitimacy from you". People are very optimistic with this change and protesters have promised to stop their protest for the next 2 weeks to give the new government a chance to prove that they will listen to people's demands.

Egypt is changing and fast. People tasted freedom and they want those in charge to understand that they are serving the public and it is not the other way round.

All the best to the new prime minster and we wait to see the new cabinet. Long Live Freedom.

Long Live Freedom

Today, news are coming out of Yemen with a big people uprising demanding the change of the political system and for the president, Ali Abdulla Saleh to step down.........

where did we hear that before????

I found this lovely photo for some old friends that I am sure will meet up again soon to compare notes about how they were removed from office.......

In this photo, from left to right

(Ben Ali, previous president of Tunisia fled the country after the Tunisian revolution on 14/1/11, Ali Abdulla Saleh of Yemen-still in charge for now although protesters are marching in demanding change according to AL Jazzera TV, Gaddafi of Libya, lost all credibility inside and outside of Libya and the revolution is near toppling him, Mubarak of Egypt, previous president, stepped down after the Egyptian revolution on 25/1/11)

People's Power.


Long Live Freedom.

Egypt revolution one month on...celebrate, protest and keep the pressure on

Today, a month has passed since the start of the Egyptian revolution. In the last 4weeks, the eyes of the whole world was focused on Egypt and especially on Tahrir sq. After 18 days of protesting, Mubarak finally stepped down and people started to celebrate. However, the prim minster -Mr Ahmad Shafeek- who was appointed by Mubarak in an attempt to calm public anger 4 days after the start of the revolution, is still in charge and is still running things in the country. The army holds a very difficult position in Egypt at the moment. Today, people went out to Tahrir sq, again in their millions protesting and chanting against Shafeek and his government. 99% of the minsters in this transitional government are from the old regime, they worked for or were advisers to Mubrak and his men. People's anger is rising and as I write this tonight, there are a large group of protesters camping now opposite Parliament in Cairo declaring that they will not leave until Shafeek and the whole system leave.

This is not a new demand for the protesters, from day one, the chant was "down with the system" and "we want the system to fall down". Mubarak was a symbol of the system but not all the system. 'Mubarak to step down' was just the first item on a list of demands including releasing political prisoners, the immediate stop of emergency law, the trials of those who ordered the killing of protesters in the revolution and changes to the constitution among other things. The old regime is still talking about "a movement" or "dispute" or "demand for change" and they can't see it as a REVOLUTION. People can not and will not accept Shafeek and his men to run the government even temporarily, as they were picked by a fallen president and they were in charge when men and women were killed in the streets after asking for freedom.

The demands were and are clear, We want the system to fall, nothing more nothing less. The system means, the current government, the governors all over the country, head of the police and the secret police, media directors who served the system and all their men who are scattered all over the country.

It took 18 days for Mubarak to understand the message and I can understand that after 30 years in power, he became a little hard of hearing but he heard at the end non the less. I am sure that the current government under Shafeek's leadership may find it hard to hear people's voices, but they WILL hear it sooner or later.

So..Celebrate, Protest and Keep the pressure on.

Long Live Egypt.

This is Egypt no matter what the say

This clip shows the Egyptian flag between a church and a mosque in Alexandria. The significance of this is that this is the church that was bombed on New Years Eve just few weeks ago with 24 people dead. Reports now that the forces behind this attack is the previous minster of interior, Mr Habib El Adlee, who is now under police custody.

It has only been just under 4 weeks since this whole revolution started and we are trusting in God and standing firm as Egyptians regardless of religion, class or political views.
Long Live Egypt.

Another trick to ruin the revolution

News just in with the death of a Coptic priest in the city of Assuit-Upper Egypt. He was found dead in his flat. As you can see in this clip, Christians were out in the street chanting "we will defend the cross". This is the oldest trick in the book, to create friction between Christians and Muslims to keep them busy. Of course some might say it could be Islamic movement behind this event, however, the Muslim brotherhood is working really hard at the moment to change people image about them to gain more support in the next election and I do not think killing a priest will do them any favours. During the last 4 weeks, not one church was attacked and people finally started to see that the old regime wanted to rule over a divided country. It became clear that the previous minster of interior - Habib El Adelee - was behind the recent bombing in a church in Alexandria on New Years Eve and he is currently waiting trial. Few days later there was another killing against Christians by one of police officer who killed 6 Christians on a train. There are now so many stories to show that the government was supporting, protecting and inciting religious division to keep people away from other important issues like asking about corruption or demanding more rights. However, just looking at general comments tonight on Facebook, I can see that the majority of people can see through these tactics. I can only pray that God protect Egypt and its people from all the attacks.

Seven steps to ruin a perfect revolution

In the last few days, there have been so many rumors and talk about the Egyptian revolution and the changes happening in Egypt at the moment. So many pages on face book asking for forgiveness from Mubarak for what people did to him or asking to hang him. Pages to say "sorry" and some declare: "we are not sorry, Mr president. Many talks about Islamic threats and foreign agendas and meals from KFC. Experts call these "the counter revolution" . This usually happen immediately after any uprising, at some point you find some people suggesting new things, spreading rumors and trying to kill the spirit of the revolution so basically the old regime starts serving you the same drink but in a different bottle.


Here is an article I read today about 7 ways to kill a revolution, I loved it and wanted to share it.


Seven simple steps to ruin a perfect revolution
STEP ONE: Let bygones be bygones!
Forgive and forget! Turn the other cheek! Do not pursue anyone! No prosecution! No Trials! Be a bigger person and forget about the mean corrupt guys!
Examples:
People calling for the forgiveness of Mubarak!
People calling for the forgiveness of the members of his corrupt regime!
People accusing those who are insisting on a transparent live trial of ruthlessness and cold-heartedness!
Purpose:
Divide and conquer!
Create a split between people!
Create a counter team of people who are actually sympathizing with the toppled regime.

STEP TWO: Let there be chaos!
More protests! More strikes! More rumors! More confusion!
Example: Strikes in banks, oil companies, factories, and universities!
Purpose:
Make the country come to a standstill
Make people wish for the stability of the old regime!

STEP THREE: Turn the ousted president into a compassion-worthy figure!
Poor old defeated President Mubarak! Humiliated in his old age!
Examples:
Mubarak is in a coma!
Mubarak's sons are fighting!
Mubarak is sick!
Mubarak insists on dying on Egyptian soil!
Mubarak has served the country for 30 years!
Purpose:
Guilt-trip: Making people feel like ungrateful brats!
Emotional blackmail: Coercing people into sympathizing with a dictator.
Replacing the image of the dictator by the image of a father who was abandoned by his kids in his old age!

STEP FOUR: Defame those protesters and revolutionary figures!
Plant the seed of doubt and reap the fruits of confusion!
Examples:
Wael Ghonim is part of a masonic conspiracy theory!
El Baradie is behind the ruin in Iraq!
God-knows-who is an addict, etc!
Purpose: Make people lose faith! Kill their hope in a better future! Destroy their glory and victory!

STEP FIVE: Clear the corrupt slate on TV
Shows and interviews with the very same people accused of corruption and of abusing their powers and authority. Instead of apologizing they present bedtime stories of how they were forced to do what they did or how they never did what they are accused of doing!
Example: Interviews with officers from the Ministry of Interior!
Purpose:
Opening people up to the idea that those icons of corruption could be innocent!
Getting people to calm down and accept step one; let bygones be bygones!

STEP SIX: Creating conflict and tension between the army and the protesters
There is already lack of trust between the people and anyone representing the government! By capitalizing on that tension and adding more fuel to its fire, the army is bound to start attacking the people!
Examples: Many bloggers are now highlighting the torture incidents in military camps and how the army was neutral in the face of the regime during the revolution and over the past 30 years!
Purpose: If the army turns against the protesters; the revolution is over! Change is history before it even starts!

STEP SEVEN: The old regime is reintroduced in its new attire!
A new name, a new face, and a new voice … the same corruption … the same nepotism .. the same injustice … the same abuses!

Happy retirement to every dictator

I have been watching the events in Libya very closely and can't help but feeling outraged at the brutality of the regime against its own people. It seems that all the Arab leaders had -at some point- a crash course on how to cope with any revolution. I think it was all in all a one day training course and it must have covered the same old points:

1- how to use scare tactics (weapons, machine guns, thugs, brutality, etc)
2- keep everyone busy hating one another (tribes against each other, Muslim against Christians etc
3- burn all government offices and police stations to remove all evidence when the going gets tough
4-use threats like: if i go; it will be chaos, if i leave; the country will be occupied by foreign forces, etc
5- accuse everyone who criticise the system of being an agent and a spy working for Israel or the USA (this one always work against anyone)
6- maintain the media under your grip, broadcasting calming music, Tom and Jerry, patriotic songs in the middle of any million man marches that come your way

Other general points include, withdrawing your police force and arming thugs to frighten people and keep saying that you -as a leader- will NEVER leave until you finish your time in office (which is usually lasts for 50 years).

If all this fail, pack your bags, move your billions abroad and book one way flight to Saudi Arabia, the whole revolution thing usually takes about 3 weeks max!!

Ahh, one last tip, after you leave office do not forget to spread rumors that you have suffered a coma and that you are on your death bed.

Happy retirement to every dictator.

Getting to know you...

It seems that the next Arab league meeting will be a chance for the leaders meet new faces and for them to get to know each other. The old bunch got to know each other for the past 30+ years and now the time has come for a new stage and new direction for the whole reagion.

There might be an event on Face Book to invite all the new leaders to attend :)

We asked for change in Egypt for so long...now we have a chance...are we big enough to take it and do something?

For years we wanted change, for a long time we talked and complained about the state of our country, about the poor and the unemployed, about the emergency law and the corruption in EVERY office in the land. Now we have a chance for our voice to be heard, to make a difference, is it going to be easy? Of-course not. Some say who is good enough for this position? I am sure among 82 million; there will be one person we can trust. Surely, we cannot just simply stand with a corrupt system just because there is no alternative!

So what can we do now?

1- Support the moderate forces in our country

2- Go and exercise our rights in electing members of parliament

3- Teach each other and educate one another on the best way forward

This is OUR land, our country and we owe it to ourselves and to our kids. To simply do nothing is just not an option. For so long they sold us the lie that we cannot cope with change, that it is better to stay as we are because we are not sure about what the future might bring. My fellow Egyptians, if you stand and do nothing then you cannot come and complain that no one is listening to you or giving you your rights ever again. I would rather die free than live as a slave.

To all Arab leaders

Three things Arab leaders are worried about at the moment:

1- Their people

2- Facebook

3- Fridays

What a week

It is so true that one week is too long in politics. Since last Thursday, we have seen an election, a hung parliament, some resignations, new type of coalition and a liberal democrat in the government for the first time in more than 60 years. What a week!


I think that the presence of the lib dem in the government will make the conservative rule a less bitter pill to stomach. On top of that, the conservative will have someone to blame if things do not go according to plan. "we had to do things in a difficult sitting working with the lib dem" I can hear the conservative say.

But in this time where the country face this huge task of dealing with the economic situation, I think we needed a government of national unity, putting the country first. Now, my question is, if this coalition government really work and they go on to deliver in this uncertain climate, can we have an option on the ballot paper to choose another hung parliament next time?

just a thought for electoral reforms :)