By Lama Tawakkol
Reporter
CAIRO, Egypt –
Earlier this year, January 25th saw the start of massive protests in
Egypt that lasted 18 days and toppled dictator Hosni Mubarak after 30 years in
power.
Earlier this year, January 25th saw the start of massive protests in
Egypt that lasted 18 days and toppled dictator Hosni Mubarak after 30 years in
power.
This movement
has been termed a revolution and gave the Egyptians a great deal of pride.
has been termed a revolution and gave the Egyptians a great deal of pride.
Six monthslater, the Egyptian people are at different ends as to what should be happening
and how they should react to it.
Some people
believe that they should let things be and see where it goes without causing
more trouble, believing the continuous disapprovals to be the cause for Egypt’s
current state of political, economic and social instability.
believe that they should let things be and see where it goes without causing
more trouble, believing the continuous disapprovals to be the cause for Egypt’s
current state of political, economic and social instability.
These people
don’t want to see the military turn against its people, or Egypt ensnared in
civil war and turned into Libya, Syria or Iraq.
don’t want to see the military turn against its people, or Egypt ensnared in
civil war and turned into Libya, Syria or Iraq.
On the otherside of the debate are the people who are camping once again in Tahrir Square and
their advocates. This sector is skeptical of the Supreme Council for Armed
Forces and abhors the way the council is administering the country’s affairs.
They believe
that there should be more progress and more tangible steps towards true reform,
steps that reflect the revolution’s principles and aims.
that there should be more progress and more tangible steps towards true reform,
steps that reflect the revolution’s principles and aims.
These protestors
have several valid points against the military and are gaining more supporters
every day.
have several valid points against the military and are gaining more supporters
every day.
Among their
demands, they have called for the relocation of Mubarak from a Sharm El Sheikh
hospital to the prison hospital.
demands, they have called for the relocation of Mubarak from a Sharm El Sheikh
hospital to the prison hospital.
Further, they
want complete independence for the judicial system and the replacement of the attorney
general hired by Mubarak. He is considered part of the old system, having kept
quiet about all the crimes before.
want complete independence for the judicial system and the replacement of the attorney
general hired by Mubarak. He is considered part of the old system, having kept
quiet about all the crimes before.
They are also
vehemently shouting for the immediate stop to the court martialing of civilians
and the manipulation of the media and press.
vehemently shouting for the immediate stop to the court martialing of civilians
and the manipulation of the media and press.
They want to see
the police officers who killed the martyrs tried and they want all state
institutions to be purified from the venom of Mubarak’s men and their gangs.
the police officers who killed the martyrs tried and they want all state
institutions to be purified from the venom of Mubarak’s men and their gangs.
Moreover, they
want officials to stop lying to and underestimating them. They want the people
in charge to maintain the revolution and honor their friends and families who
died in search of a brighter future for their country.
want officials to stop lying to and underestimating them. They want the people
in charge to maintain the revolution and honor their friends and families who
died in search of a brighter future for their country.
Their trust in
the people running the country is quickly diminishing until it will soon reach
rock bottom. They see an organization slowly giving them tidbits, trying to
silence them.
the people running the country is quickly diminishing until it will soon reach
rock bottom. They see an organization slowly giving them tidbits, trying to
silence them.
The people’s skepticism
is rising, especially as Mubarak’s trial looms nearer. Their sarcasm is unsurpassed
as they bitterly joke and tweet that Mubarak will die before August 3rd,
when the trial is scheduled to begin.
is rising, especially as Mubarak’s trial looms nearer. Their sarcasm is unsurpassed
as they bitterly joke and tweet that Mubarak will die before August 3rd,
when the trial is scheduled to begin.
One can hardly
blame them when his health seems perfectly intact – until word spreads that
he’s being moved to his rightful place in prison. Only then does Mubarak
remember that something hurts somewhere.
blame them when his health seems perfectly intact – until word spreads that
he’s being moved to his rightful place in prison. Only then does Mubarak
remember that something hurts somewhere.
These days, we
are hearing reports about how he is refusing to eat and living only on water
and liquids. Are we supposed to take the hint that we aren’t going to be seeing
him in court next week?
are hearing reports about how he is refusing to eat and living only on water
and liquids. Are we supposed to take the hint that we aren’t going to be seeing
him in court next week?
I was one of the
military’s biggest defenders back in February. I was filled with hope and
gratitude at the noble countrymen who had saved an entire people from doom at
the hands of a tyrant.
military’s biggest defenders back in February. I was filled with hope and
gratitude at the noble countrymen who had saved an entire people from doom at
the hands of a tyrant.
I knew I would
forever view them from a whole new perspective.
forever view them from a whole new perspective.
Sadly, these
days I am adamant that they do what the people want. Their actions now are
ruining everything they built immediately after Mubarak stepped down.
days I am adamant that they do what the people want. Their actions now are
ruining everything they built immediately after Mubarak stepped down.
By their unwise
public statements, their accusations of treason against activists and
aggressive military manner, the generals of SCAF are obliterating their public
image.
public statements, their accusations of treason against activists and
aggressive military manner, the generals of SCAF are obliterating their public
image.
One knows not
what to think. Is the military merely lacking in political savvy or are their
true colors finally nearing the surface?
what to think. Is the military merely lacking in political savvy or are their
true colors finally nearing the surface?
We have to wait
and see.
and see.
Even though Egypt’s
political and social standing is extremely unstable at the moment given the
conflicting points of view on the horizon, one thing remains unequivocally
true: all Egyptians have Egypt’s best interests at heart and want to see it
rise and shine.
political and social standing is extremely unstable at the moment given the
conflicting points of view on the horizon, one thing remains unequivocally
true: all Egyptians have Egypt’s best interests at heart and want to see it
rise and shine.
I pray to God
that hopefully the day will soon come when the world will see a new Egypt
emerge.
that hopefully the day will soon come when the world will see a new Egypt
emerge.
Until we meet
again … on August 3rd.
again … on August 3rd.
