By writing this post, I am declare my support for this initiative and implore my readers to support this cause.
For more information about this initiative, please visit:
http://myfellowamerican.us/
Monday, August 1, 2011
Support the "My Fellow American Initiative"
Having lived in the U.S. for quite sometime, I find the greatest asset the nation has is its tolerance and respect for people regardless of the ethnic and religious background. Recently, I've been approached with an initiative to help raise awareness of the importance of heterogeneity that makes America a pioneer in the promotion of liberty and human rights for its citizens.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Way of the Romantic
"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's; I will not reason or compare: my business is to create."-William Blake
Reality has made me forget what it means to be a Romantic. The mundane routine of life can take its toll, making one forget his purpose in thie world. Recently, I stumbled upon an exhibition at the Tate Britain that reminded me of why I write, blog, and create. It reminded me that the Romantic is a dreamer, an idealist, a believer. The exhibition, titled the Romantic Movement, made me quite nostalgic of my Virginian days, when I was loner searching for the truth. I recall going to a used bookshop one day and buying 100 books of ecletic genres. Goethe's, Decartes', and Wordsworth's works became my new companions. Without knowing it, I was in a quest to become a Romantic.
According to a caption hung on the exhibition's entrance, Romanticism is a movement that "describes preoccupations of thinkers, writers, and artists expressed with special intensity at a particular point in history: liberty and individual rights, the creative power of the human mind and our relationship to the natural world." In a sense, I see it is a form of worship. By using one's intellect to ponder upon creation and to create and innovate, one is fulfilling his/her purpose. The poets who explored love and the beauty of nature were in essence paying tribute to the factors that make life "special."
I was in awe to see how the oil and water color paintings hung on the museum's walls were a reflection of emotions, moods, feelings experienced by their creators. For instance, Turner actively made use of Color Theory to project certain emotions. Yellow was meant to epitomize hope and divinity, whereas grey and black reflected darkness and emptiness. The Romantics coupled these techniques with images of the sublime. Natural landscapes of mountains, seas, and lakes were meant to show the grandeur of God's creation.
The fact of the matter remains that this was a purely Western movement which thrived in the 17th century. Nevertheless, as a aspiring Romantic, I imagine this movement to be more all-encompassing. Any human being who seeks to use his/her mind to wonder, dream, and create his/her own world qualifies.
As my time in London comes to a conclusion, I am grateful that my time in this city has rekindled my romanticist soul.
Monday, June 13, 2011
مشاركتي في ندوة سياسية عن مصر على البي بي سي
اليوم كان عندي فرصة نادرة أن أظهر على قناة التلفزيون المشهورة، البي بي سي، علي برنامج ساعة حساب في حضور خبراء من الساحة المصرية السياسية، وأهمهم الدكتور عمرو حمزاوي. كانت حلقة اليوم عن العلاقة الجدلية بين الإطار الإسلامي والحركة اللبرالية\علمانية في مصر. أعرف أن يلعب التلفزيون دور كبير في تشكيل الأفكار السياسي في مجتمعنا، فأشعرت بأهمية هذه الفرصة لكي أعبر عن رأي. عندما تكلم حمزاوي عن الفصل بين السياسة والدين، طرحت السؤال عن النموذج التركي و إصلاحات مصطفى كمال أتاتورك و هل يرغب حمزاوي أن يرى مثل هذه الإصلاحات في مصر
في وجهة نظري، الحوار ركز على نظريات سياسية ودور الدين في السياسي وليس على مواضيع تفيد مصير مصر، مثل الرؤية الإقتصادية. علاوة على ذلك، معظم الخطاب كان له علاقة بمشاعر المتكلمين و ليس عن خطوات عملية إلى الدموقراطية
بصورة شاملة، كانت تجروبة تثقيفية لي عن الوضع في بلدي وآمل أن دأمن يكون عندي مثل هذه الفرصة أن أتعلم عن و أشارك في الحوار عن تأسيس دولة مصر الحديثة
Friday, June 10, 2011
عن مشروع كورال
بقلم – شادي لويس
في نهاية الأسبوع الماضي نظمت مجموعة "المصريون المتحدون" أمسية مصرية في لندن باسم" أصوات التحرير" والتي قصد أن يذهب دخلها لصالح جرحي الثورة والذين تباطأت الدولة في علاجهم علي نفقتها حتي يومنا هذا، بدأت الأمسية بندوة سياسية اشترك فيها كل من الأستاذ جورج إسحاق و الدكتور عمرو الشوبكي والتي للأسف الشديد لم أتمكن من حضور الجزء الأكبر منها، لكن الأستاذ جورج المنسق العام السابق لحركة كفاية والعضو الحالي في مجلس حقوق الإنسان المصري أعطاني انطباعا بأنه لم يفتني الكثير بعد أن نصح المقيمين في المملكة المتحدة بالتركيز علي مطلب واحد فقط في هذه المرحلة وهو حق المصريين في الخارج في المشاركة في رسم مستقبل وطنهم وفي العملية السياسية سواء بالترشح أو الانتخاب، أما عن بقية المسائل السياسية المعلقة فتأتي لاحقة لهذا المطلب، فلا معني لمناقشة المصريين المقيمين في الخارج لمضمون الدستور القادم في مصر إذ كان لا يد لهم في انتخاب مجلس الشعب الذي سيضعه.
أما عن الجزء الثاني من الأمسية فكان عرضا غنائيا لمشروع" كورال"، وهو مشروع فني مستقل يتألف من مجموعة من الموسيقيين والمسرحيين المتطوعين الذين ينظمون ورش عمل فنية تستمر لحوالي عشرة أيام في كل مرة، ويدعون فيها كل من يرغب في الانضمام للمشاركة في صياغة أفكارهم ومشاعرهم تجاه موضوع معين في صورة أغان يتم كتابه كلماتها وتلحينها بشكل جماعي ومن ثم تأديتها في عرض فني أمام الجمهور في نهاية الورشة.
وقد بدأ مشروع كورال أول ورشة في مايو من العام الماضي في القاهرة باسم "كورال شكاوي" ثم تبعها بعد ذلك مجموعة من الورش في القاهرة وعمان وأخيرا في لندن. أما عن المجموعة التي انضمت للورشة الفنية الأخيرة في لندن والتي كان شاغلها الشاغل الثورة المصرية الوليدة فكانت تضم جنسيات مختلفة أوروبية وعربية وأن كانت في معظمها من المصريين: شباب في أوائل العشرينيات حتي أواخر الثلاثينيات منهم أطباء ومهنيون وباحثون أكاديميون ومدرسون جامعيون وطلبة و مهاجرون غير شرعيين , مجموعة ما كانت لتجتمع في مكان واحد بدون هذه المناسبة. وبعد عشرة أيام انتهت الورشة بإنتاج ثلاث أغان جديدة تضاف إلي رصيد المشروع، اثنتان من هذه الأغاني"ثورة" و"هنا وهناك" كانتا عن خبرة المشاركين وانطباعاتهم تجاه ثورة شاركوا فيها بشكل شخصي أو شاهدوها علي شاشات التليفزيون، وبكلمات بسيطة وألحان أبسط عبر المشاركون عن حبهم لوطن يعرفونه جيدا أو يعرفون عنه أقل القليل وعن أمل وفخر و قلق ومخاوف وشعور بالذنب تجاه ما يحدث فيه وتجاه مستقبله.
أظن أن القيمة الحقيقية للورشة لم تكن في المستوي الفني للأغاني المنتجة بل في التقاء هذه المجموعة من الشباب ليتبادلوا خبراتهم و أفكارهم وليتشاركوا في التعبير عن حبهم لأوطانهم ولقيم الحرية والعدل وليحتفوا بثراء اختلافاتهم وفضيلة تنوعهم وليعملوا وليبدعوا بشكل جماعي، القيمة الحقيقية كانت أيضا في البهجة التي أعاد المشاركون اكتشافها في أنفسهم و واقتسموها مع جمهورهم.
غادر مشروع كورال في اليوم التالي إلي القاهرة وسيبدأ ورشة جديدة في الإسكندرية في بداية الشهر المقبل ومن هناك ربما سيلبي الدعوات الكثيرة القادمة من مدن أخري بدءا من بيروت ووصولا لتورنتو، لكن يبدو أن مشرع كورال واحد لا يكفي بل ربما هناك حاجة لألف مشروع كورال فني وثقافي ليجوبوا مدننا وقرانا ليكشفوا عن آفاق رحبة لشباب ضاقت بهم الدنيا وتلخصت في اللهاث وراء لقمة العيش أو في الاستعداد للآخرة و ليفتحوا أبوابا للإبداع والمبادرة الفردية والعمل والجماعي وليأصلوا قيم الاختلاف والتنوع وليعيدوا اكتشاف المتعة في مجتمع أثقلته همومه وآلامه طويلا.
في نهاية الأسبوع الماضي نظمت مجموعة "المصريون المتحدون" أمسية مصرية في لندن باسم" أصوات التحرير" والتي قصد أن يذهب دخلها لصالح جرحي الثورة والذين تباطأت الدولة في علاجهم علي نفقتها حتي يومنا هذا، بدأت الأمسية بندوة سياسية اشترك فيها كل من الأستاذ جورج إسحاق و الدكتور عمرو الشوبكي والتي للأسف الشديد لم أتمكن من حضور الجزء الأكبر منها، لكن الأستاذ جورج المنسق العام السابق لحركة كفاية والعضو الحالي في مجلس حقوق الإنسان المصري أعطاني انطباعا بأنه لم يفتني الكثير بعد أن نصح المقيمين في المملكة المتحدة بالتركيز علي مطلب واحد فقط في هذه المرحلة وهو حق المصريين في الخارج في المشاركة في رسم مستقبل وطنهم وفي العملية السياسية سواء بالترشح أو الانتخاب، أما عن بقية المسائل السياسية المعلقة فتأتي لاحقة لهذا المطلب، فلا معني لمناقشة المصريين المقيمين في الخارج لمضمون الدستور القادم في مصر إذ كان لا يد لهم في انتخاب مجلس الشعب الذي سيضعه.
أما عن الجزء الثاني من الأمسية فكان عرضا غنائيا لمشروع" كورال"، وهو مشروع فني مستقل يتألف من مجموعة من الموسيقيين والمسرحيين المتطوعين الذين ينظمون ورش عمل فنية تستمر لحوالي عشرة أيام في كل مرة، ويدعون فيها كل من يرغب في الانضمام للمشاركة في صياغة أفكارهم ومشاعرهم تجاه موضوع معين في صورة أغان يتم كتابه كلماتها وتلحينها بشكل جماعي ومن ثم تأديتها في عرض فني أمام الجمهور في نهاية الورشة.
وقد بدأ مشروع كورال أول ورشة في مايو من العام الماضي في القاهرة باسم "كورال شكاوي" ثم تبعها بعد ذلك مجموعة من الورش في القاهرة وعمان وأخيرا في لندن. أما عن المجموعة التي انضمت للورشة الفنية الأخيرة في لندن والتي كان شاغلها الشاغل الثورة المصرية الوليدة فكانت تضم جنسيات مختلفة أوروبية وعربية وأن كانت في معظمها من المصريين: شباب في أوائل العشرينيات حتي أواخر الثلاثينيات منهم أطباء ومهنيون وباحثون أكاديميون ومدرسون جامعيون وطلبة و مهاجرون غير شرعيين , مجموعة ما كانت لتجتمع في مكان واحد بدون هذه المناسبة. وبعد عشرة أيام انتهت الورشة بإنتاج ثلاث أغان جديدة تضاف إلي رصيد المشروع، اثنتان من هذه الأغاني"ثورة" و"هنا وهناك" كانتا عن خبرة المشاركين وانطباعاتهم تجاه ثورة شاركوا فيها بشكل شخصي أو شاهدوها علي شاشات التليفزيون، وبكلمات بسيطة وألحان أبسط عبر المشاركون عن حبهم لوطن يعرفونه جيدا أو يعرفون عنه أقل القليل وعن أمل وفخر و قلق ومخاوف وشعور بالذنب تجاه ما يحدث فيه وتجاه مستقبله.
أظن أن القيمة الحقيقية للورشة لم تكن في المستوي الفني للأغاني المنتجة بل في التقاء هذه المجموعة من الشباب ليتبادلوا خبراتهم و أفكارهم وليتشاركوا في التعبير عن حبهم لأوطانهم ولقيم الحرية والعدل وليحتفوا بثراء اختلافاتهم وفضيلة تنوعهم وليعملوا وليبدعوا بشكل جماعي، القيمة الحقيقية كانت أيضا في البهجة التي أعاد المشاركون اكتشافها في أنفسهم و واقتسموها مع جمهورهم.
غادر مشروع كورال في اليوم التالي إلي القاهرة وسيبدأ ورشة جديدة في الإسكندرية في بداية الشهر المقبل ومن هناك ربما سيلبي الدعوات الكثيرة القادمة من مدن أخري بدءا من بيروت ووصولا لتورنتو، لكن يبدو أن مشرع كورال واحد لا يكفي بل ربما هناك حاجة لألف مشروع كورال فني وثقافي ليجوبوا مدننا وقرانا ليكشفوا عن آفاق رحبة لشباب ضاقت بهم الدنيا وتلخصت في اللهاث وراء لقمة العيش أو في الاستعداد للآخرة و ليفتحوا أبوابا للإبداع والمبادرة الفردية والعمل والجماعي وليأصلوا قيم الاختلاف والتنوع وليعيدوا اكتشاف المتعة في مجتمع أثقلته همومه وآلامه طويلا.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Choir Project in London
A concert in London I was privileged to participate in in support of the Egyptian Revolution.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
I am bold and unafraid. Or so I thought...
There are somethings that I don't like to write about in public, i.e. my emotions... but since I don't have a moleskin to write in, I guess I'll have to spill my thought here. Besides, I've taken an oath in this life to be transparent and sincere... I've got nothing to hide... I dissect my heart on this page and let it seep this page in emotions....
Sometimes I write because I enjoy it, but mostly because I need to. Its at times like these when I feel uncertain and confused that I just need to talk to someone. There's no better friend to lend an ear than the paper. It just listens to you cry your emotions out without critiquing and that's what I need right now.
I haven't felt this way in so long...it kind of scares me because before what happened happened, I felt so secure in the fortress of my maturity, confidence, and conviction. But in a heart beat, all that I felt so certain of seems to have dissipated. The grandeur of my self-perceived aura has gradually whithered away. I am bare as bones... The armor that made me immune from the emotional sensitivities has molten. I am bare once again...Its an awful feeling of insecurity that I thought I would never have to face again in my life....
But there is one ray of light that still gives me hope... that if its meant to be, it will be. Yes, I know, its the fatalist in me coming out once again, but I can't help it. Fatalism is only all I can cling to in these moments of hopelessness.
Thank God the emotional storm has passed, for now at least. But does physical separation necessarily imply metal detachment as well? I don't know... I'm confused. Writing seems to be getting me nowhere.
Enough gibberish for now...
Sometimes I write because I enjoy it, but mostly because I need to. Its at times like these when I feel uncertain and confused that I just need to talk to someone. There's no better friend to lend an ear than the paper. It just listens to you cry your emotions out without critiquing and that's what I need right now.
I haven't felt this way in so long...it kind of scares me because before what happened happened, I felt so secure in the fortress of my maturity, confidence, and conviction. But in a heart beat, all that I felt so certain of seems to have dissipated. The grandeur of my self-perceived aura has gradually whithered away. I am bare as bones... The armor that made me immune from the emotional sensitivities has molten. I am bare once again...Its an awful feeling of insecurity that I thought I would never have to face again in my life....
But there is one ray of light that still gives me hope... that if its meant to be, it will be. Yes, I know, its the fatalist in me coming out once again, but I can't help it. Fatalism is only all I can cling to in these moments of hopelessness.
Thank God the emotional storm has passed, for now at least. But does physical separation necessarily imply metal detachment as well? I don't know... I'm confused. Writing seems to be getting me nowhere.
Enough gibberish for now...
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Naguib Sawiris Talk @ SOAS
"We have a long way to go," I though to myself as I left the talk. I just returned to the dorm from talk at London's School of Oriental and African Studies by Naguib Sawiris, who was promoting his newly established political party, the Free Egyptians. I was delighted when a friend informed that the talk was taking place in London because Sawiris is one of my role models. He is splendid example of an "Egyptian success story." Hearing him talk in person truly affirmed my that notion.
There's a lot that happened during the talk that is reflective of the current situation. The main theme of the talk was that the revolution was prone to being hijacked by forces who do not seek to serve Egypt's national interest. Sawiris warned that the demographics of the "revolutionaries" was gradually changing, unfortunately, for the worse... The liberal, intellectual, progressive youth who aimed to steer Egypt to a more desirable future are starting to become replaced by forces of various religious and political ideologies struggling for power to serve their self-interests. Sawiris claimed that many of the youth who spearheaded the revolution thought that they had achieved their objective by overthrowing Mubarak's regime. Obviously he was referring to the recent clashes between extremists (both Copts and Muslims) who had led to recent clashes. When this sensitive subject came up during the talk and the Q & A session, many Muslims and Copts began speaking up. Minorities from both religious groups began making comments criticizing one another. Actually, at one point, a fight broke out when a Copt directly insulted Islam. The situation flared at that point, but fortunately people came to their senses when another Copt formally apologized on behalf of the other Copts to the Muslims, and the apology was accepted.
It was at this point that the true sound of reason spoke to my ears. An old Coptic woman sitting next to me began explaining to a bearded Muslim man sitting behind me the following:
"We are all Egyptians. We should never let this minority break us apart. In the 1948, 1967, and 1973 Wars, Copts and Muslims fought side by side. Their blood mixed with one another. Never in these wars did a Muslim tell a Copt to go fight in front of him or vice versa. We must remain resilient in the face of those who want to break us apart."
These words of wisdom and nobility struck a chord within me. Regardless of whatever faith I adhere to, I shall always let my humanity supersede. What bewilders me is how we Egyptians have regressed to such barbarism. Egypt has always been a land of tolerance. Muslims and Copts have embraced one another for more than a thousand years. Prophet Muhammed was always gentle and just with Christians, and I am sure that he would have put justice above religious allegiance. I even recall reading a Hadith in which a delegation of Christians began praying in Prophet Muhammed's mosque and even though the Muslims wanted to stop them from doing so, the Prophet ordered that the Christians should be left to pray and worship freely.
The point is, people get so caught up in the moment that they forget what their religions actually preach. Any Muslim or Christian who defies religious tolerance and harmony is going against the teachings of his religion, in my opinion. Sawiris put it so brilliantly during the talk when he claimed, "If I have choose between my identity and allegence to Egypt or Christianity, I choose Egypt." Even though we are all faithful Muslims and Christians, we should not let fundamentalists hijack our religion and politics. "We hope to see Egypt as Turkey, and not Iran," Sawiris went on to claim.
The thing about Egyptian politics is that everyone seems to have an ego and wants to be in the limelight. What impressed me about Sawiris is humble approach. He does not seek the presidency, even of his own party...but actually wants to make a positive difference. He claimed to modernize, we need to have a free, liberal, secular system. Secularism doesn't mean atheism, but it recognizes that forces can hijack religion to serve their political self-interests. Sawiris cited Ataturks' secularist revolution and the seperation of the State and the Church in the Western World as sources of progress. Now he didn't encourage the religious nihilism that has prevailed in the West, but recognizes that religion is best kept in the private sphere of life.
I can go on and on to explain the merits of Sawiris' talk, but the chaos in the audience during the Q&A session made me realized that the Egyptians still have a long way to go in fully absorbing the principles of democracy. This was the cream of Egyptian society, and they could not conduct the Q&A session without tension and disrespect to one another. What happened to the civilization, discipline, and tolerance that Tahrir Square taught us? How do we expect to have a full-fledged democracy if we couldn't control ourselves in a small auditorium in London? People were confused and upset. Some people left half way through the Q&A session. For some reason, I did not give up hope. I know that every problem has a solution. I pray that God bestows Muslims and Copts with the wisdom, benevolence, and enlightenment that the old Coptic lady sitting beside me had revealed in the few words she spoke.
Although I heard some in the crowd murmur, "I'm not ready to go back to Egypt." I thought the complete opposite. It is my life's purpose to return to my nation at this point and do what I can, no matter how little I may have to offer.
I pray that God guides us all to the straight path.
There's a lot that happened during the talk that is reflective of the current situation. The main theme of the talk was that the revolution was prone to being hijacked by forces who do not seek to serve Egypt's national interest. Sawiris warned that the demographics of the "revolutionaries" was gradually changing, unfortunately, for the worse... The liberal, intellectual, progressive youth who aimed to steer Egypt to a more desirable future are starting to become replaced by forces of various religious and political ideologies struggling for power to serve their self-interests. Sawiris claimed that many of the youth who spearheaded the revolution thought that they had achieved their objective by overthrowing Mubarak's regime. Obviously he was referring to the recent clashes between extremists (both Copts and Muslims) who had led to recent clashes. When this sensitive subject came up during the talk and the Q & A session, many Muslims and Copts began speaking up. Minorities from both religious groups began making comments criticizing one another. Actually, at one point, a fight broke out when a Copt directly insulted Islam. The situation flared at that point, but fortunately people came to their senses when another Copt formally apologized on behalf of the other Copts to the Muslims, and the apology was accepted.
It was at this point that the true sound of reason spoke to my ears. An old Coptic woman sitting next to me began explaining to a bearded Muslim man sitting behind me the following:
"We are all Egyptians. We should never let this minority break us apart. In the 1948, 1967, and 1973 Wars, Copts and Muslims fought side by side. Their blood mixed with one another. Never in these wars did a Muslim tell a Copt to go fight in front of him or vice versa. We must remain resilient in the face of those who want to break us apart."
These words of wisdom and nobility struck a chord within me. Regardless of whatever faith I adhere to, I shall always let my humanity supersede. What bewilders me is how we Egyptians have regressed to such barbarism. Egypt has always been a land of tolerance. Muslims and Copts have embraced one another for more than a thousand years. Prophet Muhammed was always gentle and just with Christians, and I am sure that he would have put justice above religious allegiance. I even recall reading a Hadith in which a delegation of Christians began praying in Prophet Muhammed's mosque and even though the Muslims wanted to stop them from doing so, the Prophet ordered that the Christians should be left to pray and worship freely.
The point is, people get so caught up in the moment that they forget what their religions actually preach. Any Muslim or Christian who defies religious tolerance and harmony is going against the teachings of his religion, in my opinion. Sawiris put it so brilliantly during the talk when he claimed, "If I have choose between my identity and allegence to Egypt or Christianity, I choose Egypt." Even though we are all faithful Muslims and Christians, we should not let fundamentalists hijack our religion and politics. "We hope to see Egypt as Turkey, and not Iran," Sawiris went on to claim.
The thing about Egyptian politics is that everyone seems to have an ego and wants to be in the limelight. What impressed me about Sawiris is humble approach. He does not seek the presidency, even of his own party...but actually wants to make a positive difference. He claimed to modernize, we need to have a free, liberal, secular system. Secularism doesn't mean atheism, but it recognizes that forces can hijack religion to serve their political self-interests. Sawiris cited Ataturks' secularist revolution and the seperation of the State and the Church in the Western World as sources of progress. Now he didn't encourage the religious nihilism that has prevailed in the West, but recognizes that religion is best kept in the private sphere of life.
I can go on and on to explain the merits of Sawiris' talk, but the chaos in the audience during the Q&A session made me realized that the Egyptians still have a long way to go in fully absorbing the principles of democracy. This was the cream of Egyptian society, and they could not conduct the Q&A session without tension and disrespect to one another. What happened to the civilization, discipline, and tolerance that Tahrir Square taught us? How do we expect to have a full-fledged democracy if we couldn't control ourselves in a small auditorium in London? People were confused and upset. Some people left half way through the Q&A session. For some reason, I did not give up hope. I know that every problem has a solution. I pray that God bestows Muslims and Copts with the wisdom, benevolence, and enlightenment that the old Coptic lady sitting beside me had revealed in the few words she spoke.
Although I heard some in the crowd murmur, "I'm not ready to go back to Egypt." I thought the complete opposite. It is my life's purpose to return to my nation at this point and do what I can, no matter how little I may have to offer.
I pray that God guides us all to the straight path.
Friday, May 13, 2011
مصر القديمة
اليوم ختمت كتاب قصيرعن اجدادي، و هم القدماء المصريين. في الماضي، لم أهتم بتريخ مصر الفرعوني كما يجب على. بعد الثورة، اشعرت بالالتزام أن أزود معرفتي عن هويتي. علاوة على ذلك، كنت أريد أن أتعلم عن تريخ مصر من وجهة نظر مصرية، و ليست من منظور غربي برغم أن معظم تريخنا مسجل بيد الغربيين
في أحد من رحلاتي إلي ميدان التحرير بعد الثورة، قررت أن أستكشف الشوارع الجانبية في وسط البلد. في هذه الجولة وجدت مكتبة المدبولي، و هي من أشهر مكاتب القاهرة. دخلت المكتبة و سألت عن كتاب "الأيام" الذي كتبه طه حسين عن حياته. عندما إنتظرت البائع يبحث عن نسخه من هذا الكتاب، التفتت عيناي إلى جزء من المكتبة تحمل كتب نجيب محفوظ. اعشق كتبات محفوظ خصوصا كتابته عن تريخ مصر. في الماضي قرأت "كفاح طيبة" وعجبني خيال محفوظ وأسلوب روايته. رأيت من ضمن عناوين الكتب كتاب عنوانه "مصر القديمة". شرح لي البائع أن هذا الكتاب مجرد مجموعة من الفصول عن مواضيع مختلفه كتبها محفوظ عن القدماء المصريين . ظننت أن هذا الكتاب مثالي لي في بحثي عن الهوية المصرية. أشتريت كتابين من كتب محفوظ و كتاب حسين الأيام
بدأت رحلتي الإستكشافية عن تريخ مصر أثنا عودتي إلى لندن. أنهيت أول ربع من الكتاب على الطائرة. ماذا عجبني عن الكتاب هو نظرته العامة عن الحياة المصرية من آلاف السنين. يصور لنا محفوظ تفصيل الحاة اليومية وتقاليد أجدادنا الثقافية والدينية . بالإضافة إلى ذلك، يكتب الكاتب عن حيات الفرعون و الجندي المصري. أعجبني كيف عرف محفوظ أن يروي كل هذه الأبعاد المختلفة عن حضارة قديمة بعين للتفاصيل الدقيقة جدا.
أكثر موضوع أحببته في الكتاب هو عن الديانة المصرري القديمة و كيف كان يؤمن القدماء بالأخرة كما نعتقد الأن أن يوجد حياة أبادي بعد الموت. يكتب محفوظ ، "يجب علينا ألا ننسى أن المصريين تواصلوا كذلك لمعرفة جانب عظيم من الحقيقة التي قررتها الأديان التوحيدية، فكانوا يعتقدون بأن أفعال الإنسان في الدنيا هي التي تقرر مصيره في الأخرة وأن الشرير وإن نجا من العقاب في الدنيا فالآلهة لا تتركة في الدنيا الأخرى بلا حساب أو عقاب." إذن، يلخص محفوظ سر و حق هذه الحياة و هو أن العدل سيطبق ذات يوم. مثل جميع كتابات محفوظ، هذا الكتاب يرزقنا بالحكمة والمعرفة
آمل أن اختتام هذا الكتاب فقد أول خطوة لي في رحلتي في التعليم عن بلدي، لغتي، ثقافتي، ديانتي، و هويتي. كما أقول عندما أبدأ أي رحله: توكلت على اللة
Saturday, April 30, 2011
A Tribute to the Egyptian People by a Palestinian
The most beautiful words I've heard about the revolution...
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Guardian's Contribution to the Revolution
I just left my Strategy seminar awed by an inspirational talk by the Managing Director of the Guardian, Tim Brooks. Recently, with the unfolding of the Arab Revolutions, I have held independent media in high esteem for its ability to shape world events. The Guardian always offered an insightful perspective on what takes place behind the scenes. As a professional news agency, its journalists seemed committed to the truth.
Although the class discussion was about the Guardian's business model and how the news agency is coping with the inevitable shift from print to digital media, I was fortunate enough to approach Brooks at the end of the talk to ask him a question that boggled my mind for sometime, " How did the Guardian get a hold of a true estimate of Mubarak's fortune?"
The reason meeting Brooks meant a lot to me was because of how the Guardian's article about Mubarak's $70 bn fortune tipped the scale in favor of the Egyptian revolution's success. At a time when my nation was at an inflection point, and Egypt's destiny stood on a thin line between revolution and counter-revolution, it was this news about the abhorent corruption that had plagued our governing system that drove the final nail in the Mubarak regime's coffin.
I was curious to find out how the Guardian had obtained exclusive access to this piece of information. According to Brooks, Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, got hold of 200,000 diplomatic cable leaks. Instead of releasing them all, he collaborated with news agencies, such as the Guardian and the New York Times, to filter through them and release ones that would have a strategic impact. It was during the climax of the Egyptian revolution that the Guardian decided to release the news of Mubarak's fortune and expose the a secret that the U.S. and Egyptian governments had withheld thus far.
It was amazing how a single piece of information could shape a nation's history. I personally thanked Brooks as an Egyptian for his agency's decision to commit itself the truth. Athough a lecture by the head of a news agency that has been around since 1821 was a treat in and of itself, a conversation up close and in person with Mr. Brooks about how his agency contributed to my nation's history was more than I could ever ask for!
Although the class discussion was about the Guardian's business model and how the news agency is coping with the inevitable shift from print to digital media, I was fortunate enough to approach Brooks at the end of the talk to ask him a question that boggled my mind for sometime, " How did the Guardian get a hold of a true estimate of Mubarak's fortune?"
The reason meeting Brooks meant a lot to me was because of how the Guardian's article about Mubarak's $70 bn fortune tipped the scale in favor of the Egyptian revolution's success. At a time when my nation was at an inflection point, and Egypt's destiny stood on a thin line between revolution and counter-revolution, it was this news about the abhorent corruption that had plagued our governing system that drove the final nail in the Mubarak regime's coffin.
I was curious to find out how the Guardian had obtained exclusive access to this piece of information. According to Brooks, Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, got hold of 200,000 diplomatic cable leaks. Instead of releasing them all, he collaborated with news agencies, such as the Guardian and the New York Times, to filter through them and release ones that would have a strategic impact. It was during the climax of the Egyptian revolution that the Guardian decided to release the news of Mubarak's fortune and expose the a secret that the U.S. and Egyptian governments had withheld thus far.
It was amazing how a single piece of information could shape a nation's history. I personally thanked Brooks as an Egyptian for his agency's decision to commit itself the truth. Athough a lecture by the head of a news agency that has been around since 1821 was a treat in and of itself, a conversation up close and in person with Mr. Brooks about how his agency contributed to my nation's history was more than I could ever ask for!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tahrir: The Friday of Purification & Trial
Since the 25th of January, 2011, I had constantly been dreaming of the day when I would be able to join the crowds in Tahrir Square who celebrate the victory of the Egyptian Revolution and inch towards a liberal and democratic Egypt each day. April 8th would be the day.
Since the collapse of the Mubarak regime, the revolutionaries have made it a tradition to unite each Friday in Tahrir Square to express the solidarity of all the different colours of the Egyptian political and religious spectrum, keep the revolutionary fire burning, and demand that cronies of the former regime be brought to justice. Hence, April 8th was deemed the Friday of Purification (of Egypt from corruption) and the Trial (of Mubarak and other corrupt members of the former regime).
As I entered Tahrir Square at approximately 10am from the adjacent Abdel-Meneim Riydad Square, I was surprised to see the square quite empty. There were various stages set up on the various corners of the square. At first, it almost seemed like I had entered a carnival. Each stage showed different talents. The first square showcased political poetry by different youths. One filled his poetry with satire, another with comedy, and a third with hope. I then walked around the round-about in the middle of the square to see a second stage with a person from the Muslim Brotherhood preaching social justice. A third stage was headed by a Nasserist declaring solidarity with revolutionaries in Libya, Palestine, and Syria.
I had heard many stories in London of people who had witnessed Tahrir Square first hand, and they painted a utopian image of the Square in my mind. They made it seem like a place euphoric place where Egyptians epitomised human creativity, virtues, principles, comradeship, respect, and dignity. They were true to their world. As the influx of people into the Square grew, the scene became so much more vibrant. Despite the various stages chanting different patriotic slogans and playing various revolutionary songs, there was a sense of tranquility and magnificence amongst all the chaos.
The experience took on a divine dimension during Friday prayer. When the call to prayer took place, the square all of the sudden became dead silent. I was awed by how the call to connect with God had unanimously been respected by all, Muslims and Christians alike. As everyone faced al-Qibla, and the Imam who was giving the Friday prayer speech, I thought to myself that this must be what Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca's Ka'ba must be like. The Imam's sermon focused on the fact that justice must be upheld and that the treason and corruption of the former regime must be persecuted. He also emphasised that we are all Egyptians; it did not manner what political ideology or religious affiliation you ascribed to, we are all Egyptians. He also preached the importance of tolerance and respect of other's opinions. When the Friday prayer took place, it was quite emotional. Many around me began to tear because the Imam had made several invocations to God calling for Him to bring about justice, improve our situation, protect the gains of the revolution, and have mercy on the revolution's martyrs.
After the prayer, the crowds resumed their chanting. It was so crowded on the ground that I could literally feel my rib cage about to be crushed! Despite the hustle and bustle, people were very courteous to one another. Amidst the crowd of men, there was a women who seemed trapped. I wanted to suggest to her that it might be a good idea if she made her way out, but it seemed impossible. Once some of the other men noticed her, they called on everyone to give her space and make a safe passage for her to exit the crowd. It was this respect and chivalry that made Tahrir Square quite a special place.
As I struggled to make my way out of the crowd, I noticed that some photographers stood on the roof of an apartment building. Suddenly, I realised that that would be an ideal location to take panoramic photos of what was going on on the crowd. I wormed my way through the crowd until I finally was able to make it to the sidewalk, where I could finally take a full breath of air. I then scouted the area until I found the building's entrance. I ran up the nine or so stories of the building. To actually make it to the roof involved some unconventional climbing, but I eventually made it. The sight from the building's top was absolutely breathtaking. The scene below appeared to me as if I were staring at a sea of people. Like an ant colony, the demonstrators were miraculously very well organised. As one would expect, the three dominant colours were red, white, and black... From up there, once could see the whole picture. Together, the Egyptian people were a force to reckoned with.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Writer's Inspiration
In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful
Write! And We shall tell you what
Concepts far beyond what you have thought
"Which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?"
Servant of Allah! Into this world we have you brought.
Write! And We shall give you the Script
Think! And We shall give you the light
Man! Against evil you have won every fight
To converge with Truth, Virtue, and Right.
Write! And We shall give you the words
Thoughts poised like the flight of birds
Where life is free of hypocrites and cowards
And We shall rescue you from the plight of herds.
Write! And the Pen shall start to scribble
Think! and the soul shall start to tremble
In the Presence of Allah, the words turn humble
It is not for you ever again to try to assemble.
"Names of Allah"
First Impressions of the New Egypt
My stay so far has been a heavy dose of reality. My flowery notions of the revolution are slowly fading away. I thought I would return to a completely revolutionised Egypt. In my mind, I imagined an Egypt free of corruption, poverty, injustice, inequality, and ignorance, but to my bitter disappointment, these are all still traits of daily life. What kills me the most about all of this is that I still feel powerless. I wish I could, with the stoke of a pen, write Egypt's new future as I dream of it. At the very least, my stay here has taught me that both Egypt and I have a very long way to go...
My first impressions of the Revolution are not the best, I'm afraid to say. Coming from London, it feels like I've only been exposed to the rosy images of the revolution. From my ivory tower, I've failed to see the intricacies of the revolution's aftermath. In my mind's eye, I envisioned that the people, buildings, sky, etc... would look differently. The fact of the matter is Egypt, and I, are still soul-searching.
On my way to Tahrir Square, to pay tribute to the revolution's symbol, it seemed like life was back to normal and there weren't that many traces of a revolution. On the way, there were a plethora of commercial billboards with the Egyptian flag and a patriotic slogan, but traffic was chaotic as usual. The real residue of the revolution is in apparent in several burnt buildings across the city. Several police stations were burnt, but one thing that upset me was the sight of the burnt down Suzanne Mubarak Library. I can understand the anger at the former first lady, but did it really justify burning down a whole library with all the wealth of knowledge it contained? Whatever happened to our objective of eliminating illiteracy?
I can go on listing other observations that disappointed me, but I don't think it is helpful. My main concern about the revolution is people's outlook. People seem insecure about the future. Everyone seems to be taking sides and politics has become a tool to divide, rather than unite, the Egyptian people. Sure there is fanaticism, but that shouldn't scare us about the possibilities. The media has fuelled this fire by blowing several negative incidents out of proportion. Its essential to keep our cool, remain bold, and stick to the universal principles of justice, truth, and mutual respect regardless of our political or religious affiliation.
On a brighter note, its been endearing experience seeing posters commemorate the revolution's martyrs. These were the men and women God had chosen to purify Egypt. May He shelter them in the shade of His mercy. Other than that, it seems like the Egyptians have awakened a sense of love for their country. Flags flap on right and left now. On my way from the airport, I passed by two army vehicles transporting soldiers, and I couldn't help but salute them with by waving a small flag my aunt had given me upon arrival.
The past four months since I was in Egypt feel like four decades. Much has changed, and I find myself like a stranger in his own home. As I try to acquaint myself with my new surroundings, I pray that God will guide me to find my place and fulfil whatever destiny is written for me.
My first impressions of the Revolution are not the best, I'm afraid to say. Coming from London, it feels like I've only been exposed to the rosy images of the revolution. From my ivory tower, I've failed to see the intricacies of the revolution's aftermath. In my mind's eye, I envisioned that the people, buildings, sky, etc... would look differently. The fact of the matter is Egypt, and I, are still soul-searching.
On my way to Tahrir Square, to pay tribute to the revolution's symbol, it seemed like life was back to normal and there weren't that many traces of a revolution. On the way, there were a plethora of commercial billboards with the Egyptian flag and a patriotic slogan, but traffic was chaotic as usual. The real residue of the revolution is in apparent in several burnt buildings across the city. Several police stations were burnt, but one thing that upset me was the sight of the burnt down Suzanne Mubarak Library. I can understand the anger at the former first lady, but did it really justify burning down a whole library with all the wealth of knowledge it contained? Whatever happened to our objective of eliminating illiteracy?
I can go on listing other observations that disappointed me, but I don't think it is helpful. My main concern about the revolution is people's outlook. People seem insecure about the future. Everyone seems to be taking sides and politics has become a tool to divide, rather than unite, the Egyptian people. Sure there is fanaticism, but that shouldn't scare us about the possibilities. The media has fuelled this fire by blowing several negative incidents out of proportion. Its essential to keep our cool, remain bold, and stick to the universal principles of justice, truth, and mutual respect regardless of our political or religious affiliation.
On a brighter note, its been endearing experience seeing posters commemorate the revolution's martyrs. These were the men and women God had chosen to purify Egypt. May He shelter them in the shade of His mercy. Other than that, it seems like the Egyptians have awakened a sense of love for their country. Flags flap on right and left now. On my way from the airport, I passed by two army vehicles transporting soldiers, and I couldn't help but salute them with by waving a small flag my aunt had given me upon arrival.
The past four months since I was in Egypt feel like four decades. Much has changed, and I find myself like a stranger in his own home. As I try to acquaint myself with my new surroundings, I pray that God will guide me to find my place and fulfil whatever destiny is written for me.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
From Dream to Reality
So far, this revolution has been a pleasant dream. The footage of freedom fighters liberating my countries on a 15 inch computer screen seems too surreal to be true. Whenever I get the chance, I keep replaying YouTube videos of the revolution to remind myself that what I’ll be returning to tomorrow will be a different Egypt than the one I left in December.
Living in different countries feels like living multiple lives. Leaving a country is like passing away from one life to being resurrected to the next. My life in London seems like an temporary illusion at times. At times, I’ll need to pinch myself to make sure it isn’t just a dream. I keep waiting for the moment when my London dream will end and I’ll be brought back to life. It’s almost like the Ancient Egyptians’ preparation for the hereafter. My ancestors would live their whole lives preparing for the inevitable moment of death to enter into the next world. In my case, I’ve been bracing myself for the moment when I would set foot on my motherland’s soil again.
There’s something mystical about living in Egypt. Every time the airplane’s cabin doors unlock open, I feel like the air that seeps into my lungs brings me back to life. As much as I anticipate seeing my family at the arrival section of the airport, I have many other things to look forward to. I waking up the next morning to the dawn call to prayer, sitting by the window and have the morning glow of the sun’s rays warm me as I sip on tea and listen to a nearby dove coo. When I set out for Cairo’s bustling streets, I love hearing my native language fill my ears. ‘At last, Arabic!’ I think to myself after not hearing my beloved language for so long. I love knowing that I’m no longer a visitor or foreigner, but that this is somewhere I actually belong. I love crossing over the Nile Corniche and see the glistering water of the world’s mightiest river surrounded by deep greenery and palm trees of the Nile Delta. I love thinking to myself, I’m finally home.
For the first time in my life, this return to Egypt will be different. Egypt and its people have changed for the better. My reunion with my nation and people will be a humbling experience. These are the Egyptians who took to the streets to pave a free destiny for themselves. These are the Egyptians who inspired people in the East and West to fight for their rights. These are the Egyptians who made history once again. It seems too good to be true to be returning to this.
I am a firm believer of the Quran’s saying, “Verily with every hardship there is relief.” After all the pain and suffering that Egyptians have gone through, they have finally begun to see the light at the end of what seems like a very long and dark tunnel. Similarly, I have begun to believe that the recent unrest in London over the UK’s government budget cuts is a sign that freedom and justice must be fought for universally. After labouring away over the past few weeks to succeed in my exams, I feel like that all of the effort I have put in my studies in my life will not go to waste. Some day, I believe, I will be able to put my knowledge to the service of Egypt and humanity.
Tomorrow will be a historic day for me. April 1st, 2011 will be the day I return to a free Egypt. This day will also be marked by a gathering of a million people in Tahrir Square to show solidarity with the revolution and to show their commitment to keep the revolutionary fire burning. I hope to be able to join my countrymen tomorrow. I imagine joining them will be like a lost lion finally joining his pride of lions. Although I have not proven my valour and chivalry like the revolutionaries who freed my country, I feel a spiritual connection with these men and women who wrote Egypt’s new history with their blood. Returning to Egypt will be my chance to acquaint myself with the needs of the revolution, to internalize the revolutionary spirit, and return to London with a stronger will to learn as much as I can to put Egypt on the forefront of the international arena.
Despite my deep love for Egypt, this shouldn’t be mistaken with blind nationalism. I love Egypt because I love all humanity. I believe that Egypt, the cradle of human civilization, has the potential to usher a new universal era of righteousness. I seek to do what I can to keep Egypt’s revolution burning so that it could ignite a revolution for universal peace, solidarity, and egalitarianism. Ultimately, I hope that my efforts to serve Egypt will have a greater impact to serve the world.
With these intentions and ideas in mind, I pray that my journey to Egypt will be a fruitful one. Finally, the time has come when I shall awake from my dream of the revolution to join its reality.
Living in different countries feels like living multiple lives. Leaving a country is like passing away from one life to being resurrected to the next. My life in London seems like an temporary illusion at times. At times, I’ll need to pinch myself to make sure it isn’t just a dream. I keep waiting for the moment when my London dream will end and I’ll be brought back to life. It’s almost like the Ancient Egyptians’ preparation for the hereafter. My ancestors would live their whole lives preparing for the inevitable moment of death to enter into the next world. In my case, I’ve been bracing myself for the moment when I would set foot on my motherland’s soil again.
There’s something mystical about living in Egypt. Every time the airplane’s cabin doors unlock open, I feel like the air that seeps into my lungs brings me back to life. As much as I anticipate seeing my family at the arrival section of the airport, I have many other things to look forward to. I waking up the next morning to the dawn call to prayer, sitting by the window and have the morning glow of the sun’s rays warm me as I sip on tea and listen to a nearby dove coo. When I set out for Cairo’s bustling streets, I love hearing my native language fill my ears. ‘At last, Arabic!’ I think to myself after not hearing my beloved language for so long. I love knowing that I’m no longer a visitor or foreigner, but that this is somewhere I actually belong. I love crossing over the Nile Corniche and see the glistering water of the world’s mightiest river surrounded by deep greenery and palm trees of the Nile Delta. I love thinking to myself, I’m finally home.
For the first time in my life, this return to Egypt will be different. Egypt and its people have changed for the better. My reunion with my nation and people will be a humbling experience. These are the Egyptians who took to the streets to pave a free destiny for themselves. These are the Egyptians who inspired people in the East and West to fight for their rights. These are the Egyptians who made history once again. It seems too good to be true to be returning to this.
I am a firm believer of the Quran’s saying, “Verily with every hardship there is relief.” After all the pain and suffering that Egyptians have gone through, they have finally begun to see the light at the end of what seems like a very long and dark tunnel. Similarly, I have begun to believe that the recent unrest in London over the UK’s government budget cuts is a sign that freedom and justice must be fought for universally. After labouring away over the past few weeks to succeed in my exams, I feel like that all of the effort I have put in my studies in my life will not go to waste. Some day, I believe, I will be able to put my knowledge to the service of Egypt and humanity.
Tomorrow will be a historic day for me. April 1st, 2011 will be the day I return to a free Egypt. This day will also be marked by a gathering of a million people in Tahrir Square to show solidarity with the revolution and to show their commitment to keep the revolutionary fire burning. I hope to be able to join my countrymen tomorrow. I imagine joining them will be like a lost lion finally joining his pride of lions. Although I have not proven my valour and chivalry like the revolutionaries who freed my country, I feel a spiritual connection with these men and women who wrote Egypt’s new history with their blood. Returning to Egypt will be my chance to acquaint myself with the needs of the revolution, to internalize the revolutionary spirit, and return to London with a stronger will to learn as much as I can to put Egypt on the forefront of the international arena.
Despite my deep love for Egypt, this shouldn’t be mistaken with blind nationalism. I love Egypt because I love all humanity. I believe that Egypt, the cradle of human civilization, has the potential to usher a new universal era of righteousness. I seek to do what I can to keep Egypt’s revolution burning so that it could ignite a revolution for universal peace, solidarity, and egalitarianism. Ultimately, I hope that my efforts to serve Egypt will have a greater impact to serve the world.
With these intentions and ideas in mind, I pray that my journey to Egypt will be a fruitful one. Finally, the time has come when I shall awake from my dream of the revolution to join its reality.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The New Revolutionaries
"On behalf of the University of London Egyptian Student Association," I kicked off the post-lecture Q&A session, "I would like to express my utmost gratitude, Ms. Ahdaf Soueif, for your endearing account of your experiences in Tahrir Square, and Professor Gilbert Achcar, for your insightful analysis of the Egyptian Revolution."
This was the first official event that we, as Egyptian students in London, had organized to commemorate the our generation's revolution. I was pleased to see a large turn out to this event at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Supporters of all stripes and colors came out to hear of a revolution that symbolized fundamental human values: freedom, dignity, and justice.
Although I wasn't privledged to play a physical role in the Revolution, I felt it to be imperative to lend a hand to my compatriots back home. After engaging in an intellectual debate regarding the role of the Egyptian Army in the Revolution with Professor Achcar, I was amused to witness the passion in the air about what this revolution meant to people. There was a gentleman in his 80s who, in awe, exclaimed, "What these youth have achieved is a miracle! I am an Egyptian expatriat, and when I was 19, I witnessed the 1952 Revolution first hand. That revolution was stolen from the people by the army! But this time, this is a people's revolution thanks to you the Youth!"
Hearing various similar accounts made me realized that my generation has achieved something that my parents' generation could not have achieved in the past 30 years! I was humbled by the power of my generation's ideas and activism. To be honest, I doubted that we could ever achieve such glory. I always thought I was a loner, hence the name of this blog. I thought I would always be a "Romantic Revolutionary" and that the revolution I had always dreamed about would be a mere bourgeoisie fantasy. I guess I didn't have enough faith and hope in the possibilities. Although my imagination was limitless about the possibilities of taking Egypt and the Arab World forward, I wasn't a believe. But I can tell you one thing, this revolution has lit a spark in that will blaze forever in my and the hearts of my generation's compatriots.
This week, we have been working prolifically to organize events to raise awareness about what Egypt's victory means, commemorate the freedom, and prepare for the future.
More about our (i.e. Egyptian students in London) activities to follow...
This was the first official event that we, as Egyptian students in London, had organized to commemorate the our generation's revolution. I was pleased to see a large turn out to this event at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Supporters of all stripes and colors came out to hear of a revolution that symbolized fundamental human values: freedom, dignity, and justice.
Although I wasn't privledged to play a physical role in the Revolution, I felt it to be imperative to lend a hand to my compatriots back home. After engaging in an intellectual debate regarding the role of the Egyptian Army in the Revolution with Professor Achcar, I was amused to witness the passion in the air about what this revolution meant to people. There was a gentleman in his 80s who, in awe, exclaimed, "What these youth have achieved is a miracle! I am an Egyptian expatriat, and when I was 19, I witnessed the 1952 Revolution first hand. That revolution was stolen from the people by the army! But this time, this is a people's revolution thanks to you the Youth!"
Hearing various similar accounts made me realized that my generation has achieved something that my parents' generation could not have achieved in the past 30 years! I was humbled by the power of my generation's ideas and activism. To be honest, I doubted that we could ever achieve such glory. I always thought I was a loner, hence the name of this blog. I thought I would always be a "Romantic Revolutionary" and that the revolution I had always dreamed about would be a mere bourgeoisie fantasy. I guess I didn't have enough faith and hope in the possibilities. Although my imagination was limitless about the possibilities of taking Egypt and the Arab World forward, I wasn't a believe. But I can tell you one thing, this revolution has lit a spark in that will blaze forever in my and the hearts of my generation's compatriots.
This week, we have been working prolifically to organize events to raise awareness about what Egypt's victory means, commemorate the freedom, and prepare for the future.
More about our (i.e. Egyptian students in London) activities to follow...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Realization of Al-Nahda
Yesterday I picked up the latest edition of The Economist magazine, proud to see that the spotlight is on Egypt once again. But something was different about this edition. Upon looking at its cover, something resonated within me. There was something alluring about its title, "The Awakening." At first, I didn't quite realize what attracted me so much to these two words, but I toyed around with the phrase in my mind until it struck me later that night as I flipped the glossy pages of Egypt's contemporary history. The Awakening was finally the realization of Al-Nahda the Arabs have always dreamed about!I had lived my whole life wondering what the solution to the "Egyptian Problem" would ever be. I was sure there had to be a solution. I was trained as an engineer, a profession all about problem-solving, but for some reason I always felt like the "Egyptian Problem" was unsolvable. What could ever reverse our course of history and return us to our magnificent past, the Golden Age of Islamic Empire and the splendors of Ancient Egyptian civilization? It seemed like we Egyptians, in particular, and Arabs, as a whole, were destined to rot under political repression, ignorance, and poverty. Whenever I travelled abroad, I felt that the world was running. Having lived in China, India, the U.S., and Turkey, I felt like there was so much momentum in these nations. People across the world were racing to gain a competitive edge over one another. Yet, when I returned to Egypt, I didn't feel the same energy and dynamism. Unfortunately, people always thought I was naive because of my optimistic thoughts. They were always pessimistic, looking at the empty half of the glass. I swore to make it my life mission to prove them wrong. Hitherto, I dedicated as much effort and resources as I could to make a positive impact on Egypt and its people.
I have always been inquisitive about Al-Nahda, the period in Arab history deemed to be its Renaissance. The reason this period had such an allure in my mind was because it was quite recent, beginning in the 19th century and lasting through the 20th century. It was the period when we gained our independence from Western colonialism and when Arab political and social thought literature. It was a bold attempt at modernizing the Arab World that manifested itself in the works of Mohamed Abdou, Refeh el-Tahtawi, al-Jabarti, and Ahmed Shawqi. These great men looked at the West and sought to emulate its civilization's great achievements in the Arab World. For the first time in the modern era, the Arabs embarked on an intellectual discourse that sought to define their modern identity while preserving the jewels of their Islamic and cultural heritage. I had the honor of being a student of Professor Sawaie, an expert of Al-Nahda at the University of Virginia, where we read primary sources of what was going on in the minds of Al-Nahda's pioneers. I've always believed that it was Al-Nahda's ethos that would awaken the Arabs and make them realize that they have a pivotal role to play on the world stage.
My confusion about the Egyptian Problem and my dreams of Al-Nahda coming into fruition finally confronted on another on January 25, 2011 when young Egyptians took to the streets to declare to the world that their time has come to take matters into their own hands and emerge. For the past 200 years, no philosopher or public thinker had been able to make a breakthrough significant enough to spark Al-Nahda into reality. Al-Nahda, up to that historic date, had always been a figment of the Arabs' imagination, remaining unrealized in many dusty books and studied only in theory. Finally, its time had come to take birth. The Egyptian youth showed the world that the Arabs and Muslims vie for the same things that the rest of the world needs to live harmoniously, namely prosperity, democracy, and modernization.
The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 had finally answered the Egyptian Problem and sparked the long-awaited beacon of Al-Nahda. The Arabs have finally regained control of their destiny and their consciousness that they are worth something and that they have a crucial role to play in the world as their ancestors did. The Egyptian Revolution has had reverberating effects across the region, with revolutions flaring up from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Soon, the dictators that have imprisoned the Arabs will fall and their repressive regimes will crumble. It is only then, when we have achieved true free freedom will the Arabs have their say, domestically through democratic systems, and internationally through a true representation of the Arab people's ambitions and aspirations in shaping the new world order.
My Egyptian generation, I salute your bold accomplishments. You have achieved what many men have dreamed of their whole lives but have passed away without seeing come into existence. You have written history with your tears, sweat, and blood. But even more importantly, you have lit the kindle that will ignite the flame of realizing Al-Nahda.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Egyptian Revolution Celebrations in London
Today, I was fortunate to celebrate the victory of the Egyptian Revolution in London's Trafalgar Square with my fellow Egyptians. Below are a couple more photos to capture the overwhelming joy of many Egyptians like myself who wished to be in Tahrir, instead of Trafalgar, Square taking part in a well-deserved victory of the Egyptian people.
I pray that Egypt's new dawn will usher a revival of our nation's glorious civilization.
I pray that Egypt's new dawn will usher a revival of our nation's glorious civilization.
Jan 29, 2011: Egyptian Demonstrations in London
A couple of photos I had taken during the outbreak of the Egyptian Revolution. On January 29, approximately the Egyptian community in the U.K. stood outside of the Egyptian Embassy in London for hours to protest the police brutality and despotism of the Mubarak regime against Egyptian civilians. Approximately 2,000 students from various London universities joined Egyptian demonstrators to express their solidarity and support with the Egyptian people in their pursuit of freedom and justice.
I hope my photos provide a glimpse into the passion, love, and dedication these demonstrators showed for Egypt and its people.
For a more professional photographic coverage of these events, please visit Athoob's page at athoob.com.
Freedom at last!
I just woke up, and it seems that I had the sweetest dream of my life. This dream started off with me praying Salat-el-Asr pleading for God to have mercy on my people and free them from tyranny and injustice. I was on the verge of reminding God to keep his promise of victory to the believers of equality, justice, freedom, and righteousness. I finished my prayer with the conviction that I will maintain my devotion to Him regardless of the outcome of the Egyptian Revolution.
I packed my bag, Egyptian flag, and made my way to the Egyptian Embassy in London for another of what seemed like countless demonstrations to cry for an end to the atrocities committed against my brothers and sisters in Egypt. As I made my way, I crossed by a TV screen airing CNN news with the following words running across the bottom of the screen:
"Breaking News: Mubarak resigns as president of Egypt"
I could believe these words and thought I had misread them, but once I saw the footage of Midan Tahrir explode in jubilation, I began to believe that the miracle had finally occurred! I caught the first red double-decker bus to Marble Arch station, where I jumped off and sprinted as fast as I could to the Egyptian Embassy. I couldn't control my happiness!
As I ran across the American Embassy and London's posh Mayfair district, all I could think of was how God had blessed our beloved Egypt with the final greatest gift: freedom! Egypt is endowed with the world's greatest history, culture, civilisation, and people. All that was missing was justice, freedom, and our rights!
My cellphone rang several times and when I picked up, it was my mother congratulating me in hysteria: "Mabrooooook ya Mosti! He's finally gone!" She them told me how she and my two aunts joined the ocean of people in front the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis to celebrate our victory!
As I finally reached the Egyptian Embassy, what had always been a gloomy scene of anger and disgust of the protesters emerged as a joyous scene with everyone chanting patriotic slogans and songs. Kids and grown-ups alike were waving flags, jumping in exhilaration, running around. I was as if we'd all been slaves for our whole lives and had just been granted our right to liberty. Even the little toddlers who had no idea what was going on were bursting with joy!
We sang and danced until sundown when we all gathered to pray Maghrib on the cold, wet London street. Despite my earnest gratitude to God, I was completely sidetracked in my prayer with disbelief that we had finally come out victorious! Afterwards, we prayed Salat-el-Ghaeb in remembrance of the Revolution's martyrs. After the prayers, we chanted:
"افرح افرح يا شاهيد! انت في جنة و احنا في عيد"
As darkness overtook the sky, all hundred demonstrators (or should I say celebrators) decided to take the party to Edgware Road, the Arab hub of London. We formed two straight lines and were led by the London metropolitan police. During the half-hour walk, we chanted, drummed, sang, cried, and experienced every emotion related to complete elation and euphoria! As we walked through the alleys of London, people looked out of their windows in curiosity. Those aware of what had just happened gave us two thumbs up.
As we made it to Edgware Road, all heads turned towards the walking parade celebrating a new chapter of world history! Britons, Arabs, Africans, and every other ethnicity on that street joined in celebrating. This was truly a victory for all of humanity against injustice, tyranny, and outright evil!
Cars that passed through the street showed their support by honking. Soon, Algerians, Libyans, Syrians, Saudis and all our oppressed Arab brothers joined in by chanting "Salute to Egypt!" Once again, Egypt would serve as an example for the region! After celebrating our success, we chanted, "Freedom to Palestine, freedom to Syria, freedom to Algeria, freedom to Libya, etc..."
It was amazing how all of London seemed to join in celebrating. After celebrating for five hours or so, I decided to take a break with Sherif, a fellow comrade who'd joined me in all the demonstrations, and ate at el-Shishawy, London's main Egyptian restaurant. To celebrate, we had Koshary and Om Ali and watched the festivities in Midan Tahrir on Al-Jazeera. Although I wish I was there, I was certain that I had been sent to London for a reason, i.e. to help build Egypt's new future.
Afterwards, we returned to scene of celebrations, where the festivities had died down a bit. Shocked, we grabbed the megaphone and started to chant: "El Masreeyen Ahom, Ahom Ahom Ahom!" Once again, the crowd joined in and we began chanting patriotic songs, some of which I'd begun to know by heart from being amidst the demonstrators for so long. We continued till midnight, for what seemed to be a never-ending night! As my energy waned, I bid my brothers and sisters farewell and made my way home.
As I got on the tube, all I could think about was the day I would reunite with my beloved Egypt. Although I'd always loved Egypt, I was certain that what I would return to would be different. As President Obama rightly put it, "Egypt will never be the same!"
At the moment, I am preparing to go join a second day of festivities. This time in the heart of London, Trafalgar Square. Today, Egyptians will shake the heart of the Western World by reminding them that they are the people who founded the world's greatest civilizations, that they are the ones who singlehandedly preserved their dignity, freedom, and justice, and that they are the ones who will write history once again!
تعيش الثورة المصريه الى الابد
Friday, January 28, 2011
London Demonstrations in Support of Egyptian People
I am restless; I have been unable to sleep. I am cut off from Egypt. I have never been in such fear for my family, my people, and my country.
I had no one to share this anxiety and internal turmoil with. As a lost soul, I found myself heading towards the Egyptian Embassy in London where I assumed demonstrations would take place to express solidarity with the plight of my fellow countrymen.
Although I always thought my revolutionary days were a mere delusion and that change would never come to Egypt, today's events have proven that justice is possible. Even though I feared appearing at the site of the demonstrations for fear of the tyrannical government taking note of it, today Egyptians have broken the fear factor that has existed due to 30 years of despotism.
I arrived at the scene were there were a mere dozen compatriots, all shivering due to the cold. As time passed, we were joined by more and more compatriots. As our strength grew in numbers, so did our voice, our passion, and our yearning that God protect our innocent compatriots against the brutality of Mubarak's regime.
It was endearing seeing brothers and sisters from all walks of life come and share their support. The revolutionary atmosphere gave us warmth, and with every victory our people achieved we felt closer to the light at the end of the tunnel.
I pray that God brings justice.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Solidarity with defenders of justice and freedom
I had long renounced my days of radical revolutionism with the delusion that justice was unattainable through resistance, defiance, and struggle in these days, and, if anything, Egyptians were apathetic to their injustice. Well, if anything, my compatriots proved me wrong, and I'm proud of them for doing so.
The events that shook Egypt and captured major international headlines this week have never made me long to be in my motherland so badly. I had avoided writing about politics in Egypt due to the sensitivity of the issue, but the Egyptian uprising in light of the nation's evident need for justice and freedom has shown the world that dictatorships are a thing of the past and that its only a matter of time until people prove victorious in attaining their right to self-determination.
Although I would do anything to be on the streets of Cairo advocating for social justice, I know that there's a reason why I'm here in the UK laboring night and day to help write Egypt's brighter page in history.
My prayer and solidarity with my countrymen...
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