This is what a revolution sounds like...

Obama's Eloquent Tribute to the Egyptian Revolution

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.

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.

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