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.

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...