This was a response to an email a friend sent asking me how I feel now that Mubarak resigned, thought I'd share it. (for
those of you who did not read my take on the situation before he resigned, including the army giving me 2 moltov cocktails
and other stuff, my filming a prison break, etc: CLICK HERE
I suppose the best word to describe how I feel is “confused”. When the announcement that Mubarek stepped down came,
everyone in my building went nuts. But not “happy” nuts, they were sad and heart broken. People came out of their
apartments (9 floors with 4 apartments on each floor, filled with parents, kids and grandparents, in other words—all ages)
and hung out in the hallways or went down to the lobby and cried to each other. Some women actually “wailed” and pulled
their hair like at a funeral. Like I said before, no one I know wanted Mubarek to step down. They were happy with the
concessions he had made and trusted that with the whole world watching he would continue with moving forward with
elections in Sept., etc.
I have done research all over Egypt and have made a lot of friends. I lived in the Pyramids area for a year or so when I first
moved here and made a lot of friends there. Men hang out in various coffee shops all night long and mostly talk politics
(this goes on throughout all Egypt--men go to the coffee shop at night and mostly talk politics). And although rare for a
woman to be accepted into a man’s coffee shop they did accept me because they liked picking my brain about America and
I picked their brains about Egypt . So I called a few friends from the Pyramids area, its a large and eclectic area mostly
made up of people who came from various villages all over Egypt. Because of how much men gather and talk, by speaking
with one or two guys I can pretty much get the opinion of at least a 100 others. Again, it seems that no one wanted Mubarek
to step down completely.
Everywhere I have done research I’ve made friends. I stayed in their houses, slept on dirt floors, ate with my hands, no
utensils, and refused to be treated special, just wanted to be treated like an Egyptian, so I was respected and made friends.
So I’ve called my friends in Nubia (on the border of Sudan ), Aswan , Kom Ombo, Luxor , Marsa Matruh (near Libya ),
Bahareya Oasis in the desert and Fouyoum Oasis. All have said the same. They did not want Mubarek to step down. Only
my contacts in Alexandria were happy about his resignation, but my experiences there were that they were very extreme
activists and radicals, so it was not surprising that they were thrilled. There are also many, many more Fundamentalists in
Alex. I didn’t like Alexandria very much when I did my research there. Lots of totally veiled women, stuff like that (not just
headscarves). A friend from Ismaelia said his wife was so upset Mubarek stepped down that she cried until she got
hysterical and he had to take her to the hospital and they had to sedate her.
In one of today’s Egyptian newspapers it was said that both Iran and Iraq have made official statements that they now
consider Egypt their enemy because they chose to fight for democracy instead of for having an Islamic state run by the
Shariah (Islamic law). Now see, Mubarek was strong and would have laughed at that and kept them off our backs. He was a
strong leader in that way. And people here knew that, especially the older folks. After Sadat made peace with Israel all the
Muslim countries hated Egypt for a while. After Sadat was assassinated by the Muslim Brotherhood Mubarek has been very
strong about any Fundamentalist group, el Queda, Hamas, Hizbullah, Brotherhoood, and either sent them back to where
they came from or threw the leaders of the cell groups in prison. I used to be shocked when I’d read about Human Rights
groups in America being upset by this. I thought it was a good thing, and so did the people here. It made them feel safe not
to have these radicals loose trying to convert others.
I have a friend who is a general in the army and he is in charge of the main prison here that houses a lot of the most
dangerous Fundies. He says they are not poorly treated and I believe him. That prison also held Ayman Nour (one of the
leaders of an opposition party) and a person the U.S. Human Rights people were always accusing of being tortured, etc., My
general friend said Ayman Nour's wife (and another woman, his girlfriend) came every day with special foods and that he
had his own t.v., talked on the phone all the time, etc. I believe my friend, he’s one of the most honest, sweet people I've
met here and I've known him for about 10 years. But he also admits that the police have indeed gotten over-violent at
times. But haven’t the police in the U.S. done this too? There will always be people who have power and will abuse it. I’m
not condoning it, of course not, but I just hear things and see things that aren’t even talked about in the western media. I
don't like the one sided media I've been seeing.
And corruption? Corruption is a way of life here from the peasant farmer to the President and everyone else in between.
Every single person I’ve ever met here skims off the top in one way or another. Everyone gets a piece of the pie no matter
what kind of business they do. Its sort of a way of life and how many make enough money to support their families (so I'm
not putting it down). I'm saying that I can give a million examples of how corruption is a way of life here. If Egypt can get
the money back from some of the ones that took billions I’m all for it, but not a war criminal trial, let alone the death penalty
as some of those young demonstrators have asked for. Mubarek was not a war criminal, he was a war HERO and has done
a lot for this country (read my other postings--the 'click' at the beginning of this posting). How hypocritical to ask for the
death penalty when the entire society does some form of corruption or another. If you ever have a chance to read some of
Mubarek's past speeches, especial the first 15 years or so after the assassination of Sadat, you can tell he was a good
leader for Egypt. He was also a good "world" leader if you know what I mean. Unlike the president of Iran who cares nothing
about making allies or negotiating peace in the region. Mubarek kept peace with Israel and constantly met with leaders in
the region to keep peace. Egypt must have a good "world" leader because this region needs allies and peace.
Friday, the day Mubarek resigned, but before he resigned, my neighbor came over for tea during the noon time prayers.
There’s a mosque on every corner here and they use loudspeakers for the ‘sermon’ part. From my bedroom you can
clearly hear one Iman and from my living room another. I asked her to translate what they were saying (they speak in a mix
of Egyptian and Koranic Arabic that makes it impossible for me to understand one word). These imams asked that the
fathers take charge and get their sons out of Tahrir and let the people go back to work. They said good things about
Mubarek and that he’d keep his promise about leaving in Sept., etc. One mentioned that Mohammed the Prophet had a
close friend that was Jewish and that they remained friends until the Prophet died and to keep this in mind and to also keep
it in mind that Coptic Christians are Egyptians and to not cause problems with fellow Egyptians or start fights with anyone
no matter what differences of beliefs they might have. Peace was first and foremost a priority. Lots other good stuff was
said, but you get my point. There are good people here. And most are peaceful. Its only the Muslim Brotherhood who
believes in destroying Israel and human rights. Several hotels on Pyramids Street that had belly dance nightclubs were set
on fire--while those that have regular nighclubs with just music were left untouched. The Muslim Brotherhood took
responsibility for these fire. Is this freedom? Is this democracy? And yet, the Brotherhood is the organized opposition
group here. There really is no other organization or political party that has anyone in mind for a leader. And it would be hard
to get to "know" anyone running for President by Sept.
Now some of the demonstrators are refusing to leave Tahrir and causing problems. They say they want the emergency law
ended before they will leave and the military says as soon as you leave the square and let people get back to business the
emergency law ends. The whole purpose of the emergency law was to keep a grip on unrest and terrorism. These
demonstrations have to end, the demonstrators have to let people get back to work. So, I don’t know what’s going to
happen. Probably the military will have to get tough. I hope not, but so many people can't work because of this and its just
awful. Why can't they be happy with what they achieved. They should get to work planning and working on the new
changes they want. They should start thinking about the elections. Not one person I've talked to even remotely has anyone
in mind that they feel can do the job. They do like the VP because he is against terrorism and would work to keep radicals
out. But he really isn't a 'politician'.
As far as your question to me about Algeria , Yemon, etc. Goodness, I don’t even understand what’s going on here really.
I'm still shocked that Mubarek was forced to quit and not stay until Sept. Like I said, people I talk to (and who represent
many many more like them) are not the people who were shown on t.v. and none of them or people like them got to voice
their opinions. Very one-sided reporting. I’m thrilled that Egypt will have democracy. But knowing how Egyptians are, I don’
t think they’ll ever end corruption completely because it exists within the entire society. So we’ll see if they actually end
up with democracy. Supposedly, but this is hard to confirm, Iran sent a plane in and about 100 Iranians (Shia’s) are now here
doing . . . what? And then of course, there’s the brotherhood. And they are very organized. So, how am I feeling.
Confused. And worried about the future of Egypt. I had hoped by today things would be a bit more normal, but it will take a
while. The stupid media keeps saying that things are getting back to normal but I just tried again today and the banks are
still only opening for a couple of hours (at most), the lines are long and most don't get in before they close. And I have yet
to find a cash machine that works (some do, but only for about an hour because they only put in a small amount of cash and
it runs out--also, when you can get cash there is a limit--a teeny weeny amount--making life very difficult). But markets are
beginning to open and stock food and even some fresh veggies are being sold on the streets by those who used to come
every morning from the countryside to sell. So that’s good to see. That part is getting back to normal.
Thanks again for writing to me with concern and interest, cheri
those of you who did not read my take on the situation before he resigned, including the army giving me 2 moltov cocktails
and other stuff, my filming a prison break, etc: CLICK HERE
I suppose the best word to describe how I feel is “confused”. When the announcement that Mubarek stepped down came,
everyone in my building went nuts. But not “happy” nuts, they were sad and heart broken. People came out of their
apartments (9 floors with 4 apartments on each floor, filled with parents, kids and grandparents, in other words—all ages)
and hung out in the hallways or went down to the lobby and cried to each other. Some women actually “wailed” and pulled
their hair like at a funeral. Like I said before, no one I know wanted Mubarek to step down. They were happy with the
concessions he had made and trusted that with the whole world watching he would continue with moving forward with
elections in Sept., etc.
I have done research all over Egypt and have made a lot of friends. I lived in the Pyramids area for a year or so when I first
moved here and made a lot of friends there. Men hang out in various coffee shops all night long and mostly talk politics
(this goes on throughout all Egypt--men go to the coffee shop at night and mostly talk politics). And although rare for a
woman to be accepted into a man’s coffee shop they did accept me because they liked picking my brain about America and
I picked their brains about Egypt . So I called a few friends from the Pyramids area, its a large and eclectic area mostly
made up of people who came from various villages all over Egypt. Because of how much men gather and talk, by speaking
with one or two guys I can pretty much get the opinion of at least a 100 others. Again, it seems that no one wanted Mubarek
to step down completely.
Everywhere I have done research I’ve made friends. I stayed in their houses, slept on dirt floors, ate with my hands, no
utensils, and refused to be treated special, just wanted to be treated like an Egyptian, so I was respected and made friends.
So I’ve called my friends in Nubia (on the border of Sudan ), Aswan , Kom Ombo, Luxor , Marsa Matruh (near Libya ),
Bahareya Oasis in the desert and Fouyoum Oasis. All have said the same. They did not want Mubarek to step down. Only
my contacts in Alexandria were happy about his resignation, but my experiences there were that they were very extreme
activists and radicals, so it was not surprising that they were thrilled. There are also many, many more Fundamentalists in
Alex. I didn’t like Alexandria very much when I did my research there. Lots of totally veiled women, stuff like that (not just
headscarves). A friend from Ismaelia said his wife was so upset Mubarek stepped down that she cried until she got
hysterical and he had to take her to the hospital and they had to sedate her.
In one of today’s Egyptian newspapers it was said that both Iran and Iraq have made official statements that they now
consider Egypt their enemy because they chose to fight for democracy instead of for having an Islamic state run by the
Shariah (Islamic law). Now see, Mubarek was strong and would have laughed at that and kept them off our backs. He was a
strong leader in that way. And people here knew that, especially the older folks. After Sadat made peace with Israel all the
Muslim countries hated Egypt for a while. After Sadat was assassinated by the Muslim Brotherhood Mubarek has been very
strong about any Fundamentalist group, el Queda, Hamas, Hizbullah, Brotherhoood, and either sent them back to where
they came from or threw the leaders of the cell groups in prison. I used to be shocked when I’d read about Human Rights
groups in America being upset by this. I thought it was a good thing, and so did the people here. It made them feel safe not
to have these radicals loose trying to convert others.
I have a friend who is a general in the army and he is in charge of the main prison here that houses a lot of the most
dangerous Fundies. He says they are not poorly treated and I believe him. That prison also held Ayman Nour (one of the
leaders of an opposition party) and a person the U.S. Human Rights people were always accusing of being tortured, etc., My
general friend said Ayman Nour's wife (and another woman, his girlfriend) came every day with special foods and that he
had his own t.v., talked on the phone all the time, etc. I believe my friend, he’s one of the most honest, sweet people I've
met here and I've known him for about 10 years. But he also admits that the police have indeed gotten over-violent at
times. But haven’t the police in the U.S. done this too? There will always be people who have power and will abuse it. I’m
not condoning it, of course not, but I just hear things and see things that aren’t even talked about in the western media. I
don't like the one sided media I've been seeing.
And corruption? Corruption is a way of life here from the peasant farmer to the President and everyone else in between.
Every single person I’ve ever met here skims off the top in one way or another. Everyone gets a piece of the pie no matter
what kind of business they do. Its sort of a way of life and how many make enough money to support their families (so I'm
not putting it down). I'm saying that I can give a million examples of how corruption is a way of life here. If Egypt can get
the money back from some of the ones that took billions I’m all for it, but not a war criminal trial, let alone the death penalty
as some of those young demonstrators have asked for. Mubarek was not a war criminal, he was a war HERO and has done
a lot for this country (read my other postings--the 'click' at the beginning of this posting). How hypocritical to ask for the
death penalty when the entire society does some form of corruption or another. If you ever have a chance to read some of
Mubarek's past speeches, especial the first 15 years or so after the assassination of Sadat, you can tell he was a good
leader for Egypt. He was also a good "world" leader if you know what I mean. Unlike the president of Iran who cares nothing
about making allies or negotiating peace in the region. Mubarek kept peace with Israel and constantly met with leaders in
the region to keep peace. Egypt must have a good "world" leader because this region needs allies and peace.
Friday, the day Mubarek resigned, but before he resigned, my neighbor came over for tea during the noon time prayers.
There’s a mosque on every corner here and they use loudspeakers for the ‘sermon’ part. From my bedroom you can
clearly hear one Iman and from my living room another. I asked her to translate what they were saying (they speak in a mix
of Egyptian and Koranic Arabic that makes it impossible for me to understand one word). These imams asked that the
fathers take charge and get their sons out of Tahrir and let the people go back to work. They said good things about
Mubarek and that he’d keep his promise about leaving in Sept., etc. One mentioned that Mohammed the Prophet had a
close friend that was Jewish and that they remained friends until the Prophet died and to keep this in mind and to also keep
it in mind that Coptic Christians are Egyptians and to not cause problems with fellow Egyptians or start fights with anyone
no matter what differences of beliefs they might have. Peace was first and foremost a priority. Lots other good stuff was
said, but you get my point. There are good people here. And most are peaceful. Its only the Muslim Brotherhood who
believes in destroying Israel and human rights. Several hotels on Pyramids Street that had belly dance nightclubs were set
on fire--while those that have regular nighclubs with just music were left untouched. The Muslim Brotherhood took
responsibility for these fire. Is this freedom? Is this democracy? And yet, the Brotherhood is the organized opposition
group here. There really is no other organization or political party that has anyone in mind for a leader. And it would be hard
to get to "know" anyone running for President by Sept.
Now some of the demonstrators are refusing to leave Tahrir and causing problems. They say they want the emergency law
ended before they will leave and the military says as soon as you leave the square and let people get back to business the
emergency law ends. The whole purpose of the emergency law was to keep a grip on unrest and terrorism. These
demonstrations have to end, the demonstrators have to let people get back to work. So, I don’t know what’s going to
happen. Probably the military will have to get tough. I hope not, but so many people can't work because of this and its just
awful. Why can't they be happy with what they achieved. They should get to work planning and working on the new
changes they want. They should start thinking about the elections. Not one person I've talked to even remotely has anyone
in mind that they feel can do the job. They do like the VP because he is against terrorism and would work to keep radicals
out. But he really isn't a 'politician'.
As far as your question to me about Algeria , Yemon, etc. Goodness, I don’t even understand what’s going on here really.
I'm still shocked that Mubarek was forced to quit and not stay until Sept. Like I said, people I talk to (and who represent
many many more like them) are not the people who were shown on t.v. and none of them or people like them got to voice
their opinions. Very one-sided reporting. I’m thrilled that Egypt will have democracy. But knowing how Egyptians are, I don’
t think they’ll ever end corruption completely because it exists within the entire society. So we’ll see if they actually end
up with democracy. Supposedly, but this is hard to confirm, Iran sent a plane in and about 100 Iranians (Shia’s) are now here
doing . . . what? And then of course, there’s the brotherhood. And they are very organized. So, how am I feeling.
Confused. And worried about the future of Egypt. I had hoped by today things would be a bit more normal, but it will take a
while. The stupid media keeps saying that things are getting back to normal but I just tried again today and the banks are
still only opening for a couple of hours (at most), the lines are long and most don't get in before they close. And I have yet
to find a cash machine that works (some do, but only for about an hour because they only put in a small amount of cash and
it runs out--also, when you can get cash there is a limit--a teeny weeny amount--making life very difficult). But markets are
beginning to open and stock food and even some fresh veggies are being sold on the streets by those who used to come
every morning from the countryside to sell. So that’s good to see. That part is getting back to normal.
Thanks again for writing to me with concern and interest, cheri
All the images I've seen so far in the media show either the Egyptian Museum or Mogamma in the background. Down the
street from Tahrir is the National Party Headquarters which got burned up. But the American University in Cairo is right there
in Tahrir next to the tents that were set up and I've been worried about that beautiful building. Inside those walls are ornate
water fountains, beautiful wooden oriental rooms, etc. I've been so concerned it may have been trashed that I broke down and
went to see for myself yesterday at about 4:30 p.m. I live near the bridge to Tahrir so the following pics start from that point.
And once I saw AUC I left and did not linger amonst the singing and dancing because personally, I feel sad. To cheer myself
up I took a horse carriage ride home and guess what? The carriage driver says he did not want Mubarek to step down either
and he's very worried about the future. He is 32 and said all of his friends feel the same way. It's so confusing that none of the
regular folks got to voice their opinions or desires. It certainly was a "Youth Movement" (who have no one in mind for
President, but what now?
street from Tahrir is the National Party Headquarters which got burned up. But the American University in Cairo is right there
in Tahrir next to the tents that were set up and I've been worried about that beautiful building. Inside those walls are ornate
water fountains, beautiful wooden oriental rooms, etc. I've been so concerned it may have been trashed that I broke down and
went to see for myself yesterday at about 4:30 p.m. I live near the bridge to Tahrir so the following pics start from that point.
And once I saw AUC I left and did not linger amonst the singing and dancing because personally, I feel sad. To cheer myself
up I took a horse carriage ride home and guess what? The carriage driver says he did not want Mubarek to step down either
and he's very worried about the future. He is 32 and said all of his friends feel the same way. It's so confusing that none of the
regular folks got to voice their opinions or desires. It certainly was a "Youth Movement" (who have no one in mind for
President, but what now?
Monday, Feb. 14th: Went to Tahrir to see for myself yesterday.
| Left: That's me holding an Egyptian flag I had bought at a soccer match. I wore it as a scarf but pulled it off to wave for this pic.This is the entrace of the Qasr el Nil Bridge before I crossed it to Tahrir. Right: Although we've all seen this picture of the National Party Headquarters being burned, as I walked across the bridge the actual sight of it in person really shook me. |
| Left: Who could resist a picture stranding by a tank with army men? Again, me with the Egyptian flag over my shoulder. Right: The American University in Cairo in Tahrir Square. Safe and sound and as beautiful as ever. Whew. |