These past two weeks I've been living the Egyptian Revolution. I've only been to Tahrir once but ever since it started I couldn't stop tuning into updates on the news and the Internet (WHEN it came back) and posting stuff related to it myself. I'm a strong supporter of it and I like to think of myself as a part of it. I haven't been in one protest yet I still do believe I am; because it's not just about those in the protests (though they are the ones on the front line, may God be with them!), it's about Egypt.
Today was a day of anxiety and fear. Rumours spread like wildfire that tonight would be the night when Mubarak stepped down. I didn't know what to think or believe. I feared that if he stepped down the army would take over and enforce military rule. Their first statement (still waiting on the second one as I write this) was very vague and unclear. They said they would protect the people and their earnings and aspirations. What is their definition of 'protection'?
Another fear of mine was that Omar Suleiman would take over. In my opinion, he and Mubarak are two sides of the same coin. He also pissed me--along with a great number of people--off when he stated in an interview with ABC's Christiane Amanpour that the Egyptian culture was not ready for democracy (although he said later that this statement was misunderstood). Watching the interview and seeing his statements made me feel that he has the same tone and style of thinking as Mubarak or any Mubarak-esque regime.
Then the time for Mubarak's speech came. I waited in anticipation for the first few minutes until it became clear that he wasn't leaving. I did not respect him offering his condolences to the families of those whom he was responsible for killing. I did not like that he delegated his powers to Suleiman. I did not like the way he addressed us, saying that he was our "father" and that he was disappointed with the treatment he was receiving from "some of the sons of his homeland". The only thing in the speech that felt like progress was him saying that he had ordered the amendment of five greatly hated points in the constitution and the removal of one.
Right now? Well, right now I'm waiting. Waiting to see what the military has to offer in their second statement and how things will turn out tonight and tomorrow. I'm also worried of any violence occurring. I think I can trust that the protesters will remain peaceful, but I'm worried that the presidential guard or any other armed group might harm them.
May God be with them and with Egypt. I hope that things turn out okay and that all the efforts and lives lost in the past two weeks don't go to waste.
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