Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Egypt's 2011

2011 has been a tumultuous year for Egypt. Things will never be the same again, no matter how hard anyone tries to bring back the false comfort of the previous regime's rule. Even though divisions have formed midst the people on how they want Egypt to be, one thing most people can agree on is that totalitarianism will not be tolerated.

Although there is a lot I can say about the revolution, its continuity, political events, revolutionary events, political figures, social figures, revolutionary figures, controversial figures and our 'beloved' military, I don't think I need to, as the box has blown wide open. The media (at least most of the independent media) has warmed to the prospect of exposing every lie, and highlighting every event, whether significant or not, that occurs on the revolution's wave of independence. Social networking has weaved itself into the fabric of Egypt's society, with usage exploding within the last year alone, particularly among the working class' youth.

The state-owned media however has maintained its broadcast of state-owned lies and propaganda. However, it doesn't really matter to many, as watching the stone-faced anchors on TV, or listening to the monotonous voices on the air waves, or reading the bland words in their drab papers is a tell-all in itself.

A window from within a doorman's living quarters in the old and prolific district of El-Manial


It's true that 2011 has ended, but there's still a lot to see in the future. Events aren't dictated by a calendar, it is the calendar that is dictated by events.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Egypt's Awakening

'Calls not allowed' - A frank message on my phone portraying the communications blackout on Angry Friday, which included a shutdown of cell phone networks, blackberry services, and the Internet.

One of the small demonstrations in Nasr City on Angry Friday which eventually joined similar demonstrations throughout Cairo to make their way to Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo, where violence ensued.