Two weeks after Egyptian protestors began calling for President Hosni Mubarak to step down, hopes for a democratic change in government remain among the nation’s 80 million people.
For Eaman Attia, living 7,000 miles away in Ontario, Canada, watching the country in the throes of a popular revolution is simply “ecstasy.”
Attia has never lived in Egypt, but travels there regularly. Her father moved away from the country 40 years ago to attend school in the United States. When the opportunity to return to teach in Cairo arose, he turned it down to pursue a better life for himself and his family.
“Here we feel like humans are treated with dignity, with understanding and freedom of choice. He didn’t have that in his homeland,” Attia said.
“As Arabs in the West and everything we take for granted, we wanted our people to have the same rights to equality, to choose your leader, the freedom of choice and expression,” she said.
Attia has been emotionally invested in the conflict. Her two brothers-in-law living in Cairo have been active in the protests in Tahrir Square, the central location for anti-governmental rallies.
While protests began peacefully, in recent days violence has erupted as Mubarak supporters have taken to the streets. Even while worrying about the daily threats they face, she said the protestors have been trying to set the right example.
“People from all walks of life are passing out water, blankets and fruit, talking to each other. People are going around with garbage bags, are going around picking up after each other, because they almost feel like they’re human. They say, ‘I am man’ because I am able to say that this is wrong. I won’t accept oppression and I want my voice to be heard,” she said.
Support for the protests in Egypt has transcended nationalities. UMaine Muslim Student Association representative Abdulraheem Sbayi said in the fight for human rights, camaraderie is universal.
“I am not even Egyptian, yet I feel that I am still part of them because everyone in this world stands against injustice and we all feel for each other’s pain and anguish,” Sbayi wrote in an e-mail.
The outcome of the popular protests has consumed the world’s attention. Recently, President Obama has placed pressure on Mubarak to step aside before elections in September and hasten his transition from office. Hopes for a democratic regime are tempered with lingering doubts as to whether the political scenario can meet protestors’ demands.
UMaine political science professor Howard Cody noted that the 30 years of one-party rule and political rule have left a considerable gap in organized opposition parties.
Mubarak’s National Democratic Party currently holds 420 of 508 seats in the Egyptian parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood, the only opposition group that has had a history of electoral support, has been treated with suspicion over their Islamic political views.
“They don’t have a real party system. The Muslim Brotherhood, which Mubarak has outlawed, is the only effective potential opposition party at this point,” Cody said. “Others will emerge if they have the chance but they will need some time. Mubarak is correct in saying if he were to quit today there might be chaos because there isn’t anybody to take over.”
Despite the concerns, Attia said the movement could have a very important impact on the political development in the region.
“Most of the Arab countries look toward Egypt and they say ‘if the Egyptians can gain freedom, if they can gain democracy, maybe we can too,’” Attia said.
Mohammad Tabbah, chairman of the board at the Islamic Center of Maine in Orono, added that the revolution has an important impact on the world’s perception of Islam.
“They are just standing up for freedom. We are very proud of what’s happening in Egypt. The name ‘Islam’ means peace. Peace doesn’t just mean there’s no violence, doesn’t mean there’s no tension,” Tabbah said. “The status quo in Egypt and all similar countries around the world has been like that for a while. People thought that was peace, but it’s not peace because there was no justice.”
Like Tabbah, UMaine history professor Alexander Grab said he believes the protests are moving toward a better society. He characterized the movement as “a popular protest by the Egyptian people against the brutal dictatorship.”
“It is a revolution of the Egyptian people against poverty, social injustice and lack of freedom which characterized Egypt under Mubarak,” Grab said.
“The Obama administration needs to tell Mubarak to step down and to support the interests and aspirations of the Egyptian people for freedom, democracy and a better economic future,” he added.
For now the question isn’t if Egyptians will have a change in government, but when and under what conditions. The revolutions in Egypt carry immense implications for U.S. strategy.
Concerns over Egypt’s control over the Suez Canal and the 3 million barrels that pass through it daily — much of it to the United States — has caused oil prices to rise. Yet the revolution’s most significant impact may be on the public’s perception of Islam.
Sbayi wrote, “We’re all human,” noting how throughout the duration of the protests, Coptic Christians have been forming protective rings around Muslims while they prayed outside amidst the upheaval.
“As Americans we stand for civil liberties, we stand for justice, we stand for democracy and we stand for all that is right because that is what our country was found upon. This Egyptian revolution should be something that anyone who believes in any of that should be supportive of,” Sbayi said.
Nabeel Hashmi, a first-year biochemistry major, echoed his sentiments.
“I believe this right to be able to peacefully attack oppression wherever we see it is actually a duty in Islam, as this religion and many others has its roots in oppression and struggle,” he said.
For Attia, revolution, while a significant step towards democratic progress, is not the end of the line in the struggle for freedom.
“Victory and success come through patience, perseverance and sacrifice. Change is not going to come easy,” Attia said, adding that Mubarak is, “sitting there thinking ‘how long can I wait here until these people go home,’ but I think the Egyptians can be a little more stubborn than Mubarak.”
Editor’s note: The following letter was provided to The Maine Campus by Eaman Attia.
An excerpt from a letter from midst of chaos in Cairo
As we stood with the thousands of protesters chanting the slogans against the regime, I was uplifted by the unity and peacefulness of the people in the square. I felt truly content and safe amongst these people whom I had never met before. I could not believe that this was the same spot and the same people that had witnessed bloodshed just a few days ago. At that moment, I decided that I wanted to continue to raise my children in Egypt if these were the men and women that they would grow to be.
Many many in Egypt would be completely shocked to hear that I took an infant, toddler, and pre-schooler to Tahrir, but I am truly happy that they witnessed this honourable revolution and saw the exact spot that the brave men and women had stood just days before, defending their rights and freedoms. Similarly, I wanted the world to see that Tahrir square was not a place of fear but a place of peace, tranquility, and hope.
God willing, in 20 years, in a brighter Egypt, I will tell my children the story of Tahrir square and the trip we took, and they will tell their children of how they were part of bringing Freedom to Egypt.
– Sarah, a relative of Eaman Attia
Cairo, Egypt