18 days and 32 seconds

18 days ago this started with a demonstration, i had very little hope for a success for that particular it's been an emotional rolercoaster ever since, with what happend in Hajj al Arbaeen in Suez and then on the 28th, this day that was dedicated to the 300 + martyrs. i would like to send a thought and a piece of my heart to all the families who have lost a brother, sister, daughter or son during these 18 days, and also to all those who lost someone due to police brutality and torture during the 29 years , 8 months and 3 days of Mubaraks rule, and perhaps more than anyone my thoughts goes to Khaled Said and his encredible mother, It's seems that a day dedicated to the martyes is also a perfect day for Mubaraks departure, and the beginning of a new dawn for Egypt.

The 18 days was ended by a speech held by Omar Suleiman, it all lasted for 32 seconds, and this is probably the last we will see of both of them. The army is in charge, but i will worry about that, beginning tommorow.

Today is day of joy and celebration, it's also a day that will go down in history books as the day when The January 25th revolution bear fruit, it's been the most fullfiling days of my life , and i'm happy beyond compare.

I will end this post with a video of the crowd at al Tahrir singing the national anthem, the Egyptian people now not only has a great history, but hopefully a bright future, all made possible by the their courage.

Mission not accomplished , yet...

Just over an hour and a half ago, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces issued a statement:

Statement Number One, issued by the Higher Council of the Armed Forces,

Stemming from the armed forces' responsibility and committing to the protection of the people, safeguarding their interest and security, and keen on the safety of the homeland, the citizens and the achievements of the great Egyptian people, and asserting the legitimate rights of the people,

The Higher Council of the Armed Forces convened today, Thursday, 10 February 2011, to deliberate on the latest developments of the situation and decided to remain in continuous session to discuss what measures and arrangements could be taken to safeguard the homeland and its achievements, and the aspirations of the great Egyptian people.

Peace, mercy and the blessings of God.

It seems to me that what has been more or less clear for the last week or so, that President Mubarak that has been in power only by name, for the last week or so will take on a more permanent arrangement. Significant in the statement was the fact that this was Statement No 1, meaning more statements can be expected - To my ears this means an active role for the Supreme Council of Armed Forces , if it´s to play a part in the political proccess that will follow , regardless of Mubarak´s imediate plans, is still written in the stars. Significant is also that Defence Minister Tantawy was among the Council, He´s been the Defence Minister for 20 years, and has been extremely loyal to Mubarak until now, The comments by the new NDP Secretary General Hossam Badrawy, once close to Gamal Mubarak, that the right thing to do for President Mubarak suggests that the new leadership of the party has decided that it´s not longer in their interests to support the President. If Hosni Mubarak, Vice-President Omar Suleiman, or the army will be in charge tommorow morning is still an open question, as is if the January 25th movement´s demands will be met, in full as stated, or only in part.

The speech that is said to be forthcoming in the next hours, will perhaps answer some of those questions, though not all. That´s why the mission is not likely to be accomplished for the people on al Tahrir Square , and around the country, perhaps a victory is around the corner, but the battle is not won yet.

What seems sure, is that Mubarak is out, but that´s the only sure thing..

Baheyya on Mubarak ´s stance over Gaza

Baheyya returns with her first real blogpost in over five months. The topic this time is on Mubarak´s stance on Gaza, with a piece called The Wages of Mubarak's "Realism". It´s Well worth your precious reading time, as always.

Maybe it´s about time for me to resurrect fustat as well?

Happy birthday Mr President

Part I

As promised, here is the al Jazeera english documentary, a nation in waiting (two parts)on President Husni Mubarak´s time in office from October 1981 onwards. He´s currently on his fifth six year mandate, that ends in September 2011. The fourth President of the Egyptian republic, the other ones have left office with their boots on like General Custer(Nasser and Sadat), or been dethroned and put in house arrest(Naguib).


Part II

Just to let you know, whom inspired the Shaábi celebrations of the President this year, this is a birthday card from 2006.Well it wasn´t really me who came up with the idea. presidential birthday wishes, pre and post election praise e.t.c is a favourite national past time, excelled by the national press since the nationalization of the press in 1960. Today was a field day, were they could display their skills. There was one mysterious exception to that rule. One of my favourite newspapers of all times, the english Egyptian Gazette, they didn´t carry the story at all, either they have jumped fence, or they just abide strictly to the will of the information ministry policy.


Part III

I wish the President a happy birthday and a long life after finishing his current term in office 2011, to retire to beautiful and Charming Sharm.

UPDATE: Appearently the President opted to celebrate in Madinat al Sadat(Sadat City) instead, the city was among the first of the satelite cities that was created in the mid seventies. A working birthday it seems.


Part IV