The trip to Cairo commences

Blog day one: Trip to Cairo.

January 25^th marked a day that will forever have changed the face of Egypt. Protests began in the Egyptian Capital of Cairo, as well as throughout other cities in Egypt. A movement organized primarily by the youth via popular online social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook rapidly exploded nationwide. On the first day of the protests, I don't think anyone expected them to get as big as they actually did. I watched with apprehension for any updates on Facebook, translating the Arabic blurbs as they flashed onto my mini-feed in an attempt to stay on top of what was going on. Friends were posting their experiences, which grew increasingly worse. It began with tear gas, then protesters being pushed around by the police, to the outrage that sparked the protests that have continued to this day.

Wednesday's protests showed that the movement was growing in momentum. In an attempt to put an end to the spread of the movement online, the Ministry of Information disabled access to Twitter. This deterred few though, as quick fixes and proxy servers were blasted all over Facebook. Protesters were making their demands clearer by the minute, ultimately reaching the consensus that President Hosni Mubarak had to go. Corruption in the government had to be addressed, and the growing youth unemployment had to be swayed.

Tahrir square has become the focal point of these protests, but by no means the sole location of any activity. I shall discuss that in later postings ;). In Hurghada, we weren't really seeing anything. Karim was growing increasingly worried about his family, and I was increasingly itching to see history being made for my own eyes. We decided to make the drive to Cairo, originally planning on leaving on Thursday. Due to work and travel restrictions however, we were forced to delay until Friday…the Day of Rage…

The Ministry of Information noticed that the blocking of Twitter did little to stem the flow of Internet activism. This prompted the Internet as a whole to get shut down, after attempts to block Facebook again were bypassed by people. It was not until today that any net connection has been restored, and God only knows how long it will last!

Restricting access to the Internet was done in an attempt to ensure that the protests for Friday would be minimized. Instead, it had the opposite effect. What was originally a movement dominated by the youth became a movement spread by word of mouth, resulting in numbers unimaginable showing up in Tahrir Square in central Cairo to express their support. Banners calling for Mubarak's resignation were held aloft by protesters who chanted the same. Although I was never able to make it all the way down into Tahrir, as we showed up around 8 in the evening, we did make our way down to the area to see the results of the protest. What we saw shocked me.

Anyone who has been in Cairo knows full well that 8 p.m. on a Friday usually means a flurry of activity throughout the country. Parties, weddings, celebrations dominate the night, leaving the streets crowded and traffic flowing until well into the early hours of Saturday morning. We were met by a ghost town. Stores were shut, people were already inside as we came just as the first night's curfew was imposed.  The Kornish was empty of cars, minus the army patrols that were gradually filing into the streets. I watched as Army personnel set up road blocks with their military Hummers on the side, thinking of how exciting it was to watch this scene unfold before my eyes. Driving further towards downtown, we saw the Mounib Bridge on fire in both directions, as some protesters had set fire to cars on the bridge itself. (again, in a later blog I will highlight the difference between the protesters and those causing destruction!). Groups of men were still on the streets, making their way slowly home after spending the day in Tahrir.

While many may have thought that Friday was the pinnacle of the movement, instead it became more of the starting point for what came the following few days.

Karim and I were staying with his parents along the Kornish in Maadi. Inside Maadi was safe, however had we gotten to the city just a few hours earlier, we would have witnessed protests staged directly outside of Karim's house. At one point his father opened the window to see what was happening and was caught in a haze of tear gas. Now, Karim's house is next to a discreet prison, that were you not told was there, you wouldn't know any better. Would seem to make sense, putting a prison around the location where many police live in Cairo. After Friday though, and the complete disappearance of the police from the streets (seriously…where do 1.2 million "central security forces" just disappear to!??!), our location next to a prison was not exactly prime real-estate. We had already heard rumours of prisoners attempting to break out of their jail cells in other prisons throughout Cairo, although unable to entirely verify if it was true or not. Now we know that it was probably true, and State TV puts estimates at about 15,000 prisoners who have escaped since the escalation of the movement.

Karim and I headed up to his roof to scope out the surroundings and see what we could see. Needless to say the view was amazing. An empty Kornish, and growing army presence on the streets. Next to us we could hear the deafening roar of prisoners who, encourage by the rumours of other break outs, were attempting to break out also. They were rattling their cell doors, leaving the guards with no choice but to fire warning shots into the air, and occasionally sporadic machine gun fire, in which direction I have no idea.

When we made it back downstairs to the street, the Army were bringing in armoured vehicles on to the roads. I watched as youth on the street swarmed the Army vehicle, in what at first I thought was an act of aggression, but which actually ended up being complete support and delight at seeing the Army assume their presence on the streets. Youth were cheering, hugging and kissing the Army personnel as though greeting a long lost friend. It truly was a remarkable sight to witness.

What the night held in store, I couldn't even imagine… Keep reading to find out ;)    

Left speechless

Some would tell you that I have become obsessive since the protests began. (cough cough). I can't help myself, I find it so grossly fascinating to be watching history literally unfolding in front of your eyes. I am actually shocked that the growing effects of these protests are not being felt throughout more of the country. Or even more of the capital!

That aside, I know quite a few people who have participated in the protests in the past two days. I have been vigorously keeping updated, in as many means as possible, with the ongoings downtown. Sometimes it's no more than a brief status update. Other times it has been to repost the accounts of others.

I value the impact of research, and the impact of educating yourself with what is going on around the world. Access to websites in Egypt is intermittent at the moment, with Twitter having been entirely blocked. This in contrast to statements from the Interior Ministry, who claim they have not blocked any sites, and encourage freedom of expression. It cannot be refuted however that many people have experienced temporary disabling of social networking sites, google, e-mail, some even report having lost access to their Skype.

I was left speechless earlier, when asked by people if I could kindly stop posting updates and links, because it was only "worsening" the situation as people from abroad were cancelling their travels and tour leaders were taking Egypt off of the roster. Firstly, it's an individual right to choose not to travel somewhere that you feel uncertain about. Secondly, the media blackouts only serve to limit the real truth escaping, that is that people are standing up in protest and being beaten down for it.

If people in Egypt were to choose to stop protesting because it may potentially limit the income from tourists, isn't that only further exacerbating the problem? Isn't one of the main reasons Egypt is having so many problems at the moment precisely because people would rather line their pockets with money than deal with the harsh reality! Rather than deal with the issues, let's everyone STOP protesting so that I can continue making money from tourists, and living in my 5 star villa. What do I care if some people cannot afford to eat "mayish mushkela." There's just no way to respond to something like that. 

Day 2 continues

As promised, the re-blog from LeAnne.

Day 2 of Egyptian Protests

Social networking has been the way for Egyptians to organize protests and the Egyptian government is reacting. Copyright: LeAnne Graves

Egypt is making international headlines, but for how long?

In the wake of yesterday’s explosive demonstrations where tens of thousands gathered in Cairo’s downtown area with other protests being held throughout Egypt, what will today bring? The government has said that it will not tolerate any rallies and have already stationed several police in key areas throughout the city.

Twitter was shut down yesterday while mobile phone towers in Tahrir Square were cut. Others have experienced the blocking of Facebook, although that is yet to be officially confirmed and I currently have access to mine.

News is spreading that protests were to begin again at 1 pm in Tahrir, the site of yesterday’s largest gathering. Then other reports have these places as meeting spots:

• ·         Cairo - 6th of October City Al Hussari Sq
• ·         Cairo - Nasr City midan el sa3a
• ·         Cairo - Ramsis leading to Tahrir
• ·         Al Mansoura - Al Jala2 Gate
• ·         Assuit - Sawiras Building - Majzoob Square
• ·         Alexandria - After Dhuhr at Al Qaed Ibrahim
• ·         Alexandria - At 2 PM at Al Manshi
• ·         Tanta - In front of the Muhafza Building
• ·         Shebeen Al Kom - Omar Afandi Square

And for the biggest one (reportedly): “Egyptians calling for a ONE MILLION PROTESTER MARCH right after Friday prayers.”

I was in a cab earlier and while police were set up in riot gear throughout certain areas, it was business as usual in Cairo. However, Egyptians panicked and began leaving work early because of supposed “demonstrations.” This doesn’t surprise me at all; any excuse to get out of work and they’ll find it. My cab actually went from the Zamalak bridge to the Corniche (the same bridge that was blocked yesterday) and all was easy breezy.

My cab driver said that he personally didn’t expect much to happen today – which has been the general consensus.  Farouq, a cab driver for 35 years with seven of those years spent in Saudi Arabia, said: “The Egyptian people are tired of Mubarak. Food is getting too expensive. [Term limits] should be made. Everyone is poor.” The Egyptian government wants the international community to believe that this uprising is based upon food subsidies, which government officials have assured the people that it would pick up the rising costs. However, that’s not entirely true. This fight isn’t one of economic disparity, but of political will.

I asked Farouq the same question I asked demonstrators yesterday: if not Mubarak, who? He said, “We want El Baradei. He has a great deal of money and is looking to help poor people.” I followed, “But he’s been away from Egypt for awhile, does he even know the needs of today’s Egyptian?” Farouq just kept explaining how El Baradei fought for the poor man.

Mohamed El Baradei in Brief:

• ·         Former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency
• ·         2005 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work to curb nuclear proliferation
• ·         No real political experience and the only real opposition Mubarak faces

Take a look at this December interview from Al Masry Al Youm from December 23, the only plan El Baradei has is to unite the opposition. If I were given the opportunity to interview him, my questions instead would have included:

• ·         How do you plan to unite the opposition groups?
• ·         While change can’t occur overnight, what steps will you take in an effort to promote gradual change?
• ·         If elected as leader of Egypt, what will be your first order of business and how do you plan to approach it?

I hear all this rhetoric about his dissatisfaction with the current rule, but what I fail to ever hear are the steps he plans to take. The same is true for the protesters and Farouq.

Farouq talked to me about corruption, and no sooner than he spoke those words, I looked down at his meter that had instantly jumped from LE21.50 to LE36.10 (meters are supposed to go in increments of LE0.25). You can’t fight corruption if you are just as corrupt.

The protests continue

So alongside watching the news throughout the day, I have been getting updated text messages from my Journie friend, who decided to don a baseball cap to cover the blond (lol ...you crack me up) and head into the thick of things.

It's days like these, when you can see the mass movement of people in Cairo, that you realise just how far away from reality Hurghada and the Red Sea in general are. It's business as usual here, with the odd Egyptian tuned to their television to see what's happening. But to be honest, most of these watching probably actually have family there. The general mentality of "it doesn't really concern me right now, why should I bother?" obviously prevails.

I've been speaking to a few people about their impression of the protests. I can't wait to get a hands on account from my journie friend, and will surely re-post that here.

Of the people I have been speaking to, sadly most believe that this protest, while a courageous effort, will have little to no impact. Were there to be any real problems, the army would step in, and the case would be closed. As one person said to me earlier, "just look at how successful any previous revolutions in Egypt have been." Another friend mentioned to me that the education system in this country is so backwards, that it essentially inhibits any real change in the first place. What a sad reality to consider. :(

Anyhow, for those keeping up, here's another re-post from the BBC with on hand video! My thoughts are with all my friends down in the thick of things at the moment, and hopes for a safe return home for everyone!

The BBC's Jon Leyne describes 'remarkable scenes' in the Egyptian capital

Continue reading the main story

Related stories

• In pictures: Egypt unrest
• Tunisia: Will there be a domino effect?
• Q&A: Tunisia crisis

Police in Cairo are using tear gas and water cannon to try to quell rare anti-government protests.

Thousands are reported to have join the protests after an internet campaign inspired by the uprising in Tunisia.

They are marching through Cairo and other areas chanting anti-government slogans, after activists called for a "day of revolt" in a web message.

Weeks of unrest in Tunisia eventually toppled President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali earlier this month.

Such protests are uncommon in Egypt, which President Hosni Mubarak has ruled since 1981, tolerating little dissent.

The events in Cairo were co-ordinated on a Facebook page - tens of thousands of supporters clicked on the page to say they would take part.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says rallies are being held in several parts of the capital, and the turnout so far is more than the organisers could have hoped.

He says there has been a series of violent confrontations, including in front of the parliament building, where police with riot shields, tear gas and water cannon clashed with protesters throwing rocks.

There are also reports of protests in Alexandria and Ismailiya, among others.

'Nothing to fear'

The Associated Press (AP) news agency reports that in Tahrir Square, demonstrators attacked a police water cannon vehicle, opening the driver's door and ordering the man out of the vehicle.

Protesters alluded to the Tunisian uprising - this one using the French word "degage", meaning "out"

Officers beat back protesters with batons as they tried to break the police cordons to join the main demonstration, it added.

One protester, 43-year-old lawyer Tareq el-Shabasi, told AP: "I came here today willing to die, I have nothing to fear."

The AFP news agency reported that protesters had gathered outside the Supreme Court holding large signs that read: "Tunisia is the solution."

They then broke through lines of police and began to march through the streets, chanting: "Down with Mubarak."

Reuters news agency reported that some chants referred to Mr Mubarak's son Gamal, who some analysts believe is being groomed as his father's successor. "Gamal, tell your father Egyptians hate you," they shouted.

The organisers rallied support saying the protest would focus on torture, poverty, corruption and unemployment, calling it "the beginning of the end".

"It is the end of silence, acquiescence and submission to what is happening in our country," they said in comments carried by Reuters news agency.

"It will be the start of a new page in Egypt's history - one of activism and demanding our rights."

Disillusioned

Egypt has many of the same social and political problems that brought about the unrest in Tunisia - rising food prices, high unemployment and anger at official corruption.

However, the population of Egypt has a much lower level of education than Tunisia. Illiteracy is high and internet penetration is low.

There are deep frustrations in Egyptian society, our Cairo correspondent says, yet Egyptians are almost as disillusioned with the opposition as they are with the government; even the Muslim Brotherhood, the banned Islamist movement, seems rudderless.

While one opposition leader, Mohamed ElBaradei, called on Egyptians to take part in these protests, the Muslim Brotherhood has been more ambivalent.

Our correspondent adds that Egypt is widely seen to have lost power, status and prestige in the three decades of President Mubarak's rule.

Protests in Cairo

I know of a few people who have said they will head down to these protests in the capital today. My thoughts are with them if they have indeed headed down there, as God only knows what can happen in this country. Egyptian youth are taking it upon themselves to stand up for their own rights, in part inspired by Tunisia. Although not entirely the same situation, there is no doubt that the protests and the upheaval in Tunisia have lit a fire in many in Egypt. Change comes from within, and this change is being effected as we speak, all around us.

For those unfamiliar, here's an article from the BBC.

Anti-government activists in Egypt are preparing for a rare day of protest, inspired by the recent political upheaval in Tunisia.

Organisers have called for a "day of revolt against torture, poverty, corruption and unemployment".

But the government has warned they face arrest and is calling its supporters out in a counter-demonstration.

Weeks of unrest in Tunisia eventually toppled President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia earlier this month.

The events in Cairo are being co-ordinated on a Facebook page - tens of thousands of supporters have clicked on the page to say they will take part.

"Our protest on the 25th is the beginning of the end," Reuters quoted the organisers as saying.

"It is the end of silence, acquiescence and submission to what is happening in our country. It will be the start of a new page in Egypt's history - one of activism and demanding our rights."

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says event is a direct response to the campaign that ousted President Ben Ali of Tunisia, in which the internet also played an important part.

But there is bound to be scepticism about exactly how many will actually turn up, say our correspondent.

They know they could face a tough response from the police, who often break up protests with violence.

In a statement, the government's security director in the capital said: "The security apparatus will deal firmly and decisively with any attempt to break the law."

Egypt's political opposition is also divided - one leader, Mohamed El-Baradei, has called on Egyptians to take part, but the Muslim Brotherhood, still the most powerful opposition movement, has been more ambivalent.

And unlike Tunisia, the population has a much lower level of education. Illiteracy is high, internet penetration is low.

Egypt has many of same social and political problems that brought about the unrest in Tunisia - rising food prices, high unemployment and anger at official corruption.

But protests so far have only been small-scale, and correspondents say a similar political upheaval is unlikely.

Egypt accuses Army of Islam of Church Bombings

Re-posted from the BBC.

A small Palestinian group linked to al-Qaeda was behind the New Year's Day bomb attack on a church in Alexandria in which 23 people died, Egypt says.

Egypt has insisted from the outset that there was foreign involvement in the attack

Interior Minister Habib al-Adli said Cairo had "decisive proof" that the Army of Islam carried out the attack in the northern Egyptian city.

The Gaza-based group immediately denied any responsibility for the attack.

Officials in Egypt have so far released very few details how they believe the attack was carried out.

Shadowy group

"We have decisive proof of their (Army of Islam's) heinous involvement in planning and carrying out such a villainous terrorist act," Mr Adli said in a speech to mark Police Day in Egypt.

President Hosni Mubarak praised police, saying the development would help "set at rest the hearts of all Egyptians".

The Alexandria attack triggered days of rioting by Egypt's minority Christians, who accused the government of not doing enough to protect them.

A spokesman for the Army of Islam said on Sunday that the group "has no connection to the church attack in Egypt".

The attack triggered days of clashes between Coptic Christians
and Police

But he added: "We praise those who did it."

The Army of Islam has been blamed for kidnappings and other violence inside Gaza.

It is alleged that the group played a part in the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.

But there is no record of it operating further afield, the BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo reports.

Our correspondent adds that the Egyptian government early on stressed their belief that there was foreign involvement - rather than it just being a sectarian religious attack carried out by Egyptians.

4 Dolphins arrive in Hurghada

Seems the promises of CITES to marine connection will never be honored. Despite calls again and again that the government has banned bringing in dolphins to the Red Sea area, pay the right people and you won't have any problems.

These four, are said to be coming back with an ADDITIONAL four dolphins. This makes me so sick to my stomach, I don't even know what to say.

From Al Ahram online

Four dolphins arrive at Hurghada airport

Ekram Ibrahim , Friday 21 Jan 2011


Four purportedly wild Dolphins have arrived at Hurghada airport today, in spite of Red Sea Governor Magdy Qoubeissy’s decision to ban the entrance of wild animals.

"I am sure that at least three out of the four (dolphins) were caught in the wild in 1998," a member of the Hurgada Environment Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) told Ahram Online, who asked that his name be kept anonymous.

Transporting these species to Egypt is harmful to its original habitat, he said, explaining that "these species control the ecosystem and could destroy the whole ecosystem."


The ecosystem’s cycle is delicate and altering any of its steps, by for example getting rid of sharks or adding species, would disrupt and potentially end it.


The governor's decision to ban the entrance of the wild species came after an HEPCA campaign last October against an Egyptian who had purchased four dolphins which he kept in his swimming pool.


HEPCA has also organized a dolphin awareness event which brought together hundreds of concerned citizens in an attempt to expose and halt a planned dolphinarium. After their campaign, the four dolphins were transferred and the Association has since been monitoring the situation.

The governor's office could not be reached for a comment.