| Driving to Tahrir Square around 6pm on January 25 was a challenge. It took me almost an hour and a half to get only to Kasr El-Aini street from neighboring Giza, not because of traffic, but because the police had closed off almost every street and alleyway leading to the square. By Lamia Hassan |
| Driving to Tahrir Square around 6pm on January 25 was a challenge. It took me almost an hour and a half to get only to Kasr El-Aini street from neighboring Giza, not because of traffic, but because the police had closed off almost every street and alleyway leading to the square. So, I opted to drive around Garden City, park my car and walk for almost 40 minutes to get to Tahrir Square.I have to admit, before that day I was convinced that nothing big would actually happen and that the protests would end with people going home. This is what usually happens. But it was only when I got closer to the square that I realized Egyptians had finally decided to break their silence. I no longer saw lazy, apathetic youth whining about a bleak future but doing little, if anything, to change it. Instead, I saw resilient Egyptians who knew exactly what they wanted. I finally saw this country united over something other than football. I have to also admit that January 25 made me realize there was a different side to me — one that I never knew existed. I realized that I had been living in my own bubble, completely unaware of anything going around me. Politics was never on the top of my priority list. That moment was my wake-up call to the fact that if we were ever going to change, now was the time. Since that day, politics and how my country is ruled became a major concern. It was January 25 that broke the silence, and I realized that we must all stand united to bring about a better Egypt. But this realization didn’t mean the end of my confusion. Like many others, there were times when I was unsure if the protests should continue or not. When I heard the former president’s speech on February 1, I was among those who felt strongly that people should just go home and try to rebuild our country again. But when more and more people opted to remain in Tahrir in an effort to bring about further change, this made me think more thoroughly about my opinions. When the public prosecutor announced that former ministers along with big businessmen would be brought in for questioning, I realized that if people hadn’t remained in the square, this would have never happened. I then knew that the protests should continue. Even at the points where I was confused about the next step we should all take, there was one thing I was certain of: Even if the protests failed to bring about the changes demanded by the protesters, we Egyptians had changed forever. Just days earlier, people were still talking about sectarian violence and the tension between Muslims and Christians. But shortly after, I saw both Muslims and Christians standing side-by-side as Egyptians protecting one another. Suddenly, it no longer mattered who they were before that moment. Some might argue over whether the Tahrir Square protests were negative or positive for Egypt, but for me, every time I left the square, all I could talk about was how impressive it was. It was a world on its own. Everything I could want in my nation, I found it there. I found unity and nationalism. I felt respect and equality. I found Egypt. No matter what happens next, I hope that this newly found Egypt will remain. |
Be Social
Comments
Leave a Comment