| Talk-show host Ahmed El Esseily took his passion for reform straight to Tahrir By Hana Zuhair |
| Al-shaab yoreed eskat al-nezam! [The people want to bring down the regime],” was Ahmed El Esseily’s favorite chant during the January 25 Revolution. The television and radio presenter, long known for speaking out on problems plaguing society and politics, made Tahrir Square his second home during the 18-day uprising.While many were skeptical about the January 25 protests, El Esseily felt that this time it would be different. He joined the protests from day one, when, in his words, he felt that justice seemed, for the first time, attainable. “The number of political activists on Facebook made me feel that this time would be a lot bigger than usual,” he recalls. “On the first day of the protests, I went to Mostafa Mahmoud Mosque [in Mohandiseen] and found nothing, so I walked to Tahrir […] I went in and never stopped going back.” In real life, El Esseily is as friendly and laid-back as he comes across on TV. For him, joining the revolution seemed natural; he has, after all, been a passionate advocate for reform on his TV and radio talk show “Thursday at Eight,” since it launched in 2004. The 34-year-old presenter’s eloquence and charisma helped his show garner a loyal following amid the glut of talk shows ruling the airwaves. Despite never sleeping overnight in Tahrir, El Esseily made sure he made it to the square almost every day, and he was frequently seen shouting anti-government slogans or simply talking with his fellow protesters. He says the only day he missed was Black Wednesday, February 2, when hundreds of allegedly state-sponsored thugs attacked protesters with sticks, stones and knives. However, on January 28, popularly known as the Friday of Anger, El Esseily experienced moments which he described as some of “the most dangerous and horrifying” of his life. For four or five hours, he was caught up in the infamous battle on Kasr El-Nil Bridge between demonstrators and police forces: The protesters were chased onto the bridge while tear gas and rubber bullets were fired into the crowds. “I wasn’t one of the heroes, I wasn’t in the front lines,” says El Esseily. “It was like a trap, they made us get on to the bridge and locked us there. It was very scary.” They were saved later in the day when some 30,000 additional protesters advanced from Giza to back up the besieged group. The riot police, overwhelmed by the number of protesters facing them, chose to retreat. El Esseily says that Tahrir Square was filled with an unprecedented spirit on that day. People seemed to be there for a purpose; they were united and helped each other during every step of the way. “This revolution is the best thing that has happened in our country’s history,” he says proudly. “Tahrir showed a side of Egypt that we weren’t accustomed to. A different type of Egyptians were there; devoted and noble.” The moment former president Hosni Mubarak was removed, El Esseily was swamped in a rush of roaring emotions. “Once he stepped down I wanted to leave, despite my great affection for Tahrir Square,” he admits, “but it was a reminder of numerous painful events and emotions. A mixture of confusion, tears, worry and fear of the unknown.” While he believes that the end of the Mubarak era was inevitable, El Esseily also urges Egyptians to be patient during the upcoming transitional period. “We have taken off the head of the snake, which is the important part,” he says. “But now we have to work on ourselves. We are a corrupt society and this needs to change. It is time to look in the mirror.” |
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