The Decision Is To Stay...

Entry 35

It is 11:30 pm

The decision was made today by the beautiful variety of Egyptians, that are the essence of Liberation Square,
to stay the course. To those of you abroad, who only hear of the “nobleness” of the cause, let me tell you that a lot of Egyptian hearts will drop because of this decision.

The greater Egyptian community, like any community comprised of different people with different opinions, will continue to divide as of tomorrow morning. When those who did not read this blog realize that there will be no exiting of the square, nor did the army succeed in making that happen, a lot of debates will be taking place across this ancient land as the day lingers on with the protestors in their place. 

But let us explain how these decisions are made. It is not a mere carnival in the square, though it may seem so to the passer by, who only spends an hour or two in the crowd. There are actual deliberations that take place. For example, they created a committee of 60 youth that engage in meetings about strategy. Of these sixty, 20 can engage in negotiations on behalf of the square and the remaining forty’s job is to ensure that the decisions reflect the majority opinion of those engaging in the demonstration/strike.

Accordingly the decision made today was to stay in the square for a minimum of another week, with an extended message to people at home to make Sunday, Tuesday and Friday “March of Million” or “Millioniya” days.

What is the point? The only negotiating chip that they have is their presence in the Square. The current regime sees it, but more importantly the world sees it and follows it. They were never taken seriously in their 7 requests that were first mentioned in entry 31 and posted on a vast number of signs in the square on the 4^th of February, including a large sign in the middle of the square that remains clearly visible till this very moment.

Here they are again if you missed them:

1.      Mubarak Leaves The Presidency

2.      The End of The 30 Yr Emergency Law Status Instated since President Saddat’s Assassination.

3.      A New “Gam3eya Ta’seesiya” (I do not know the translation to that one but will try to obtain it)

4.      A New Transitional Government that is Independent from the National Democratic Party

5.      Disassembling the “Shoora” council and the “People’s Assembly” because they were based on fraudulent elections. 

6.      A court martial trial for those responsible for the deaths that started from the 26^th of January up until last night.

7.      A court martial trial for the crony capitalists and corrupt officials who profited illegally from any corrupt systems that were in place.

 So the decision to stay stands, until the requests are, at a minimum, discussed or mentioned in any of officials’ statements in addition to the offering of some concrete solutions.

Furthermore the heads of NGOs as well as leaders of the civic community held a meeting today and placed plans for directing their efforts towards relief initiatives across the board to assist in Egypt’s economic concerns. These include food packages for the poor and creating awareness campaigns that educate the public about how to survive tumultuous political climates economically, socially and psychologically.

They also set plans to begin creating funds and small documentaries for and about those who have lost their lives so far, as comfort and assistance to the families of the victims.

If you are a supporter and wonder what the square was like tonight, you will be glad to know that the atmosphere of peace prevailed for another day today. There were many who took to the stages and recited inspiring poetry or discussed the possibilities of a brighter future ahead.

There were no shortages of food and water as there are multiple systems in place for the distribution of food and hydration for the crowds by the protestors themselves as well as volunteers from the community that come in for that specific purpose and then leave.

And though yesterday was quite cold and the ground and beddings are wet tonight from the light rain fall that lasted all day, we sleep soundly with our “causes” beneath our heads as pillows.

So if you know of people who are having a hard time obtaining food, water or shelter in these challenging economic times. Tell them to join us in the square where the “real” Egyptians will take care of you till they can provide you with a government that will.

If you feel like the revolution has frustrated you by keeping you home and you feel trapped and stressed and out of place…join our family here on the ground. In this square no one is allowed to chant about his/her affiliation to a certain group or committee, nor praise their own role in this effort or claim to be leading it. In this group it is all about creating a winning team that has a “correct” system to help it function.

Think about it. From here on out the possibilities are endless. We will fix our government. Create one that will represent the colorful tapestry that is the Egyptian community. We will clean our streets and guard our monuments. We can make our sites as clean and organized as Disney Land and we have so much more to offer.

We can offer the best hospitality and the most creative methodologies in education and the arts. The sky, and our own willingness to venture outside of these prison bars, is the limit.

If you differ in opinion with our decision and believe that we have achieved enough for you and you are satisfied. Try to give us the benefit of the doubt and stay the course with us, maybe we will get you more.

We pray for Egypt, its prosperity and the safety of its children Allahuma Ameen.

God Bless