TAHRIR

It's taken 30 years for people of Egypt to experience and celebrate the true meaning of the word Tahrir (Liberation). After being bound and trapped in a system which projected itself as the wish of the people, Egypt  has ridden high on this wave of liberal revolution which has swept the Arab world at the turn of the new decade.  Friday 11^th February will be marked as a red letter day in not only the Arab but also world history, as the day when Egypt was freed from its shackles. Horreyah! Horreyah !  (Freedom) is what we heard around Egypt, especially Tahrir Square, when Vice President Suleiman announced on national  television the words which the protesters have been waiting to hear for 3 weeks.  A paradigm shift in the order of business has taken  place, where the people have been empowered to oppose the subjective treatment of the state and stand united for their freedom and liberty.

Protests which started on the 25th of January showed the world a side of Egyptians which has always been swept under the carpet by the Mubarak regime. After two weeks of intense protest which had both sides of a coin-nonviolent and violent; superficial reforms by the government and tactics of clinging to power by allowing the situation to fade away with time resulted in the protest almost losing its fizz. But the emotional televised interview of one man – Wael Ghonim, the Goggle executive- after his release from 14 days of captivity by the government  ignited the dwindling spirit of the people driving thousands more into their little Egypt (Tahrir Square) which was the symbolism of their protest and ideals.  After the crushing disappointment  on 10^th February , when (ex)President Mubarak announced his determination to continue as president - the world predicted dark clouds ahead of the peaceful protests. Surprisingly, what we see now are fireworks  in the clear skies over the  pyramids. Visuals such as a women praying on the street with the Egyptian flag as her carpet, the giant Egyptian flag flowing over the head of thousands under the hot sun, human chains protecting the square etc. demonstrated the true nationalistic feeling which was emancipated in this revolution.

What started out in the virtual world through Facebook and Twitter has taken its shape at Liberation Square- ousting one of the most powerful autocrats in the world. As Wael Ghonim said- “I thank Facebook and would like to meet Mark Zukerberg to thank him personally.” Over these 18 days the Egyptians have demonstrated a character analogous to their last ‘Pharaoh’-one of determination and resilience. But as history will write it, the determination and voice of thousands is no match for even a Pharaoh.  

After all the celebration and excitement in the night skies of Egypt, it will wake up tomorrow for a new day. A day with no association to the name “Mubarak”, a day which marks a new era in Egyptian history. But the Egyptians and the their supporters should not ignore the challenges they face ahead. The spirit of unity , freedom and liberation should not fade away with the smoke of the fireworks. Such an abeyance is a battle only half won, exposing the country and its people to another Mubarak. History has never been with the victorious for too long in this region and the fear of recidivism will cause anxiety not only in Egypt but rest of the world. So as we take a turn at this historical corner, one should not be surprised to see a domino effects in the rest of the Arab world; with the only lingering question being- Who is next?