Saturday, March 19, 2011


March 19th, 2011
Voting on the Constitutional Amendments

For the first time in Egypt's history, we know that our vote will count. Egyptians are making history as turn out rates at the polling booths are amazingly high. Everyone is proactive, all for the sake of a better Egypt. Regardless of whether the majority vote on the amendments turns out to be a YES or a NO, we have already taken our first step towards democracy today, and we have made ourselves heard.
The Arabic translation of the text is: "Life has become pink in colour" i.e. life has become wonderful. This quote is from an old Egyptian movie, and was sung by the famous Egyptian actress Souad Hosni.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011


Constitutional Confusion

On March 19th, 2011, Egypt is due to vote on the proposed amendments to the 1971 constitution, in its very first steps towards becoming a democracy. There is much debate within society regarding whether the best way to achieve this goal is by voting for the amendments, or voting against them. Online forums are witnessing heated discussions and intellectual debates regarding the issue, while government polls, for the first time, have shown that the percentages of "Yes" votes vs. "No" votes is very close, rather than announcing a 90% majority for any one side.
The Arabic translation of the text (from right to left): "Yes? Patching up an old constitution with some amendments? The proposed amendments are sufficient for this phase? Creating an entirely new constitution? No? A kebab rib?"

Tuesday, March 15, 2011


March 5th, 2011
الله محبة

On March 5th, 2011, another attack on a church took place. This act of violence is believed to be an orchestrated attempt to stir clashes between Copts and Muslims in Egypt.
However, millions of Egyptians soon after proclaimed their solidarity and unity, refusing to be consumed by any sort of religious intolerance.
As a reaction to the attack, thousands of Copts protested for days in front of Cairo's main television and broadcasting building to demand for their rights. The protesters were joined by many Muslims who equally believed in these demands.
Currently, the Church that had been burnt down is being rebuilt under the supervision of the Egyptian army.
The translation of the Arabic text is "God is love". This statement is part of the Bible, and is also a line in Om Kolthoum's famous song, "A Thousand and One Nights".

Tribute to the Martyrs of the Egyptian Revolution, 2011

The latest estimates of the number of protesters who were killed by the state security forces as well as the hired thugs were estimated at 365 martyrs. However, as families continue to find missing members in mortuaries to this day, I believe the number of martyrs killed will exceed this estimate.
May they all enter god's heaven, and may god grant their families patience.
February 11th, 2011
قلة الذل

After only 18 turbulent days of massive, peaceful, and civilized protest all over Egypt, the then president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down from power after a 30 year reign. Power to run the country was ceded on February 11th, 2011, to the Supreme Armed Forces Council.
The translation of the Arabic text is "oh drinking vessel of humiliation I will never drink from you even if your water is mixed with honey". Originally part of a song first sung by Sayid Darwish.

The video below is of a cover of the song done by another revolutionary singer, El Sheikh Imam:



January 25th, 2011
قوم يا مصري
On January 25th, 2011, hundreds of thousands of Egyptian youth took to the streets of Egypt's major cities to protest against the oppression of the government and to demand their rights. In the days to follow, these protest swelled massively in number to include millions of Egyptian citizens from all socio-economic, educational, and ideological backgrounds, from all over the country. What started out as a large-scale protest on January 25th, developed into a revolution that overthrew the 30 year reign of the then president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, who was forced to step down from power on February 11th, 2011, i.e. only 18 days after the protests initially began. Throughout this period, the world watched Egypt with awe, as the most civilized revolution in recent history unfolded before their eyes.

The direct translation of the Arabic text is "Get up Egyptian, Egypt is always calling for you".



January 14th, 2011
Liberte . حرية

On January 14th, 2011, the president of Tunisia, who had ruled the country for 23 years, escaped the country after massive popular demonstrations broke out against him.
These demonstration were sparked by the self immolation of a Tunisian youth by the name of Mohamed Bouazizi who had lost everything, including the hope for a better future under the dictatorship and corrupt governance of the then president Zein El Dine Bin Ali.
Tunisia's Jasmine revolution went on to spark protests in several other Arab countries, including Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

January 1st, 2011
Egyptian Christmas Tree

Just a few minutes into the new year, 2011, a large explosion took place in the Two Saints Church in Alexandria, Egypt.
As many Egyptian Copts were inside the church at the time of the explosion for mass, the attack left 22 persons killed.
This horrific attack sent shock waves throughout the nation, with the many citizens, Copts and Muslims, assuring their unity and solidarity, and their belief that they are all Egyptians regardless of their religious affiliations.