Agreeing to Disagree. Kholoud Saber, you are my Egyptian Revolution Hero!
By Imane Fawzy Nofal
Protesters speaking with army personnel, one of them on the tank in Tahrir Square. Photo by Laura Schlichting.
‘I don’t care.’ Read out the sentence ten times and write it down randomly on a white sheet of paper. That was my upset friend Amira, expressing her frustration at our physics private tutor; she repeated this phrase a dozen times, ignoring him as he lectured. I can clearly recall that I too was upset but no clear reason comes to my mind. I literally miss those days some ten years ago. Of course, I don’t miss the frustration, nor the physics lesson, but I miss my friends with whom I enjoyed so many round circles of gossip and hilarious acts of mischief.
Yes, at that age, we were more innocent, happy and we had mood swings and fought over the most trivial things, did “crazy and forbidden things” and imagined a bright future when we grew up! Nothing was foisted upon us, we merrily embraced our beliefs and perspectives; we thought “we are free”.
As the years went by and we became adults, we began to realize that freedom is a bit more complicated. It goes beyond saying ‘no’ to your mother or choosing to skip lectures; it’s a serious and sensitive issue. Freedom means something different to each one of us and fits into our lives differently. Out of our group of four closest friends, two have traveled out of Egypt, and two still live in the country. Through the years, knowing each other like we did, we haven’t been surprised by one another’s choices.
When The Egyptian revolution erupted, many things changed for my countrymen, differences became obvious and glaring, and misunderstandings ruled.
Personally, this revolution hit home because one of us was very involved. She is Kholoud Saber, she is the revolutionist amongst us. She is the one on the streets now, one of thousands and thousands of Egyptians out there fighting for their country and the most trustworthy person for me in this revolution. I can remember she’d always shown a keen interest in politics from a very early age. I recollect she used to participate in demonstrations against Israel, she organized and partook in campaigns against the central security forces’ interference in the college … and she is blacklisted by the Egyptian police.
Out of the dozens of media outlets, I only trust her word. Yet, our point of view is not totally the same.
I am no politician. I have had no real financial problems in my life. I have spent many years outside Egypt and the years I spent in Egypt have been good ones. None of my relatives have been brutally detained or tortured in the hands of the police and armed forces.
Growing up, I remember the police academy and military colleges as being the dreams of so many. These days, at 26 years old, things have turned upside down. The country seems to have become involved in politics and nothing else seems to be important; seeing wounded and murdered people everyday is now the norm as if Egypt is some occupied country; our believe and pride in the policemen and militants is gone. This seems to be the only way to see things in Egypt right now.
The police and military seem to be tyrants who have betrayed Egypt and murdered its sons. A few months ago, it was believed that the army protected Egypt’s revolution, forced the president to step down and promised to provide a timeline for the democratic transfer. Now, the believe – by protestors – is that the army deceived the people, it didn’t actually protect the revolution but has rather stolen it for its own ambitions of power!
Everything is possible when we consider how quickly our Arab dictators were toppled. Am I saying dictators? Yes, honestly, that wasn’t what I would have called them a year ago. I actually used to consider Mubarak a tragic hero whose flaws and mistakes led to his fall. Laugh at me, for I am one of those who prefers to think good of people. To all of a sudden have to question and reverse all you’ve believed in is very disturbing … and could lead anyone to the verge of a psychological chaos or breakdown.
What hurts me more than all the murdered and wounded, is the astonishment and disbelief I sense from some of my friends, especially Kholoud. Why do people mock me and others who hold the same views as I do? Is believing in the good nature of the military now considered a sin? Why are we called stupid? Is this what you call democracy? Why should we all pay attention to one side of the accounts? Should I only view videos of killed protestors, and shut off the TV when it comes to talks about spies and paid agents amongst them causing trouble?
Ok, here it is in a nutshell, I am against any more protests until white is clearly differentiated from black, until thugs are picked up and until presidential elections are held. Although my belief in SCAF (Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) is not as strong as it was before, I still think the security of the country depends on them; for it is the only body that can discipline and exercise force if necessary. I believe if SCAF left now, Egypt would become a prey and pawn to all the different political forces; thugs will have no deterrent. I am not for violence, I am not for blood, but I am for discipline. I do not condemn SCAF for murders, yet I condemn it for its failure to protect the people, for its failure in arresting thugs, for its loose hand on the ground. Until the time of elections comes and until we have clear and clean evidence – other than people’s charges and videos – I will consider it, dear Kholoud, the key to Egypt’s security … with apologies.
Imane blogs at Express It 2 Live It
—————————
Be a fan of Dunia on FACEBOOK
—————————
Participate in a Dunia POLL
—————————
Join our mailing list for your free monthly newsletter