Late as usual , here is a video clip about the protests in Tahrir square last 25 January 2013. I shot these clips during the protests in the morning on that day.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
The Manifesto by Mostafa Ibrahim in Arabic is a must heard and read.
The Manifesto is beautiful verses of contemporary poetry in Egyptian accent. It is a bout the 25 January revolution.
The Manifesto is beautiful verses of contemporary poetry in Egyptian accent. It is a bout the 25 January revolution.
Monday, 28 January 2013
Today the people of Port Said , Suez and Ismailia are celebrating the first of the curfew imposed by President Morsi on their cities for a month.
Ismailia , the quiet city which people usually go to sleep before 12 AM is awake with thousands of protesters from locals roaming the town chanting anti-Morsi and anti-MB slogans mocking the curfew.
The people in Ismailia also are holding football tournament calling it “The Curfew Mundial” . They even played football match with the army forces in the city !!!!
Suez also thousands and thousands went to the streets since 9 PM in defiance celebrating with fireworks and chants against Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood as well.
Ironically a man resembles President Morsi was found in the rallies and people took photos with him saying that even the president joined them in breaking the curfew.
Moving to the sad yet defiant Port Said , thousands are roaming the city in a big rallies. The citizens took photos also with the army units and played football matches with them !!
Still the people in Port Said are still angry , they carried banners in the rallies attacking Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood like “I am sorry for electing Morsi” and “Port Said will not bow to anyone except God”.
Here is a video for the people in Port Said chanting explicitly “The Curfew is gone you sons of bitch”
2 citizens from Port Said were killed today in Clashes with security forces at Al Arab police station. The city has witnessed another mass funeral for its fallen citizens yesterday.
Even Port Fouad, the small quiet city is awake !!
so much for the curfew.
Ismailia , the quiet city which people usually go to sleep before 12 AM is awake with thousands of protesters from locals roaming the town chanting anti-Morsi and anti-MB slogans mocking the curfew.
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| People in the street after 9 PM |
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| At the governorate building |
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| A curfew couple wedding !! Attacking Morsi and praising army and Police !! |
Suez also thousands and thousands went to the streets since 9 PM in defiance celebrating with fireworks and chants against Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood as well.
Ironically a man resembles President Morsi was found in the rallies and people took photos with him saying that even the president joined them in breaking the curfew.
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| By iHemaa |
Still the people in Port Said are still angry , they carried banners in the rallies attacking Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood like “I am sorry for electing Morsi” and “Port Said will not bow to anyone except God”.
Here is a video for the people in Port Said chanting explicitly “The Curfew is gone you sons of bitch”
2 citizens from Port Said were killed today in Clashes with security forces at Al Arab police station. The city has witnessed another mass funeral for its fallen citizens yesterday.
Even Port Fouad, the small quiet city is awake !!
so much for the curfew.
I can’t believe or understand how the ministry of interior and Central security forces “CSF” think !! I can’t believe or understand how they think if they do really use that organ inside their skulls at all !!
Just from less than an hour ago a rally coming from Sayada Zeinab to Tahrir square commemorating the Day of Wrath , January 28th was attacked by security forces.It started when the peaceful rally reached to Kasr Al Nil area to find that CSF armored vehicle “APC” attacking it running over two protesters. At the same time a bird shot came from the security forces to hit one of the protesters in his head. This is just like the famous battle of Kasr Al Nil bridge on 28 January 2011.
I repeat the rally was peaceful it an armored vehicle attacked it running over two protesters who were badly injured and have been transferred to hospital and at the same time a protester was shot by a bird shot in his head. “He was transferred to the hospital”
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| The protesters attacking the APC |
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| Add caption |
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| The first APC torched at the British embassy by MohamedAbdel Fatah |
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| The protesters over the APC heading to Tahrir "Unknown" |
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| Arriving to Tahrir "Mahmoud Khaled" |
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| The second one at Tahrir by Shabab El Din |
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| Closer look by Cliff Cheney |
I am extremely worried several friends are there. I am extremely worried on my friends from girls there including reporters and journalists.
The security forces are acting madly firing tear gas , gunshots and rubber bullets. It seems to me that some of the protesters are forced to go back to Kasr Al Nil bridge at least part of them while other protesters are forced back to Tahrir square. The photos from Moud Barthez are speaking of themselves , no comment is needed.
I am reading disturbing news that the protesters are being shot by unknown assailants from Semiramis hotel’s roof. There were conflicting reports that Black Bloc has stormed the hotel but the protesters are denying it on the ground. Well from the huge amount of injuries I am hearing and reading , I believe the shooters are in a higher position than the protesters.
Of course I do not need to guess who are the assailants , the snipers are back.
There are injuries now reported. Among the injured famous Ahmed Harara who led the protest as well blogger Lilian Wagdy and journalist Rasha Abaza. Most injuries are from bird shots.
Here is Ahmed Harara speaking to Ahram Gate about his injury as well the attack on the protesters
Harara says that the rally was peaceful one and he along with others informed the police forces that they will come to Kasr Al Nil peacefully, the police stopped shooting its tear gas and some of the protesters passed then the APC's attack started
I believe we should expect curfew also in Cairo soon. With these clashes besides cutting roads and blocking metro lines , it is something we should expect but it will not be the first. I feel we are living a Déjà vu for the revolution indeed.
From couple of days ago Senator John Kerry , who is nominated to become the new US state department secretary had to stand in front of a senate hearing to be asked about his vision and the challenges facing the US foreign affairs.
Senator Rand Paul could not forget to ask him about President Morsi’s comments regarding Israelis and Zionist in 2010 and whether it was good thing to give Egypt now F16.
Kerry was right when he described the meeting of the senators and congressmen with Morsi as heated one. It was not that good according to Foreign policy as Morsi accused the Jews “as some group” of controlling the media.
Ironically Morsi was trying the same thing his group is marketing in Egypt , Arab and Muslim that he is the victim of the media. It is always the media. What astonished me is that he and other MB big brains like Essam Heddad believe that they can fool the Senates and Congressmen with this.
I speculated that after I found the MB media attacking McCain and his delegation accusing them of plotting with the NSF.
Now aside from that part regarding Morsi and his comments , this part gives a classic lesson on how the US policy makers like Paul and Kerry think in terms of arming Arab countries and Israel. It is something we should totally understand.
Back to Dr. Morsi and his statements about Jews , I think if he goes to German this weekend “unlikely” he will be asked a lot not only about his statements but about his views regarding the Holocaust. Foreign reporters found this piece at Ikhwan Online that goes back to 2010 where it says that Holocaust is myth.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Black Bloc is the new black in Egypt !! Since their announcement that they do exist in Egypt and since their parade last Thursday as well their role last Friday in the clashes , the media , the government and the MB could not stop speaking about them up till now !!
Suddenly the anarchic group is spread like fire across the country through out the governorates. Since when anarchism is popular in Egypt let alone how a group like that to plan and organize itself in this way !! There is something not clear or correct.
Now we got two Facebook pages speaking on behalf of the enigmatic group : Revolution Black Bloc and Black Bloc Egypt'
Amazingly the last page is using verses from the Holy Quran in its posts and FB cover. I do not know but we are speaking a new anarchism if it is truly anarchism in the first place. The second page is adopting the popular conspiracy theories of the Hamas militias working for the MB. Ironically many people still believe that Black Bloc is underground MB group intended to spread chaos and to make people hate revolution and the revolutionaries.
Wael Al Abrashi claimed that hosted a member from the Black Bloc but the group denied that he is a member in the group adding that they do not speaking to the media. It is true they do not speak easily to the media and this is why we don’t have any info about them.
Now the MB and its members and supporters are crazy with that new group. As I hinted it is the new black , it is their new boggy man. Aside from accusing the Black Bloc of being the military arm of ElBaradei and Hamdeen Sabbahi as usual , Ikhwan Online accuses Black Bloc of being originally a Christian radical militia headed by a Christian man called Sherif El Sirafy. The report which is based only the claims of anonymous activists also claimed that El Sirafy was a member in the Christian Good battalion group, a thing which is totally denied by the members of the Christian group.
Amazingly after the sudden appearance of Black Bloc , we found Islamists so happy with that comic group like “Muslims Battalions”. Oh yes comic when you see their first statement , it is like a bad comic film by Adel Emam about bunch Upper Egyptian outlaws !!
The group attacked the Copts and threatened them as well opposition figures, media, police and army.
Sadly enough the Islamists cheered for those jerks.
The Black Bloc mania goes on , I will post any info I can find about them
And Port Said’s bad luck is chasing it without doubt. After one of the horrifying days Port Said would have witnessed yesterday following the angry protesting as well chaos in its streets following the Ultras trial rule.
I will not speak about yesterday and how 32 were killed including teenagers and how hundreds were injured but I will speak about what happened today in the funeral of the 32 !!
Today the funeral of the 32 martyrs “insh Allah” in Port Said was attacked allegedly by security forces “They are denying this officially” and the people had to respond and fire back the attack in a very provoking sad way as you can see.
The procession of the funeral started at Mariam Mosque. During that time people noticed that there was an army helicopter hovering over them. According to eye witnesses and photos , it was huge funeral with thousands of mourners. Some believe it was the second biggest funeral the city has seen since the funeral of famous tycoon Sayid Matawlli.
For miles everything was fine , people respect funerals in Egypt. Then suddenly at 26 July Street , the mourners found that someone was shooting tear gas grenades at the procession from the army club which is beside the police club if I understand correctly. As result people began to fall down from the smell with the coffins , it was huge mess as there were women and children as well elderly. At first people began to hurl rocks at the same time coffin bearers continued to their way to the cemetery area while people began either to search for ambulance to get gas masks and help.
According to eye witnesses thing evolved and gunshots were heard. The mourners accuse those who were at army and police clubs of shooting at them with live ammunition. Sooner the people torched the army club. Here is a video from the funeral
Still unfortunately on the other hand automatic guns including AK appeared in the hand of the people.
The journalists who were at the funeral did not see who fired the gas canisters but it came first from the army club. Sooner the people accused the police specifically as I have seen from most testimonies so far.
Some people in Port Said accused the police of setting the fire of its club. After what happened looters attack both Police and army clubs taking whatever they can. I have never been to Port Said but it seems that the cemeteries are close to them because suddenly we got confirmed news that the Jews and Christian cemeteries caught fire for no reason. I do not know why these cemeteries would catch fire. I do not know the size of damage too.
You must know that shops , banks ,markets and offices are closed in Port Said. It is like a ghost town. Cars and people from Cairo are not welcomed.
Now let’s move to the official side. The army was the first to react denying that it used live ammunition or even attacked the funeral at all whether through its spokesperson or its officers on social networks.
Then we got this news from Police that these tear gas canisters fired at the funeral were actually stolen from the police stations that were attacked and stolen last night. Well it is a good excuse but there is one problem because who can get in to the police club or the army club except the police if them !!
The head of Port Said’s security directorate “who should resign” is claiming that the police has arrested an unidentified group of men for shooting at the funeral !!
Today’s death toll in Port Said are at least 4 and 416 are injured including 21 with bird shots wounds. Here is a photo album I made from the photos people tweeted live from the funeral.
Here is another Facebook Album with photos from the funeral. The FB page is from Port Said.
I will not discuss whether the people of Port Said should protest the Ultras trial verdict or not or the case itself because now we got another issue , another matter. We got a city on the verge of collapse , in fact we are having a state on the verge of collapse. Just like Cairo you got a mix of Everyone in the street : From angry Non politicized citizens to revolutionaries to hooligans to looters to saboteurs. It is mix of chaos and anger at the same time.
The Port Said people are extremely angry not from Cairo but from whole Egypt, they believe that they are being punished and cursed since the time of Mubarak and his failed assassination attempt. It is untrue but several Port Saidis have told me that in the past year after the massacre and even I am hearing from them again these days.
As some tweeted on twitter another 32 Egyptians were killed because of the conviction of another 21 Egyptians who are accused of killing another 74 Egyptians that were going to watch a football match.
BY the way as usual the conspiracy theory mania is spreading like hell. The latest conspiracy theory is that there are Palestinians from Hamas killing the police officers and citizens in Port Said so the MB controls the Suez canal !!
Unfortunately those snipers are not Palestinians but rather Egyptians.
Shall I dare to ask where the president is !? NO I do not have the nerve to ask any more. Morsi is going to speak soon and honestly I have no never to see him too. I am expecting the worse with his speech.
I will not speak about yesterday and how 32 were killed including teenagers and how hundreds were injured but I will speak about what happened today in the funeral of the 32 !!
Today the funeral of the 32 martyrs “insh Allah” in Port Said was attacked allegedly by security forces “They are denying this officially” and the people had to respond and fire back the attack in a very provoking sad way as you can see.
The procession of the funeral started at Mariam Mosque. During that time people noticed that there was an army helicopter hovering over them. According to eye witnesses and photos , it was huge funeral with thousands of mourners. Some believe it was the second biggest funeral the city has seen since the funeral of famous tycoon Sayid Matawlli.
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| The funeral procession |
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| The mourners outside the mosque from Snapshot Plus |
According to eye witnesses thing evolved and gunshots were heard. The mourners accuse those who were at army and police clubs of shooting at them with live ammunition. Sooner the people torched the army club. Here is a video from the funeral
Still unfortunately on the other hand automatic guns including AK appeared in the hand of the people.
The journalists who were at the funeral did not see who fired the gas canisters but it came first from the army club. Sooner the people accused the police specifically as I have seen from most testimonies so far.
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| The tear gas and ambulance by Mohamed El Kholy |
You must know that shops , banks ,markets and offices are closed in Port Said. It is like a ghost town. Cars and people from Cairo are not welcomed.
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| The army club on 23 July @Alastair Beach |
Then we got this news from Police that these tear gas canisters fired at the funeral were actually stolen from the police stations that were attacked and stolen last night. Well it is a good excuse but there is one problem because who can get in to the police club or the army club except the police if them !!
The head of Port Said’s security directorate “who should resign” is claiming that the police has arrested an unidentified group of men for shooting at the funeral !!
Today’s death toll in Port Said are at least 4 and 416 are injured including 21 with bird shots wounds. Here is a photo album I made from the photos people tweeted live from the funeral.
Here is another Facebook Album with photos from the funeral. The FB page is from Port Said.
I will not discuss whether the people of Port Said should protest the Ultras trial verdict or not or the case itself because now we got another issue , another matter. We got a city on the verge of collapse , in fact we are having a state on the verge of collapse. Just like Cairo you got a mix of Everyone in the street : From angry Non politicized citizens to revolutionaries to hooligans to looters to saboteurs. It is mix of chaos and anger at the same time.
The Port Said people are extremely angry not from Cairo but from whole Egypt, they believe that they are being punished and cursed since the time of Mubarak and his failed assassination attempt. It is untrue but several Port Saidis have told me that in the past year after the massacre and even I am hearing from them again these days.
As some tweeted on twitter another 32 Egyptians were killed because of the conviction of another 21 Egyptians who are accused of killing another 74 Egyptians that were going to watch a football match.
BY the way as usual the conspiracy theory mania is spreading like hell. The latest conspiracy theory is that there are Palestinians from Hamas killing the police officers and citizens in Port Said so the MB controls the Suez canal !!
Unfortunately those snipers are not Palestinians but rather Egyptians.
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| Over the governorate building !! From Tayser El Sayed |
I was sick yesterday so I was not able to share all the video clips and Photos I captured in Tahrir square last Friday during the anniversary protests.I hope that I will be able in publishing soon before it becomes old news. This is why I will publish them on parts. I collected the most important scenes here whether photos of videos.
When I arrived to the street , in fact when I was in Tahrir square I could smell the terrible smell of the new tear gas grenades used by the security forces. Till that moment the clashes were between young protesters who sang Ultras songs yet they were not official Ultras groups and security forces at Sheikh Rihan Street. Both sides hurled rocks and sometimes ball of fire made of cloth and of course the tear gas grenades from the police side.
Here is a video I shot there. Remember to shot this I had my share from terrible tear gas grenades.
Officially the clashes started when the protesters tried to remove the blocks and the walls in both Kasr Al Aini street and Sheikh Rihan street.
As I hinted in my post before I left the area there were at least 5 injured among the protesters including a Spanish photographer.
Here is also a slide show I made from the photos I took there.
The clashes continue for the third day in row. Last night it even went from bad to worse with the random arrests of people in Downtown area that reached to people in their own homes !! Oh yes from their own homes, Sarah Abdullah who lives in a Kasr Al Aini was filming from her balcony what was happening between protesters and security when she found the security forces knocking her door and arresting her !!
The political one as expected was at the square itself where Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah attacked Muslim brotherhood, Salafists and the US ambassador in Cairo Ann Peterson. Abdullah , originally from Al Azhar was on fire. He said that people should go and besiege the Shura council as well to bring down the Muslim brothehrood´s rule. He also advised the Muslim brotherhood members and Salafists to stay at home to be safe from the revolutionaries' wrath as well the army and the police not to take the MB side.The clashes of Kasr Al Aini street.
It actually started on January 24,2013’s evening and has continued up till now.It has been of course expanded to Downtown areas surrounding Tahrir square till Kasr Al Nil bridge and Mohamed Mohamed Street once again.When I arrived to the street , in fact when I was in Tahrir square I could smell the terrible smell of the new tear gas grenades used by the security forces. Till that moment the clashes were between young protesters who sang Ultras songs yet they were not official Ultras groups and security forces at Sheikh Rihan Street. Both sides hurled rocks and sometimes ball of fire made of cloth and of course the tear gas grenades from the police side.
Here is a video I shot there. Remember to shot this I had my share from terrible tear gas grenades.
Officially the clashes started when the protesters tried to remove the blocks and the walls in both Kasr Al Aini street and Sheikh Rihan street.
As I hinted in my post before I left the area there were at least 5 injured among the protesters including a Spanish photographer.
Here is also a slide show I made from the photos I took there.
The clashes continue for the third day in row. Last night it even went from bad to worse with the random arrests of people in Downtown area that reached to people in their own homes !! Oh yes from their own homes, Sarah Abdullah who lives in a Kasr Al Aini was filming from her balcony what was happening between protesters and security when she found the security forces knocking her door and arresting her !!
The Friday prayers' speech in the square
As I hinted in my first post there were two speeches in Tahrir square this Friday prayer. A religious one at Omar Makram Mosque where the preacher "Not Mazher Shaheen" speaking about Prophet Mohamed´s birthThe US ambassador in Cairo Ann Peterson was attacked in the speech as the angry Sheikh accused her of setting up another Pakistan example in Egypt. Peterson served as US ambassador in Pakistan by the way.
I filmed that part of the speech.
Saturday, 26 January 2013
And January 26th , 2013 is here. The trial of the month is here , the Port Said massacre trial's verdict is here.
After few minutes of starting the trial at New Cairo's special court in police academy , The judges announced that he will refer the papers of 21 defendants to the Mufti.In other words those 21 out of 75 defendants are facing death sentence.
The judge adjourned the trial itself to March.There are still defendants in the case including police officers. " these officers were transferred to a hotel before they were transferred to the court !!"
The families of the defendants in Port Said tried to storm the Port Said prison to release their relatives. The security forces are firing tear gases. The entrances and exists of Port Said are totally closed by the locals theirs . The Green Eagles Al Masry Ultras group has closed the Free zone in Port Said.Things are getting from bad to worse, reports about fatalities and injuries coming from there.
Back in Cairo , the families of martyrs are extremely happy chanting in court after they were angry in the morning
The families of the martyrs of Port Said massacre are the first in Egypt to be really happy.
The Ahly Ultras boys whether UA07 and Ultras Red Devils are having huge celebrations at Ahly Club cussing Port Said as usual.
I am tired now , I take some rest now and return back.
After few minutes of starting the trial at New Cairo's special court in police academy , The judges announced that he will refer the papers of 21 defendants to the Mufti.In other words those 21 out of 75 defendants are facing death sentence.
The judge adjourned the trial itself to March.There are still defendants in the case including police officers. " these officers were transferred to a hotel before they were transferred to the court !!"
The families of the defendants in Port Said tried to storm the Port Said prison to release their relatives. The security forces are firing tear gases. The entrances and exists of Port Said are totally closed by the locals theirs . The Green Eagles Al Masry Ultras group has closed the Free zone in Port Said.Things are getting from bad to worse, reports about fatalities and injuries coming from there.
Back in Cairo , the families of martyrs are extremely happy chanting in court after they were angry in the morning
The families of the martyrs of Port Said massacre are the first in Egypt to be really happy.
The Ahly Ultras boys whether UA07 and Ultras Red Devils are having huge celebrations at Ahly Club cussing Port Said as usual.
I am tired now , I take some rest now and return back.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Ok now it is 6:53 PM I am taking a break from news coverage in Tahrir square at hours in the square since 11 AM.
I was in the square when there were just hundreds and at 1 PM I could say there are thousands flocking in to the square after the prayers aside from the expected huge numbers to show up in the rallies to Tahrir square. Now in 6:54 PM and after what I have seen I can say that there are hundred thousands.
The weather is warm but when you get closer to Haardess area that intersection with Mohamed Mahmoud Street and Kasr Al Aini your nose and eyes can not miss the horrifying smell of tear gas grenades. Oh yes the clashes in Kasr Al Aini street between the protesters and security forces behind the wall continue for the second day in row and up till now , till this hour the clashes continue.
The tear gas used this time is terrible by all measures , my eyes are still burning me. I do not know how these teenagers tolerated to stay that close.
The security forces are using a nasty type of tear gas grenades , really nasty. When I was there I saw the security forces throwing tear gas grenades from behind the wall and the protesters " mostly teenagers" throwing the grenades back like football. The police uses this technique of getting close to the wall using the armored vehicle I believe based on that siren and then it fires the tear gas grenades
When I was there were at least 6 injured , I saw two of them including a Spanish photographer who was hit in his eye. The other injured was also hit in his eye. The ambulances were at Omar Makram mosque but later when there were many injuries at Kasr Al Aini they moved there. There were two field hospitals during then including one at Dobra church , the famous Dobra field hospital. It is now closed after it was attacked by security forces by tear gas grenades !!
One important detail the tents of the sit in at Tahrir complex were burned by security forces in early morning , it was obvious as you can see in the photos.
There were two Friday speeches. One at Omar Makram mosque that was religious one about Prophet Mohamed PBUH birthday and the other one was political one at Tahrir square. The sheikh at Tahrir square is Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah who is known for his extreme hate to Salafists and MB. I filmed part of the speech.
I did not know what happened across the country when I was there. I heard that things were on fire in Alexandria and Suez from the main stage near Hardee's , I did not think it was truly on fire for real and there are clashes continuing up till this moment
I feel that some street vendors were aggressive and rude on propose to have fights. You know these vendors from tea sellers , some of them are real trouble makers and informants
Till I left at 4 PM there were less sexual harassment incidents unlike other types. In fact I saw a harasser being kicked from Tahrir square while weeping like a girl !!
In my way out at Tahrir exit from the Arab League direction I saw Tahany El Gabali entering , the former judge was not received warmly as a man screamed " there is no place for her here , it is my square , it is my square". An old middle class lady sitting on a chair told her friend then when she saw that scene " She is not good but MB made a hero out of her" which is actually true.
I saw and met Dr. Saad El Din Ibrahim . A man told him laughing "it is your mistake ya Doc , you introduced the MB to the Americans"
The famous professor laughed too. He told me that he wished that the message of the day reaches to the regime other wise it will be a huge mistake.
I saw also Dr. Manal Omar entering the square. She refused to speak to the media but she was extremely nice lady with beautiful smile. I saw Saher El Mogy , the famous novelist coming in the "Baheya Ya Misr" rally that including banners of women icons in Egypt including Um Kalthoum, Huda Sharaawy, Shahenda Makled and Doria Shafik.
I witnessed the arrival of the Al Wafd party and Strong Egypt party. For the record Strong Egypt party rally was chanting against the MB and its guide , I filmed them. Parts of the famous Mostafa Mahmoud rally and Zamalek rally came. I saw the ladies of Gazeera club with banners saying "Al Azhar speaks for Muslims and so on"
A cross section of the society was in Tahrir square as well from different provinces and political powers and parties.
The chants were mostly against the MB and Morsi so were most of the banners in the square.Chants were once again : The people want to topple the regime and Leave we won't leave
Some came because he does not like MB and doesn't want Morsi to stay while others do not want the constitution and want to have a new one.
With chants against the president and security forces acting as they have been sans live ammunition , it is like going back to square one .. In Tahrir square.
I am too tired to do a general coverage , it is crazy day.
I was in the square when there were just hundreds and at 1 PM I could say there are thousands flocking in to the square after the prayers aside from the expected huge numbers to show up in the rallies to Tahrir square. Now in 6:54 PM and after what I have seen I can say that there are hundred thousands.
The weather is warm but when you get closer to Haardess area that intersection with Mohamed Mahmoud Street and Kasr Al Aini your nose and eyes can not miss the horrifying smell of tear gas grenades. Oh yes the clashes in Kasr Al Aini street between the protesters and security forces behind the wall continue for the second day in row and up till now , till this hour the clashes continue.
The tear gas used this time is terrible by all measures , my eyes are still burning me. I do not know how these teenagers tolerated to stay that close.
The security forces are using a nasty type of tear gas grenades , really nasty. When I was there I saw the security forces throwing tear gas grenades from behind the wall and the protesters " mostly teenagers" throwing the grenades back like football. The police uses this technique of getting close to the wall using the armored vehicle I believe based on that siren and then it fires the tear gas grenades
When I was there were at least 6 injured , I saw two of them including a Spanish photographer who was hit in his eye. The other injured was also hit in his eye. The ambulances were at Omar Makram mosque but later when there were many injuries at Kasr Al Aini they moved there. There were two field hospitals during then including one at Dobra church , the famous Dobra field hospital. It is now closed after it was attacked by security forces by tear gas grenades !!
One important detail the tents of the sit in at Tahrir complex were burned by security forces in early morning , it was obvious as you can see in the photos.
There were two Friday speeches. One at Omar Makram mosque that was religious one about Prophet Mohamed PBUH birthday and the other one was political one at Tahrir square. The sheikh at Tahrir square is Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah who is known for his extreme hate to Salafists and MB. I filmed part of the speech.
I did not know what happened across the country when I was there. I heard that things were on fire in Alexandria and Suez from the main stage near Hardee's , I did not think it was truly on fire for real and there are clashes continuing up till this moment
I feel that some street vendors were aggressive and rude on propose to have fights. You know these vendors from tea sellers , some of them are real trouble makers and informants
Till I left at 4 PM there were less sexual harassment incidents unlike other types. In fact I saw a harasser being kicked from Tahrir square while weeping like a girl !!
In my way out at Tahrir exit from the Arab League direction I saw Tahany El Gabali entering , the former judge was not received warmly as a man screamed " there is no place for her here , it is my square , it is my square". An old middle class lady sitting on a chair told her friend then when she saw that scene " She is not good but MB made a hero out of her" which is actually true.
I saw and met Dr. Saad El Din Ibrahim . A man told him laughing "it is your mistake ya Doc , you introduced the MB to the Americans"
The famous professor laughed too. He told me that he wished that the message of the day reaches to the regime other wise it will be a huge mistake.
I saw also Dr. Manal Omar entering the square. She refused to speak to the media but she was extremely nice lady with beautiful smile. I saw Saher El Mogy , the famous novelist coming in the "Baheya Ya Misr" rally that including banners of women icons in Egypt including Um Kalthoum, Huda Sharaawy, Shahenda Makled and Doria Shafik.
I witnessed the arrival of the Al Wafd party and Strong Egypt party. For the record Strong Egypt party rally was chanting against the MB and its guide , I filmed them. Parts of the famous Mostafa Mahmoud rally and Zamalek rally came. I saw the ladies of Gazeera club with banners saying "Al Azhar speaks for Muslims and so on"
A cross section of the society was in Tahrir square as well from different provinces and political powers and parties.
The chants were mostly against the MB and Morsi so were most of the banners in the square.Chants were once again : The people want to topple the regime and Leave we won't leave
Some came because he does not like MB and doesn't want Morsi to stay while others do not want the constitution and want to have a new one.
With chants against the president and security forces acting as they have been sans live ammunition , it is like going back to square one .. In Tahrir square.
I am too tired to do a general coverage , it is crazy day.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Ok I believe this can be considered as curtain raiser for a big day. I thought that the action will be kept to January 26 but I was so wrong.
Unlike last yesterday today the January 24 was full of protests and clashes with security forces which means we should wait for more action tomorrow. Today clashes erupted against security forces when protesters began to bring down the wall in Kasr Al Aini. Security forces tear gassed against the protesters who hurled rocks at them. Of course security forces are accusing the protesters of fire bird shots and hitting couple of officers and conscripts.They torched a police vehicle and it is getting chaotic.
You got the Black Bloc parade. You got these protesters roaming downtown Cairo who have been attacked by the Shop owners near Tawfikia market now. The shop owners allegedly opened their fire on the protesters !!! I am tired to explain that the Shop owners are hostile to protests in general.
I do not know when the action will end on January 24,2013 but I know the plans for January 25,2013. There will be tons of rallies and protests across the country .
These are the rallies I know :
There will be major six rallies from main squares after the Friday prayers to Tahrir square in Cairo and Giza including : Shubra “Khaled Ali will be there” , Mostafa Mahmoud “Hamdeen Sabbahi will be there, Giza square “Abu El Fotouh will be there”
There will be two major rallies that will head from Ain Shams and Mataria after Friday prayers to Presidential Palace. “Morsi will not be there.”
There will be at least 4 rallies in Alexandria after Friday prayers. There will be rallies in Kafri EL Sheikh, Damietta, Assuit, Red Sea, Port Said, Suez and other governorates.
I am speaking here about parties like Constitution Party, Egyptian Social Democratic Party, Conference Party, Popular Current , Revolutionary socialists, Strong Egypt Party, April 6th Youth Movement and many , many many more.
The Muslim brotherhood and its FJP will not join the protests of the celebrations , they will continue their social service campaign and provide free medical care and clean streets. It has nothing to do with the revolution I believe as much as they know that their popularity is not that good and they need to raise it before the elections.
The Salafists will not join the protesters or the MB , they will watch from faraway. Al Gama’a Al Islamiyaa threatened the people if they force Morsi to step down that they will declare a militant Islamic revolution. Strangely Sabbahi, ElBaradei and Abu El Fotouh agreed that they do not want to bring down Morsi but rather to force him to fix his policies. Anyhow this is Al Gama’a Al Islamiyaa.
Insh Allah I will be in Tahrir square since early morning , I will try to blog live from there. I will go to sleep now. It is long day and tomorrow will be even longer :S
Unlike last yesterday today the January 24 was full of protests and clashes with security forces which means we should wait for more action tomorrow. Today clashes erupted against security forces when protesters began to bring down the wall in Kasr Al Aini. Security forces tear gassed against the protesters who hurled rocks at them. Of course security forces are accusing the protesters of fire bird shots and hitting couple of officers and conscripts.They torched a police vehicle and it is getting chaotic.
You got the Black Bloc parade. You got these protesters roaming downtown Cairo who have been attacked by the Shop owners near Tawfikia market now. The shop owners allegedly opened their fire on the protesters !!! I am tired to explain that the Shop owners are hostile to protests in general.
I do not know when the action will end on January 24,2013 but I know the plans for January 25,2013. There will be tons of rallies and protests across the country .
These are the rallies I know :
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| The rallies map |
There will be two major rallies that will head from Ain Shams and Mataria after Friday prayers to Presidential Palace. “Morsi will not be there.”
There will be at least 4 rallies in Alexandria after Friday prayers. There will be rallies in Kafri EL Sheikh, Damietta, Assuit, Red Sea, Port Said, Suez and other governorates.
I am speaking here about parties like Constitution Party, Egyptian Social Democratic Party, Conference Party, Popular Current , Revolutionary socialists, Strong Egypt Party, April 6th Youth Movement and many , many many more.
The Muslim brotherhood and its FJP will not join the protests of the celebrations , they will continue their social service campaign and provide free medical care and clean streets. It has nothing to do with the revolution I believe as much as they know that their popularity is not that good and they need to raise it before the elections.
The Salafists will not join the protesters or the MB , they will watch from faraway. Al Gama’a Al Islamiyaa threatened the people if they force Morsi to step down that they will declare a militant Islamic revolution. Strangely Sabbahi, ElBaradei and Abu El Fotouh agreed that they do not want to bring down Morsi but rather to force him to fix his policies. Anyhow this is Al Gama’a Al Islamiyaa.
Insh Allah I will be in Tahrir square since early morning , I will try to blog live from there. I will go to sleep now. It is long day and tomorrow will be even longer :S
I wished to have a break before the upcoming hours but what you know , you are in Egypt my friend.
Suddenly this week we found out that Egypt has got its own Black Bloc group
The group declared its existence officially with a clip filmed in Alexandria
Now on twitter and Facebook the group "Black Bloc" announced that it will have a meeting down town Cairo at Talaat Harb where the members come wearing black masks. Already the group announced that their Zero hero will be 2 PM Thursday !!
I left the office at 5 PM and honestly I did not know what they have done except that they marched downtown Cairo. I do not know if they joined the clashes at Kasr Al Aini or not but one thing for sure they made a scene today.
Here is their first Video statement where they marched in Alexandria. According to the statement the Black Bloc Egypt got one specific mission : TO Face the Muslim brotherhood and its military arm. The Anarchic militia or group or whatever is warning the ministry of interior from interfering in this affair.
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| The Black Bloc Egypt |
The group declared its existence officially with a clip filmed in Alexandria
Now on twitter and Facebook the group "Black Bloc" announced that it will have a meeting down town Cairo at Talaat Harb where the members come wearing black masks. Already the group announced that their Zero hero will be 2 PM Thursday !!
I left the office at 5 PM and honestly I did not know what they have done except that they marched downtown Cairo. I do not know if they joined the clashes at Kasr Al Aini or not but one thing for sure they made a scene today.
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| At Talaat Harb square |
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| At Talaat Harb Square |
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| Praying at Talaat Harb |
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| Marching downtown |
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| Marching to Tahrir |
I am lost because the statement in the video says that they do not have any accounts or pages on Social media but here is a FB page claiming to theirs. The FB page says that it will not announce the responsibility of any action in the page but rather to spread their thought.
Now it is worth to mention that the new group is being accused of torching that military music band bus in Ismailia during Morsi's visit there as well of standing behind attack on Momen fast food chain branch in Giza yesterday thanks to a video posted by their name.
Many people are questioning who they are. Some are worried that they are actually following the Muslim brotherhood and they are doing this in order to scare normal citizens.
For the time being , till I get more info about who they are , I will believe that they are real radical anarchic group.
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| Mawlid Bride by Zeinab Ali |
A short break from politics and back to the old and beautiful celebration of Egyptian history, I will speak about the Mawlid bride and Mawlid Horse.
As a typical feast in Egypt , it is associated with food. In this blessed occasion we got the famous set of Mawlid candies and sweets that include sugar coated bars of nuts , Hums , pistachio , sesame and almond as well the famous Turkish delights. This set of sweets and candies are known in Egypt as "Halwat El Mawlid". I do not know if that set came with the Fatimids or the Ottomans but I feel it came with the Ottomans thanks to the Turkish delights.
Now the Mawlid bride and Mawlid Horse are much older in the Egyptian
Historical the Mawlid bride as well Mawlid Horse entered Egypt with the Fatimids. Some historians say that the Mawlid bride originated from the Fatima doll the Shiite Fatimids brought to Egypt from North Africa to commemorate their love to Lady Fatima , the daughter of Prophet Mohamed "PBUH". Sooner the Fatima doll evolved to the Mawlid bride for girls and Mawlid Horse or Knight for boys. A sculptured sugar doll of a girl decorated with very vivid colors became the symbol of the Mawlid after centuries and centuries.
Some folklorists say that our Fatima lady figure was soon mixed with the figure of Virgin Mary in the Egyptian folkloric mindset and the proof was in the decoration of the Mawlid Bride , these circles in the back of the Mawlid were actually the halo around saints.
Amazingly other folklorists and historians say that the shape of the doll whether the bride or the knight goes back to the famous legend of Isis and Horus.
Amazingly the shape of the Mawlid Horse or knight looks so similar to an ancient Egyptian sculpture Horus over a horse killing Set as a crocodile.
ُThe Horus sculpture and legend was soon to be imported by the way to become Saint George and the dragon.
The current shape of the Mawlid horse or knight reminds more with the legends of Bani Helal and how the knights of Bani Helal were portrayed in our folklore.
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| The current shape "Internet" |
Nowadays we import the Mawlid Bride with foreign Western features from China. In the past two years China exported to us a veiled bride.
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| Veiled Bride from Al Masry Al Youm |
Unfortunately due to health reasons , there is a less demand on the traditional sugar coated Mawlid bride. I was amazed when I saw Mrs. Ghada Shahbender posting a tweet photo for a traditional sugar coated bride from couple of days ago. The traditional one is still alive.
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| Shahbender's Mawlid bride |
By the way some Patisseries in Cairo began to renovate in the shape of the Mawlid bride. Here is a photo of Mawlid bride by Dukes Patisserie in Heliopolis. I really love how it looks.
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| Modern Mawlid bride |
In 1955 there was a film with the name of "Mawlid Bride" starring Tahia Carioca where she were a Mawlid bride that suddenly becomes alive and began to enjoy life.
Here the Reda Folklore dancing troupe presenting a dancing sketch called Mawlid bride in 1962
By the way do you know that the Mufti of Libya El Gheriany issued a fatwa to prohibit the celebration of that joyful event and yet the Libyans celebrate it yesterday in crazy way with amazing fireworks in major Libyan cities in defiance !!
Happy blessed Mawlid.
I had to write this post to have a short break from the upcoming 72 hours. God knows the amount of stress we are all having in Cairo from anticipation.
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
The Ahly Ultras group started their escalation early today. Already UA07 and Ultras Devils announced yesterday on Facebook. It will be the start of their escalation till the trial day on January 26,2013. I wrote about it before.
The Ultras groups are angry that the case may be adjourned at last minute because suddenly from two days ago ,the public prosecutor "appointed by Morsi" declared that he got new evidence and presented it to the court in order to adjourn the case. The Ultras does not want the trial to be adjourned and is demanding that a new separate investigation to be opened in parallel away from the trial.
Yesterday in a very lame late move President Morsi issued a presidential decree to consider the Ultras 74 martyrs from the revolution's martyrs !!
The escalation has started with besieging the Stock market exchange since early morning. According to the employees of the stock market , the boys did not stop anyone from entering the building or stopped the work there. Of course naturally the stock market was affected.According to the Ultras members online it is only a section from the Ultras.
Of course Islamists discovered suddenly that the Stock market is Halal and vital to the economy , they are attacking online the Ultras Ahlaway and their groups.
I am waiting for what happened later today.
Here is a video for the Ultras at stock market from Al Watan newspaper
From the Metro stations at Saad Zaglol station
That Ultras section is at El Sadat station and things are intense , some are reporting that the police will attack them.
Here is a video clip from Badil showing the Ultras boys in the Metro line
The Ultras groups are angry that the case may be adjourned at last minute because suddenly from two days ago ,the public prosecutor "appointed by Morsi" declared that he got new evidence and presented it to the court in order to adjourn the case. The Ultras does not want the trial to be adjourned and is demanding that a new separate investigation to be opened in parallel away from the trial.
Yesterday in a very lame late move President Morsi issued a presidential decree to consider the Ultras 74 martyrs from the revolution's martyrs !!
The escalation has started with besieging the Stock market exchange since early morning. According to the employees of the stock market , the boys did not stop anyone from entering the building or stopped the work there. Of course naturally the stock market was affected.According to the Ultras members online it is only a section from the Ultras.
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| @Ehab Wanny |
I am waiting for what happened later today.
Here is a video for the Ultras at stock market from Al Watan newspaper
@Ultra Update @2:41 PM
The Ultras boys left the Stock market exchanged and moved to the Metro lines. They blocked the metro lines starting with Saad Zaglol station and Sadat Station. I am not an expert in Metro lines to be honest.From the Metro stations at Saad Zaglol station
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| by @Ahmed Emad |
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| by @Shehab Diab |
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| @Waleed Nada |
Here is a video clip from Badil showing the Ultras boys in the Metro line
@4:12 PM
The Ultras left the metro and headed to October bridge from an hour ago where the group blocked for nearly an hour from both sides before leaving it and heading to Tahrir square.
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| When they blocked the bridge by Shehab Diab |
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| They set tires on fire @Ibrahim El Sherif |
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| The boys on the bridge @Omar El Safy |
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| @Ehab Wanny |
Update @8:09 PM
The Ultras groups in Cairo finished their activities for the day. The Ultras devils groups started their escalation across several governorates like Sharkia and Gharbia. Of course Ultras Devils had a big protest in Alexandria , their hometown and currently they have cut the Corniche way.
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
The minister of tourism in Egypt Hisham Zaazoo said very interesting statements last Monday’s night on Tahrir TV channel.
He said that there was no fear on beach tourism from Islamist parties like Al Nour Party and Freedom and Justice Party. He also stated that there is no problem to start having hotels for men and hotels for women only if politics forced us to do so !!!
I do not know what to say except this segregation will not appeal to anyone ironically except gays !!! I can not believe it !! What kind of political reasons can force us to segregate between women and men in hotels !! ok what about families !?
I will be kind and say that the man was speaking about segregated beaches , still it will be controversial.
I am quite shocked that this talk comes from tourism expert veteran like Hisham Zaazoo would say such statements that would really harm tourism.
Ok I am angry and frustrated and this news increased my anger and frustration
Ben Laden Group is ready to fund the proposed Egyptian Saudi bridge in the Red Sea according to Yahia Bin Laden during the visit of President Morsi to the Kingdom yesterday.
I am not tired to say that I am totally against the project for ecologically reasons and I think I have explained this several times before. Here is my first post from a year ago : Save the coral reef
Already this area is suffering enough from pollution and human stupidity and inconsideration against the use of God's greatest gift to Sinai : Its coral reef.
I am afraid as most Egyptians do not have ecological culture and we are living under a regime that loves to lie to using religion , that regime does not really care about environment or nature except
Already I remember last year the MB and Salafist supporters accused environmental NGOs of being related to Mubarak regime as well Israel and the States. Some people think that this bridge will make richer and more closer to God !! How can we reach to those people.
I am double angry and frustrated.
Ben Laden Group is ready to fund the proposed Egyptian Saudi bridge in the Red Sea according to Yahia Bin Laden during the visit of President Morsi to the Kingdom yesterday.
I am not tired to say that I am totally against the project for ecologically reasons and I think I have explained this several times before. Here is my first post from a year ago : Save the coral reef
Already this area is suffering enough from pollution and human stupidity and inconsideration against the use of God's greatest gift to Sinai : Its coral reef.
I am afraid as most Egyptians do not have ecological culture and we are living under a regime that loves to lie to using religion , that regime does not really care about environment or nature except
Already I remember last year the MB and Salafist supporters accused environmental NGOs of being related to Mubarak regime as well Israel and the States. Some people think that this bridge will make richer and more closer to God !! How can we reach to those people.
I am double angry and frustrated.
Monday, 21 January 2013
I will start with that news from Qatari Al Arab Newspaper : President Morsi excludes Qatari El Diyar from the ownership law, El Diyar acquires 30 million meter square in Sharm Arab !! According to the news which about the visit of some Egyptian economic delegation to Doha , President Morsi already had excluded the law before it would be ratified and issued.
Now we do not know the exact location of such project or its conditions. Already when I searched online for Sharm Arab and its history.
I found an entry in Google answers copied allegedly from Ahram Newspaper in early January 2011. To be exact on 9 January 2011 former minister of tourism Zohair Garana "currently in jail" announced that the Prince of Qatar was going to found a touristic resort in Sharm Arab in Hurghada on 28 million meters. "It is near Makadi Bay"
Why would Qatari El Diyar be exempted from a law that bans foreign ownership for land in Egypt now !? Is not this favoritism !?
Please do not give this lecture about investments to the end of that talk that we had enough of it in the past 30 years.
Please do not tell me that Qatar is helping Egypt financially so no problem if we sell our land to them in this way. If it were about financial aid , I think than the United States , EU and Kuwait have the right to acquire large pieces of land in the same way.
Of course this is besides the on going debate about the Qatari investments in Sinai and Suez Canal
Now we do not know the exact location of such project or its conditions. Already when I searched online for Sharm Arab and its history.
I found an entry in Google answers copied allegedly from Ahram Newspaper in early January 2011. To be exact on 9 January 2011 former minister of tourism Zohair Garana "currently in jail" announced that the Prince of Qatar was going to found a touristic resort in Sharm Arab in Hurghada on 28 million meters. "It is near Makadi Bay"
Why would Qatari El Diyar be exempted from a law that bans foreign ownership for land in Egypt now !? Is not this favoritism !?
Please do not give this lecture about investments to the end of that talk that we had enough of it in the past 30 years.
Please do not tell me that Qatar is helping Egypt financially so no problem if we sell our land to them in this way. If it were about financial aid , I think than the United States , EU and Kuwait have the right to acquire large pieces of land in the same way.
Of course this is besides the on going debate about the Qatari investments in Sinai and Suez Canal
Sunday, 20 January 2013
This is this second part of the "A series of Unfortunate events" in Egypt. We are starting the week with another disaster.
There is a fire now in Giza zoo that is destroying its old , real old trees. Some reports say that the fire started in the old trees and moved to the animals' food warehouse. Some are saying the fire started besides the reptiles
Not less than 8 fire engines are trying to put off the fire that is spreading in old trees. We are speaking about extremely old trees.
I am so sad and angry.
Journalists are not let in the zoo and they can not get accurate information about the size of the damages there.
I know that the government and the current regime which like the old one disrespects our old heritage will not rest except when the Giza zoo is completely destroyed and its land is being sold to businessmen.
Here are photos showing the smoke coming from the zoo.
I feel so sad and angry.
Updated : The fire has been put off thank God. According to animals rights activist Dina Zulfikar , the damage was not that big and no animals have been harmed. Here is her report about the fire on Facebook. Here are videos from the fire. This one is from El Fagr portal Here is another video report from the MB news network RSSD. It is worth to mention that the MB youth icon Ahmed El Mogheer is underestimating the fire There is a fire now in Giza zoo that is destroying its old , real old trees. Some reports say that the fire started in the old trees and moved to the animals' food warehouse. Some are saying the fire started besides the reptiles
Not less than 8 fire engines are trying to put off the fire that is spreading in old trees. We are speaking about extremely old trees.
I am so sad and angry.
Journalists are not let in the zoo and they can not get accurate information about the size of the damages there.
I know that the government and the current regime which like the old one disrespects our old heritage will not rest except when the Giza zoo is completely destroyed and its land is being sold to businessmen.
Here are photos showing the smoke coming from the zoo.
I feel so sad and angry.
Saturday, 19 January 2013
This news was published from two days ago on the official Website of Muslim brotherhood in Egypt in Arabic.
This news is a copy cat from the Mubarak media in a disgusting way !! You got now Americans+Homeland Security+National Salvation front X The poor Muslim brotherhood.
Of course this news will not be found in Ikhwan Web and probably if you ask Gehad El Haddad about it he will deny it and probably the news will be removed afterwards
Again this is the official website of Muslim brotherhood in Arabic in Egypt.
I can not keep myself from wondering from Ikhwan Online reached to that secret and exclusive meeting. Also how the official website of the Muslim brotherhood says that McCain gave orders to the National Salvation Front regarding next January 25 anniversary , well McCain met with Morsi and Muslim brotherhood’s officials as well.Did he give them orders too !?Ikhwan Online knew that former State security officer M. M who is currently working in the Passports authority in Qalyubia security directorate had a meeting with 4 officers from the Homeland security “formerly known as State security” in the governorate at his office in the directorate !!
A Screen Capture for the news !!
The sources assured that the goal of that meeting is to discuss the visit of Senator John McCain to The National Salvation Front and how to implement the American instructions to the front in the upcoming period especially in the upcoming anniversary of the January 25 revolution.
This news is a copy cat from the Mubarak media in a disgusting way !! You got now Americans+Homeland Security+National Salvation front X The poor Muslim brotherhood.
Of course this news will not be found in Ikhwan Web and probably if you ask Gehad El Haddad about it he will deny it and probably the news will be removed afterwards
Again this is the official website of Muslim brotherhood in Arabic in Egypt.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Do you remember that news Youm 7 published about that lecture of Noam Chomsky in University of Columbia that did not take place except in the MB media !?
Do you remember how the MB supporters insisted that the famous professor attacked UAE and accused it of plotting against Egypt because Suez Canal will bring Dubai down !?
Well the professor has reacted and sent Youm 7 email , specifically to Khaled Salah , its editor in chief where he made it clear it was untrue that he had lectured at Columbia university recently and spoke about Egypt. He also demanded that the news to be removed.
Youm 7 did remove the report but it did not apologize or explain to its readers that it was untrue , the thing which made Chomsky angry sending another email to Salah.
El Shorouk Newspaper published the email. I copied it here.
Subject: False Attribution
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 09:26:50 -0500
From: Noam Chomsky <Chomsky@MIT.EDU>
To: <khaled@youm7.com>
Dear Mr. Salah,
Many people have brought to my attention an article that was posted on your website on January 2, 3, and 4. The original link to the article, which has not been accessible since January 5, is:
http://www1.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=895206&SecID=12&IssueID=0
The article attributed statements to me which I never made and in a lecture which never occurred. The original title was:
"In an a lecture in Columbia University on the Egyptian Revolution, Prof. Chomsky said: President Morsi's plans for the development of the Suez Canal is the main reason for the hostility of Dubai toward the new Egyptian administration. UAE represents the counter-revolution against Egypt's and Syria's Revolution and it plans on ruining the recent Cairo-Ankara alliance."
The last time I gave a lecture at Columbia University was on October 17, 2011, nearly 15 months ago, on a topic totally unrelated to Egypt, the UAE, and President Morsi. The article is totally made up out of whole cloth and, unfortunately, continues to be reproduced and circulated by various news outlets, sometimes with a slightly different title. Here is an example:
http://www.arabs.com/showthread.php?20137
Under the circumstances, I would like to request that you publish a correction in your website, acknowledging that the original article was erroneous, referring to statements I never made and to a lecture that never took place.
Sincerely,
Noam Chomsky
It is worth to mention that Ahmed Abu Hashima , the partner of MB’s business tycoon Hassan Malak in Al Masryeen steel has acquired Youm 7.
I wonder what the MB supporters will say when they read this or even when they will wake up from that illusion they are following.
Thousands of Ultras fans “Ultras Ahlawy and Ultras Devils” are currently protesting in Tahrir square after marching in Cairo today to remind people with the upcoming Port Stadium clashes trial on next January 26/1.
It is expected that New Cairo Criminal Court will issue its final verdict in the Port Said Stadium clashes trial on that day. You must expect huge anger in both Cairo and Port Said as we are speaking about 74 people mostly from youth , from Ultras Ahlawy were killed in that awful tragedy.
Today the chants of the Young Ultras members who were joined by martyrs’ mothers as well and Pro-Revolution Protesters whether in marches from El Sayida Zeinab to Tahrir square or from El Ahly Club to Tahrir Square or from Shubra or Ramsis.
The chants were clear just like the Ultras A07 and Ultras Devils’ statements on Facebook : Justice or retribution.
I said this since day one , the Ultras boys will get their vengeance from Port Said if the legal system does not help them and it will be extremely ugly. Egyptians X Egyptians in the end of the day. The Ultras doctrine for Retribution is simple : An Eye for an eye. In the best case scenarios I fear there will be clashes with Police on that day and the worst case scenarios will be clashes directly with The Port Said’s Al Masry Ultras group “Green Eagles”
Despite some are waiting for what may happen on Next 25 January as much as everybody is anticipating what will happen on next 26 January after the Ultras Port Said Massacre. The “26-1” graffiti already has been spreading for weeks now in Cairo and other governorates as well. One of my friends saw it on the walls of the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis before it was removed.
Unfortunately the defendants in the case will be acquitted thanks to the very poor evidence gathered.
One of my contacts in Ultras Devils told me that the Ultras groups are furious that the ministry of interior and the Football federation decided to start the Premier league in Egypt on February 1, 2013 in a direct provocation for Ahly Ultras group. The first anniversary for the horrifying clashes that ended with the death of 74 young men is on that day !! It is provocation like no other. Even for normal Egyptians I feel that is disrespect to those young men , boys to be correct.
Already according to info I got Some members are actually thinking of attacking the Stadium and torching it down and based on past record of Ultras , I say that they are capable of doing it. We are speaking about thousands of young hardcore fanatics who are capable of organizing themselves like no other in clashes in no time.
I am worried about these young men.
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