The Egypt Revolution

I can't believe in my lifetime I would witness a great historical event, and I had the urge to record it in this blog. 18 days of mass protests, to bring down an arrogant tyrant. We have been following the Egypt Revolution closely, because we just returned from there, and also because our parents are still there. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to experience Egypt before the revolution, and perhaps in the future I will have the chance to go there again and appreciate the difference.

A lot can be learned from the revolution. It was powered by the youth and the professionals. It was somewhat well organized and peaceful (the protesters were peaceful). They marched together, have volunteers stood guard the entrances of Tahrir Square to prevent protesters from bringing weapons, doctors and nurses stations to care for the wounded, perform solat on the streets, respecting other religions etc. They fully utilized the mosques and the churches to organize movements, despite telephone and internet breakdown.

Photo by Mohamed Abed, Getty Images

In retrospect, the blocking of Facebook, Twitter and later internet has probably served as a catalyst to the revolution despite the regime's opposite intention. People could not just sit and follow from FB or Twitter in the comfort of their own living rooms, they were forced to join in the streets because they could not do otherwise. How magnificent was Allah's plan. He is indeed the Best Planner.

One thing for sure, they stand firm and stand united (am putting this in present tense as it is a du'a). They persevered. I remembered thinking how long they would last. I don't know if it were Malaysian youths how long we would last.

I also remember the feeling of disbelief  after watching Mubarak's last speech. He was addressing the nation as if the people were with him. He was talking as if he was actually pressured from outside, not from his own countrymen. What a deluded tyrant.

love this pic- Source

The revolution is a symbol of unity. It was not led by Ikhwanul Muslimin or other party. I cannot help but put this photo of 2 million Egyptians praying behind one Imam. Simply moving.

Final Friday

Here is a video by a muslimah named Asmaa Mahfouz on January 18 that helped spark the revolution. She was calling people to come to Tahrir Square with her on January 25. It was really inspiring seeing her pledge. She said to the camera, man of Egypt, if you have some dignity and manhood, come with me and protect me. Allah won't change us unless we change ourselves first (Quran, 13:11), that's His promise. It went viral after that.

A personal account here by a young Egyptian dentist who marched with his gynecologist father. How the revolution grew the man in him and demolished his wall of fear.

And here is the faces and profiles of those perished. Doctors, lawyers, university graduates..they were not peasants. They were the country's assets. May Allah bless them for standing for the oppressed.

For you who do not care, take a step back and reflect. It is not too late to read, digest and learn from the revolution. Don't carry the nonchalant attitude as if this does not matter at all. This is a lesson in hope. In human dignity. Do not despair in whatever conditions you are in. Fight your own 'inner Mubarak'. (notice how the meaning of mubarak here has changed to something really opposite to the actual meaning). Fight for our own spiritually oppressed soul. Get up for prayers (on time!). Learn the Quran. Steadfast in guarding our heart and tongue. Teach our children. I read that the word iblis is rooted from the word 'ba-la-sa' which carries the meaning of despair. The Iblis caused you to despair because he is in despair himself. Have hope in Allah's Mercy.

May Allah bless Egypt with a Musa to replace the Pharaoh. And may Allah free Masjidil Aqsa and Baitul Muqaddis. May one day we can travel there safely and pray there, and remember that's the place where our Prophet (saw) was brought to the heavens on the night of Mikraj.