Berkley Center

I arrived in Cairo 10 days ago for study abroad. I was drawn to Egypt by its pharaonic history, contemporary political relevance, and its rich Islamic culture. However, 10 days into my trip I cannot say that I have seen the pyramids, ridden a camel, or taken a cruise on Nile. I can, however, say that I witnessed a potential revolution.

With the precedent of Tunisia in mind, Egyptians have taken to streets to protest President Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades, holding elections that are wrought by corruption. After Tunisia's government collapsed, many Arab citizens were inspired to follow suit. Lebanon, for example, has seen similar demonstrations denouncing their government. The major difference, however, is that in Egypt's case the protests distinguish neither color nor creed. People are not protesting with any other political, religious, or ethnic agenda in mind, other than to depose Mubarak and institute democracy.

As a study abroad student at the American University in Cairo, my interactions with my peers is remarkably different that of the average Egyptian in terms of socioeconomic status. While many have told me that these students come from families closely affiliated with Mubarak, everyone that I have spoken to has firmly opposed to his regime, and many were present at the protests. From these elite students, to the other Americans, to the average cab driver everyone is unified by one goal: get Mubarak out.

Because of the increasingly violent protests, yesterday was labeled “Anger Friday”. From the terrace of my dorm I saw constant clouds of black smoke emanating from burning tires and the counterpart trails of white smoke and loud explosions from the police's tear gas.

Religion is a key part of identity in the lives of all Egyptian’s. I have been happy to realize this when people welcome me as their sister when they discover my name is Arabic and I tell them that I am Muslim. In Egypt, from the staunch supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood to the Westernized party boy, everyone is proud of his or her Muslim identity. This was used to the movement’'s advantage as, on Friday, people congregated at Friday prayers and then protested thereafter. Later that night we read that the American media was labeling the protests a religious movement, a misnomer that we American study abroad students could laugh at as we realized that the protests were far removed from any religious movement, but rather, that the Friday prayer is seen as a social gathering point which most Egyptian men, no matter how secular, will attend.

Today, Saturday, January 30, I decided that I wanted to attend the protests. The police had left the streets and were replaced by the army, who had decidedly announced that they were one with the people. Today was much calmer and much more peaceful than the violence and anger yesterday. While a friend and I prepared for tear gas and to run for our lives, we were pleasantly surprised otherwise. I had walked the streets the day before and even though I could only hear faint echoes of the protests, the air was tense and eerie. Today, on the other hand, I felt the palpable sense of camaraderie. My friend, Jordan, is a tall American boy with red hair and as we walked through the crowds, people only smiled and paid no mind to us. Civilians handed soda to army men standing on tanks. A Jewish American friend of mine later told me that he himself was called up to stand on an army tank. Perhaps the most amazing and surprising bond was fostered between the Muslims and the Coptic Christians. A few weeks ago tensions between the two communities were high because Muslims had bombed a Coptic church. We were warned that sectarian violence would ensue. However, on this day, the two communities put their tensions behind them and focused on a cause they knew was greater than themselves.