Friday in Tahrir Square

Today we were reminded of photos from America’s civil war revealing families with picnic baskets scattered around the hills to watch the battles.  We entered Tahrir Square today after being alerted that one million people would gather after Friday prayers. First we came upon families with small children—who ran to introduce themselves to us and get into photos—sitting around on the steps and leaning against the walls enjoying their lunches.  Then the T-shirts, gum, candy, corn, tea, cotton candy vendors.  And, signs with demands, photos, and satirized drawings of Mubarak emptying his pockets.  Painted across one building: “Enjoy the Revolution.” Many were.

Among the 3000 or so attendees, there was also serious business at hand: a stage with photos, signs and speeches.  A row of women in hijabs and young girls holding signs demanding justice from the Mubaraks.  Flyers promoting a new presidential candidate.  That is when the action began.  Three or four smaller groups began to move quickly, threatening, and pushing. The police got in the middle of the conflict and called for reinforcements.  We kept snapping pictures (no one seemed to object) and had to keep moving to avoid being drawn into the crowds, although we didn’t feel endangered at any time.

Tonight, we joined old friends for a luscious home cooked Egyptian meal.  Our host is a retired dean from AUC with whom Morgan worked nearly 20 years ago; her husband, a genetics scholar; their daughter, an employee of UNICEF and activist in the revolution.  They told us that the three biggest issues in Egypt at this time are: security, religious conflict, and the economy.  We have the impression that perhaps the desire to punish the Mubaraks may be getting in the way of dealing with more urgent issues and problems.  Yet how do you tell parents who lost their sons to forgive and forget?

More tomorrow, Linda and Morgan

 

 

 

This entry was posted on Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 12:40 pm and is filed under Leadership, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.