Egypt's 25th of January Revolution [Archive] - Page 15

egypt69

April 19th, 2011, 01:55 AM

Very good post:

7 Popular Myths about the Revolution

There are a number of myths that seem to dominate the discourse in Egypt’s upper and middle-class, and subsequently national and international media. Given how frustrated I am by all the “experts” – foreign and
domestic- pontificating really superficial analysis about something they can neither understand nor grasp, I have decided to write this post. I apologize beforehand for anyone who might read this and think my tone is condescending, because I am not being nor trying to be that and I hope you have the wisdom not to mix the message with the messenger!

1) The Army is co-opting the revolution/trying to establish
another military dictatorship

WRONG. This is a prevalent one, and it has strong roots: the arrests of some protesters and their torture, the insistence on ending protests, and the lack of transparency of the Army’s actions. But please take a minute and stop thinking of the Army as a monolith or an institution, and think
of it as a bunch of human beings. The Army is a conservative institution, it doesn’t believe in chaos, and has operated for 30 years based on direct orders from Mubarak. The supreme council is a bunch of 60 and70 year olds who are not used to deliberate amongst themselves to how best deal with civil issues, and they look at the world in terms of balancing risks. And now they have to deal with all the rapid pace changes in the country and the pressures both internal and external and they are working harder than they ever thought they would work in their lives. I mean, can you imagine how a day of any of them looks like? Between internal issues (security, corruption in every sectors, economy, foreign policy), international conflicts, hiring new people, dealing with international diplomats who all want to meet him to either discuss their concerns or make demands, the situation in the borders, running the affairs of the army, facing demands and questions and requests for interview by foreign or local media and then getting cursed out by name in Tahrir by 250,000 people last Friday. Can you imagine their schedule? And the average age is 60 something to begin with, so imagine how low their energy levels are.

The Supreme Council views his country as a powder-keg and they want to hand over the responsibility as fast as possible, hence the referendum, but until that day they believe, wrongly, that they are the only force that can keep this country from being ripped apart at the seams. You think they can take over the country? With what army? Against Egyptians after they have become organized and formed their own militias? How fast do you think such an attempted takeover will last, before they are all killed or face an inevitable insurrection within their ranks? They wouldn’t last 3 days, before every single last one of them would be killed. They joined the revolution and made the high-council in order to ensure their survival first and foremost. They are more scared of you than we are scared of them.

2) The NDP/Mubarak is still controlling the country

WRONG. The supreme majority of the NDP are shitting in their pants, every single one of them dreading the day their sins will be exposed to the public, and they are watching their leaders getting plucked and investigated one by one. The reason why the Military is taking its time with the big names is that it needs to 1) build up the civil cases against them and 2) to feed them to the public at the best opportune moment, which with mounting pressures is looking closer every day. As for Mubarak, just watch as his credibility is being destroyed, and how slowly but surely the perception of him as the traitor who helped assassinate Anwar Sadat in order to take power and neutralized Egypt for 30 years, during which he kissed Israel’s ass in every conceivable way, in order to ensure his survival and US support is being formed. Go to any newsstand any day and read the headlines. By the time he gets tried, and he will based on public pressure, he will be branded as the biggest traitor in the country’s history. Just watch.

3) The Islamists are hijacking the revolution

WRONG. The Islamists are getting weaker by the day. The Salafists, with their bushy beards, talk of bringing back the 7th century and violence against chirstians and women are already alienating and angering the supreme majority of the Egyptian public, to the point that they have angered the sufis- the hippies of Islam, who are 16 million in case you didn’t know- into rising up and standing against them, and they have gotten the Muslim Brotherhood to the point where they will tell anyone who listens that they are different than the Salafists, and that the Salafists are insane.
As for the Muslim Brotherhood, well, they are having their own problems. This organization who long has lived and survived underground is now being forced into the light, which isn’t exactly where they are most comfortable, because the cracks are now showing. At first they seemed drunk of the success of the referendum result and their belief that they are the best positioned group to take over power come the parliamentary elections, to the point that Essam ElAryan- thinking he is Safwat el Sherief now- started a laughably titled “historic initiative” of dialogue with the Church youth, as if they are representative of Egypt’s Muslims. But like any group that gets drunk on its own hype, it’s bound to start doing stupid shit and wake up the next day with the worst hangover ever, and it’s already starting. Internal divisions are ripping the MB apart, with the Youth announcing their defection and making their own group, with reformists such as AboulFoutouh publicly leaving them for being out of touch with the public, with the rising public hostility towards them since they can’t differentiate between them and the Salafists, and with them trying to appease the public by declaring their party platform will call for a “civil state” and will not have any conditions against women or copts running for President and thus in turn angering their own hardliners as well. The Muslim Brotherhood is at its weakest point and it’s being torn apart, and the egyptian people are quickly getting the point that they don’t want to live in a theocracy. Go to Upper-Egypt and talk to regular people, and they will tell you that they don’t want the Islamists taking over because they want the tourists to come back. Hell, did you know that in the University of Minya, during the first free Student Union elections, not a single islamist candidate won? In freakin Minya! So, please don’t think that your people are stupid or ignorant or easy to deceive by a bunch of Islamists. You are not the only one who “gets it”. Respect your people. They have earned it.

4) New Parties are the only way to save the next elections

WRONG! The new parties are important, but let’s face it, they are still organizing, being formed, formulating policies, trying to explain their ideological position, creating headquarters, reaching out to people and they are run and formed by cairene elites who think they are the only ones who can save the country and hold discussions in English about reaching out “those people” in the villages and the governorates, yet they have no clue who they are or how to talk to them. They are not the best way to save the next elections. The People are.

Unbeknownst to most of you, there is a new rising power in the Egyptian street and it’s not affiliated with any party of clique, and it’s called the people’s committees. At first they were formed to protect their areas, but during the referendum they started evolving into a civil force that help campaigns and did their best to monitor the elections. Now those committees are getting in contact with each other and forming coalitions. I have met representatives who have formed coalitions of 40 or 50 such committees all over Egypt, and they are organizing a conference for all of Egypt’s committee reps this June. Already, right now, there are 220 such committees covering 220 districts of Egypt’s 280, and that’s besides the independent unions and citizen groups that are getting formed everywhere every day. They are not waiting on us to save them or guide them, they already took matters into their own hands and we are the ones who are trying to catch up. And the way they operate, and their strategies for organization are impressive. A bunch of them asked for experts on capitalist, socialist and Islamic economies to come to their neighborhoods and give lectures to educate people on their differences. This is happening while you are sitting in cafes discussing how you want to “spread awareness” to Egypt’s “ignorant population”. Well, if you want to do that, go to such meetings, find those people and ask them, humbly, how you can be of help and they will let you know. But you better not think you can deceive or bamboozle them in any way, because they will sniff you out very quickly. Go and get to know your people, and prepare to be floored by how intelligent and sophisticated they are.

5) Amr Moussa / Baradei is the new President

WRONG. The political Life cycle of any politician in Egypt is now 1 week, the same goes for Presidential candidates. The people don’t want someone who is as tainted as Moussa or as unable to communicate with them as Baradei. Chances are, Egypt’s real next president will appear sometimes by late august/ early September, after those two have been kicked and burned and faced a trial by fire unlike Egypt has ever seen. If one of them manages to survive it, then kudos to them, cause that means they have earned it. But this is far from being set by anyone, and any candidate who believes they have this in the bag already are also drunk on their own hype and are bound to wake up one day with the worst hangover ever wondering what the hell happened. Just watch!

6) International forces will destroy the revolution

WRONG. But not for lack of trying. God knows the Saudi government and Israel are both very worried about this revolution and will try anything- like funding salafis in the case of Saudi, or placing pressure on the US to support Amr Moussa in the case of Israel and both in order to ensure Egypt stays in the Sunni-Zionist alliance against Iran- in order to sustain a status-quo whose expiration date has long passed. Both of them don’t get that the rules of the game has changed, and that the virus of the revolution will infect their despondent and dissatisfied population as well. Hell, Egypt is so mad at Saudis for trying to pressure them into a conflict Sunni-Shia they have no interest in partaking in that we have now started reaching out to the Iranian government to resume diplomatic relations. Those are not the Mubarak days anymore; unless our sovereignty is respected, we can and will push back. Count on it.
And don’t think this is a victory for the Iran wing either, because Iran is also facing the prospects of their own revolution, and Syria is already dealing with its own, and the Palestinian people are already limning up to get rid of the corrupt leaders of both Hamas and Fatah. On March 15 there were huge protests by non-aligned Palestinian youth who are demanding the end of the division between the people and subsequently getting rid of those who have divided them in order to rule comfortably. The geopolitical map will look radically different in 2012. This virus will spread everywhere. Just watch!

7) There is doom and gloom everywhere!

WRONG! There is nothing but optimism and the prospect of a brighter future. Yes, there is economic instability and the economy will go down for a bit, but that’s only natural and part of the healing process. When you take an anti-biotic to cure you from a disease it is bound to keep you bed ridden and feeling tired for a few days so that you can properly heal, but you will heal and you will regain your full health eventually. We are completely unaware of what’s happening in the country because things are happening so fast that everything seems like it’s standing still. But the country is moving, the virus of the revolution spreading everywhere and changes are happening by the minute because 30 years worth of changes and reform are unleashed all at once. We are living in Hyper-time, and every person who sees a hole in the foundation of our country is working really hard and fast to plug it, and the future is looking brighter every day because of it.

Think of state TV employees who are protesting right now demanding that our national TV practices real journalism without an agenda. Think of the coalition of restaurant owners that is being formed in order to tell the municipalities that they won’t pay bribes anymore, and if they wish to shut them down they can go right ahead and face the wrath of all of their employees. Think of the students of the Lycee in Cairo, 6 and 7th graders, who did a 3 day sit-in protest demanding the return of a teacher that got fired for carrying an anti-Mubarak sign in Tahrir and forced the administration to re-instate him. Think of all the 8 and 10 year olds who went out with their parents the day of the referendum to vote and had the experience engrained in their psyche forever, something we never had ourselves, and know that they will never allow that right to be taken away from them. Think of all the 12 year olds who are watching all the hot issues (secularism vs. theocracy, left vs. right, the role of the army, the role of the police, etc..) being debated all around them right now, and having their political consciousness formed right now and know that when they turn 18 it will be next to impossible for someone to trick or co-opt them. Think of all the 15 and 16 year olds who are watching the protests all around them and the lessons and mistakes that we are doing and think of what those kids will do the moment they get into college in a couple of years or when they join the workforce. Think of all your friends, wherever they are, who are joining and debating and talking and wanting to help and do something, and know you are not a solitary phenomenon. The Virus is everywhere. The Future is AWESOME. We will not save Egypt, Egypt will save us.

Now go and think of how you can help. And when you encounter people whose stupidity or irrationality or ignorance frustrates you, smile, because you know in 6 or 7 years they will no longer exist nor be of any
influence.

Have a lovely day!

http://www.sandmonkey.org/2011/04/07/7-popular-myths-about-the-revolution/

Two million Egyptians joined Facebook since the revolution

Some 2 million Egyptian’s have joined the popular social networking site Facebook over the past three months.

At the start of 2011, the number of Facebook users in Egypt was 4.7 million, increasing to 6.65 million on 1 April. The boom in numbers was four times greater than for the same period last year, during which only 500,000 new users joined the site.

The massive rise in numbers is largely a result of the 25 January revolution, during which facebook served as something of a revolution operations room, used by revolutionaries to exchange information, opinions and advice.

The site also served as a media outlet for moment-by-moment news, videos and pictures, which served to attract many new users.

However, the revolution did not only affect Facebook users in Egypt; usage of the site increased massively in all Arab countries. Arab users in total increased by 100 percent over the past four months, with 14 million new Arab users, bringing the total number -- including Egyptians -- to 28 million.

On 26 January, the Egyptian authorities blocked Facebook and other social networking sites after Egyptians used them to call for mass protests. The regime then disconnected the internet on 27 January for a week, resulting in financial losses equal to US$9 billion.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/405257

xAbd0o

April 19th, 2011, 01:59 AM

All this stuff sounds like gang work at it's best!

I used to play those gang text-based games and things that you read in those articles fits nicely :lol:

Montrealers

April 19th, 2011, 04:51 AM

That's still too little, 4-10 years sounds reasonable.

The guy is jailed for refusing to appear in investigation. Resulting a 1 year jail... I wonder how many year he will be sentenced after the end of investigation proving his corruption.

egypt69

April 19th, 2011, 05:02 AM

Guys, look at the picture. It shows that finally, no one in Egypt, not even ministers and ex-presidents is above the law. And every politician/minister in the future will always be accountable.

Montrealers

April 19th, 2011, 05:16 AM

Guys, look at the picture. It shows that finally, no one in Egypt, not even ministers and ex-presidents is above the law. And every politician/minister in the future will always be accountable.

He Almost Touched the Sun
Last week, former President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons were placed under investigation - sending his sons to Tora Farm prison and Mubarak under house (or hospital) arrest. The president many have and continue to compare to a pharaoh, flew a little too close to the sun and had his royal wings burnt off.

Why is this news significant?

Many overthrown dictators arrange for a refuge before stepping down from power. Most flee to some country willing to take them on as honored house guests.

Mubarak - whether from hubris or stupidity - decided to remain inside Egypt at his seaside palace in Sharm El-Sheikh.

He might have thought that his people in the army would forestall any legitimate investigation of his and his families misdeeds. He may have thought that he was bigger than any laws on paper or even any unwritten but expected ethical code of presidential conduct. For example, don't steal from your people. Or, try to help the poor not be poor.

His sons, with their Western educations, may have simply thought they had played the game so well that they knew all the rules. Or even that they had invented the game itself.

But, as most fairy tales go, the villain forgets his weakness and the hero is able to triumphantly slay the dragon and win the girl. Of course, the girl in this analogy I suppose is democracy. Or freedom.

The Mubarak's weakness was their inability to grasp that the unemployment they had caused through years of corruption and stealing of Egypt's economy, the growing separation between the rich and the poor, and the inability of so many to better themselves or provide for their families, had pushed Egyptians to their tipping point. Tunisia provided the spark, but the Mubarak's and their regime of cronies had already built up an impressive amount of fuel for the fire.

Mubarak and his sons being investigated for all of their to-long-to-list number of crimes sends a message to all world dictators: your populations can hold you accountable for your actions. For too long countries around the world (cough cough Saudi Arabia) have welcomed former dictators and offered them refuge.

This should not be the case. Hopefully this investigation will put the Mubarak's and many of those who benefited from them behind bars. And hopefully it will start a precedent of not allowing fallen leaders to flee the wrath of those they have scorned.

The questioning of Mubarak and his family is significant for Egypt because it allows Egyptians to have justice for the past 30 years of oppression. For the world, it will be an example of how to depose and expose a dictator.

http://mekancatherine.blogspot.com/2011/04/he-almost-touched-sun.html

MASRI

April 19th, 2011, 05:57 AM

Guys, look at the picture. It shows that finally, no one in Egypt, not even ministers and ex-presidents is above the law. And every politician/minister in the future will always be accountable.

Exactly, that is what counts most. Accountability. We need a government we can trust and a government we know will to bring true, visible change to our society. And if they break any laws, they can and will be held accountable.

Essam Sharaf has set a high standard for Prime Ministers and we expect the same level of honesty with any future PM and government. No more Nazif or Atef Ebid policies!

Azmat

April 19th, 2011, 10:14 AM

The guy is jailed for refusing to appear in investigation. Resulting a 1 year jail... I wonder how many year he will be sentenced after the end of investigation proving his corruption.

He should be prosecuted for what he did with the antiquities.

ifif07

April 19th, 2011, 02:32 PM

What is happening to Egypt right now is very well mirrored in the posts of this chat room. Accusations, poor analysis, zero political awareness, hypocrisy and spread of rumours. It sadness me a lot to see that the so called educated of our country have a limited vision of our future. I am not trying to offend anyone and I understand that some are very young. However it is important not forget that the revolution is not about revenge it is about opening the door to a better, brighter more hopeful future. Instead of pointing fingers, accusing people with no evidence we should be more constructive and think positively about how things can be improved. And yes there are a lot of crooks that deserve punishment, and we should let the judiciary procedures take its course. For those of you who are nor aware or who have not been to Egypt recently, please know that the situation is extremely chaotic, security and safety are still a major issue. The economy of the country is in a comatose state, the social repercussions of the current economic crisis are disastrous, and the emergence of radical religious groups imposing their rules on entire neighbourhoods, villages, towns is an undeniable threat.
Your thoughts, ideas, opinions are more important today than they have ever been. However it is important to think carefully, to get a clear picture of the reality, and to be argumentative. You can participate in rebuilding our country and stop those who are destroying it. We all have a responsibility now.

Montrealers

April 19th, 2011, 03:01 PM

MASRI

April 19th, 2011, 03:22 PM

I don't think we need to be told what to say. It would be better to voice your opinion without provoking the "so-called educated people you are so sad" even exist and transgress their right to voice their opinions (even if you find them pointless or outright wrong.)

Anyways:

Former Egypt vice president Omar Suleiman summoned to testify in Mubarak case

Former vice president Omar Soliman was summoned as a witness to testify on the events of the 25 January Revolution, according to a statement released by the prosecutor-general's office.

Sulieman's summons comes in relation to his role as the former head of Egypt's intelligence agency. He is expected to shed light on the killing of demonstrators during Egypt’s revolt and ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s assets.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/1/64/10355/Egypt/Politics-/Former-Egypt-vice-president-Omar-Suleiman-summoned.aspx

xAbd0o

April 19th, 2011, 03:40 PM

A very nice site I'd say, if you have any innovative Ideas, make sure you summit them here,

http://www.innovate.cabinet.gov.eg/IBS/

ifif07

April 19th, 2011, 03:59 PM

@Masri: I am not telling anyone what to say on the contrary I am telling people to express themselves in a responsible manner and to look at the future rather than being stuck in the past.

xAbd0o

April 19th, 2011, 04:03 PM

Dude we cannot just ignore the past and look forward. we need to move forward AND learn from the past.

ifif07

April 19th, 2011, 04:16 PM

Those are just words, I need to know exactly what you think we should learn from the past and how circualating false rumours, and accusations can help to that purpose ?

xAbd0o

April 19th, 2011, 04:26 PM

For example, learning from the past. the old gov SOLD the Egyptian land to a saudi prince, we should now learn and write the contracts carefully and not repeat this again in the 7billion project the saudi's offered now.

ifif07

April 19th, 2011, 04:41 PM

Are you actually suggesting that we should not sell land to foreigners. Also the example you are giving concerns a land in toshka which the saudi prince you mentioned invested in more than it actually desrves. This is exactly what I am talking about, get your facts right.

xAbd0o

April 19th, 2011, 04:44 PM

erm selling land to non-Egyptians is illegal in the Egyptian law I think. if we kept selling land the Saudi's might buy half Egypt :nuts: and so we lost half the territory. anyways My point was learning from the past was to review contracts for glitches so we don't come in the future and say ohh crap we made a mistake.

ifif07

April 19th, 2011, 04:55 PM

xAbd0o

April 19th, 2011, 04:56 PM

erm, dude prove your point with facts, you can find a version of the Egyptian law online and show meh.

Azmat

April 19th, 2011, 05:04 PM

We're entitled to our own opinions. So what if someone is a communist? So what if someone is a fascist? Who cares? In a free society everyone is entitled to think however he/she wants.

MASRI

April 19th, 2011, 05:06 PM

Selling land to foreigners is illegal in Egypt???????? Of course not. That would be a major restriction to foreign investments in Egypt. Foreigners = Foreign investments. The days of nationalizations, socialisim are over not only in egypt but worldwide. Democracy does not only mean freedom of speech but also a free economy with no restrictions. Thank you for making my point clear: People should not talking about what they do not know.

Selling land to foreigners for $1 million is illegal. There was high corruption within the system. Even lands in Sinai, which according to Egyptian law, can not be sold to foreigners (in certain parts), have been sold at a ridiculously low price. We have witnessed countless deals where lands have been sold and state factories privatized. The officials behind these deals must be held accountable. And building a democracy does not necessarily translate into a complete capitalist economy in Egypt. We can build a social democracy where social justice and fair distribution of wealth are a priority.

MASRI

April 19th, 2011, 05:11 PM

@Masri: I am not telling anyone what to say on the contrary I am telling people to express themselves in a responsible manner and to look at the future rather than being stuck in the past.

We could not look at the future without holding everyone who corrupted our past accountable. Accountability is an essential part of democracy. We need to set the standard and an example for any future president and government. The majority of officials committed crimes against the Egyptian state and must be held accountable.

Plus, I think it was absolutely crucial to detain Safwat El Sherif/Zakaria Azmi, etc because they posed a true threat to the path of this revolution. They have the money and influence to spread thugs nationwide and undermine the revolution.

Montrealers

April 19th, 2011, 05:54 PM

Selling land to foreigners for $1 million is illegal. There was high corruption within the system. Even lands in Sinai, which according to Egyptian law, can not be sold to foreigners (in certain parts), have been sold at a ridiculously low price. We have witnessed countless deals where lands have been sold and state factories privatized. The officials behind these deals must be held accountable. And building a democracy does not necessarily translate into a complete capitalist economy in Egypt. We can build a social democracy where social justice and fair distribution of wealth are a priority.

Not only this... Our ousted regime agreed on letting foreign and local businessmen launching project in lands used for agriculture and farming knowing how cheap they're.

egypt69

April 20th, 2011, 06:27 AM

At least 846 killed in Egypt’s revolution

CAIRO (AP) — At least 846 Egyptians died in the nearly three-week-long popular uprising that toppled long-serving President Hosni Mubarak, electrifying the region, a government fact-finding mission announced Tuesday.
In their report, the panel of judges described police forces shooting protesters in the head and chest with live ammunition and presented a death toll more than twice that of previous official estimates.

"The fatal shots were due to firing bullets at the head and the chest," the report read, adding that "a huge number of eye injures," filled hospitals, and hundreds lost their sight.

Earlier official estimates put out by a Mubarak associate had put the toll from the days of demonstrations, in which protesters battled heavily armed legions of riot police, at 365, but local groups had put the figure much higher.
The mission held Mubarak ultimately responsible for the killing of the protesters since his interior minister, Habib el-Adly, had issued the orders to open fire.

According to Omar Marwan, the head of the commission, the report is based on accounts of 17,058 officials and eyewitnesses along with 800 video clips and pictures obtained from individuals who were present at the protests.
Mubarak was forced to step down on Feb. 11 by massive demonstrations against his three decades in power. One of the protesters' chief complaints was the corruption pervasive in the government, its bureaucracy and virtually all levels of society.

Mubarak and his sons were placed in custody April 13 for 15 days while they are investigated over allegations of corruption and their role in the shooting of protesters.

Mubarak has remained in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh until he can be transferred to a military hospital. He was hospitalized with unspecified heart problems on Tuesday, the same day his questioning began.
Along with the president's sons, most of Mubarak's associates are in Tora prison, south of the capital, over allegations related to corruption and violence against protesters.

On Tuesday, the health and labor ministers were questioned over corruption and the day before prosecutors spoke to former Vice President Omar Suleiman about Mubarak's wealth and activities during the protests.

Among the mission's conclusions, was confirmation that policemen commandeered a U.S. embassy vehicle and used it to run over protesters on Feb. 2, the same day horses and camels charged demonstrators in Tahrir square.

The report did not conclusively identify the causes of the yet unexplained withdrawal of the police from the streets in Cairo and elsewhere in the country following deadly clashes between security forces and protesters on Jan. 28.

It, however, offered various explanations for the escape of thousands of inmates from 11 of the country's 41 prisons. These included hard core criminals who fueled a surge in crime that endures to this day.

The commission found evidence to suggest that, in some cases, security officials orchestrated the prison breaks to destabilize the country in the face of the growing mass protests. In other cases, armed groups stormed the prisons by demolishing the fences and walls, using bulldozers.

According to some video clips obtained by the commission, men in police uniform were filmed urging prisoners to flee. Other video clips showed prisoners carrying their belongings while leaving their prisons, suggesting that they had been given advance notice that they could leave.

In one prison, Wadi el-Natroun, prisoners told the commission that the prison guards cut water and electricity supplies days before, suggesting that the administration forced the prisoners to stage riots and escape.

Others testified that the guards fired in the air and used tear gas to terrorize prisoners and force them to flee.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jNXQoyAYz9IuvqadSttOhUwltsGA?docId=71491cf1c3494c648b107cd6e59e9178

R.I.P :(

ifif07

April 20th, 2011, 09:03 AM

@Masri: I could not agree more with you. People should of course be held accountable for their acts. This will set a good example and I am sure that the next president and official governments would never dare to resort to corruption after what is happening now. However lets take an example, lets say that your the government and that you decide to sell a land to me worth 100 pounds for 5 pounds. If I buy this land from you for 5 pounds, what have I done wrong? It is you (the government) who should be accountable not me who bought the land at the agreed price.

@Azmat: you said i quote "what if someone is a fascist?" Are you for real?????? Please open a dictionnary and look at the definition of fascist. Fascism is a radical, authoritarian nationalist political ideology. It is by definition anti democratic. And no we are not always entitled to our own opinions. There are certain limits to the freedom of opinion. For example racism derives from an opinion and is penalized, incitement to hatred also is a crime in most civil law countries, as well as the violation of the honor.

@xAbd0o: Private Use: Foreigners can buy private properties in Egypt for their personal use under Law No 230 of 1996 (not exceeding four thousand meters) When purchasing property in South Sinai one can only purchase a 99 year lease.

Real Estate Developments: According to article number 12 of the Act on Rules of safeguards and Investment Promotion № 8 of 1997 Companies and businesses have the right to own land and real estate necessary for the maintenance and expansion of their activities, regardless of nationality, residence or stakes of the partners or shareholders. (The only exception to this law are the South Sinai and the border areas which requires special approvals)

Agriculture Land: Law number 15 of 1963 prohibits foreigners (private and corporate entities) to own or obtain the right to use agricultural land mi. However, after the introduction. However this was changed with Law number 94 of 2005, which allows foreign legal entities to own any kind of land, including agricultural.

(Im a lawyer by the way)

Azmat

April 20th, 2011, 11:52 AM

@Azmat: you said i quote "what if someone is a fascist?" Are you for real?????? Please open a dictionnary and look at the definition of fascist. Fascism is a radical, authoritarian nationalist political ideology. It is by definition anti democratic. And no we are not always entitled to our own opinions. There are certain limits to the freedom of opinion. For example racism derives from an opinion and is penalized, incitement to hatred also is a crime in most civil law countries, as well as the violation of the honor.

Yes, I'm for real. I wouldn't care if there was a party in Egypt called "The Fascist Party", sure they wont win any elections and people will hate them but this is how it works in a democratic and free society. Unlike Nazism fascism has nothing to do with racism. There should be NO limits to freedom of opinion and freedom of expression if you don't like that you should move to some authoritarian country in Asia and leave Egypt for Egyptians who actually want a democratic and liberal country.

ifif07

April 20th, 2011, 12:38 PM

Azmat

April 20th, 2011, 12:50 PM

@Azmat: With all the respect your point does not make any sense. Facisim is by definition anti democratic. Maybe your not very familiar with history but for your knowledge Facisim in post world war 1 in Italy was actually put in place by the people. A chosen system became an authoritarian regime. Democracy is not anarchy, democracy is not doing or saying whatever you want. Democracy is responsabilizing citizens, allowing them to express themselves as long as they do not infringe the rights of others. Democracy only leaves the door open to ideologies that do not infringe the rights of others. Read a bit of history, learn about the true meaning of democracy which you obviously know nothing about.

Here is a reading list for you:
- The Spirit of Laws by montesquieu
- A democracy of distinction by jill franck
- Democracy derailed in Russia by M. Steven
- Post imperial democracies by S. Hanson
-The Athenian Democracy by Hanson

So is communism but you can still find communist parties in Europe and North America, what's your point? I clearly said democratic and LIBERAL and in a democratic and liberal society everyone should be able to voice their opinion and exercise their democratic rights no matter what ideology they may have as long as they don't commit hate speech.

I didn't say I wanted a fascist to take power in Egypt, that will never happen unless the people let it happen, I said fascists should be able to express their opinions just like everyone else. That's how real democracies work.

ifif07

April 20th, 2011, 12:55 PM

Ok i get you point and I think I understand what your trying to say. While I agree that communisim could be a democratic choice, facisim is not as I explained above. I get your point in relation to freedom of expression, however your example about facisim is a bad example. Authoritarian ideologies are not allowed in any democracy.

Montrealers

April 20th, 2011, 03:12 PM

Fascism is as dirty as the nazism.... Both of them are connected to eachother.

Azmat

April 20th, 2011, 09:06 PM

DaZed and DiZzy

April 20th, 2011, 09:26 PM

with democracy comes a chance of facism
if the economy goes into a recession the people will get desperate and try to vote in anybody who promises to "improve" the economy

xAbd0o

April 21st, 2011, 03:19 PM

It's time for cleaning up :cheers:

The state regains three locations of NDP to the state
Within the cabinet of minister's decree to regain the state locations, location of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in Giza will be allocated to the National Council for Human Rights, and location in Heliopolis will be allocated to the Specialized National Councils, as well as temporarily allocation of NDP in Al-Manyial to the National Caner Institute.
http://www.egyptiancabinet.gov.eg/Media/NewsDetails.aspx?id=2332

Montrealers

April 22nd, 2011, 04:52 AM

Strong words describing Mubarak autority on Egypt via one of the best short-movie this year. Thanks to Masr el Naharda for publicizing!
The NAY playing in the backround is soo awsome. The project was published even before the revolution...

Part - 6:30 to 7:13 ---> The little man : The chair you're supporting is dedicated to everyone, not for a special person ( God Amun aka Mubarak). Why holding a chair for years when you can sit on it? Let it be to people, let it to someone else (democratic change). The old man respond to him : Impossible... Only someone of Amun family can have it (referring to Mubarak and Gamal Mubarak)

The stunnishing part 8:28 - 8:35 ---> Game Over, the pharaoh's reign is over, the day is coming and i shall reign (referring to Mubarak 30 years ending with the revolution)

69ZltHkYQYU

Azmat

April 22nd, 2011, 03:01 PM

Check out this video guys. Poor soul. :lol:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=219444611403761&oid=138286616225710&comments

:rofl:

egypt69

April 22nd, 2011, 09:49 PM

^^

What a dumb woman. Honestly, retarded.

egypt69

April 22nd, 2011, 11:27 PM

Prosecutor extends Mubarak's detention for 15 days

Egypt's public prosecutor has renewed the detention of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak for another 15 days amid a probe into a deadly crackdown on protesters and corruption, MENA news agency said on Friday.

Mubarak, who was forced to resign in February after mass protests, was first remanded into preventive custody for 15 days on 13 April on suspicion of involvement in a deadly crackdown on protesters and corruption.

"The Public Prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud decided to renew the detention of ex-president Hosni Mubarak for 15 days for questioning... effective when his last detention period expires," the agency reported.

Mubarak is under detention in a hospital in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he has lived since his resignation on 11 February.

The report said that prosecutors had headed to the resort on Friday to continue interrogating Mubarak.

There have been conflicting reports on his state of health and the reason he was hospitalized, but the state news agency on Thursday reported that the 82-year-old former strongman's health was "unstable".

The prosecutor's office had earlier said that he ordered a medical team to head to the hospital to verify whether Mubarak was healthy enough to be transferred to a Cairo prison cell or hospital.

The team was also to evaluate medical services in the Tora prison hospital.

The ousted president's two sons, Alaa and Gamal, and several of his ministers and senior aides being held in the south Cairo prison complex on various charges as part of a sweeping probe into corruption and abuse.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/409404

Egypt orders 'pharaoh' Mubarak's name stripped off

Egypt on Thursday took another step toward erasing the legacy of deposed president Hosni Mubarak by ordering his name, and that of his family, removed from public institutions across the nation.

Sycophantic officials seeking to curry Mubarak's favour had resorted to naming everything from streets to schools to military installations and remote, rural clinics after the authoritarian leader many Egyptians call a modern pharaoh.

Mass protests ended Mubarak's 30-year-rule in February, and a court on Thursday ruled it was no longer acceptable for his name, and that of his wife and sons, to be so widely used.

"Officials in the previous administration had named a range of public institutions after Mubarak and his wife with the aim of pleasing him, and for a range of other embarrassing reasons," the court said in a statement after the ruling.

Outside the courtroom, pro-democracy activists celebrated the verdict with ululations and whoops of joy, as Mubarak supporters tried to drown them out with chants of: "Unlawful! Unlawful!"

The case had been brought to court by Samir Sabry, a celebrity lawyer who told Reuters after the verdict it was high time Egyptians stopped living under Mubarak's shadow.

Lawyers for Mubarak had said it was unacceptable to alter Egypt's history like this.

"For 30 years, we've been suffering from a ruling family that has now been accused of several crimes, including abuse of power and murder," Sabry said. "We need to move on."

Modern pharaoh

Nobody knows exactly how many public institutions and awards bear the names of the Mubarak family, but the number is likely to be in the hundreds of thousands. At least one Cairo metro station is named after him, and not the Pharaoh Ramses whose statue is only a few meters away.

The cabinet recently replaced "Mubarak" in the name of a cultural award with "Nile", and the American University in Cairo also removed the name of Suzanne Mubarak, an alumnus, from one of its lecture halls.

The Egyptian practice of naming places after those in power harks back to ancient times, when pharaohs etched their names on public monuments, often on top of those of their predecessors.

It became even more rife during Mubarak's era when graft and nepotism riddled the administration. Investigations by the state prosecutor into the conduct of government officials has so far revealed gross abuses of power.

Once-ubiquitous portraits of the ex-president and his family have also been removed since the protests erupted on January 25, replaced by revolutionary graffiti and posters urging the people to cooperate with the military generals who now rule Egypt.

Former commander

The former head of the Armed Forces, Mubarak's name had been etched in marble plaques that decorate military buildings.

Both the military council and the interim government have been keen to prove to Egyptians they are serious about cracking down on graft and taking the former administration to task.

This month, the prosecutor ordered Mubarak, 82, detained for questioning into allegations that include corruption and murder.

His sons, Alaa and Gamal, and many other senior officials are being interrogated behind prison bars and a special panel formed to uncover ill-gotten gains will question Mubarak's daughters-in-law next week, the state news agency said.

On Thursday, Egypt's public prosecutor ordered the authorities to inspect the medical facility in Cairo's Tora prison to determine whether it was equipped to receive Mubarak who remains in a hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/409255

Montrealers

April 23rd, 2011, 04:27 AM

^^

What a dumb woman. Honestly, retarded.

How low was your answer.... She feel sad for Mubarak, doesn't mean you have to insult her...

egypt69

April 23rd, 2011, 05:08 AM

How low was your answer.... She feel sad for Mubarak, doesn't mean you have to insult her...

But she's saying things about "how great he was" etc.

Maybe if she was Khaled El Saied's sister, she'd really understand how "great" he was.

He's a goddamn murderer and tyrant, anyone who supports such a person is a delusional moron in my books.

ifif07

April 23rd, 2011, 07:34 AM

But she's saying things about "how great he was" etc.

Maybe if she was Khaled El Saied's sister, she'd really understand how "great" he was.

He's a goddamn murderer and tyrant, anyone who supports such a person is a delusional moron in my books.

@ Egypt 69: Mubarak was definitly a tyrant and he will be trialed for the crimes he committed, and while I do not agree with the opinion of this woman, this remains an opinion and she is free to express her self the way she wants to. She is not a politician, not a public figure, or a government official. Things have to put into context, from what I undesrtood watching the video the woman and her mother are propbably christians. Christians current situation in egypt is not looking very good. Most christians in egypt considered mubarak as their protector from islamists which is understadable due to the current situation. In any case I was in shock to read the comments under the video, very uncivilized.

egypt69

April 23rd, 2011, 11:05 PM

Did I say she wasn`t allowed to voice her opinion?

Let her say whatever she wants, all I`m saying is that what I think she said is stupid. That`s also my opinion on her opinion.

Montrealers

April 24th, 2011, 05:13 AM

Did I say she wasn`t allowed to voice her opinion?

Let her say whatever she wants, all I`m saying is that what I think she said is stupid. That`s also my opinion on her opinion.

Well my opinion on your opinion is much the same as yours on the woman...

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 05:34 AM

Well my opinion on your opinion is much the same as yours on the woman...

Okay that's your opinion, good for you. :applause:

Really, I don't know what it is about you. One day your a bit pro-mubarak, and some days you're completely Anti-Mubarak. Some days your a hardcore Islamist, and some days you also condemn the MB and support secular ideas.

I'm confused really :?

Montrealers

April 24th, 2011, 06:22 AM

a7o kda.... El wasakha bada2et.

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 06:29 AM

Eh ya 3am malek? Fen el wesakha fil mawdoo3? :?

Montrealers

April 24th, 2011, 06:31 AM

Eh ya 3am malek? Fen el wesakha fil mawdoo3? :?

Ana malesh , tarya2 zay menta 3awz.... Msh far2a ma3aya.
Yala tesba7 3ala kheir... 3andy shoghl bokra.

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 06:47 AM

ifif07

April 24th, 2011, 08:45 AM

@Egypt 69: Being pro, or anti mubarak, leftist, capitalist, islamists or whatever is political. Saying that someone is stupid is a judgment. You can comment on what the woman said, totally disagree with her but you are not allowed to call her stupid in a public forum. Calling her stupid actually weakness any statement or argument you may have. And dont get me worng I do not agree what so ever with that woman however I understand her concerns and I am worried about the intolerance there is today. Your either pro revolution or a traitor. Today for example if you ever have shaked mubaraks hand your considered a traitor (I am exagerating a little but its not really far from reality)I was pro revolution from day 1 being a defender of democracy, however I know some very respectable people who were not. I do not insult them and on the contrary we have very interesting conversations together. Dialogue is the key.

xAbd0o

April 24th, 2011, 12:54 PM

lol I agree with egypt69, I'm confused, are you sure that only one person is running your account? Bas matez3alsh meny ya basha.

milquetoast

April 24th, 2011, 01:11 PM

^^ Experience the new Egypt? No thank you.

ifif07

April 24th, 2011, 01:35 PM

^^ Experience the new Egypt? No thank you.

@Milquetoast:your loss. You're missing a wonderfull cultural, historical experience, but then again why would hollywood be interested in culture?

xAbd0o

April 24th, 2011, 03:00 PM

^^+1

Also, No problem sir, but I don't remember that I asked for your opinion.

Azmat

April 24th, 2011, 05:06 PM

^^ Experience the new Egypt? No thank you.

Egypt69, you should put this troll in the brig.

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 09:33 PM

^^

Just ignore him, I've had many encounters with him before. His only outlet to the outside world is Fox News, to him, it seems that the Taliban is coming to power in Egypt right now.

@Egypt 69: Being pro, or anti mubarak, leftist, capitalist, islamists or whatever is political. Saying that someone is stupid is a judgment. You can comment on what the woman said, totally disagree with her but you are not allowed to call her stupid in a public forum. Calling her stupid actually weakness any statement or argument you may have. And dont get me worng I do not agree what so ever with that woman however I understand her concerns and I am worried about the intolerance there is today. Your either pro revolution or a traitor. Today for example if you ever have shaked mubaraks hand your considered a traitor (I am exagerating a little but its not really far from reality)I was pro revolution from day 1 being a defender of democracy, however I know some very respectable people who were not. I do not insult them and on the contrary we have very interesting conversations together. Dialogue is the key.

Except she wasn't making a political statement.

Look, I have nothing against people with different political viewpoints. For example, here in Canada, we have the Liberal Party headed by Michael Ignatieff and Conservative Party headed by Stephen Harper. I'm liberal, but I don't call anyone who supports Harper stupid, because that's their viewpoint and I respect that.

However, unlike Stephen Harper, Mubarak is not a normal politician, he's a murdering dictator. Therefore I found her admiration and weeping over Mubarak stupid. Anyone who supports such an inhumane person is not only an idiot, but is inconsiderate and heartless.That's my opinion. Nothing wrong with it.

Montrealers

April 24th, 2011, 09:46 PM

Makontish bitaryi2 3alek khales. begad.

I was just saying that I get different messages from your posts thats all. Nothing wrong with that. Just saying I'm confused.

Mish 2asdi aza3alak wallahi :hug:

W men 2al lana za3lan hhhh.... Ya 3am 3adi...

Btw.... Shofto wasakhet el Emarateyeen? They have fully stopped issuing work visas, residency permits for Egyptians

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 09:55 PM

^^

Wtf seriously? Do you have a source for that! :uh:

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 09:56 PM

Damn its true

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/411556

This is bad for the 100,000s of Egyptians there, and very bad signal from their government :bash:

Azmat

April 24th, 2011, 10:12 PM

It will come back and bite them in the ass in the future.

Montrealers

April 24th, 2011, 10:23 PM

Damn its true

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/411556

This is bad for the 100,000s of Egyptians there, and very bad signal from their government :bash:

Without involving Saudi Arabia for the arrest of 4 egyptian fisherman..

xAbd0o

April 24th, 2011, 10:29 PM

smh, and what for? They just felt like it?

Azmat

April 24th, 2011, 10:31 PM

Because of our relations with Iran I believe.

egypt69

April 24th, 2011, 10:35 PM

And because we're putting Mubarak on trial.

Azmat

April 24th, 2011, 10:40 PM

It is clear that Iran is friendlier towards Egypt (the country, not the government) than our Arab "brothers" in the Gulf.

xAbd0o

April 24th, 2011, 10:47 PM

It looks like it, but

Behind every beautiful face there is an evil heart - me (quote of the day)

The point is they won't be good for the sake they have a crush on Egypt? they want to benefit from us, but as much they do benefit from us we should benefit from them. And all these threats hopefully won't make us lose anything. What do we get from UAE anyway? Investment? There are zillion others want to invest in Egypt! Do they even export anything other than oil that going to run out in 2012?

egypt69

April 25th, 2011, 06:09 AM

Mubarak is being transferred to a Military hospital in Cairo tomorrow. One more step closer to prison.

xAbd0o

April 25th, 2011, 11:10 AM

Huh? I hear he's going to the hospital of the prison. But they first need to equip the hospital :nuts:

xAbd0o

April 25th, 2011, 12:12 PM

OMG! Did the army just invited al qadaffi to stay in Egypt but he have to stop doing any political activity.

Azmat

April 25th, 2011, 02:01 PM

I don't want scums like him inside our borders, but let's not be selfish, if it will save Libya then I guess it's okay.

Montrealers

April 25th, 2011, 09:12 PM

I don't want scums like him inside our borders, but let's not be selfish, if it will save Libya then I guess it's okay.

Exactly.

xAbd0o

April 25th, 2011, 09:35 PM

egypt69

April 25th, 2011, 09:50 PM

I'm against the idea of hosting dictators, goes against all the values of the revolution, but if it means Libya getting rid of Gaddafi, him stepping down, then I guess its better than waiting for thousands of more civilians to be slaughtered

Montrealers

April 25th, 2011, 10:03 PM

Huh? They guy would threat national security, I don't about you guys but I care about the people of Egypt, Egypt and out security more. There are other alternatives I guess. Also if he ever stays in Egypt it should only be for couple of day until thing calm in libya and then they come and take him for judgment. If he stays long it won't be a good thing for us.

East, South and South.... All your neighbor have lost the security of their nation... Talking about National Security.... The real threat is the statue quo by our government.... The only solution for Libya remains in the hand of Egypt. We have much to lose if we refuse to help libyans... As long chaos will continue in Palestine, Libya and Sudan.... With who are we going to cooperate with?

xAbd0o

April 25th, 2011, 10:27 PM

xAbd0o

April 25th, 2011, 10:36 PM

Look if our army really want to end this, the solution is simple but they are busy building Egypt so...

What the army can do is, we have more than a million Egyptian in Libya therefore our army have the right to invade and take al qaddafi put him in a military court until the libyan courts are ready to receive him. Also I don't think it should take us much effort to do this. Judging by that there army can overcome the amateurs :nuts:

egypt69

April 25th, 2011, 11:30 PM

Mubarak to be transferred to military hospital, then Tora prison

Ousted president Hosni Mubarak will be transferred to a military hospital until the Tora prison hospital is sufficiently equipped to receive him, according to the orders of Egypt’s Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud.

The general prosecution's Facebook page also revealed on Sunday that Mahmoud commissioned Minister of Interior Mansour al-Essawy to provide the prison with the medical equipment and the security required to host the ailing former president.

The military hospital's name was not declared.

Earlier this month, Mubarak was taken into custody at a hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh after suffering a heart attack during questioning sessions over the murder of pro-democracy protesters during the 25 January revolution. Mubarak is also facing charges of financial corruption and abuse of power.

Egypt’s forensics head, ٍal-Sebaie Ahmed al-Sebaie, told Mahmoud that it will take a month to install the necessary equipment in Tora prison’s hospital, according to a prosecution spokesperson.

Sebaie reported that he visited Sharm al-Sheikh on Saturday morning to to check Mubarak’s health, and found that his condition enables him to be transferred to the prison hospital when it is ready.

He added that Mubarak is vulnerable to atrial fibrillation that could be fatal, and so intensive care equipment will be required in the prison.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/412529

Military plays music and attempts to distribute gifts in Cairo

http://media.almasryalyoum.me/sites/default/files/imagecache/highslide_zoom/photo/2010/04/05/22/9.jpg

In celebration of Easter and Sinai Liberation Day, a military band affiliated with the armed forces offered musical entertainment in Cairo's squares. Music started at 10 am in Tahrir Square.

Passersby gathered around a cordon set up by military police, inside which the band performed music including famous patriotic songs. People took photos with military leaders, who greeted citizens and said the music will continue until sunset.

Military leaders offered the citizens gifts such as clocks and small radio sets, but left when people gathered around so military police could secure the vehicles carrying the gifts. When this failed the vehicles left after 15 minutes. Some citizens were able to grab gifts.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/412618

:)

DaZed and DiZzy

April 25th, 2011, 11:45 PM

I'm not saying we should help but as I said if he have to come to Egypt it should only be a second home until the court in Libya is ready for him. If that guy stayed in Egypt trust me it'll be chaos you'll find thousand of Libyans coming to Egypt and want to take his head back home!

btw has any of you meet libyans ??? If you think that qadaffi is an exception you're wrong! You're totally wrong, infact I won't be surprised if the next guy hosted meetings in his tent! Also he maybe even call himself the king of Africa, imam al moslmin and za3em el 3arab! Though I have to say some are exceptions.

ghaddaffi is not stupid he will not sign his death warrant
he knows if he goes into exile there is a chance he will be brought back so he has a better reason to stay
Libya needs a ground force to make it safe so its neighboring countries need to come and bring soldiers when ghaddaffi leaves
so i think Libya will divide into a east side and a west side for patrolling

MASRI

April 26th, 2011, 08:31 PM

Guys, watch this, from a television station in Kuwait. They have a campaign against the trial of Mubarak. :lol:

wz3sN7jaWAw&feature=youtu.be

xAbd0o

April 26th, 2011, 08:40 PM

:rofl::rofl: I think we should just send him to the Gulf countries. ohh after we take all his money.

Azmat

April 26th, 2011, 08:48 PM

:rofl::rofl: I think we should just send him to the Gulf countries. ohh after we take all his money.

+1

xAbd0o

April 26th, 2011, 08:56 PM

check this guys, I can't wait to see it. Hopefully it'll be broadcasted on the state's TV soon :cheers:

vzexuq5fhlE

xAbd0o

April 26th, 2011, 09:00 PM

LOL check this out :hahaha::hahaha:

xedMYOPjMKs

milquetoast

April 27th, 2011, 07:36 AM

@Milquetoast: your loss. You're missing a wonderfull cultural, historical experience, but then again why would hollywood be interested in culture?
I'm interested in the culture of Egypt, believe me. I've gone through all the Kingdoms and Dynasties, attended the rituals and Sed Festivals in my mind, as well as studied the construction techniques of most of the major landmarks from the Pyramid of Khufu to the Sphinx and who made it and why, to the Valley of the Queens and Kings and beyond. . But I'm not interested in the direction Egypt is taking now. It's sad :cry:

ifif07

April 27th, 2011, 08:41 AM

[/B]
I'm interested in the culture of Egypt, believe me. I've gone through all the Kingdoms and Dynasties, attended the rituals and Sed Festivals in my mind, as well as studied the construction techniques of most of the major landmarks from the Pyramid of Khufu to the Sphinx and who made it and why, to the Valley of the Queens and Kings and beyond. . But I'm not interested in the direction Egypt is taking now. It's sad :cry:

@milquetoast: While I appreciate your concern for my country I do not believe you have a full picture of the actual situation in Egypt in order to assess the situation. Please let us who are on the ground clarify a few realities for you. Egypt was shaken by a revolution less than 3 months ago, a revolution driven by the educated youth of the country, artists and thinkers. They all wanted to put an end to long years of despotism, dictatorship and corruption. Aspiring for a better Egypt, young Egyptians from all over Egypt joined forces with only one objective, that is change things for the better. With a lot of courage, determination and important sacrifices those young Egyptians succeeded in shaking the tyrant regime. There voices were heard all over the world. It only took them 18 days following the beginning of their protests to overthrow the Egyptian president. However the true revolution started from that particular day. The corrupted regime was not represented by one man; it is an entire system that needed to be changed. And from that day the old regime started being disassembled. As I mentioned it only has been less than 3 months, a new political scene is forming, political debates emerged, security is improving day by day, tourists are returning back slowly but surely. And although the economy is not doing well for the moment confidence indexes are much higher than they were before the revolution. Egyptians are more confident in their future than they have ever been. Eastern European countries and South American countries had gone through the same process twenty or thirty years ago. In most of those countries the situation stabilized in a year and we are hoping that the same amount of time will be sufficient to stabilize the economy and the political situation. There are risks, that’s for sure. However the perception in the US that revolution + Middle East = Iran is unfounded, and unrealistic. It is true that there has been a rise of islamists currents in Egypt in the past 3 months, it is true that conservatives are gaining power, and that religious parties are of concern. However in the same time secular parties are forming, young Egyptians who initiated the revolution are getting more and more organized and they are more involved in the political scene. We have very well respected candidates to choose from for our next presidential election. Egypt is being reshaped, remodeled to reflect all our political views, and its only fair that every political view is heard in the current situation (no matter how radical it is) after years of censorship. To answer your comment what is happening in Egypt is not sad, it is actually the most interesting event that happened in the region in years. It will reshape the entire region. Give us 7-8 months before assessing the situation.

xAbd0o

April 27th, 2011, 10:26 AM

LOL, what direction? We Egyptians don't even know yet, if it's liberal, if it's islamic, if it's democratic if it's dictatorial again ect... Unless you know something we don't know ...

egypt69

April 28th, 2011, 02:41 AM

ElBaradei requests constitutional article protecting secular state

Presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei has asked the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to include an article in the constitution protecting the status of Egypt as a secular state.

He said Egypt must be ruled by institutions and not by individuals, adding that the current transition period should not be rushed, as decisions made now will determine Egypt’s political system for the coming 50 years.

He also said the country needs a new constitution and a parliament that truly represents the people, pointing out that the next parliamentary elections would not give all Egyptians an equal say, as most parties are not prepared for an election battle.

“The well-organized forces, such as the remnants of the former regime and the Muslim Brotherhood, have a better chance,” he said, calling for the formation of a presidential council to implement democratic changes and social justice.

He said he would start his presidential campaign once he is ready. “I want to come up with a renaissance project for Egypt and not an electoral program for ElBaradei,” he said.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/415528

:cheers:

milquetoast

April 28th, 2011, 10:20 AM

@milquetoast: While I appreciate your concern for my country I do not believe you have a full picture of the actual situation in Egypt in order to assess the situation.

@ifif07: I'm on the ground here in the U.S., and I have no idea about the future of my country. ElBaradei asks for secularity, but I fear an extreme Muslim influence. An extreme influence is taking over our country too. I'll give it a few months, but I'm not convinced MB won't simply bide their time and come in.

ifif07

April 28th, 2011, 08:27 PM

@milquetoast: MB will definitly have a role but hopefully a minor one. I have spoken with different people from all backgrounds on Tahrir Square to get a sense of their aspirations. Most of the people who I have spoken with told me they did not want MB to rule. Some of them gave me very simplistic answers. A guy from the country side told that he did nt want MB to rule because they would ban him from watching stellite channels, another one told me they would ban tourisim and that he enjoys flirting with foreign women. Most of them however told me that they beleived if MB ruled there would be too many restrictions and that it would nt be a democracy. I admit having spoken to people that seemed to have come directly from the middle ages but on tahrir square at least they were not a majority.

My theory is that the army is playing a game to only leave the choice between them and the MB. This is the exact same game the old regime was playing. However today people have gone too far to go back.

egypt69

April 28th, 2011, 09:34 PM

@milquetoast: While I appreciate your concern for my country I do not believe you have a full picture of the actual situation in Egypt in order to assess the situation. Please let us who are on the ground clarify a few realities for you. Egypt was shaken by a revolution less than 3 months ago, a revolution driven by the educated youth of the country, artists and thinkers. They all wanted to put an end to long years of despotism, dictatorship and corruption. Aspiring for a better Egypt, young Egyptians from all over Egypt joined forces with only one objective, that is change things for the better. With a lot of courage, determination and important sacrifices those young Egyptians succeeded in shaking the tyrant regime. There voices were heard all over the world. It only took them 18 days following the beginning of their protests to overthrow the Egyptian president. However the true revolution started from that particular day. The corrupted regime was not represented by one man; it is an entire system that needed to be changed. And from that day the old regime started being disassembled. As I mentioned it only has been less than 3 months, a new political scene is forming, political debates emerged, security is improving day by day, tourists are returning back slowly but surely. And although the economy is not doing well for the moment confidence indexes are much higher than they were before the revolution. Egyptians are more confident in their future than they have ever been. Eastern European countries and South American countries had gone through the same process twenty or thirty years ago. In most of those countries the situation stabilized in a year and we are hoping that the same amount of time will be sufficient to stabilize the economy and the political situation. There are risks, that’s for sure. However the perception in the US that revolution + Middle East = Iran is unfounded, and unrealistic. It is true that there has been a rise of islamists currents in Egypt in the past 3 months, it is true that conservatives are gaining power, and that religious parties are of concern. However in the same time secular parties are forming, young Egyptians who initiated the revolution are getting more and more organized and they are more involved in the political scene. We have very well respected candidates to choose from for our next presidential election. Egypt is being reshaped, remodeled to reflect all our political views, and its only fair that every political view is heard in the current situation (no matter how radical it is) after years of censorship. To answer your comment what is happening in Egypt is not sad, it is actually the most interesting event that happened in the region in years. It will reshape the entire region. Give us 7-8 months before assessing the situation.

:applause:

Montrealers

April 28th, 2011, 09:43 PM

LOL, what direction? We Egyptians don't even know yet, if it's liberal, if it's islamic, if it's democratic if it's dictatorial again ect... Unless you know something we don't know ...

It can't be worse.

xAbd0o

April 28th, 2011, 10:53 PM

LOL, but isn't that what democracy means? I think this is it's main disadvantage or maybe advantage. Is that it's hard to predict. You know what's going to happen next. But hopefully you know it should be a good thing for the majority if not for you.

Otherwise if you don't like it we should go back to the dictator al system, it's almost perfectly predictable!

btw today is masr el naharda's last episode if anyone is interested , I'm watching it now.

egypt69

April 30th, 2011, 07:11 PM

edit

egypt69

April 30th, 2011, 07:12 PM

Mubarak metro renamed "Martyrs" station

A transportation ministry committee has announced that the Mubarak metro station will be renamed "Martyrs" station.

Engineer Mostafa al-Sheimy, chairman for the Egyptian Company for Metro Management and Operation, announced the change, saying the new name commemorates the people killed during the 25 January revolution.

More than 35,000 Egyptians participated in a poll on Facebook to choose an alternative name for the metro station. More than 56 percent agreed to call it "Martyrs," while "Ramses" and "Egypt Station" came as the second and third choice.

The committee sided with the majority and chose the new name after an Egyptian court ordered that the names of former President Hosni Mubarak and his wife Suzanne be removed from all facilities and public institutions.

Sheimy said the committee took into account many factors, such as the location of the station, important locations surrounding it, the history of the station and the poll conducted by the company on its Facebook page.

It proposed five names in total, including "January 25" and "Revolution."

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/418519

:banana:

Minister: Egypt's Mubarak could face death penalty

Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak would face the death penalty if convicted of ordering the shooting of protesters during the uprisings that brought him down, the country's new justice minister said Saturday.

Mohammed el-Guindi told the daily Al-Ahram Saturday that Mubarak, his two sons and wife are also facing allegations of corruption, which he said the former president had made the chief "discourse" of his government.

Mubarak, 82, stepped down 11 February after 18 days of sustained protests. He was later placed under arrest after being hospitalized in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh for heart problems. At least 846 protesters were killed during the uprising.

"Certainly, if convicted for the crime of killing protesters, it could result in the death sentence," said el-Guindi.

He added that the key to the case was whether former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly, also under investigation, would testify that Mubarak had given the order to open fire on the protesters.

"The only one capable of pardoning Mubarak ... would be the new president," said el-Guindi. "If I were the president, I will not pardon him for killing 800 martyrs."

Egypt will hold new presidential elections in November.

The minister also blamed Mubarak for engendering a culture of corruption in the government and he said the former president's wealth came from gas exports to Israel, through a company owned by a personal friend, and arms deals.

Suzanne Mubarak, the former first lady, will also be investigated, the minister added, with the first questioning to take place in the next few days at the Sharm el-Sheikh Hospital where the former president is convalescing.

Mubarak's wife, who was involved in a number of high profile charitable ventures, is suspected of illegally amassing wealth through her non-governmental organizations.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/418410

Azmat

April 30th, 2011, 07:56 PM

I don't want him killed, I want him in prison for the rest of his life.

xAbd0o

April 30th, 2011, 08:14 PM

Yay! I voted محطة الشهداء on there facebook page.

Azmat

April 30th, 2011, 08:31 PM

Is that how they picked the name? Facebook? :lol:

xAbd0o

April 30th, 2011, 08:55 PM

lol ya I think.

ifif07

May 2nd, 2011, 08:43 AM

In that case Sadat station and Nasser station should also be changed...

Montrealers

May 2nd, 2011, 06:11 PM

In that case Sadat station and Nasser station should also be changed...

No.

Azmat

May 2nd, 2011, 06:19 PM

In that case Sadat station and Nasser station should also be changed...

This revolution was not against Sadat and Nasser, most Egyptians consider them heroes.

ifif07

May 3rd, 2011, 10:57 AM

Why??? What is the difference between Mubarak, Sadate and Nasser? Was egypt a democracy under Sadate and Nasser? Was Egypt not corrupted under Sadate or Nasser?

xAbd0o

May 3rd, 2011, 11:03 AM

I agree but maybe instead we should have a square and call it mubarak square and in the middle you have a small park and a have a status of mubarak bent on his knees and his head is about to get chopped off!

something like this,

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mly/lowres/mlyn958l.jpg

so anyone who think about becoming a president remembers :D

Montrealers

May 3rd, 2011, 04:00 PM

Talked to my family in Egypt, Port-Said... They told us that Police were back in Egypt street stronger than ever.

DaZed and DiZzy

May 3rd, 2011, 08:28 PM

This revolution was not against Sadat and Nasser, most Egyptians consider them heroes.

because they made you fell you can do everything
pan arabism and pan nationalism
the difference is that mubarek makes you feel like dirt

egypt69

May 3rd, 2011, 10:08 PM

Why??? What is the difference between Mubarak, Sadate and Nasser? Was egypt a democracy under Sadate and Nasser? Was Egypt not corrupted under Sadate or Nasser?

Exactly.

I hate them all. Kolohom awsakh men ba3d.

Sadat was paranoiac opressive, Gamal Abdel Nasser brought this Pan-Arabism crap which I think is one of the worst things that has happened to Egypt, and Mubarak I don't even need to explain.

To me, the last admirable leader in Egypt was Saad Zaghloul.

Montrealers

May 3rd, 2011, 10:59 PM

Exactly.

I hate them all. Kolohom awsakh men ba3d.

Sadat was paranoiac opressive, Gamal Abdel Nasser brought this Pan-Arabism crap which I think is one of the worst things that has happened to Egypt, and Mubarak I don't even need to explain.

To me, the last admirable leader in Egypt was Saad Zaghloul.

Kollohom awsakh bas Gamal Abd El Nasser modernized Egypt. For once Egypt was clean.

egypt69

May 3rd, 2011, 11:54 PM

Kollohom awsakh bas Gamal Abd El Nasser modernized Egypt. For once Egypt was clean.

I don't really think so.

Azmat

May 4th, 2011, 12:07 AM

I appreciate a lot of things that Sadat did to Egypt, yes he was a dictator (to a moderate extent) but... nevertheless he was the best president Egypt has had so far.

xAbd0o

May 4th, 2011, 08:47 AM

^^+1 the point is that each of them had there ups and downs but none of them were suitable.

ifif07

May 4th, 2011, 09:24 AM

@Egypt 69: I totally agree with you.
@Azmat: Nasser is by definition a tyrant Dictator. Egyptian were under surveillance, spied on, they could not express themselves under his rule. No political parties or opposition was allowed. Egypt was a police state one of the worst. Moreover we went through two deadly wars which we both lost and the price of which we are still paying until today. Egypt which was a cosmopolitan country with a vibrant cultural community on the map of the world closed it self to the rest of the world for years. While nationalisation and redistribution of wealth is a very noble concept in theory it proved to be a disaster for the economy. There are better ways to redistribute wealth than to nationalize industries with no fair compensation I might add. Nasser did in fact modernize the industrial sector that’s for sure and he actually created a strong industrial sector. However the state could not handle every sector of the economy, and debts accumulated in most of the sectors as well as the deterioration of production capacity, and here we are today. Sadate was not much better but at least Egyptians were not under surveillance and Mubarak well in a sentence he was more interested in remaining in power than improving anything in the country. My conclusion is that too much power kills any kind of productivity. The next president has to be accountable for his action that’s the only guarantee he would be working for the sake of the country and for his personal interest.

egypt69

May 4th, 2011, 08:24 PM

^ Exactly, and not to mention the Pan-Arabism BS that Gamal Abdel Nasser brought, and plunges us into 2 wars in the name of "our Arab brothers". Why do we consider them "our brothers" ?. Not only do they treat our expats like crap, interfere in our internal affairs, fund wahabi mosques in our country..but they are also some of the most backward unprogressive, and repressive states on the planet.

Whatever happened to Egyptian Nationalism? The national unity and pride declarign independence from Britain. Why did we adop these arab values? When in the 1920s at the peak of Egyptian nationalism our Egyptian values and nationalism made us as ififi put it "a cosmopolitan country with a vibrant cultural community on the map of the world closed it self to the rest of the world for years." We were a tolerant progressive country. People called Cairo the Paris of the Middle East. Egypt was a hub for intellectualts and scholars.

Gosh, Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak destroyed this country.

Alrayyan

May 4th, 2011, 09:05 PM

Azmat

May 4th, 2011, 09:52 PM

egypt69

May 4th, 2011, 10:31 PM

Ouch.

Why "ouch" ?

It's not meant to be offensive to you, you could be a good guy, I'm referring to the Arab Governments, not Arab people in general.

egypt69

May 5th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Verdict expected Thursday in ex-interior minister trial

The Giza Criminal Court is scheduled on Thursday to issue its ruling on profiteering and money laundering charges against former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly.

In October 2010, Adly allegedly ordered his subordinates and officials from a development company in charge of building housing units for police officers to find a buyer for a piece of land he owned.

Adly's lawyer said he was innocent of the charges.

Adly also stands trial for involvement in the killing of protesters and creating a security void during the 25 January revolution. His trial on those charges was adjourned until 21 May.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/423736

:cheers:

Gunmen free prisoners from police stations in three cities

http://amay263.cdn.infralayer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/highslide_zoom/photo/2011/04/20/69/police.jpg

Gunmen attacked police stations in three different cities on Tuesday, freeing scores of detainees from jail. One person was killed in the attacks and seven others wounded.

Residents helped the police defend the stations by forming human shields around them, chanting slogans such as, “The police and the people are one.” However, the detainees managed to set several police stations on fire and succeeded in escaping.

In Cairo, gunmen exchanged fire with the police force at the Al-Sahel Police Station. They managed to free 88 detainees, while a police officer was shot in the leg. However, the popular committees of the area managed to re-arrest 25 of them.

In Giza, 54 detainees managed to escape from the Al-Badrashein Police Station, while in Daqahliya, 120 gunmen exchanged fire with the policemen of the Dekernis Police Station.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/423912

^^

The security situation is very bad in Egypt guys. How the hell do 120 gunmen get guns in the first place, and how do they make it all the way to a police station and prison :ohno:

Montrealers

May 5th, 2011, 03:42 AM

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/423736

:cheers:

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/423912

^^

The security situation is very bad in Egypt guys. How the hell do 120 gunmen get guns in the first place, and how do they make it all the way to a police station and prison :ohno:

But alMasry latest updates indicates that the situation is under control...

Please wait, shit may happens but don't forget we're passing a post-revolution time...

xAbd0o

May 5th, 2011, 12:48 PM

Talked to my family in Egypt, Port-Said... They told us that Police were back in Egypt street stronger than ever.

yup looks like it, I hear that Cairo is flooding with tourists!

ifif07

May 5th, 2011, 01:14 PM

Looks like Cairo is turning into Colombia. Now We will only go out with guns in Egypt :(

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/424662

xAbd0o

May 5th, 2011, 01:19 PM

The old Regime need to get over it. it's over! once mubarak get his sentence they should stop :)

Montrealers

May 5th, 2011, 03:58 PM

Just leave it 1 year until our government takes off baltageya from the streets.

Congrats guys!!!!!! Habib el Adly has been sentenced 12 years of prison and having to pay 20 million L.E due , because of illegal gaining without mentionning his next accusation of killing protesters which may cost him a death penalty.

Azmat

May 5th, 2011, 04:39 PM

I wouldn't worry much about the security, the revolution ended a few months ago. This will probably change after the elections. If not, soldiers should be mobilized in the cities and help the police until things return to normal.

ifif07

May 5th, 2011, 04:49 PM

FYI soldiers have been in the streets since the revolution...

Azmat

May 5th, 2011, 05:08 PM

I'm aware of that but they're obviously not doing much to stop crime are they?

Montrealers

May 5th, 2011, 05:16 PM

I'm aware of that but they're obviously not doing much to stop crime are they?

They can't to the job alone. For once we must ally to eachothers....

Azmat

May 5th, 2011, 05:19 PM

This is not a movie. Regular civilians can't go around fighting crimes, they have families, jobs and other things to take care of. The country's internal security is the government's, the police's and the army's responsibility.

xAbd0o

May 5th, 2011, 06:41 PM

dude it's not that they cannot do it alone, they're the ARMY of Egypt talking about can, they better be, they're protecting national security but the thing is it's not there job.

Montrealers

May 5th, 2011, 07:59 PM

dude it's not that they cannot do it alone, they're the ARMY of Egypt talking about can, they better be, they're protecting national security but the thing is it's not there job.

Exactly.

egypt69

May 5th, 2011, 09:47 PM

Once feared Egypt interior minister gets 12 years

CAIRO — A court sentenced once feared Egyptian interior minister Habib al-Adly to 12 years for corruption on Thursday in the first trial of an official from the regime of ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

Adly, who ran Mubarak's security services for more than a decade before the strongman's overthrow in February in the face of 18 days of mass protests, was convicted of money-laundering and illicitly enriching himself while in office.

He had pleaded not guilty to both charges. The charges stemmed from the sale of land Adly owned after he tasked police officials with finding a buyer who would pay the highest possible price.

He faces a second trial on charges of ordering police to shoot protesters, and a third alongside the former premier and finance minister over a deal with a German firm to supply Egypt with licence plates at allegedly inflated prices.
Once one of Mubarak's closest aides who managed to stay in the precarious post despite a series of militant attacks under his watch, Adly was ushered into a black cage in the courthouse for the brief sentencing.

Riot police and soldiers surrounded the courthouse on the outskirts of Cairo and two commandos were stationed in the small court room that was packed with journalists and police.

Judge Al-Mohamadi al-Qunsuwa, himself flanked by bodyguards ever since he sentenced a former senator and construction tycoon to death for the murder of a pop singer, entered and asked whether Adly was present.

The former interior minister, dressed in white prison garb, replied in the affirmative and Qunsuwa read the sentence.

"The court has ruled that Mohammed Habib al-Adly will be punished with seven years in prison for profiteering," said the judge. On the second charge of money-laundering, he sentenced Adly to five years.

The former minister was also fined roughly 15 million Egyptian pounds (2.5 million dollars).

An AFP correspondent did not identify any members of Adly's family in the courthouse and his lawyer Farid al-Deeb, who is also representing Mubarak, was absent.

Mubarak is under investigation on suspicion of involvement in the killings of anti-regime protesters, and may face the death penalty along with Adly if convicted, according to the country's justice minister.

Adly was despised for the abuses committed by his security agents.
Human rights groups say that when he was in office, torture was routine and even banal in the Arab world's most populous nation.

Police officers were seldom tried for abuses. When convicted, they received relatively light sentences.

Police installations were a particular target for demonstrators during the first days of the protests that toppled Mubarak, forcing police to withdraw from the streets as the military moved in on January 28 to try to restore calm.
Since then, the interior ministry has changed its motto to "The Police in service of the people," rather than "The Police and the people in service of the nation" of the Adly era, and has instructed its officers to treat Egyptians more humanely.

Adly's next court appearance on the charges of ordering police to open fire on protesters will be on May 21.

His six co-defendants in the trial were some of interior ministry's most powerful commanders during the Mubarak regime, including the former head of the now dissolved State Security apparatus, Hassan Abdel Rahman.
An official inquiry into deaths during the revolt found that at least 846 civilians and 26 police officers were killed.

Most of the civilians were shot in the head and chest, indicating the use of snipers, according the inquiry's findings.

Much of the former regime's leadership, including Mubarak's two sons Gamal and Alaa, are behind bars, most of them on suspicion or charges of corruption.
Mubarak himself is detained in a hospital room in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, reportedly after suffering a heart attack while being questioned.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g_Wfi_hQ_aBYP0dkZ2PQUOIZv0mA?docId=CNG.3bce48042eb243fc76055628cd8a2455.611

:banana:

OnceBittenTwiceShy

May 5th, 2011, 10:59 PM

Bring on engineering Mohamed Zoheir Garana, the cronyist who confiscated unique eco-islands in the Red Sea with the intention to smoke out hard-working foreign investors.

Personally responsible for killing succesful ventures with foreign capital to subsequently accommodate his clueless family members and corrupt friends who couldn't even distinguish an anchor from snorkeling equipment.

egypt69

May 7th, 2011, 07:26 AM

A National Council to protect Egypt revolution expected to be formed Saturday

Saturday will see one of the largest post-revolution gatherings to date, but the Muslim Brotherhood are not likely to be there

http://english.ahram.org.eg/Media/News/2011/5/5/2011-634402012247240205-724.jpg

In an attempt to save the January 25 Revolution from disunity, hundreds of Egyptian thinkers, political forces and normal citizens are being invited to a mass conference to help map out Egypt’s future.

The “First Conference of Egypt: The people protect the revolution” will be held on 7 May and will be attended by 2500 Egyptians. At the end of the day-long conference, attendees will vote for 60 figures from among them to form a “National Council” that will work to insure that the rest of the demands of the revolution are met, and to map out a unified vision for a democratic civil state.

Invitees include public figures like presidential candidates Hisham El-Bastawisy and Ayman Nour, journalists, political analysts, members of almost every party in Egypt’s public sphere as well as workers, farmers, members of the newly formed independent unions, scholars from Al-Azhar and many of the youth orchestrated the January 25 Revolution. The organisers of the event say the conference is the biggest and most diverse gathering of all of Egypt’s political forces since 1961.

The National Council, the brainchild of renowned Egyptian engineer Mamdouh Hamza, has raised many eyebrows. The Council of Ministers had staged a similar national dialogue, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal, which included 160 attendees from different political factions as well as several ministers to also map out a vision for Egypt’s future. The first session of the dialogue took place 30 March amid heavy media coverage that aired the event live. However, the dialogue was criticised for the chaotic manner in which the proceedings took place, the lack of a set agenda to work towards, and the limited number of people who attended. The dialogue reached a dead end and El-Gamal was replaced by former Prime Minister Abdel Aziz Hegazy although it is yet unclear how different the next session will be.

“El-Gamal chose only a limited number of people to participate, which alienated many of the people who participated in the revolution,” says Amir Salem, human rights lawyer and one of the participants in this Saturday’s conference. “However, this new council has a more wide participation.”

The National Council is also, said Hamza, is a “people’s council,” whereas the dialogue was a governmental initiative, although Hamza insisted that his council is not aiming to undermine the government’s effort, but rather work parallel to it.

Gamal Fahmy, journalist, who has been working with Hamza to organise the conference also added that the National Council has an agenda to work for and based on that agenda they will create a plan of action. “The National Dialogue is just a dialogue, we actually want to implement all the plans that we make,” Fahmy explains.

Several of the public figures invited to the National Dialogue have also been invited to the National Council, including Tehany E-Gebaly, Deputy Head of the High Constitutional Court and Egypt’s first woman judge. El-Gebaly, however, says that she sees more promise in the National Council. “I’ve been invited to the national dialogue and we only had one session so far,” El-Gebaly said. “But we don’t know what the nature of the dialogue will be and if the decisions we make will be considered by the government or not.”

The National Council, however, will accumulate all the ideas discussed and create a revolutionary mandate to work with, says El-Gebaly. It is yet unclear, however, if this mandate will be officially considered by the government or not either.

The group have been very vocal about why they feel the need for the Egyptians to unite in this coming period. According to Hamza, the confusion that happened during the referendum on the constitutional amendments on 19 March is a major cause for concern. Many people he said, believed that the amendments were to the 1971 Constitution that was in use during the Mubarak era. Others, however, thought that the constitution was dissolved and believed that they were voting for articles in a new constitution. Then, he said, the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) decided to make a constitutional decree for a new constitution that never went through a referendum or was approved by the people, which he said is a sign of “confusion” from within SCAF.

Another issue is that the constitutional amendments have left the door open for some “forces” to dominate the political scene. These “forces”, which he did not name directly, did not participate in the revolution and even called protesters “kafirs" (heretics) while now they want to take 40-49 per cent of seats in the upcoming parliament. Says Hamza, these forces will dominate the new parliament in September which will then write the new permanent constitution that Egypt will live with for years and which may reflect their ideology and only theirs.

The new suffocating political parties law, which stipulated that any new party formed needs to have at least 5000 members to be registered is also a red sign, says Hamza. Many analysts believe that since parliamentary elections are only a few months away, none of the new parties will manage to recruit enough members, which means that the powers of the old regime, the National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood, will once again dominate the parliament.

Hamza also added that the SCAF is not fighting corruption the way it should and only arrests corrupt figures or launches investigations if revolutionaries file complaints, rather than actually creating an anti-corruption programme to purify the country. Add to that, he says, the fact that SCAF arrested protesters, which goes against the values of the revolution.

Now, in an attempt to remedy all these issues, members of the National Council will create a roadmap for the transitional phase in Egypt and gather forces to ready them for the next parliamentary elections. “Since the revolution ended, we have been gathering in Tahrir Square,” says El-Gably. “But this will be the first organised gathering. Now we need unity and later we can compete.”

During the conference, four main papers will be discussed. The first is about the formulation of a new constitution that reflects the values of the revolution and forms a democratic civil state. The second will discuss the economic woes of the country and possible solutions. The third — and possibly the most important paper to be discussed in the conference — is about the possibility of creating a unified list of candidates for the next parliament. The candidates, according to organisers of the conference, must include Muslims and Christians, males and females, and workers as well as farmers with the aim of having as diverse a parliament as possible. The fourth and final paper to be discussed in the conference, will structure the role of the National Council in achieving all these aims.

“There is chaos right now and the main aim of the Council will be to organise these forces,” says Fahmy. “The problem is the revolution is not owned by any particular group or party but rather by the Egyptian people as a whole. This plurality is the most important achievement of the revolution and the council’s role will be to organise this plurality because after years of political repression none of these groups have the tools to express themselves.” The Council, says Fahmy, is only temporary, for this “dangerous” transitional period only. The biggest threat, he says, is that some groups are more organised than others, which may mean that they will dominate the political landscape.

“If we let one group dominate again, we will just be replacing one dictatorship with another, which means that the revolution has failed and we don’t want that,” insists Fahmy.

Although Fahmy did not specify which group he was talking about, Ahmed Bahaa El-Din Shaaban, an activist and one of the founders of the Kefaya movement, who will also participate in the National Council, did not mince his words. “We need to create a force with a united vision for the future, and the only group that is organised are the Muslim Brotherhood,” says Shaaban. “However, civil society with its various factions have not produced any organised plan on how to deal with the coming period or how to counter the Muslim Brotherhood."

While Hamza proudly boasts that almost all of those invited to the conference have RSVP’ed, the Muslim Brotherhood has declined to attend and released a statement saying that they prefer to participate in the government’s official dialogue. The absence of the group, which has emerged as one of the main political players in post-revolution Egypt, will leave a big gap in a conference that is supposed to “have representation for Egyptians from every political group,” as Hamza has repeatedly insisted.

Shaaban, however, says that maybe the Brotherhood's refusal to attend is a sign that they are not in sync with the goals of the National Council. “Maybe it’s because we are a civic force, asking for a civic state, and they have always asked for an Islamic state,” said Shaaban.

In a press conference Tuesday, to announce the final plans for the conference, Fahmy brushed aside a question by one journalist on whether the Brotherhood's lack of participation will weaken the National Council. “If they don’t attend, it’s their loss not ours,” said Fahmy. “But the invitation will remain open for them until the minute the conference begins, and we ask them to reconsider their position.”

It is easy to understand though, why the Brotherhood may have declined the invitation. In the conference’s preparatory meeting, held 3 April, none of the prominent figures of the Brotherhood were invited. The notes of the meeting, published on the group’s website, may also have left the Brotherhood disgruntled.

During the meeting, political activist Abdel Khalek Farouk pointed out that the Muslim Brotherhood joined the revolution after 28 January and became part of it before causing divisions among various revolutionary forces. “The danger of leaving the Muslim Brotherhood alone is that it threatens the revolution,” said Farouk. “It splits the revolution into two and plants the seeds of mistrust, and whether they did that randomly or with the agreement of SCAF is not clear.”

Hamza responded by saying that the Muslim Brotherhood's stance is “unclear,” and that they don’t want to join the National Council’s unified agenda because they have their own.

Farid Zaahran, head of the Social Democratic Party and one of the figures expected to attend, said that the Brotherhood, once a weak group and repressed by the Mubarak regime, is now strong and does not feel the need for political allies. “They don’t want a National Council that represents the Egyptian people; they want to be the only ones to represent the Egyptian people,” says Zaahran. “This comes from the feeling they have that they are the strongest and most organised."

Regardless of whether the Brotherhood decides to make a last minute move to attend or not, the organisers believe that many of the hazy clouds that have overwhelmed the political landscape since Mubarak stepped down in February will be cleared by the end of the conference.

However, not everyone sees it that way. Hassan Nafaa, political science professor, says that the National Council will only succeed if it really aims to unite Egypt’s political forces. However, he fears that this is not the real intention.

“What worries me is that the purpose of this meeting is to create a political counter-bloc against the Muslim Brotherhood, because they see the Muslim Brotherhood or the Islamic movement in general as a danger,” Nafaa points out. “I believe that any attempt to alienate the Brotherhood will fail and any attempt by the Brotherhood to overtake the revolution will also fail.” This means , says Nafaa, that the end result will be that Egypt’s political forces will divide instead of unite, and the dream of a new democratic Egypt will disappear as they compete with one another.

“I still haven’t decided if I will go or not,” says Nafaa. “But if they really are doing all this to fight the Brotherhood, or to try and alienate them or try and create a political force to push away another force, then I’m against it and I don’t want any part in it.”

Another issue that worries Nafaa is the large number of attendees. “You can’t have a serious dialogue with that number of people; practically, it’s impossible,” says Nafaa.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/11448/Egypt/Politics-/A-National-Council-to-protect-Egypt-revolution-exp.aspx

:cheers:

ElBaradei says Egypt should follow the German model in the constitution

It would be better that a new constitution is drafted before parliamentary elections in September, says Mohamed ElBaradei

Egypt’s parliamentary elections should be held after a new constitution is drafted, says presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei.
ElBaradei, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a press conference held yesterday evening in Estoril in Portugal that it would better for Egypt if a new constitution was written before parliamentary elections are held.

The current plan put forward by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stipulates the parliamentary elections will be held in September and that thereafter the new parliament will create a committee to draft a new constitution.

ElBaradei added that he prefers the German constitutional model, which has 20 articles about human rights that cannot be altered. ElBaradei added that he would warmly welcome a similar constitution in Egypt, which he said would satisfy everyone and eliminate fears regarding the coming period.

ElBaradei insisted that Egypt needs a longer period to ready itself for elections to be held in September, only six months after ousted president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on 11 February.

Egypt’s parliamentary elections should be held after a new constitution is drafted, says presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei.
ElBaradei, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a press conference held yesterday evening in Estoril in Portugal that it would better for Egypt if a new constitution was written before parliamentary elections are held.

The current plan put forward by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stipulates the parliamentary elections will be held in September and that thereafter the new parliament will create a committee to draft a new constitution.

ElBaradei added that he prefers the German constitutional model, which has 20 articles about human rights that cannot be altered. ElBaradei added that he would warmly welcome a similar constitution in Egypt, which he said would satisfy everyone and eliminate fears regarding the coming period.

ElBaradei insisted that Egypt needs a longer period to ready itself for elections to be held in September, only six months after ousted president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on 11 February.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/11517/Egypt/Politics-/ElBaradei-says-Egypt-should-follow-the-German-mode.aspx

I really like the idea of 20 articles about human rights that cannot be altered.

the_egyptian

May 7th, 2011, 10:21 AM

The security is not that bad in Egypt guys, I called a lot of people I know in Egypt and they all agreed that they live 95 % normal now.

the_egyptian

May 7th, 2011, 10:23 AM

In case you are wondering why I am writing less after the revolution, I can tell you that I was an NDP member spying on you and the whole forum, Thank you for your cooperation. :lol:

milquetoast

May 7th, 2011, 12:08 PM

Mirroring the German Constitution? Don't think there's any spot in there for the MB ...

xAbd0o

May 7th, 2011, 01:03 PM

In case you are wondering why I am writing less after the revolution, I can tell you that I was an NDP member spying on you and the whole forum, Thank you for your cooperation. :lol:

I knew it! :cool:

ask Azmat he knows everything :yes:

Azmat

May 7th, 2011, 01:40 PM

There's our mole. :lol:

egypt69

May 7th, 2011, 07:10 PM

Armed Forces marks 100 days since the start of the revolution

With the 47th message on its official Facebook page, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) marked 100 days since the start of the 25 January revolution, while warning of foreign attempts to damage Egyptians' unity.

A military source said the message demonstrates that since the beginning the military has been on the side of the people, whose demands it sees as legitimate.

The SCAF is calling for the establishment of a civil state, as opposed to a religious or a military state, the source added.

The message, which was "liked" by around 2000 people within a few minutes of its posting, listed certain principles upheld by the SCAF since the start of the revolution.

First, it has been on the side of the revolutionaries from the beginning.

Second, it will protect the revolution until a smooth and safe transition of power is achieved.

Third, it will support democracy until it bears fruit in the near future with the establishment of a strong civil state that suits the history and civilization of Egypt.

Fourth, it will work on protecting the stability of the country and restoring production to ensure the re-strengthening of the economy so Egyptians can lead a decent life.

Fifth, it will protect the national fabric against foreign attempts to break the unity of Egyptians.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/426513

:cheers:

Experts: 50% of money smuggled out under Mubarak is irrecoverable

Mahdi Abbassi, a member of the Tunisian committee for restoring funds smuggled outside Tunisia during the rule of toppled president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, said Egypt will only be able to restore 20 percent of the funds smuggled outside Egypt during Hosni Mubarak's rule.

A Swiss lawyer previously told Al-Masry Al-Youm the same estimation.

As the cost of money laundering is 40-60 percent of the original amount being laundered, more than half the money smuggled out goes to criminal gangs, Abbassi said.

Money smuggled out over the past five years will be easy to track because it will not have been subjected to several money laundering operations, he added, while funds smuggled out during the revolution, until Mubarak’s assets were frozen, will not have been exposed to any laundering operations and will not require great effort to return, he added.

However, much of the money stashed away throughout Mubarak’s 30-year reign will be almost impossible to locate, he said.

The Swiss lawyer said Egypt will be able to restore 100 percent of all funds that can be tracked down in Swiss banks, but the amounts located will only constitute 20 percent of that originally smuggled out of the country.

He said that money laundering operations are carried out by specialized organized crime gangs, and when several laundering operations are conducted it can be difficult even for the smuggler himself to trace the money.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Mahsoub, secretary for the committee for the restoration of Egypt’s funds, said Egypt will regain all the money smuggled to Switzerland, as well as interest accrued on it. He added that Swiss law states that money stolen from nations should be returned in conformance to the UN Convention Against Corruption.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/426526

:(

Azmat

May 7th, 2011, 07:13 PM

Ya ibn el ******** ya Mubarak :bash: :bash:

egypt69

May 7th, 2011, 07:16 PM

Also today was a big day:

First ‎Egypt Conference casts light on financial corruption

In its opening session, the First Egypt Conference highlighted corruption and the poverty most Egyptians have suffered during 30 years of Hosni Mubarak's rule

http://english.ahram.org.eg/Media/News/2011/5/7/2011-634403845752587303-258.gif

The programme of Egypt's first post-revolution conference revolved around four main themes, of which the second focused on the country's economic future, with many participants citing persistent illicit profiteering and abuse of power by ‎former regime figures. ‎
While the main debates in the panel discussing Egypt's future constitution focused on the different positions regarding gender and religious equality, while briefly talking of class and social makeup, the second panel mainly focused on economic gaps and the country's poor.

Youth representative speaches focused on the current transitional government's reluctance to respond to any of the revolution's social and economic demands, and even implied that it creates laws to protect and reestablish economic inequality.

Hassan Mostafa, Delta representative of the Youth Coalition, said "people revolted not to change politicians but for social equality. The former regime has systematically destroyed the Egyptian economy through privatisation policies and by institutionalising corruption."

"We need to set a minimum and maximum wage," Mostafa added.

Another Youth Coalition figure, Khaled Al-Saied, added: "Subsidies set for exports exceeded all others, including that set for health," highlighting the problems of the Mubarak regime's economic policies.

On the other hand, economy expert Abdel Khalek Farouk talked of the former regime's financial corruption. He said: “The Mubarak family used [tycoon] Hussein ‎Salem as a cloak to pave the way for illegal transactions and activities. When Mubarak started to ‎rule Egypt the country had only LE4 billion in debt. By the time he was ousted that ‎debt soared to LE888 billion.”‎

Al-Saied also implied that the current government was not taking steps towards greater equality but that it actually protected the economic structure as was, expressing his anger at new legislation criminalising sit-ins and strikes.

“Prime ‎Minister Essam Sharaf has enacted a law penalising the poor for demanding their rights by ‎striking,” he said. ‎

When Minister of Local Development Mohsen El-Nomani spoke earlier at the outset of the conference, attendees started shouting slogans against the interim's government law criminalising protests and strikes. They chanted "Strikes are legitimate against poverty and hunger!"

Mubarak and his clique were heavily blamed for the deteriorated economic state of Egypt. ‎They are accused of accumulating illegal profits over many years, which is said to have taken ‎a toll on the country’s financial muscle.‎

Mubarak’s 30-year rule was ended 11 February after millions protested against him ‎across ‎Egypt for 18 days of a full-scale uprising. The main slogans of the revolution were "dignity", "freedom" and "social justice". Mubarak is now remanded in custody along ‎with numerous former ministers and governmental officials.‎

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/11588/Egypt/Politics-/First-%E2%80%8EEgypt-Conference-casts-light-on-financial-c.aspx

Egyptian engineer Mamdouh Hamza announces plans to create a national council

After the underwhelming response to the government organised dialogue, Hamza hopes to bring together a national council of 60 members and initiate a 'people's dialogue'

http://english.ahram.org.eg/Media/News/2011/5/3/2011-634400341829779141-977.JPG

A national council made up of 60 representatives of the Egyptian people will be elected to help fulfil the goals of the revolution, announced renowned Egyptian engineer Mamdouh Hamza.

Hamza, the mastermind of the National Council, announced today in a noon press conference at the Press Syndicate that attendees of the “First Conference of Egypt”, a daylong conference to be held on Saturday, will elect the 60 council members. The conference will be attended by 2500 representatives from all major political forces in Egypt and will discuss the future of the country: the yet unfulfilled goals of the revolution and how to help the country pass through the transitional period smoothly.

“The conference will work with the government and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to discuss four basic points,” Hamza stated. “These [points] include setting out principles for a new constitution, establishing a vision for the development of the country and the demands of social justice, unifying the national political forces for the next parliamentary elections and discussing the role of the National Council.”

The council will work to create a “revolutionary mandate” that will include their vision in the issues discussed.

Last month, the country’s interim government held a national dialogue headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal and which included 160 attendees from different political factions as well as several ministers. The first session, held on 30 March and televised live was heavily criticised for the chaotic manner in which the proceedings took place and the lack of involvement of representatives from trade unions, certain political groups and civil society.

Following the criticism, El-Gamal was replaced as chairman of the dialogue by former prime minister Abdel Aziz Hegazy, but the meetings have yet to resume. Now, many believe that Hamza’s National Council is being orchestrated to compete with the government’s national dialogue. However, when asked the difference during the conference today, Hamza insisted that the two are different.

“They are not related in anyway,” stressed Hamza. “Their dialogue was a government dialogue, ours is a people’s dialogue.”

But Hamza insisted that invitations have been sent to interim Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and all the ministers though whether they will attend or not is still unclear. He added that 23 invitations have also been sent to the ruling military council and seven of them have thus far been accepted.

The Muslim Brotherhood is the only group that has turned down the invitation. The group released a statement last week saying that they preferred to participate in the official dialogue.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/11331/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-engineer-Mamdouh-Hamza-announces-plans-to.aspx

Azmat

May 7th, 2011, 07:47 PM

Maximum wage? Does that even exist? o.o

UAE_isthebest

May 7th, 2011, 08:11 PM

^^ We have that in Holland too. It's called "De Balkenende Norm" Mister Balkenende was the previous Prime minister in Holland and the limit is that nobody who is working in Holland should earn more wage than mister Balkenende. The limit is €187.340 a year.

Azmat

May 7th, 2011, 08:38 PM

What about company owners? Like the Sawiris?

xAbd0o

May 7th, 2011, 08:42 PM

wtf thats just retarded. There should be a minimum wage but no max alsoel 7awafez and all that crap disappeared in history we are the only poeple that use it.

tifa

May 7th, 2011, 09:59 PM

egypt69

May 7th, 2011, 10:11 PM

They mean a general minimum wage (to be implemented and used everywhere in egypt) and the maximum wage would be only used in public (state)-owned companies.

I think its a very good idea, u really dont know what happens there, managers and consultants take millions per year while general employees just have less than a thousand per month.

Exactly.

This has indeed been a major problem with State Employees. Some ministers took home millions and millions, while some took home L.E.300 a month.

Like tifa said, it only applies to public state owned companies. Which is why I support this. Private enterprises won't be affected by a maximum wage, otherwise that would be communistic.

I was reading an article about this sometime ago, can't remember where, but they wanted to cap the maximum wage, again for public officials, at 30,000 L.E. a month. Which I think is fair.

Montrealers

May 7th, 2011, 10:42 PM

Ya ibn el ******** ya Mubarak :bash: :bash:

My response to Mubarak is : Khale7m yenf3ok.

xAbd0o

May 7th, 2011, 11:16 PM

well ya if the max wage is only for the state owned things then, ya that's good, today Egyptians dream to work there, but now you can earn more in private businesses people will get rid of that stupid idea from their heads.

egypt69

May 8th, 2011, 01:07 AM

Five dead, 54 wounded in Egyptian sectarian clashes

CAIRO (Reuters) - Five people were killed and more than 54 were wounded in a sectarian clash in Egypt on Saturday over a Christian woman who had allegedly converted to Islam, health officials said.

The strife represents another challenge to Egypt's military rulers who are trying to restore law and order after President Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down in a popular uprising in February.

Details of how the confrontation began were sketchy. But witnesses said some 500 conservative Islamists known as salafists gathered at the Saint Mina Church in the Cairo suburb of Imbaba demanding to take custody of a woman they said had converted to Islam.

A shouting match ensued between church guards and neighbours and the Islamists. The verbal clash soon developed into a full fledged confrontation where the two sides exchanged gun fire, firebombs and stones.

"I just left one young man dead inside the church," one Christian witness told journalists at the scene.

Authorities deployed large numbers of soldiers and police, backed by armoured vehicles, to the area. The army fired shots in the air and used tear gas to separate both sides, witnesses said.

The governor of Giza province told journalists at least one person died and 23 were wounded in the clashes.

But the director of the health department in Giza province, Abdel-Halim al-Behairi put the death toll at 5 and 54 wounded. He told Egypt's state news agency MENA that three of the wounded were in serious condition.

Interfaith relationships often cause tension in Egypt, where Christians make up about 10 percent of its 80 million people.

Christians complain about unfair treatment, including rules they say make it easier to build a mosque than a church.

Last year Egypt saw more than its usual share of sectarian strife, and a rights groups has said such clashes have been on the rise. Muslims and Christians had been brought together during the protests that ousted Mubarak.

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE7462Q220110507?sp=true

:ohno:

Honestly the damn Salafists are a cancer to Egypt...they are violent, they are extremists, they are racist, they are Anti-Democracy, they see Bin laden as a hero :bash:

They make the brotherhood look like a secular sweedish party. Thank goodness theyre very small in Egypt. Gosh, these people honestly dont deserve to live. We should honestly test medicine and stuff on them instead of animals, thats how worthless they are. If I had to choose to let an ant or a salafist live, I would choose the ant :bash:

xAbd0o

May 8th, 2011, 01:09 AM

WTF, just an hour ago it was 1 dead and 20 mins ago it was 4 dead now they're 5 dead :sly:

Montrealers

May 8th, 2011, 01:11 AM

Awsome suggestion:cheers:

Imam calls for the formation of a popular army

During Friday prayers in Tahrir Square, an imam called for the formation of a volunteer army of 3 million soldiers to assist the armed forces in reinstating security and protecting Egypt's borders.
The Islamic preacher, Mohamed Farahat, praised the role of the armed forces in protecting the revolution, but said the ruling military council's recent decisions reflected inconsistency and discord.

He said a popular army would serve a defensive purpose and would only be concerned with internal security.
He called for a civilian government and stressed that national unity between Muslims and Christians is the safety valve of the country. Farahat said that Islam acknowledges civilian states.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/425906

MASRI

May 8th, 2011, 01:20 AM

The Coptic Church + the Salafist leaders. The two ploys Mubarak's regime tolerated and manuiplated. The Coptic leadership is in desperate need of change...and the Salafi's...not much to say there (we've heard it all before).

Edit
The interior minister on tv has confirmed it was people inside the Church who shot first at the Salafi protestors.

egypt69

May 8th, 2011, 01:21 AM

Awsome suggestion:cheers:

Imam calls for the formation of a popular army

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/425906

Great idea. I know I would volunteer to be part of it if I could. Also, good to see the Imam calling for a civil state. This is the real Egypt.

Montrealers

May 8th, 2011, 01:27 AM

xAbd0o

May 8th, 2011, 01:28 AM

Egypt's boarders :sly: do we not already have like 500,000 reserve? if the army needed help they would of asked those to help first.

yes, we need a national project about internal security, streets and stuff like that. that should be enough to scare the old regime. An Army of volunteer helping the security in the streets and important buildings ie hospitals. they can enforce it with a system to report incidents. so when someone report anything there will be a group of volunteer in every street once reported they immediately go and arrest any trouble makers.

they'll need an operation room in like every district to make things go fast, and as reports decrease in a district they slowly eliminate the operation room until the police take control back. also same thing can work for traffic, we should have a traffic radio channel and in every district you have an operation room they receive data from citizens and report it. if you move out of a certain district it's the same radio channel but different operation room that tells you certain street is full, and inform you about alternative routs. (they should have maps.)

anyways ideas like this have been suggested but non actually made it I think.

Azmat

May 8th, 2011, 01:28 AM

No, don't generalize. The retards who started shooting are the ones to blame.

xAbd0o

May 8th, 2011, 01:28 AM

here one of those similar projects,

http://egyptinformation.com/

I'm not sure if it's on though.

MASRI

May 8th, 2011, 01:29 AM

Copts should be blame then for creating chaos.

Well, let us say it was the Church this time around...

That does not eradicate everything some Salafi's have done since the revolution. They went from "never disobeying" their leader (Mubarak?), to a bunch of uncivilized people looking for violence and trouble.

egypt69

May 8th, 2011, 02:56 AM

Then, Copts should be blame for creating chaos.

Did you even read the article? :ohno:

Montrealers

May 8th, 2011, 03:08 AM

Did you even read the article? :ohno:

Did you even read the discussion?

MASRI

May 8th, 2011, 03:16 AM

Bloggers/activists @ the scene are confirming it was not the Salafi's who set the first church on fire.

A cerfew must be officially declared in Imbaba. Emergency law is still in place, the army must declare martial law in that area. This can not be happening. Salafi's, Copts...and thugs taking advantage of the circumstances.

egypt69

May 8th, 2011, 03:25 AM

Did you even read the discussion?

Yes I did, but it was a discussion not based on what happened.

According to the article:

Details of how the confrontation began were sketchy. But witnesses said some 500 conservative Islamists known as salafists gathered at the Saint Mina Church in the Cairo suburb of Imbaba demanding to take custody of a woman they said had converted to Islam.

A shouting match ensued between church guards and neighbours and the Islamists. The verbal clash soon developed into a full fledged confrontation where the two sides exchanged gun fire, firebombs and stones.

Now why were those savages gathering at the church demanding to take custody of another citizen?

Vigilante Justice is unacceptable. If they want to deal with this issue, they should take it to court and raise the issue with the authorities.

So tell me how are the copts to blame?

egypt69

May 8th, 2011, 06:46 AM

It's making International news now, here is CNN:

At least 6 dead in Egyptian sectarian violence

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/WORLD/africa/05/07/egypt.clashes/t1larg.church.afp.gi.jpg

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- At least six people were killed and 120 injured in sectarian clashes outside a church in Cairo on Saturday, officials said.
A group of Muslim Salafists attacked the Saint Mena Coptic Orthodox Church. Gunfire rang out as people sprinted for cover.

"With my own eyes I saw three people killed and dozens injured," said Mina Adel, a Christian resident. "There's no security here. There's a big problem. People attacked us, and we have to protect ourselves."

Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman Alla Mahmoud said in a statement that six people were killed and 120 injured.

He said the clashes were sparked by reports of a Christian woman who married a Muslim man and was allegedly being held inside the church.
State TV, citing a source at the Health Ministry, said that eight people died and 144 were wounded in the violence.

Nearby, firefighters responded to a blaze at the Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church. Hundreds of residents stood outside as it burned and two men were seen jumping from a window of the building.

Authorities sent soldiers and police to help secure the area.

Tensions have risen this year between Egypt's Muslim majority and its Coptic minority.

A Coptic church in the town of Alexandria was bombed on New Year's Day, killing 23 people -- the deadliest attack on Christians in Egypt in recent times.
Ten days later, a gunman killed a Christian man and wounded five other Christians on a train in Egypt.

In November, a group with ties to al Qaeda in Iraq announced that all Christians in the Middle East would be "legitimate targets," as the group's deadline for Egypt's Coptic church to release alleged Muslim female prisoners expired.

The group's claim that the Coptic Church in Egypt is holding female prisoners is based on widespread rumors of Coptic women in Egypt converting to Islam and being detained by the church in an attempt to compel or persuade them to return to their original faith.

About 9% of Egypt's 80 million residents are Coptic Christians. They base their theology on the teachings of the Apostle Mark, who introduced Christianity to Egypt, according to St. Takla Church in Alexandria, the capital of Coptic Christianity.

The religion split with other Christians in the 5th century over the definition of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/07/egypt.clashes/index.html?hpt=T2

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08CF0rg5dh7su/610x.jpg

:ohno:

egypt69

May 8th, 2011, 05:12 PM

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0cxT9biezR62n/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gfJ0gzenj25F/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bC71ER7xnbFc/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08BK2wY3Y4dCf/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bHvgBZ906gKv/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0b2t6CJdAC7NG/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0ecbh1IgHK4qF/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06Zj7fX6uQbvi/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fBL5bAdLIdwH/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/00lKca08sg45S/x610.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/03d76EQgW27Bj/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0dCM2U50pL6BS/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0ghD7LU2nYbT2/610x.jpg

:ohno:

I'm very very angry.

Calls for urgent measures to halt extremism as Interior Minister visits Imbaba

Presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei called for immediate intervention to counter religious extremism, after sectarian clashes in Imbaba left 12 people killed and 186 injured.

“Urgent measures required to combat religious extremism & intolerance before Egypt slides into the dark ages,” wrote ElBaradei on Twitter.

Activist and Google employee Wael Ghoneim Tweeted that “The only solution for sectarian strife in Egypt is implementing law and justice among people without exceptions.”

Nasser abdel Hamid, a member of the 25 January Revolution Youth Coalition, said the events points to security failure. “Egyptian citizen cannot live in fear. It’s unacceptable that Egyptians be intimidated to that extent. There should be strict action taken against anyone who commits such violence,” he told Al-Masry Al-Youm. “Salafis are committing unacceptable acts that society rejects as they threaten security and stability.”

The coalition called on Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to form a popular committee to resolve sectarian conflict. The union also highlighted unity so as to face those who want to tarnish Egypt’s image.

Meanwhile Minister of Interior Mansour al-Essawy visited the Saint Mina and Virgin Mary churches in Imbaba, northwest Cairo. He spoke with the residents, who requested tightened security and the defeat of thuggery. Essawy urged people to cooperate with the police to restore security to the streets, pledging to fulfill his responsibilities.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/428271

190 to be tried by military for Imbaba violence, Salafi leader blames thugs

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has referred 190 of those arrested after Saturday's sectarian clashes in Imbaba, northwest Cairo, for military trials.

Salafi Muslims and Christians engaged in a gunfight following rumors that an alleged female convert to Islam was being held in a church. Twelve were reportedly killed, and 186 wounded.

The SCAF, which is ruling Egypt during the current interim phase, said on its official Facebook page on Sunday that a panel has been formed to assess the damage. It stressed that attempts to harm places of worship will not be tolerated, and the maximum punishments will be imposed.

It also warned of dangers currently threatening Egypt. It urged all segments of Egyptian society to unite against attempts to sow sedition. Last week, SCAF’s Facebook page cited websites that it said are run by foreign entities fueling sectarian divides in Egypt.

Meanwhile, Safwat Hegazi, a Salafi leader, said “Those who initiated attacks on the Saint Mina church in Imbaba are thugs and not Muslims.”

Hegazi assured on Sunday that several Imbaba youth who witnessed the violence told him that “people who were there are not from the region but came by motorcycles, some of them had beards, wielding arms. They were thugs. They attacked the church and threw a bomb inside it.”

“Everyone, Muslims and Copts, agreed they were not Muslims but thugs, taking their outfits and style into consideration,” he added.

Hegazi also denied that after the clashes Copts protested outside the US embassy, calling for foreign protection. He said that when he heard that news, he went to the embassy but found no one at all.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/428140

Copts call for foreign protection, governor to compensate Imbaba victims

Around 200 Copts staged an open-ended sit-in before the US embassy in Cairo, starting late on Saturday, to call for international intervention - especially that of the US - to protect Copts in Egypt.

The protest came in the wake of sectarian clashes in Imbaba district yesterday in front of the Saint Mina church. Salafis and Copts fought over a Christian woman who allegedly converted to Islam and is being held at an Imbaba church. Twelve have been reported killed and 186 injured so far.

Most of the protesters are members of a Coptic group who staged a week-long sit-in two months ago in front of the Egyptian Television Building after sectarian clashes in the village of Sol in Helwan, which destroyed a church and left some dead.

Protesters described the Imbaba incident as one of a continuous series of assaults carried out by Islamic forces. Rami Kamal, one of the protest's leaders, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that he called on Copts to join the sit-in on Sunday to stop the attacks.

Bishoy Abdo, an Egyptian activist who holds American citizenship, told German news agency DPA that the sit-in will continue until they meet the US ambassador to Egypt.

“If the Egyptian government and army are unable to protect us, then we call on the international community, and the US specifically, to protect us or let us leave Egypt and go anywhere else since we feel we’re not Egyptians,” he added.

Bishoy expected a huge number of Copts to join and said that although the US ambassador is not likely to go to the embassy on Monday, “we will not end our sit-in before we meet with her.”

Meanwhile, the Giza governorate is paying out compensation to the victims of Saturday’s clashes, governor Ali Abdel Rahman said. Families of each person killed will be given LE5000, while those injured will receive LE2000.

Abdel Rahman added that most victims received by hospitals have superficial injuries.

Translated from the Arabic Edition

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/428060

MASRI

May 8th, 2011, 06:35 PM

Foreign intervention? They will be the first to regret any "foreign" intervention.

Anyways, Muslims think they are perfect, and Copts think they are perfect. Muslims/Salaf's need to stop believing every single rumour, and Copts need to stop disregarding the state and using the threat of "foreign intervention."

Martial Law + Curfew is the best short-term solution for now.

UAE_isthebest

May 8th, 2011, 08:28 PM

Making violence about religion is just f**king retarded -_- it's just childish... :( I though Muslims and Copts were one when the revolution started?

Montrealers

May 8th, 2011, 09:25 PM

Making violence about religion is just f**king retarded -_- it's just childish... :( I though Muslims and Copts were one when the revolution started?

fitna.....

Azmat

May 8th, 2011, 09:42 PM

Making violence about religion is just f**king retarded -_- it's just childish... :( I though Muslims and Copts were one when the revolution started?

This is not between Muslims and Copts this is between the Salafis and the Copts.

Sometimes I wish we could ship the Salafis to Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. :ohno:

Montrealers

May 9th, 2011, 02:36 AM

Something is really wrong in Egypt. Someone is working from behind... Not suprising at all if the old regime wanted to bring the country in hell with them.

Montrealers

May 9th, 2011, 03:00 AM

MHM started stealing our money even before he became president!!!!!
ABC alleges that while still vice president Mubarak, helped by former intelligence officer Hussein Salem, set up the Egyptian American Transport and Service Company (EATSCO) with an American partner to transport American arms to Egypt. A federal probe subsequently uncovered that EATSCO had embezzled millions of dollars via an exclusive Pentagon contract signed following the Camp David peace agreement with Israel in 1978. http://abcnews.go.co...ory?id=12985639
http://weekly.ahram....1/1038/eg21.htm

This article is claiming Sadat was also involved in EATSCO together with MHM:
http://www.consortiu...11/030311b.html

I think an international investigation MUST be opened to know all the truth behind EATSCO, so information would not be based on just some investigative newspaper reports. I think such an investigation will be resisted by both US adminsitration and the military council.

xAbd0o

May 9th, 2011, 11:21 AM

yeah, that's why I think it's a good move that we want to be a member of the ICC.

ifif07

May 9th, 2011, 01:08 PM

yeah, that's why I think it's a good move that we want to be a member of the ICC.
What does the ICC have to do with sectarian clashes?????

xAbd0o

May 9th, 2011, 01:46 PM

Well at least we know they'll be following the investigation. if not joining.

ifif07

May 9th, 2011, 06:12 PM

The ICC only has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The ICC does not "follow investigations". It has a confine scope of jurisdiction which is in total harmony with the soveirgnty of the states.

xAbd0o

May 9th, 2011, 07:21 PM

you're contradicting yourself.

ifif07

May 10th, 2011, 08:30 AM

you're contradicting yourself.
I dont beleive I am. I am trying to make it as simple as i can for you to understand.

xAbd0o

May 10th, 2011, 01:11 PM

:lol: I appreciate your effort. but I can assure you that I have no understanding disability ;)

Also ofc you wont see your mistakes that's hard for any human to see there own mistakes it's just a human nature you're not alone ;)

ifif07

May 10th, 2011, 01:29 PM

Ok Ill do it slowly this time hoping you will get it. The ICC has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Secterain violence does not fall within the scope of any of those crimes. It does not constitute a genocide, nor does it consitute a crime against humanity nor a war crime. Shall I explain it to you again?? Maybe a drawing will help you understand.

Azmat

May 10th, 2011, 01:47 PM

Army arrests 23 in Imbaba following sectarian clashes

http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/images/stories/2011/May_2011/05_May9_2011/1-1-burnt-church-afp.jpg
Egyptians Christians remove objects from the burnt out Virgin Mary church in the popular area of Imbaba in Cairo on May 8.

CAIRO: Twenty-three suspects and eyewitnesses were arrested Monday in Imbaba as part of investigations into Saturday’s violence.

The arrests included the man who whose claim that his wife was held in the church triggered the deadly clashes, as well as the café owner who allegedly fired the first gunshot.

The army had announced on Sunday that 190 were arrested and were to face military trials following clashes and exchange of gunfire near the Marmina Church and the burning of the nearby Virgin Mary Church.

Eyewitnesses said that ultra conservative Salafis congregated at the church after they were told that a woman wanting to convert to Islam was held inside. Some accused her husband, Yassin Thabet of making the call that led to the violence.

Other eyewitnesses blamed an owner of a café facing the church, Adel Labib, of initiating the shooting to disperse the gathering.

Twelve people were killed and scores were injured. A Ministry of Health official told Daily News Egypt Monday that the injured increased to 240.

He said that the families of the injured held a protest in front of the governorate headquarters on Monday, demanding compensation. Clashes erupted between the families and security forces resulting in the injury of eight.

He said that all critical cases are now stable.

The army-imposed curfew put in place Saturday night on the section of Luxor Street that leads to the Marmina Church and the area surrounding the Virgin Mary Church on Al-Wehda Street, continued through Monday.

Employees from Giza governorate surveyed damages to shops and houses in the area surrounding the two churches in order to issue compensations to their owners.

Cleaning workers from the local district authority used loaders and trucks to clear the area of debris and fixed the lighting posts.

Yasser Fawzy, whose shop lies adjacent to the church, said that “bearded men” burnt his shop and threw out the furniture.

"Since the events, the army has imposed a curfew and fielded a lot of troops and armored vehicles. It has been stable since then, but we are waiting for compensation for the damages," he said.

Heavy security measures were taken in the area surrounding the churches as army personnel and central security forces closed all alleys and prevented vehicles from entering Luxor Street and checked the personal IDs of passers-by.

"My apartment was robbed completely by mobs after the clashes on Saturday night," said Andrew Al-Far, a resident of Al-Mashrou' Street where the Marmina Church lies.

"Since the curfew was imposed, we haven’t been able to go anywhere," he added.

Prayers were held at Al-Azraa Church Monday after which worshipers cleaned the burnt church.

"We have been cleaning the church since yesterday and removing the burnt objects; everything was destroyed, it was horrible" said George Nabil, an eyewitness and a resident.

Nabil said that the attackers, Salafis accompanied by thugs, killed one of the church keepers, Salah Salib, and burnt four floors of the church.

Salib’s funeral was held at his hometown in Minya Monday.

Nabil claimed that one of the attackers fell off the church and died.

Clashes took place as the army attempted to disperse an unrelated fight Sunday night.

Army officers told Daily News Egypt on condition of anonymity that they fired blanks to disperse the crowds and didn't shoot at anyone.

They said that they were wrongfully accused of firing live bullets at Christians. They said the recent arrests were coordinated between the army and the investigations department at the Ministry of Interior.

A report issued by the fact-finding committee of the National Council for Human Rights blamed the violence on “the weak” response of authorities to incidents of sectarian strife. Authorities didn’t adequately deal with such incidents using the law, it said.

It also blamed some satellite channels for inciting religious extremism. The report said that they threaten the coherence of the state and its legitimacy.

A statement issued by human rights organizations said that the authorities since the ouster of Mubarak didn’t strictly apply the law in dealing with sectarian tension nor did they take measures to guarantee religious freedoms.

The organizations echoed statements made by the justice minister a day earlier in their warning that if such incidents continue, Egypt might enter a period of “organized terrorism” and called for independent and fair investigations.

Source: The Daily News Egypt (http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/religion/army-arrests-23-in-imbaba-following-sectarian-clashes.html)

Montrealers

May 11th, 2011, 02:17 PM

Mobarak has been transferred to the Prison giving the green light for his trial:cheers:

Azmat

May 11th, 2011, 03:00 PM

:cheers:

Montrealers

May 11th, 2011, 06:58 PM

Here is what i call cooperation of the army with the police
fbbDFMd-Zf8

egypt69

May 11th, 2011, 10:14 PM

^^

Great video.

Brotherhood leader: Secular journalists feed sectarian strife

“There are certain secular journalists with personal agendas that incite against religion and feed sectarian strife,” said Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie. “I tell them, heed God’s wrath.”

“They said the Imbaba violence represented sectarian strife between Muslims and Christians,” he added. “Then evidence pointed at the remnants of the former regime and the dissolved State Security Investigation Services being behind it.”

Speaking to more than 30,000 people who attended the inauguration of the group’s branch in Daqahlia, Badie also said that his group welcomes all political forces, irrespective of any attacks against it.

“We invited all political forces to run in the parliamentary elections under one united coalition,” he said. “But certain political parties opted to run against us.”

“Islamic Sharia is our frame of reference,” he said. “Even Pope Shenouda resorted to it in the controversial issue of the second marriage for divorced Christians.”

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433326

:nuts: :crazy:

Investigation confirms Mubarak drove up Egypt’s debt

Judicial sources said that investigations into the financial affairs of deposed President Hosni Mubarak reveal that he was the primary cause of Egypt’s high level of national debt.

However, during questioning by prosecutors, Mubarak denied the allegation, saying that he had always requested his ministers to work on reducing the national debt.

Mubarak is facing a third session of questioning, during which he will be quizzed on further charges.

In a related development, medical sources at Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, where Mubarak is being detained, said that his condition is stable and much better than before.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433310

Cabinet to issue political rights law on Thursday

The cabinet is due to issue a law on Thursday dealing with political rights. The law will be issued after its ratification by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

A military source said the cabinet would also make a statement on how the law is to be applied during the current transitional period.

The source also said that the law has been prepared by judicial experts, including the head of the State Council, the minister of justice, the vice president of the Constitutional Court and a legal committee from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

The law is expected to address election procedures for the People's Assembly and the Shura Council, grant Egyptians residing abroad the right to vote, and safeguard the representation of women in parliament.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433283

Prime minister announces committee to tackle sectarian issues

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has announced that he will form a National Justice Committee (NJC) within the cabinet to combat attempts at igniting sectarian strife, address sectarian issues and propose effective solutions.

Sharaf says that in order to guarantee the rights and freedoms of all citizens, the committee will be responsible for preparing a draft law criminalizing all forms of discrimination in accordance with the provisions of the constitutional declaration. The committee will also be charged with considering a unified law for constructing places of worship within a period of 30 working days.

During his meeting with members of the proposed committee, Sharaf responded to requests he received for closed churches to be reopened and ordered a case-by-case investigation into the reasons behind their closure. He went on to say that he would apply the law prohibiting the use of religious slogans and would prevent protests from taking place outside places of worship.

On Wednesday, prior to his trip to Ethiopia, Sharaf met with a delegation of Coptic protesters outside the Egyptian Radio and Television Union building. He told them that the government was intent on solving the problems of Egypt’s Christian citizens and would oppose anyone trying to ignite sectarian strife.

Meanwhile, Ibram Lewis, a Coptic protester, insisted the sit-in would continue until closed churches have been reopened and Copts arrested in protests against sectarianism have been released.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433271

:banana: :cheers:

No more discriminatory laws against churches in Egypt: PM Sharaf

Essam Sharaf offers a momentous pledge to appease Copts protesting recent violent attacks against them as after 80 years of restrictions on church construction, a unified code for mosques and churches is on its way

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has announced that he will create a unified law for building houses of worship within 30 days.

In a meeting today with the ministers of justice, local development and interior, Sharaf decided to form a National Justice Committee within the ministry council to draft the new law.

The committee will also create an anti-discrimination law that prohibits any form of discrimination among Egyptian citizens in accordance to the articles in the constitutional decree announced by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in March. The committee will focus its work on the growing sectarian tension in Egypt and provide efficient solutions to the crisis.

The issue of a unified building code has been a major battle for Egyptian Copts. The current law, implemented in 1934, is often cited as proof of the discrimination suffered by Copts, as it imposes more restrictions on the construction of churches than mosques. Official permission is even needed to renovate a church, no matter how minor.

During the meeting Sharaf also discussed with the ministers the results of an investigation that was launched into the recent violence against Christians in Alexandria, Soul in Helwan, Moqattam, Abu Qurqas in Minya and the last attacks on two churches in Imbaba in Giza last Saturday.

The ministers also agreed that they will reopen all churches that have been closed due to permit problems and that the Virgin Mary Church in Imbaba and the diocese in Maghagha, Minya will be renovated.

They also talked about implementing a law banning the use of religious slogans during party and parliamentary campaigns and the banning of protests in front of houses of worship.

Earlier today the council of ministers released a statement saying that they appreciate the effort put by various national forces in Egypt to maintain the country’s historical national unity and described the recent sectarian tension as tragic and a threat to the country’s national security.

The council agreed that these events need to be regulated by law and a committee that ensures that Egypt’s national unity remains intact. They also stressed that the Egyptian government will stand up to those who incite hatred and discrimination.

Sharaf also met with a delegation of Coptic protesters in his office today. Many Copts have been protesting in front of the radio and TV headquarters for four days and although the PM had wanted to meet them there he opted to move the meeting to his office for security concerns.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/11899/Egypt/Politics-/No-more-discriminatory-laws-against-churches-in-Eg.aspx

:cheers:

MASRI

May 12th, 2011, 08:20 AM

I was just checking Twitter and there are confirmed reports that the new "National Security" is currently cracking down on Islamists nationwide.

Technically, we are in a state of emergency, and crackdowns like these could be deemed legal (no need for arrest warrants), but I hope we do not witness any reports of torture or other irregularities.

There must be viable proof the people being arrested were behind the recent unrest.

Montrealers

May 12th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Montrealers

May 12th, 2011, 02:30 PM

;)
8vriqEvQWA4

Azmat

May 12th, 2011, 04:25 PM

^^

Great video.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433326

:nuts: :crazy:

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433310

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433283

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/433271

:banana: :cheers:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/11899/Egypt/Politics-/No-more-discriminatory-laws-against-churches-in-Eg.aspx

:cheers:

:cheers1:

egypt69

May 13th, 2011, 03:25 AM

Twenty-three Salafis charged with terrorism in Imbaba

The Supreme State Security Prosecution has started legal proceedings against 23 Salafis allegedly involved in the sectarian violence in Imbaba on Saturday, charging them with terrorism, premeditated murder, vandalism of public and private property and intimidating citizens.

The charges were made as part of the prosecutions' investigation into the sectarian clashes, which lead to the deaths of at least 15 people and the injury of several hundred more.

Prosecutors presented the defendants with photographs of them throwing stones and destroying private property in the area during the incident.

Meanwhile, scores of Coptic Christians staged demonstrations before the Supreme Court, requesting a fast trial for the perpetrators of the violence in Imbaba.

Police intensified their presence in the Imbaba neighborhood in order to avoid any further clashes.

Prosecutors also started questioning a Coptic Christian, the owner of a cafe in the area, who fired the first shot in the clashes.

They are putting questions to Abeer Talaat, the Coptic woman who is said to have sparked the clashes when she converted to Islam.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/434725

State of emergency extended until after elections

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has extended the state of emergency until after the parliamentary and presidential elections.

The Emergency Law will be applied to acts of sectarian strife, thuggery, vandalism of public and private property, road blocking and assaulting the police and the military.

The decision aims to restore order to the Egyptian street, says the military.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/434670

:colbert:

midotoria

May 13th, 2011, 02:36 PM

حبس سوزان مبارك 15 يوما فى قضية الكسب غير المشروع:banana:

Montrealers

May 13th, 2011, 02:48 PM

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/434725

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/434670

:colbert:

We have no choice. It is clear that any Counter-revolution attempt is successfully done.

Azmat

May 13th, 2011, 02:48 PM

حبس سوزان مبارك 15 يوما فى قضية الكسب غير المشروع:banana:

Poor girl, I'm sure Egyptian prison is a little different from the 5 star hotels in London.

egypt69

May 13th, 2011, 10:03 PM

Military denies barring Egyptians abroad from voting in elections

Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has denied barring Egyptians living abroad from voting in upcoming parliamentary elections.

In a message posted on its Facebook page on Thursday evening, the SCAF asserted that it trusts all Egyptians, inside and outside the country, and warned against rumors that threaten the unity of the Egyptian people.

A military source had told Al-Masry al-Youm on Wednesday that the final text of the new political rights law bars Egyptians living abroad from voting, given the logistical difficulties involved in managing a voting process that involves four million Egyptians living in 139 foreign countries.

In addition, giving Egyptians abroad the right to vote would distort the voters’ political will, since vote buying might lead to the manipulation of this voting bloc. This is especially the case because these Egyptian citizens live abroad and might not care about the identity of their representatives as much as Egyptians living in Egypt, according to the same source.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/435305

milquetoast

May 14th, 2011, 12:56 PM

Geez, this is so darned impressive! Why, I didn't think the Middle East would turn out this way! Not in a million years! :)

Montrealers

May 17th, 2011, 02:05 AM

Mubarak to apologize to Egyptians and plead for amnesty, as prosecution imminent

By AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE
Editing by Al Arabiya

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is to apologize to the nation and plead for amnesty, three months after he was overthrown by a popular uprising, according to a report in the independent daily al-Shorouk.

The report appears in Tuesday’s edition and quotes Egyptian and Arab official sources as saying that Mr. Mubarak was “drafting a letter which will be broadcast on Egyptian and Arabic channels, apologizing on behalf of himself and his family for any offence caused to the people.”

He is also to apologize “for any behavior which may have stemmed from false information passed on to him by his advisers.”

The former president and his wife Suzanne are under arrest in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh after both of them suffered heart attacks during interrogation as part of a graft probe.

Mr. Mubarak is also ready to hand over his assets to the state in a bid to have the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces “look into an amnesty,” the paper said.

A military source told Al-Shorouk that several Egyptian and Arab parties had been requesting an amnesty for Mr. Mubarak, 83, “within an acceptable legal framework.”

The amnesty would apply to Mr. Mubarak, his wife Suzanne, and their two sons Alaa and Gamal who are held in Cairo’s Tora prison on corruption charges, but sources say it is unlikely to be granted to the sons, the paper said.

On Monday, Mr. Mubarak's wife pledged to hand over to the state money in two bank accounts and a luxury villa in Cairo. (An earlier report said that Mrs. Mubarak told prosecutors that she would hand over $3 million.)

Authorities have also questioned Mr. Mubarak over the order to shoot anti-regime protests that rallied across the country for 18 days to demand his ouster.

At least 846 people were killed during the protests and over 6,000 injured.

The military council that took over following Mr. Mubarak’s resignation on February 11 has pledged to bring to justice all former regime officials found guilty of abuse.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/05/17/149369.html

egypt69

May 17th, 2011, 02:12 AM

Apology not accepted. 30 years he had the chance to make things right but didnt. And think of the 100s of thousands who suffered and died under his rule. He should face to full arm of the law just like anyone else who did what he did should.

MASRI

May 17th, 2011, 02:45 AM

850 dead. 6000 dead. Thousands of political prisoners. Hundreds dead from torture. Notorious police apparatus. 40% living on $2 a day. 35% illiteracy. Inefficient state institutions. No education. No healthcare.

Apology?

No. Although we need the money, with or without him persecuted. The economy is facing tough challenges.

Montrealers

May 17th, 2011, 02:50 AM

Mubarak's wife returns millions to state

Suzanne Mubarak, wife of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, has returned some of her assets to the state, after anti-graft officials ordered her detention.

The former first lady returned a villa in the Egyptian capital Cairo and transferred the power of attorney on Monday for authorities to withdraw up to $3.4m held in two of her bank accounts, Egyptian state news agency MENA said.

The hand-over came after the state's anti-corruption agency ordered that Suzanne Mubarak be detained for 15 days for further investigation into charges that she abused her husband's power for unlawful personal gain.

Judicial sources have previously said that her defence team was expected to sign documents ceding her assets in an apparent attempt to avoid detention.

Her husband Hosni Mubarak was deposed on February 11 after 30 years of rule, in a popular uprising that began a month earlier.

The military council which has been in power since has vowed to bring to justice all those accused of abuse and launched a sweeping probe into corruption.

Mubarak, his wife, two sons Alaa and Gamal and their wives were banned from travel and their assets ordered frozen by general prosecutor Abdel Magid Mahmud.

The two sons, along with dozens of officials and businessmen associated with the former regime, are being detained in Cairo's Tora prison which housed political dissidents during the Mubarak era.

The illicit gains department said Mubarak and his wife would also be questioned about properties belonging to their two sons.

The Mubarak family wealth is reported to total billions of dollars, including a villa in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, estimated to be worth over $36m.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/05/201151623363534378.html

DaZed and DiZzy

May 17th, 2011, 04:17 AM

i mean there is a possibility of millions of dollars lost
because the people who move the money do not even know themselves where is the money

xAbd0o

May 17th, 2011, 09:34 AM

Millions :| that's it the poor Egyptians will say "OMG Millions that's enough" while they don't know about the BILLIONS!

I nearly cried laughing @ the apology article. but come to think of it I may accept it at some conditions, he brings all of Egypt's money (which going to be impossible for us with out his help) and even his money he donate it. and we give him like 1-2 billion dollars then he go to exiles in his golf states, and if he's going to the gold states he should only get 30million (a mill a year as a salary minus what he already spent is not bad after all)

if he want to stay in Egypt he either have to find a town where Egyptians accept him or build his house in the middle of the desert and the army can transport him things :yes: other than that erm ... nope.

leonhamilton

May 17th, 2011, 11:11 AM

Egyptians will be demonstrating today in solidarity with Tunisia and in hope for change within their own government.The exhibition will consist of a collection of art in various media created by Egyptian artists to reflect their views on Egypt’s Revolution,and it will also include a photo gallery showing scenes of Tahrir Square as well as the demonstrators.

ifif07

May 17th, 2011, 04:16 PM

Montrealers

May 17th, 2011, 04:25 PM

SUZANE MUBARAK HAS BEEN RELEASED AFTER GIVING ALL HER ASSETS TO THE AUTORITIES.

MASRI

May 17th, 2011, 05:31 PM

^^

No confirmation thus far. :)

xAbd0o

May 17th, 2011, 06:49 PM

I personnaly dont give a damn about what Mubarak decides to do or not to do. Mubarak is in the past for me. Whether he decides to return the money or goes to the bahamas with his billions is not an issue for me. I agree with everyone here that he should get some sort of punishment to set the example however its is not his billions that willl make a difference (70 billion divided by 85 million people is peanutsssssss) My really worry is that while we are worried about Mubarak s fortune, protesting for Tunisia, Palestine Syria and god knows which other country, Muslim Brotherhood are campaigning for the elections, and the country is falling a part. It is not the millions of Mubarak that will save the country, Egypt has lost billions as a result of the revolution and the security issues . On the other side the revolution has (hopefully) helped put an end to decades, or maybe centuries of corruption (although I would be curious to know what is going on in the numerous commercial companies controlled by the army, that is still a door that remains closed). We need to rebuild the country and Egypt will make much more than it lost. In order to that we should focus on what is important and take it step by step.

I understand and partly agree. but those 70billion is nowhere near the real number. but if you're talking about 70billion. you can do trillions things with it. look at the economy look at the 2-10billion we're trying to get from the world bank. also summer is around the corner which mean students will graduate soon it also mean they wont find job. the 70billion may not be the answer to all of them but it's certainly a good contribution.

also why are you dividing them on the population not like we'll divide the money :lol: plus if you're talking about 70billion that's in dollars and approx. 1dollar = 5L.E so you're talking more of 350Billion LE.

SUZANE MUBARAK HAS BEEN RELEASED AFTER GIVING ALL HER ASSETS TO THE AUTORITIES.

Yup I heard that, ba3d keda hate5la3o :lol::lol:

egypt69

May 18th, 2011, 02:17 AM

Protest before Saudi Embassy against financing Salafis

http://amay263.cdn.infralayer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/highslide_zoom/photo/2011/05/10/228/mhs_5262.jpg

A number of bloggers, Shia Muslims and Coptic Christians on Tuesday staged protests before the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, demanding that Saudi Arabia stop financing Salafis in Egypt who incite sectarian violence.

They also demanded that Saudi Arabia return all assets and money held in Saudi Arabia on behalf of deposed President Hosni Mubarak.

“This is our third protest since the revolution,” said Shia protester Mohamed al-Dariny. “We won’t stop until the Saudi threat to our national unity is thwarted.”

The protests were joined by families of Egyptians detained in Saudi Arabia. They said their relatives had been detained without trial, and requested that Prime Minister Essam Sharaf intervene to secure their immediate release. They also demanded an official apology from Saudi Arabia.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/440967

YES YES YES :cheers: Finally people are waking up to the Saudi threat!

ifif07

May 18th, 2011, 08:08 AM

@ xAbd0o: I get your point and you are right, any money owned by the should go back to the country. However I just want to say that we can achieve so much more if we start being productive. I know that we will start being productive again, I am just being impatient and worried about the radicalisation of the society. I want the whole revolution, political reforms (if any), demonstrations, chaos to be over so we can go on with our lives. I am tiered of reading in the newspapers every single day about protests here and there, about gunshots, people killed, thugs, and salafis. I know that there is a price to pay for freedom and I know that everything will return to normal, I just dont know when.

Montrealers

May 18th, 2011, 02:35 PM

Yup I heard that, ba3d keda hate5la3o :lol::lol:

^^:lol:

Montrealers

May 18th, 2011, 02:44 PM

Revolutionary committee rejects amnesty for Mubarak and threatens new uprising

A revolutionary committee on Tuesday expressed its categorical rejection of an amnesty for deposed President Hosni Mubarak and threatened to ignite a new revolution with protests all over the country.

Local news reports had on Tuesday indicated that satellite channels would broadcast a voice message from Mubarak, in which he would apologize to the Egyptian people and ask for a for pardon for any mistakes that he or his family had made.

In its statement, the Coordinating Committee for the Masses of the Revolution said, "We will try all those who committed criminal or political offences, whatever the consequences or sacrifices. And we did not authorize anyone to pardon those criminals."

The statement also said, "We strongly warn against any attempt to pardon the former president or any of the representatives of his regime, whose hands are stained with the blood of the people. And we reject any apology, reconciliation or even discussion in this matter."

The committee called on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the government to stand against any announcement by the ousted president in the media to play with peoples’ emotions so as to pardon him or any of his corrupt men.

The committee consists of eight political movements, including the 25 January Revolution Youth Coalition, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Alliance of Egyptian Revolutionaries and a number of independent public figures.

Translated from the Arabic Edition

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/440885

We're making our own hell. We must stop before we lose the situation

MASRI

May 18th, 2011, 05:22 PM

Aside from the upcoming second wave of protests, two new Political parties have been formed recently:

The first is Masr El Horeya (Egyptian Freedom Party) - Formed by renowed Political scientist and Liberal thinker Amr Hamzawy:

Website:http://www.masralhureyya.org/About/Principles.aspx
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Masr-Alhureyya-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/102419313182769

The second is Hizb El 3adal (Justice Party)

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/eladlparty
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/eladlparty

egypt69

May 18th, 2011, 07:08 PM

^^

I love thier principles.

But seriosly, it's getting too far now. How many political parties with the same, or nearly identical ideologies do we have now? Those 2 parties are similar in policy to the Free Egyptians party and teh Egyptian Social democratic party.

Why did the creators just create 2 new parties, when they could've just joined the already existing 2. The Liberals/Social Democrats are already disadvantaged to the more organized brotherhood, yet the Liberals/Social Democrats keep dividing themselves by creating a new party every day. Very very stupid IMO. The best would be one big party for all Liberals and Social Democrats, we all need to unite for this period. This election is gonna be crucial, it will define the constitution and many things. They can split ways after then, but gosh, can't we pull our act together for now? :ohno:

MASRI

May 18th, 2011, 07:29 PM

^^

I hope to see that happen; just as the Socialist did a few days ago. All parties formed a United Socialist Front. I expect the Liberals to form closer ties as we head into parliamentary elections.

Montrealers

May 18th, 2011, 11:42 PM

xAbd0o

May 18th, 2011, 11:44 PM

Montrealers

May 19th, 2011, 12:00 AM

It's obvious that our first chance of democracy wont go as we except it to. but that's okay, we have experts and well educated Egyptians that can guide us to the right path in the meantime, once this term is over we'll learn from the experience and do better. It's the nature of life that how everything goes :)

Ahmed el Muslimani said once in his show, Ehna fe thawra, w fe 2ayam 7anedereb 3ala 2afana w marat 7anez3al bas el seeka taweela w malyana 7agat helwa. If i had the chance to continue the revolution or return to Mubarak era, i would take the revolution 10 thousand time. It took 7 year for France to recognize the real changes.

xAbd0o

May 19th, 2011, 12:04 AM

Forget about France that's old. let talk about the recent things, South Asian countries these countries were exactly like us and even much much more worse than us 10 years ago!

Montrealers

May 19th, 2011, 12:14 AM

Forget about France that's old. let talk about the recent things, South Asian countries these countries were exactly like us and even much much more worse than us 10 years ago!

It depends :)
Alot of Egyptians used to live with 2 L.E each day...

Montrealers

May 19th, 2011, 12:23 AM

HUSSEIN SALEM HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN ISRAEL

Egyptian state television said a short while ago that the Interpol arrested businessman Hussein Salem in Israel.

Hussein Salem had left Cairo on 3 February, and referred to the Criminal Court for crimes damage the interests of the country and the waste of public money, and enable others to achieve financial benefits, after making the sale and export of Egyptian gas to Israel at a low not in conformity with world prices at the time of contract and the terms of contract unfair With the Egyptian side, to the detriment of public money worth the difference between the price at which it is selling Egyptian natural gas to Israel and world prices prevailing at that time.

Also developed the website of the international police, "Interpol" picture of Hassan Salem within pictures "Wanted" and the dissemination of international site personal information that, when he pointed out that the businessman, the fugitive was born in 1933, and at the age of 77 years, and is urgently required by the Chancellor Hisham Badawi, the first Attorney General of the Supreme State Security Prosecution.

http://www.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=415791

أعلن التلفزيون المصرى منذ قليل أن الإنتربول الدولى ألقى القبض على رجل الأعمال حسين سالم فى إسرائيل .

كان حسين سالم قد غادر القاهرة بتاريخ 3 فبراير الماضى، وأُحيل إلى محكمة الجنايات لارتكابه جرائم الإضرار بمصلحة البلاد وإهدار المال العام، وتمكين الغير من تحقيق منافع مالية، بعد قيامه ببيع وتصدير الغاز المصرى لدولة إسرائيل بسعر متدنى لا يتفق والأسعار العالمية وقت التعاقد وبشروط تعاقد مُجحفة مع الجانب المصري، مما أضر بالمال العام بقيمة الفارق بين السعر الذى تم به بيع الغاز الطبيعى المصرى لإسرائيل والأسعار العالمية السائدة فى ذلك الوقت.

كما وضع الموقع الإلكترونى للشرطة الدولية "الإنتربول" صورة حسن سالم ضمن صور "المطلوبين للعدالة" ونشر الموقع الدولى معلومات شخصية عنه، حيث أشار إلى أن رجل الأعمال الهارب من مواليد سنة 1933، ويبلغ من العمر 77 عاماً، ومطلوب على وجه السرعة من قبل المستشار هشام بدوى، المحامى العام الأول لنيابات أمن الدولة العليا.

xAbd0o

May 19th, 2011, 01:45 PM

It depends :)
Alot of Egyptians used to live with 2 L.E each day...

Check the bits where it says "Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population)"

Malaysia
http://data.worldbank.org/country/malaysia

no data from 10 years ago, but you can see about 20 years ago they were like 15% and about 10 years later they where 5%! and today it's about 3-4%

Still not convinced yet?

Check these,
http://data.worldbank.org/country/singapore
http://data.worldbank.org/country/korea-republic

Check the per capita, the least is $7,000 and you have 19,000 also 37,000 O_O

check our data,
http://data.worldbank.org/country/egypt-arab-republic

We're 'efd up! we're not improving we're going worse! and Only $2,000 per capita :rant: also check employment rate :clown:

[Okay yes these data are kinda old we're in 2011 but still there wasn't that much of improvement.]

egypt69

May 20th, 2011, 12:51 AM

New law grants Egyptians abroad the right to vote

At a press conference on Thursday to mark the announcement of the political rights law, Major-General Mamdouh Shahin, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, confirmed that the parliamentary elections would be held in September as scheduled, and added that the law affirms the right for all Egyptians to vote, which means Egyptians living abroad would also be allowed to vote for the first time

Shahin also said that a new constitution would be devised after the parliamentary elections and before the presidential elections, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al-Gamal is holding a national conference on Saturday to establish the basic principles of the new constitution.

Buillding a new constitution on the basis of these principles will be the responsiblity of a constitutional committee to be formed by the People's Assembly and the Shura Council.

“The elections will be under full judicial supervision, and under the protection of the armed forces,” he said.

He explained that voters will be allowed to participate in the elections with their ID cards, without having to obtain special electoral cards like before, and that there would be a judge for each ballot. He added that the results would be announced on the internet.

In response the question of whether the election would be conducted on an individual basis or by means of a proportional list, Shahin said there would need to be a national dialogue to decide the matter.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/444433

:banana:

Azmat

May 20th, 2011, 01:26 AM

I wish I was 18. :|

Montrealers

May 20th, 2011, 02:00 AM

TAHYA MASRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
IM 19
:D

Azmat

May 23rd, 2011, 12:44 AM

Law on places of worship to be issued soon

Interior Minister Mansour Essawy said the new law on places of worship would be issued in a few days, putting an end to disputes over licences for the construction of churches in Egypt.

“Overseeing the building and renovation of churches and mosques was taken from the Interior Ministry and given to the Ministry of Local Government under the new law,” he explained.

The minister also said that he met last week with a delegation of Coptic Christians and promised to reopen the churches that the Interior Ministry had closed down for security purposes under the former regime.

Source: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/447580

:cheers:

Azmat

May 23rd, 2011, 01:20 AM

Policeman gets death for protest murders

CAIRO: An Egyptian court condemned a policeman to death on Sunday for killing 20 protesters, in the first such sentencing of a security forces member for the murder of demonstrators during a January-February revolt.

Mohammed Al-Sonni was found guilty of having shot dead "at random" 20 demonstrators and wounding 15 others to fend off a raid on a police station on Jan. 28, one of the bloodiest days of the revolt.

The court asked the mufti of the republic, Ali Gomaa, who is tasked with interpreting Islamic law for Egypt's government, to confirm the sentence as required by Egyptian law.

According to an official toll, 846 people were killed and thousands injured in the uprising which toppled president Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11.

Source: http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/crime-a-accidents/policeman-gets-death-for-protest-murders.html

egypt69

May 23rd, 2011, 01:24 AM

Great!

Montrealers

May 23rd, 2011, 03:42 PM

Good news for the family of the victims. Not good for democracy as long former officials aren't sentenced the sameway.

Montrealers

May 25th, 2011, 05:30 AM

http://amay263.cdn.infralayer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/highslide_zoom/photo/2011/03/26/41/tahrir.jpg

Preparations underway for 'second' revolution

The 25 January Revolutionary Youth Coalition and other political groups are mobilizing for what they called a “second” revolution on 27 May in Tahrir Square and other major Egyptian squares in order to demand social justice.

The Kefaya movement announced that it would take part, while the youth of the Muslim Brotherhood group said they reject calling it a second revolution, but would still participate to demand that Mubarak regime figures face public trials.

Group Shura Council member Karem Radwan said the Guidance Bureau would decide on Wednesday whether or not the group would participate.

“But we called for a demonstration on Tuesday to demand that the deputy prime minister and the governor of Alexandria be removed,” he said.

Meanwhile, bloggers launched an internet campaign to pressure the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to work in sympathy with the aims of the revolution.

...

egypt69

May 25th, 2011, 05:31 AM

I don't think this is gonna be big enough to deserve it's own thread.

Montrealers

May 25th, 2011, 05:33 AM

I don't think this is gonna be big enough to deserve it's own thread.

Same as what we've been saying on 25th January... Just keep this thread and if nothing happens... Ban me :D

egypt69

May 25th, 2011, 05:47 AM

Montrealers

May 25th, 2011, 05:56 AM

hahaha It's funny because I actually said that in the 25 Jan thread :laugh:

But let's be real here, there's nothing to revolt or overthrow. Finish, the transitional government is here till elections in September.

I say enough protesting, let's get back to our normal lives. That's what we can do for our country now, get the economy moving again. But at the same time, anyone should have the right to peaceful assembly. If a group of people insist on protesting, then so be it.

The army is misleading the revolution by constantly jailing bloggers for saying the truth and no need to mention the liberation of Suzanne Mubarak in return of her assets... Only in Egypt, in America she would have been sentenced no less than 20 years.

egypt69

May 25th, 2011, 05:57 AM

Mubarak is to appear in Court soon.

7xzfxSZpQKY&feature=player_embedded

Egypt’s Public Prosecutor sends Mubarak men to criminal court

Ahead of calls for a 'Second Day of Rage' on Friday, the Public Prosecutor's office has announced the referral of Mubarak, his two sons and Hussein Salem to the criminal courts on charges of manslaughter among others

http://english.ahram.org.eg/Media/News/2011/5/24/2011-634418524130697294-69.jpg

The Public Prosecutor’s office announced today that ousted president Hosni Mubarak, his sons, Gamal and Alaa, and Hussein Salem, a prominent businessman, have been referred to the criminal courts to face charges of killing protestors during the January 25 Revolution and misusing their political status to accumulate wealth by deliberately curbing the state’s funds for personal gains.

As outlined on the Public Prosecutor’s Facebook page, Mubarak is accused of conspiring with Habib El-Adly, the former interior minister, and other police officers, to deliberately commit manslaughter against participants of the 25 January Revolution. The former president allegedly urged certain police officers to fire bullets into crowds of protestors, use vehicles to run demonstrators over, spread fear with the purpose of putting an end to the protests and maintain the status quo.

The ousted president is also accused of using his position to buy several Egyptian properties well below their market value such as a castle and four villas in Sharm El-Shiekh worth around LE40 million. Salem is accused of giving Mubarak and his two sons these expensive properties for small amounts of money. In return, the ousted president allegedly allowed Salem to own huge tracts of land, reaching up to a million metres, in South Sinai and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Earlier, the prosecutor-general ordered a travel-ban on the aforementioned figures, but Salem was already out of Egypt. International police have been asked to arrest Salem. Gamal and Alaa Mubarak are already being detained in Tora prison.

The Public Prosecutor’s office has also transferred the case pertaining to Mubarak’s suspected weapons dealings to the military courts as they are the responsible entity in such matters.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/1/64/12851/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Public-Prosecutor-sends-Mubarak-men-to-cri.aspx

Fate of the ousted president inches further along

The referral of Hosni Mubarak to the criminal court could yet herald several scenarios

An official statement by the office of the public prosecutor announced the referral of toppled president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons Alaa and Gamal to the criminal court.

The three Mubaraks are faced with different sets of charges. The former president is facing charges with ordering the killing of peaceful demonstrators during the January 25 Revolution, in association with his former minister of interior Habib El-Adly.

The younger Mubaraks are facing a range of charges involving financial corruption.

Meanwhile, Mubarak senior and his once close associate Hussein Salam, who is being pursued by Interpol, are, according to another official announcement, set to stand trial before military courts for charges related to arms exports and the shipping of arms granted to Egypt from the US under the annual military assistance package.

The referral comes as the prosecutor-general exhausted all possible renewals of the 15-day custody period to which the president and both his sons have been subjected for close to two months now.

It is not clear when exactly the Mubaraks will appear before the criminal court and there is no firm announcement on whether Hosni Mubarak, who has been kept in Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital since he was put in custody pending investigations, will be tried in Cairo or in the Red Sea resort town.

According to information obtained by Ahram Online, the actual day of litigation is to be decided in view of a set of conditions.

The first is the health condition of the former president. There are confusing accounts about his health – even the account offered by official sources in press statements. However, according to the information made available to Ahram Online, Mubarak's overall health is "really frail." "He has lost so much weight that it would be hard to recognise him," said one source.

The second condition relating to the launch of the litigation is about securing any court of law where the litigation could take place with Mubarak senior present. Given that the toppled president is kept at a Sharm El-Sheikh hospital to avoid moving him to a military facility in Cairo or anywhere close to the capital for fear of undermining his security, it is very hard, according to security sources, to predict how the operation of securing a court of law would be achieved.

The third condition for the start of the litigation against Mubarak before the criminal court, according to legal sources, is related to the case of El-Adly, who also being tried before the criminal court for ordering the killing of innocent civilians. Given that the case of El-Adly is deferred until the last week of next month, it is rather unlikely, according to the same legal sources, that there would be a rush to take Mubarak to court.

"It was important that the (former) president and his sons be referred to a criminal court before Friday to avert having a massive demonstration; the details of the litigation would be sorted out by the legal bodies," said an official source.

And even if a date is set for the first session of litigation, it is not obligatory that Mubarak senior be present; he could be absent for health reasons and in this case the launch of the litigation would be delayed.

Some official sources are determined that Mubarak will not have go to the cage of the criminal court. They insist that there are legal ways that are currently being examined to spare the former president this humiliation.

This does not apply to the case of Alaa and Gamal who could face the criminal court next month. The same official sources anticipate a heavily secured trial to which photographers and journalists might or might not be allowed.

A legal source close to the defence team of the Mubaraks is determined that it would be very difficult if not practically impossible to indict the toppled president on charges of ordering or orchestrating the killing of innocent demonstrators during the January 25 Revolution. According to this source the former president is being tried in his capacity as the chair of the Supreme Police Council but for him to be indicted by a court of law there needs to be hard and undisputable evidence – which is still lacking so far.

No recording has been found of the president ordering the killing of demonstrators and there is no trace of a written order.

Mubarak's weakest point is, perhaps, according to the same legal source, the allocation of vast state-owned territory to Hussein Salem and other businessmen, at dramatically cheaper rates than the actual prices. But even on this matter there is the legal defence of encouraging businessmen to pursue investments that help create job opportunities and there is always the exit of getting the concerned businessmen to pay the supposedly deducted amounts.

Mubarak's defence team seems fairly confident about the chances of clearing their client of most of the charges and of finding perfectly legal settlements for some other charges.

"This is if we are talking about a strictly legal process, but we are afraid of a predominantly political process whereby the litigation is heavily influenced by the public opinion or rather the views of activists," said the legal source close to the defence team.

The trial of Mubarak could well be the beginning of a legal exit to the president. If a court of law was to find Mubarak innocent of all charges of killing demonstrators and if the financial matters are settled then Mubarak could regain his freedom.

Alternatively, Mubarak could be indicted on some of the financial charges and in this case he would be issued a sentence. For the former president to be spared from serving this sentence, he would need to be granted an amnesty. This arrangement would require securing the consent of public opinion.

Some sources suggest that an exit scenario could be secured for the former president through a legal arrangement. Other sources are too concerned over public anger and according to one of those "it looks more likely that Mubarak's only real exit would be the cemetery." He added, "if the street is going to block his amnesty then he might not want to live much longer; he is already very depressed."

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/12862/Egypt/Politics-/Fate-of-the-ousted-president-inches-further-along.aspx