we're fine here...

photo from CCN.com

as many of you are beginning your day in the USA, you may be seeing the news reports of soccer (football) riots in Egypt that have led to more than 70 dead, and many more injured last night in the city of Port Said (northeast Egypt, at the mouth of the Suez Canal).

we first heard about this early this morning--through an ESPN headline while i was checking sports scores; we were not aware of any trouble last night, and there has been no sign of troubles today throughout El Maadi.  we have received warning from the US State Department that the potential for riotous gatherings exist tonight as we begin the weekend here.

apparently, the stadium was getting increasingly hostile as the game progressed, with reports of bottles and other debris being thrown at the opposing team.  at the final whistle, home fans stormed the field after beating the leading league team from Cairo--the Cairo team ran for the locker room, though some players had to run back out to save an assistant manager.  the fans also turned on rival fans in the stadium who were trying to exit, but were prevented when the stadium gates remained locked.

the escalation of violence continued, despite riot police being on hand.  the police have been issued an order not to engage civilian amidst protests and demonstrations after such public fallout in the year's previous events.

so...
people were obviously and rightly upset for police not controlling the insanity--yet, the people themselves could not control themselves, demonstrating by violence, arson, and destruction of property.

The premier league of football (soccer) here in Egypt is right to postpone all matches until order can be restored.

But we're fine.  Pray for Egypt; pray for the people to seek justice, yet to also recognize their responsibility for decency and respect of life and peace.