More Violence in Cairo

Photo by Abdel Hamid as posted on the Egypt Independent newspaper website.

As you may have seen on television reports, there has been a reported outbreak of violence in Egypt.  The scene was not the familiar Tahrir Square in the heart of the city, but just a bit northeast in the large, busy midan (roundabout/square) area near the Abbasseya mosque.  Why there?  That's where the Ministry of Defense and an Arabic university are located; the train Egyptian Railways train station is also near there.

Initially, there was a sit-in as a part of ongoing protests since the ouster of Presidential hopeful Abu Ismail by the Presidential Election Commission.  Other groups were going to join them in solidarity this weekend to protest for various other complaints, including the ongoing rule of the military council, the "corruption" of the presidential election system, and the military encouraging the writing of a constitution before the election of President.  This latter complaint is older; the ruling military council now says they will hand over the government (likely with joy) to whoever is elected President with or without a new constitution in place--yet, there is still a lot of ongoing protest on what many perceive to be a power-hungry military ruling council.

The protestors were attacked by men in plain clothes, first with rocks and brutal "thuggery"; however, in the course of the chaos, bird shot and small arm fire were reported.  The result were 11 dead and many more injured.

The protestors claim that these were either military or police in plain clothes attempting to scare off the protestors and put an end to the demonstrations.  But, as we have seen in the past year, such violence only leads to larger number of protests and greater resolve in the marches and or sit-ins.  Such violence has also created the recipe for greater violence as newer protestors bring in their own guns or sticks, rocks, or with whatever they feel they can best protect themselves.

This recipe for ongoing disaster has continued to play out for months on end now.  Surely the police and military have seen this time and time again--why would they think that such a tactic would provide different results?  Such events may be why the Egypt Independent's informal poll of readers has about 2/3 believing that a newly elected President will not be able to bring peace or stability to the country.

We, once again, are safe and sound--no signs or worries of violence or chaos around us.  We received the State Department report warning us yet again that such events are taking place, to avoid areas where crowds may want to gather, and what to do in case caught in a riotous situation.  We awoke this morning and prayed according to Psalm 147:14, "He brings peace within your borders".

As you continue to pray for us, pray for the Egyptian believers whose hearts are torn for their country and their hopes hold out for a brighter day.