The new grass, flowers, and trees that have replaced the former trodden soil, street vendors, debris and temporary dwellings in Tahrir Square will get a test today as another wave of demonstrations sweep through the iconic intersection.
And, as within previous demonstrations, there are various reasons why demonstrators will gather today:
1) President Mori's 100 day speech -- last Saturday, Mori gave his glowing self-evaluation after 100 days in office--an evaluation that has much disagreement by the populace. There are to be several gathering today to share what they think of the President's first 100 days and their hopes for the near future of the President's leadership and policies.
2) The draft of the new constitution -- the ever-embattled Constituent Assembly has managed to come to enough of an agreement to release a draft for a new constitution for Egypt for public review. This is a triumph in theory, but there are many who are already expressing displeasure over the proposed wording and outline of government, which in their assessment relies to heavily upon Islamic influences. The draft obviously reflected a lot of notes and punctuation to indicate ongoing debate and decisions to be made--the draft is just that, a draft, not a completed proposal. Nonetheless, there are many who are preparing to add their 2 piastres today.
3) Acquittal of the "Camel Battle" participants - this dramatic event has the potential to sway all attention away from the previous areas of demonstration. For those who may not know, the "Camel Battle" was a dangerous ploy by pro-Mubarak demonstrators during the January 2011 "revolution" in which as many as 50 men riding horses and camels recklessly rode through the crowd with clubs (see video).
The 24 men who were on trial for manslaughter and attempted murder were all acquitted by the courts this past week. President Morsi subsequently blamed and then fired the Prosecutor General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud (a holdover from the Mubarak regime) on grounds of presenting a weak case to the court; however, Mahmoud has refused to resign, stating that the Executive branch cannot remove members of the Judicial branch. This dramatic back-and-forth will likely fuel some intense protests today, and potentially in the days to come.
Much has happened, and there are movements of significant changes beginning throughout Egypt; however, there is still much unrest: doctors protesting, cotton workers protesting, continuing education protests, transportation workers protesting, and even soccer protests are all springing up throughout the city of Cairo and around the country. Meanwhile, security issues are continuing in the Sinai.
But, through it all, we remain at peace and continue to enjoy calm and favor as we serve here. This past week, we've hosted teammates from Europe for the Three-Worlds annual staff meeting, and they can join our testimony of the oasis of calm we experience. God is good, and he has called us to share his goodness through Grace, Mercy and Peace with this region.
UPDATE (5:12 pm local time, 11:12 EST)
"Judgment Day" is the name several groups have given to today's protests that have now become quite violent according to various reports as protestors on different sides of various issues have been attacking each other throughout the afternoon. The Muslim Brotherhood have removed their stage and their organizers have left the square, stating they were insulted and assaulted by rival groups; earlier, it is reported that some revolutionary socialists attempted to block Brotherhood members from entering the square from one direction by throwing rocks.
And, as within previous demonstrations, there are various reasons why demonstrators will gather today:
1) President Mori's 100 day speech -- last Saturday, Mori gave his glowing self-evaluation after 100 days in office--an evaluation that has much disagreement by the populace. There are to be several gathering today to share what they think of the President's first 100 days and their hopes for the near future of the President's leadership and policies.
2) The draft of the new constitution -- the ever-embattled Constituent Assembly has managed to come to enough of an agreement to release a draft for a new constitution for Egypt for public review. This is a triumph in theory, but there are many who are already expressing displeasure over the proposed wording and outline of government, which in their assessment relies to heavily upon Islamic influences. The draft obviously reflected a lot of notes and punctuation to indicate ongoing debate and decisions to be made--the draft is just that, a draft, not a completed proposal. Nonetheless, there are many who are preparing to add their 2 piastres today.
3) Acquittal of the "Camel Battle" participants - this dramatic event has the potential to sway all attention away from the previous areas of demonstration. For those who may not know, the "Camel Battle" was a dangerous ploy by pro-Mubarak demonstrators during the January 2011 "revolution" in which as many as 50 men riding horses and camels recklessly rode through the crowd with clubs (see video).
The 24 men who were on trial for manslaughter and attempted murder were all acquitted by the courts this past week. President Morsi subsequently blamed and then fired the Prosecutor General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud (a holdover from the Mubarak regime) on grounds of presenting a weak case to the court; however, Mahmoud has refused to resign, stating that the Executive branch cannot remove members of the Judicial branch. This dramatic back-and-forth will likely fuel some intense protests today, and potentially in the days to come.
Much has happened, and there are movements of significant changes beginning throughout Egypt; however, there is still much unrest: doctors protesting, cotton workers protesting, continuing education protests, transportation workers protesting, and even soccer protests are all springing up throughout the city of Cairo and around the country. Meanwhile, security issues are continuing in the Sinai.
But, through it all, we remain at peace and continue to enjoy calm and favor as we serve here. This past week, we've hosted teammates from Europe for the Three-Worlds annual staff meeting, and they can join our testimony of the oasis of calm we experience. God is good, and he has called us to share his goodness through Grace, Mercy and Peace with this region.
UPDATE (5:12 pm local time, 11:12 EST)
"Judgment Day" is the name several groups have given to today's protests that have now become quite violent according to various reports as protestors on different sides of various issues have been attacking each other throughout the afternoon. The Muslim Brotherhood have removed their stage and their organizers have left the square, stating they were insulted and assaulted by rival groups; earlier, it is reported that some revolutionary socialists attempted to block Brotherhood members from entering the square from one direction by throwing rocks.
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