From Revolution Anniversary to Revolt

(AFP)

Yesterday, January 25, marked the two-year anniversary of Egypt's Revolution.

Next week, on February 1, it will be the anniversary of the Football (soccer) massacre in Port Said.  For nearly a year, the victims families and fellow fans have been awaiting "justice" from the court system as more than 70 have been detained in connection to the violence that led to the deaths of more than 70 fans attending the fatal football match.

Early this morning, while tear gas still lingered in the air of Cairo from the efforts of Police and security forces attempting disband the revolutionary demonstrators last night, the courts announced a guilty verdict for the first wave of defendants facing charges.  And 21 of these were found deserving of the death penalty.

While most in Cairo, fans of the soccer club based here, rejoiced at what they called justice for their slain peers, the opposite was occurring in Port Said.  There, they found this to be a decision of regional favoritism and the response has been nothing short of riots.  The prison where the defendants are being held was stormed.  At last report more than 20 are dead in Port Said as clashes continue among communities along the Suez Canal.

There are several points of difficulty through this situation:
- the mob mentality of getting justice by force
- the embattled court and justice system in Egypt
- the police who find themselves often just trying to protect themselves
- the government who has to help restore order and lead
- the economy that cannot continue to lose favor of foreign investments
- etc., etc., etc.

As you go to your places of worship and times of prayer this weekend, pray for Egypt.  Pray for peace and pray for leadership that can navigate the difficult transitions of so much chaos.