THE VIEW FROM HERE: `From Protests to Picnics’

The authorBy Nejeed Kassam

Arriving back in Cairo on Saturday July 9th, I remember that I could hear the crowds, the people, the voices, the excitement-from my apartment near Tahrir Square.

Friday July 8th had been a big event. Tens of thousands of Egyptian revolutionaries, if we can call them that, had gathered at the birthplace of Egypt's January 25th Revolution-to remind the former government, the police, the military - and maybe, most importantly themselves - that this Revolution was far from over. There were still trials to be conducted, truth to be sought after, and democracy to be found.

After that Friday, and for the duration of almost a month until the end of July, the situation remained the same in the square. Traffic was diverted—cars not allowed around through this formally major intersection.

If anyone wanted to come into the Square, there was security - both in and out - which was interestingly run by civilians; not the military or the police. You had to show an ID, you were patted down; and, if you seemed violent or disruptive you were not allowed in.

I got stopped entering once, actually. The young man on security whose English was rudimentary at best, asked me if I was from Iran; because of my name. For a split second, he actually looked worried; maybe he thought I was a spy. He called someone over who spoke better English than he did and when I said I was Canadian I was given a smile, and the common response of “Canada Dry!” followed by a charming, “Welcome.”

(PHOTO: Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt. Credit, Nejeed Kassam)To me, what has been most interesting has been the nature of the protests. They have not been rowdy; they have not been angry - for the most part. Sure, there have been minor yelling matches and miniscule confrontations - but nothing to the degree that you’d even see at a rock concert. They have been relaxed and peaceful. In fact, this has been something that many of the young revolutionaries have been proud of.  In the many interviews that I have conducted, a common theme has been pride in non-violence and several of the mainly young men that I’ve spoken with have said that Egypt’s revolution is an example for change in the world. These aspirations of global leadership are truly fascinating.

It should be noted, however, that politics still lingers in the air. Signs, banners, and photographs are everywhere. Jubilant with their newly found free-speech, issues of all shapes and sizes were on display. From parents of those who lost their lives in the initial uprising, to those still angry at Mubarak; to Christians who want a better status in Egypt,  to young revolutionary artists expressing their opinions through paper and pencil. There is every strata and genre of Egyptian life represented here.

But among it all, there is a sense of natural order to this still ongoing `revolution’.  Because, devoid of all these signs and photos you’d barely know it was a revolution. In fact, there is another side to Tahrir Square.

(PHOTO: Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt. Credit, Nejeed Kassam)The people, caught in the atmosphere, are just that – people. Young families, sitting enjoying meals and the stream of entertainment around them. Street vendors, opportunists, who see the gatherings as an opportunity to make money, selling soda and nuts, or revolutionary souvenirs. Teenagers on their cell phones, texting and tweeting. People just being people. Celebrating being Egyptian.

As much as western media’s love for sensationalism has portrayed Tahrir and the ongoing revolution’s dangers, being here, I have not felt unsafe. This affair has been inspiringly civilized. I have shared in the happiness and freedom of so many Egyptians.

It seems that this is what happens when protests become picnics. To me, this is how democracy should be born.

With the holy month of Ramadan having just started, and the former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak’s trial now underway, who knows what’s in store for this on-going Revolution. When the last of the protestors leave the square, maybe the hunger and frustration will cause renewed violence and increased clashes. Hopefully not.

Mubarak’s plea of not guilty is sure to cause an uproar of sorts, and maybe legitimately so. Because truly, people have suffered in this ancient country, and now they want to at least feel a sense of justice. But many people, most especially Egyptians, I’m sure, pray that this will not turn to violence.

(PHOTO: Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt. Credit, Nejeed Kassam)I, for one, truly hope that people will celebrate this holy month as they always have, with their families, and with a sense of dignity, peace, and piety.  Insh’Allah, as we say here, that the trial of the country’s now disgraced, former leader, will bring a sense of much-deserved justice to Egyptians.

From Egypt, today, that’s the view from here.

--- Nejeed Kassam is a Canadian youth activist and is the founder of the international NGO’s `End Poverty Now’ and `Networks for Change.’ Nejeed is currently writing two books including the sequel to the “High on Life” book and his first novel. He recently spent time working for the United Nations Development Programme in Belgrade, Serbia and Cairo, Egypt.

THE VIEW FROM HERE: `The Start of the Holy Month of Ramadan in Cairo'

By Lamia Hassan in Cairo

Ramadan - Midan El-Jame (The Mosque Square) Helipolis, Cairo, Egypt PHOTO CREDIT: Bakar_88/FlickrThe streets of Cairo look festive with the huge Ramadan lanterns dangling from trees and buildings in every corner.  Vendors have set up their tables everywhere on the streets and in front of big shops for people to stop by and buy some of the usual Ramadan treats: nuts, qatayef (small pastries), pumpkins, and others. And, like every year, the streets are flooded with people in the last few days before Ramadan. On top of that many Cairenes were out of town for the summer break and had  started heading back into giddy Cairo just for before the holy month starts.

The appetite of urban Egyptians for shopping is always very high before Ramadan: many shelves in hyper-markets empty quickly as people tend to buy everything and store them like it’s their last day on earth. Consequently, many of the grocery and fruits/vegetables’ stores tend to increase prices as it is the time of the year where they make a big portion of their profits.  Everyone tries to make good business during Ramadan as people are always willing to buy.

The scene this year does not really look different than any of the previous years in terms of the spirit and shopping, although things have not been stable in the country every since the protests of last January that brought an end to the regime of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s former president.

People are out shopping and preparing for the festive month, not unlike every Ramadan. But, in fact there are three things that make this year different than previous ones:  it is the first time in years that we do not see a time change before Ramadan, that  Ramadan occurs  in the middle of the summer season, and most importantly, the first time many of us are observing the holy month without Mubarak as president.

During previous Ramadans, Egyptians were always accustomed to the government changing the time up to two or three times-a-year for day light saving – which was a welcome move to makes the fasting hours less. But this year, the Cabinet announced there would be no time change. This just adds a couple more hours to the day. Even jokes started coming out regarding this, with people claiming  they miss the time of Mubarak, when they used to break the fast at around 5PM instead of  7PM.

Also, as Ramadan this year started in the beginning of August, many people had to commence their summer vacation early to be able to enjoy some time out of congested and sweltering Cairo before the holy month starts. Although some decided that they will just enjoy their summer vacations while fasting by the beach.

But for many people the most dramatic difference is that this marks the first time in 30 years that Ramadan comes without Mubarak as the president of Egypt.

The political change has played out in a way many outsiders would not expect – on television. In the programs and Ramadan mosalsalat (television series) presented this year, it seems that politics are a very dominant theme in many shows. Ramadan is always known to be the peak season for television viewership and advertising revenues. That turns this period from a holy month dedicated to worship and family gatherings to a commercial race.

From comedy shows to talk shows and television series, it is clear from viewing previews of upcoming Ramadan programs, that many, if not most of them, involve politics. Pehaps this is no surprise as Mubarak’s era curtailed people’s involvement in politics,; after the 2011 revolution, everything seems to involve hardcore politics.

In the run-up to Ramadan many media analysts predicted that this season will see a decrease in the numbers of shows - especially mosalsalat. Last year saw 50 mosalsalat but  it seems that there is still a lot going on.

Many producers were not able to present their mosalsalat last year so they pushed them to this season, like El-Daly’s third season - starring Nour El-Sherif and Abed Karman, and starring Taim El-Hassan, who is known for his role as King Farouk in a television series with the same name.

In past years, it was common to see one production company presenting during Ramadan up to five mosalsalat. But, media analysts said that this year every producer might generate just one or two, as they are reluctant to take a risk and put all their money in projects while the country is still in turmoil.

Advertising revenues during Ramadan can account for up to half of the year’s ad income. But as the ad revenues dropped significantly since the revolution , analysts predicted that the ads may not be flooding the channels like previous Ramadans.

So perhaps, in the end, we can return to the spiritual and family holiday that Ramadan was meant to be.

Lamia Hassan is journalist based in Cairo, Egypt and a recent recipient of the 2011 African Journalist Environment Award for her piece entitled 'Washed Up'.  

The View From Here: Thoughts of a Young Activist on Democracy

By Nejeed Kassam

When I started writing this column, I was supposed to be taking off my shoes, carefully dropping them into a non-descript plastic grey tub. I was supposed to be, expertly and publicly, removing my belt and placing it carelessly atop my shoes, double checking my pockets for coins and keys, while I awkwardly wait, with hundreds of others, to have my privacy quasi-violated. Airport security.

Those of us who have had the privilege to fly, and it is a privilege, know this routine. But often, and especially in my case, the drear of security and line-ups is overridden by the excitement of the trip: the adventure that is to commence, or the freshly-imprinted memories, from the one that has just happened.

For me, it was to be the opening paragraph in my latest story: Cairo. The land of limitless minarets, of ancient Pharaohs, and the Nile’s daunting mischief. My second trip to the enchanted city in less than 14 months. This time, I was to be interning for the United Nations Development Program. Every young change-maker’s dream, right? Waking up and going to a building that flies that sky-blue flag. Making a difference. Doing something for the world?

And then it happened. Democracy, or something like it. Egyptians spoke, like maybe never before. The people forced that their voice be heard. It was incredible. For years, in textbooks and on the BBC website, I had read about it, studied it, even dreamed it.

And now it was happening. And I was to be there, finally experiencing it. The activist in me began to quickly to show its adrenaline-charged face. Was this my Tiananmen Square? I started thinking about the photos I’d take, the articles that I’d write, and how important it was that I, Nejeed Kassam, youth activist, writer, change-maker, be there. Soaking it all in; experiencing the people’s will: demos kratos.

My excitement came to an abrupt end: my flight got cancelled. In fact, almost every flight got cancelled—the result of a fading dictator’s feeble grasp to hold power: the curfew. The UN started to evacuate all its non-essential personnel; the UNDP (temporarily) suspended most of its operations; my medical insurance was no longer valid; my government strongly advised me to stay home. My trip was cancelled. My story’s pages left blank.

And I was angry. This was supposed to be my moment, my chance. And I was stuck with an unused $61 visa; all I had to show for my adventure. But, then I started to actually think about it. Why exactly did I want to go so much? Could I possibly be that audacious and arrogant? What could I possibly contribute while I was there? A column in the newspaper, maybe a few photos?

I claim to be an activist. But what does that even mean; what was I doing? Activism is a verb, not some passing or trendy term used by self-righteous hipsters. I believe it to be about making meaningful contribution, doing that something that I always dreamed about, even if it came in baby steps. For me, in Egypt right now, there was nothing for me to give, no action for me to truly take. The worlds of Twitter and Facebook, of text messages and blogs were livelier than ever—barely inhibited by the suspension of the internet. Egyptians, and especially my fellow youth, were sharing the stories, the pain, and the excitement—and much better than I could. Wanting to go to Egypt, without job or real reason, what did that make me? Selfish and hypocritical.

If I am actually the activist that I claim to be, if I take this role seriously, there is so much I need to learn—and not just about politics, or development, or revolution. But also about myself, and my place in the world of social change. Egypt, and all that it has led to, has, for me, not only been a great lesson in democracy, but also a lesson in activism, and one that I’m grateful I’m learning.

Where will the next revolution be? Yemen? Bahrain? Libya? Maybe somewhere that nobody expects. Who knows. I may be there, I may not be. But, I don’t think that really matters.

They say that charity starts at home… maybe activism does too.

*UPDATE:  Nejeed Kassam was just redeployed by UNDP to Belgrade, Serbia from where he will file reports for HUMNEWS.

--- Nejeed Kassam is a Canadian youth activist and is the founder of the international NGO’s `End Poverty Now’ and `Networks for Change.’ Nejeed is currently writing two books including the sequel to the “High on Life” book and is a young activist, looking for his next international assignment.