Egypt: Tahrir Square And A Revolution Betrayed
By MISNA
“People are tired, pressed by the economic crisis, they want to return to normality, to work and everyday life. Therefore, there is the feeling that the youth and their ideals are being gradually being abandoned to themselves, their idea of ’continuous revolution’ as long as the military does not leave room for a democratic government,” said Father Alberto Sanchez, a Comboni missionary in the heart of Cairo, a few steps back from Tahrir Square, which has witnessed riots and unrest in recent days, having already left 14 dead.
The spark that ignited sit-ins and rallies by thousands of young people in front of the seat of government and parliament, and the institutions – the protesters complain – has been deprived of legitimacy and real power by the military that have actually been governing Egypt since last February, more more with an iron fist.
“Many have seen in the first elections held between late November and mid December,a path that will eventually bring democracy to Egypt. Not so the youth, who see with growing concern the protracting military transition and the presence of Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi at the helm of the country” said the missionary.
According to a statement released today by the head of the department of forensic medicine at Qasr al-Aini Hospital, at least 9 of the 13 demonstrators killed in recent clashes died from gunshot wounds. One of them also died after suffering a head trauma while in detention.
Among them, was Sheikh Emad Effat who was shot at the heart while siding with protesters on the way to Qasr el Aini. He was considered among the most modern and moderate voices of al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s theological center of reference and the head office of the mufti of Egypt, Ali Gomaa, the main religious authority at national level.
“His death has caused a stir and indignation in the country – said the MISNA sources – as did the aggression against and the stripping of a protester, whose images have traveled around the world today, and against which hundreds of women and men marched in Tahrir Square displaying placards saying ‘What if it were your daughter.’ “
